‘Pakistan, US working on draft of apology’
President Obama and Prime Minister Gilani—AP Photo
WASHINGTON: The United States and Pakistan are working on the language of a possible US apology to end their stalemate and reopen Nato’s supply routes to Afghanistan, diplomatic sources told Dawn.
Pakistan wants the United States to apologise over a Nov 26 air raid that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers at the Salala military post. The United States had initially agreed to apologise but changed its mind after aides warned President Barack Obama the move could harm his re-election campaign.
Pakistan closed Nato’s supply routes to Afghanistan after the raid and is refusing to reopen them unless the Americans apologise.
The sources who spoke to Dawn said they “now see a stronger desire on both sides” to resolve this dispute.
They said the two sides had already exchanged several drafts of the expected apology and might soon agree “on a draft that meets everybody’s requirements”.
The sources rejected recent reports in the US media that Pakistan was refusing to reopen the routes because it wanted higher tariffs from the United States for using its highways.
A team of US experts has been based in Islamabad for the past six weeks, trying to end the dispute and reopen the supply routes. On Friday, another senior US official, Assistant Secretary of Defence Peter Levoy, also joined the team.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington, Sherry Rehman, urged US officials to avoid making remarks that could further deteriorate an already tense relationship between the two countries. Commenting on Secretary Panetta’s recent statement that the United States was losing patience with Pakistan, Ambassador Rehman said: “This kind of public messaging from a senior member of the US administration is taken very seriously in Pakistan, and reduces the space for narrowing our bilateral differences at a critical time in the negotiations.”
Such statements, she noted, “adds an unhelpful twist to the process and leaves little oxygen for those of us seeking to break a stalemate”.
I believe it isn't a matter on dollars as i see in few comments, this is diplomacy at its very best. Govt wants to score some points on this issue as opening the NATO supplies would badly dent their election campaign as we have already seen some parties issuing strick statements on the issue, so they are basically buying time for them. Till now Pak govt has shown some gutts that matters can now be discussed in parliment and be resolved through diplomacy contrary to our past record where US demands were met on just a phone call. This is another perspective of looking at the issue. Peace.
Pakistan must insist on sincere apology
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
routes should be opened only if they agree to end the war peacefully,,,morever pakistan should not allow weapons on routes…
kams,
I shall much appreciate if some competent authority in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan having jurisdiction could refer or cite such a precedent in the political history of Nations. Did Nato Commander sit with Karzai of Afghanistan to work on draft of apology over Afghan deaths in recent air strike by Nato Force. Or is it that, President of USA, Barak Obama does not know how to apologies (in English and or Urdu) and that Mr. Yusuf Raza Gilani, the Prime Minister of Islamic Republic will tutor Obama on the subject!
Jokers in circus, on pack of playing cards and now in politics, is not that funny!
We need to end this agreement with the United States, we were better off when under sanctions. At least we were self sufficient. The US is not a trust worthy ally, American people may be good but the government and particularly the CIA is horrendous.
Will it make significant difference after apology? Even diplomacy improves, both will be suspicious of each other regarding terrorism or terror sanctuaries.
Mahsud .
Every one is talking abt US patience, no one consider that how much patience we had shown from a last decade, either its in shape of drones attack or ray mond devis incidence or abbotabad incidence and last bt not the least the sad incidence of salala post….time has come that we shud reconsider our ties with US.
National interest comes first over our personal ego. We may not like our enemy, but sometime we have to shake hands for the larger interest of the country.
i hope the US should not apologize if that can keep Pakistan to keep the supply roots closed. And i hope even if the US apologize, Pakistan should immediately find another excuse to keep the supply roots closed.
i hope the US should not apologize if that can keep Pakistan to keep the supply roots closed. And i hope even if the US apologize, Pakistan should immediately find another excuse to keep the supply roots closed.
US has to admit that the key to Afghan prob and respectable pullout (brave defeat) frm Afghanistan is Pakistan, not India or anyone else.
I have read this report a second time today and 27 comments, mostly from Pakistani comment writers.
I have seen nothing in the world press (I read 8 newspapers every day) to indicate that US and Pakistani officials are looking at drafts of a possible apology by the US.
What is the source of your information? Quoting “diplomatic sources” is not an adequate basis. Are you just trying to pander to the baser instincts of your people?
V. C. Bhutani, Delhi, India, 10 Jun 2012, 1737 IST
Mr. Bhutani, you must have also objected to many articles published in NY Times referring to 'reliable sources', 'undisclosed location', 'asking not to be named', and 'classified information'.
Dear Haider,
There may not be a draft in progess.This may be an effort by the pakistan govt to regain its popularity among its own people.
We take those reports with a pinch of salt and go on to the next item. If that's what you want us to do with the present report, we are quite content.
I asked for references. None have been forthcoming.
V. C. Bhutani, Delhi, India, 11 Jun 2012, 0909 IST