LONDON: US-Pakistani relations are at one of their worst points in memory after the NATO strike that killed 24 Pakistani troops, but can recover, Washington's top military officer said on Monday.
General Martin Dempsey said Pakistani anger was justified given the loss of life. But he declined to offer an apology, saying during a trip to London that he did not know enough yet about the weekend incident and that there was a US military investigation.
"They have reason to be furious that they have 24 soldiers that are dead, and that the ordinance that killed them was the ordinance of a partner," Dempsey, chairman of the US military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Britain's ITV News.
"I would certainly like to enlist their patience in helping us figure out what happened." Pakistan's military said the strike was unprovoked but a Western official and an Afghan security official who both requested anonymity have said Nato troops were responding to fire from the Pakistani side of the Afghan border.
The killings have upended US attempts to ease a crisis in relations with Islamabad, which worsened after the secret US raid into Pakistan to kill al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in May.
The incident also threatened to undermine US efforts to stabilise the region as Washington tries to wind down the war in Afghanistan. Asked about US-Pakistani relations, Dempsey said: "It certainly does look like it's on about as rocky a road as it has been in my memory. And my memory with Pakistan goes back some 20 years or so."
Questioned whether the situation was irretrievable, he said: "No. I don't think so." Dempsey branded the relationship with Pakistan "troubled" when he addressed a forum in London.
Supply cut-off
Pakistan shut Nato supply routes into Afghanistan in retaliation for the killings. Dempsey said the United States could cope with the cut-off by channeling supplies through alternative routes.
"But I'd like to believe that we could, over time, with Pakistan's approval, restore those lines of communication," he said. Pakistan has also said it had ordered the United States to vacate a drone base in the country.
Dempsey, who declined to acknowledge the use of drones at the base, said the move would be a "serious act in terms of our relationship".
"They want us to close the base in Shamsi, the purpose of which I leave to your imagination. There are other options for stationing aircraft and other resources around the region," Dempsey said.
Asked whether it was a serious blow, he said: "It's a serious blow in the sense that the Pakistani government felt that they needed to deny us the use of a base that we've been using for many years. "And so it's serious in that regard. It's not debilitating militarily."
Dempsey said ties at senior levels between the two nations' militaries were still strong at the "person-to-person" level.
He said he had known Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Kayani since the two studied together at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in the late 1980s.
Dempsey refrained from repeating some of the accusations about Pakistani intelligence ties to anti-US militants that were cited by his predecessor, Admiral Mike Mullen.
Mullen, before stepping down in September, called the Haqqani network a "veritable arm" of Pakistan's ISI intelligence service. "Whether they are acting at the behest or at the direction of the ISI -- I'm not prepared to say that," he said.
COMMENTS (16)
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Thank you ET
After one week, _ Imran Khan Tsunami erupts again in Pakistan, _ Zardari visiting China (reason ?) _ NRO debated again _ Sherry Rehman meets with Mrs.Clinton _ Zardari announces US bowed to Pakistan pressure _ Kayani says 'No one will be allowed to preach the sovereignty of the nation' _ NATO supply trucks resume their journey _ US drone strike kills 12 _ Pakistan announces after participating in Bonn conference, US-Pak relations are on track. _ Zardari writes a op-ed in Washington Post, titled 'Pakistan needs more trade and less aid'
@Truth Teller: i've thought a million and one time for reassuring you that we don't care anymore.
pakistan-usa friendship zindabad @Truth Teller: but not those who are protesting against evolution theory
US never a trusted friend to any country or alliance but to Israel.
One should think million times before making US your enemy!
Bloody US should know that I have lost 25 of my brothers. After that how CHEAP US expect now good relation from us? To hell with your cooperation. Its better to get lost! General Sb be bold and go ahead we are with you, teach a good lesson to this cheap nation and their representative, Go we are proud of you and know you are one of the best Armies of the world.
You need both parties willingness for subversion. Good thing Pakistan is kicking US out and US are begging.
Court martial those elements who are responsible for the attacks on pakistani posts..!!!
Sweet words and ugly deeds.
We are not ready to shake hand with US any more.
Better to get lost. We will take care of our own country PAKISTAN.
We know how to manage things without the help of US.
US is not God in which we believe.
America is so keen on keeping good ties with Pakistan while Pakistan doesn't, especially not after the Nato airstrike that killed 24 of our soldiers.
its realy shocking. Pakistan army's 24 servicemen have been killed inside the borders of thier own country by their "invading" nato "allies"without any reason and warning. The decision made by pak goverment to close shamsi airbase seems logical.
We want those men who killed our soldiers. Nothing can happen until we have them.
Go away America. We dont want any relations with you. Got all ties with devil America.