Nadeem Hotiana, an embassy spokesman, confirmed that Zardari would attend the conference, scheduled for May 20-21. Given that Washington, which had earlier extended the invitation despite an agreement on the reopening of the supply line yet to be reached, demonstrated that they valued Pakistan’s presence at the summit more.
Pakistan had shut the land communication route in November after a Nato attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
Observing this, the Defence Committee of the Cabinet announced that it would endorse Zardari’s presence in Chicago later in the week.
Senior Pakistan officials including Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had both signalled a need to reopen the supply lines, observing that keeping the route shut was detrimental for Pakistan.
US looks forward to resolving Nato supply route issue with Pakistan
The US state department, quizzed over whether extending Pakistan an invitation to the Chicago summit meant abandoning the demand of reopening supply route, spokesperson Victoria Nuland reiterated that negotiations were still underway but it was considered important that Pakistan attend the moot.
“We are continuing our discussions with the Pakistanis. Our technical team is still there. We are making progress. We have not yet completed an agreement. We do consider the agreement important, but we also consider -- and all of our NATO partners considered it important -- to have Pakistan in the ISAF and neighbours event at the summit in Chicago,” she said.
Explaining the invitation to the summit, she said that “as a neighbour of Afghanistan, Pakistan does have an important role to play in supporting Afghan security. We do want to see these land routes opened. We are continuing to work on it. But we thought it was important to have them at the summit in this partnership role.”
Nuland though hoped that the route reopens before the summit commences. “Obviously, it'll be a wonderful signal if we can get it done by the time of the summit. But we decided nonetheless -- NATO countries all together decided that it was important to have Pakistan in the ISAF meeting.”
She reminded the gathered media persons that negotiations with Pakistan were far from over. “But it's not finished till it's finished.”
COMMENTS (16)
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The NATO wants to deal with right "trader" directly.. With all due respect to our PM, Pakistan should be represented by its PM who supposedly has more "constitutional" powers.. but, alas, everyone know who has real powers.. May God protect Pakistan from dynasties and their remanants..
@American Muse: You are absolutely right because Zardari's controlling ropes are in US' leaders hands and Zardari shall announce the re-opening of NATO's supply routes formally in Chicago's summit and Zardari's main objective/purpose to attend the Chicago's summit is re-opening the blocked NATO's supply routes' announcement.
what is in it for Pakistan ? to me it was more in Bon and is less in chicago... i am not an expert though.
why blaming just Zardari - the establishment was behind this whole chest thumping and the following whimpering U-turn....
enjoy yourself - lucky you are..
What difference it will make for Pakistan?
Zid ul followed policies of usa blindly.Z.A BHUTTO was toppled with d direction of usa. MUSHI tried to show some resistance but when usa said pak will b eliminated with d help of India he immediately yielded.when kayani zardari resited nato supply usa threatend SANCTIONS and creation of independend Bolochistan ,present set up also wilted .what is ur so called all weather friend china doing.if nato supply is not allowf sanctions will b imposed assistance will b stopped economy will b shattered Bolochistan will b created. Horrible picture!!
Will welcome him here most warmly on taxpayers money.
He will not ashamed while walking over the bodies of our jawaan with no regrets instead standing in conference with widowed, give me dollars!
It is about time that both Pakistan and the US have frank and heart to heart talk and stop playing games and start working together to eradicate terrorism form our country. In addition we have to stop fooling the world and start telling the truth and show remorse on the presence of OBL in Pakistan all these years. Like his Indian visit the president should utilize this trip to its max and sort out all major issues with the civilized world. Time for Pakistanis to show they are all against terrorists and serious in the fight not being two faced anymore.
When I first went to England to study, I noticed that some men always scored with girls. When asked how they did it?? Their response was an eye opener. I was told that "if one was ready to humiliate oneself with women, one always got them". I never forgot that and my success rate shot up. President Zardari follows the same principle in Politics and International Relations, except that in his case the whole nation is humiliated not just an individual.
Maybe your President can use this conference as a pulpit to finally announce how Pakistan is going to help Afghanistan. To date Pakistan's concerns have been pretty broad talking about stability - keeping India out - and not allowing USA military bases. Stability concerns sound great but ignore Pakistan's informal policy of supporting militants who want to topple the Afghan govt and I am unsure how keeping India out or eliminating American air bases helps Afghanistan.
Zardari is shameless!
Who can missed the free ride on ghareeb goverment expenses!
Yes go there like a puppet.
We did not participate in the Bon conference but now He will attend the Chicago conference like a puppet and will ask for the conditional Aid (what we don't need) .....this is what it makes clear that what level of respect we have got at international level. time to re-think Mr. President.