ISLAMABAD/ WASHINGTION:
Pakistan is willing to drastically reduce the taxes and transit fees it intends to impose on Nato supplies passing through the country only if the United States accepts full responsibility of the Salala air raid and offers a public apology.
A senior foreign office official admitted that the apology, and not tariff rates, is the main hurdle for the resumption of Nato supplies to Afghanistan. Land routes for Nato supplies were indefinitely suspended after a US air raid killed 24 soldiers at the Salala check post.
“Once the US tenders an apology, the issue of taxes and transit fees will be settled in no time,” said the official requesting anonymity.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns are expected to meet today (Thursday) at Kabul on the sidelines of the ministerial conference on Afghanistan. It is believed that the two will work towards narrowing down their differences which have had a considerable impact on both countries.
Diplomatic sources dub the meeting as a significant development in light of the US decision to withdraw negotiators from Islamabad last weekend.
Khar confirmed on Wednesday at a joint news conference with her Danish counterpart that the issue of tariff was not a stumbling block in resetting ties with the US. “Pakistan is not engaged in any sort of price-gouging debate right now. These impressions are indeed incorrect, wrong and must be dispersed as soon as possible.”
“The US knows very well our needs and requirements to enable us to move in that direction; to enable us to take that decision,” Khar said with reference to the resumption of Nato supplies.
Meanwhile, during a congressional committee’s hearing in Washington, US senator Dianne Feinstein appeared to endorse Khar’s remarks by suggesting that Pakistan was willing to lower tariff rates in return for an apology. “It is my view that Pakistan will lower the cost, but they want an apology,” she said.
However, there is no indication as yet to suggest that the US will accept Pakistan’s demand.
Testifying before the Senate’s subcommittee on appropriations for defence along with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dempsey, Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta said the US had “expressed regret for the mistakes that were made.”
“The problem is that at this point they’re asking not just for that, but other elements that have to be resolved,” said Panetta.
He acknowledged that the continued blockade of land routes by Pakistan was proving very costly for the US and that it had to transport goods using alternative supply lines such as the Northern Distribution Network (NDN).
Panetta estimated the cost borne by the US as a result of the closure to be $100 million per month. He also attributed the increase in the defence budget to this saying it was “very expensive” to use the NDN.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2012.
COMMENTS (15)
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Silly, how Indians have become a mouth piece for US for staging verbal attack on Pakistan. They are simply riding the wave and and scoring points. Oh I forgot we are still their enemy number one.
As soon as the Pakistani economy starts feeling the effects, the prices come down...
@Malatesh: As always the most intellectual and fair comment from our friends on the EAST. Then they say Indians aren't our enemies.
One facing formula for Pakistan could be to claim that NATO route was blocked for 24 days, one day for each soldier and move forward.
There is only one US taxpayer the aid to Pakistan should be reduced proportionately to the money spent on NDN. Aid is just an Aid and it is not an entitlement like a welfare check. Aid is another way of providing additional cash to Pakistan for NATO route. One can not have both ways. It is simple economics 101.
I agree that Pakistan is not doing good to itself by persisting on an immoral stance. US should increase drone attacks and completely destroy all the terrorist camps. On the other hand Pakistan should not expect an apology from the US as it is the super power. We should instead take whatever US offers for using the NATO route. Imagine if US attacks Pakistan, the whole nation will go back to the Stone Age. We should also focus on improving our relations with India rather than supporting militancy in Kashmir.
"“Pakistan is not engaged in any sort of price-gouging debate right now." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ So it was engaged in price gouging earlier?:)
This is usual Marketing: +++++++++++++++++ When inventory is high and sales low, discounts are offered.
Flip Flop Flip Flop ++++++++++++++++++ Did the FM not say that the stoppage of Kabul Transit was to make a point and that its time now to move ahead?
"“Once the US tenders an apology, the issue of taxes and transit fees will be settled in no time,”" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ How many of you believe that Pakistan can be trusted to keep its word?
USA hasn't reimbursed Pakistan Army for its services. I urge USA to pay its bills on time.
Mr. Panetta... you will acknowledge a lot of other stuff as well too.... soon InshaAllah.
by negotiating on price we have long lost the case highlighting lack of moral, ethical values. All over the world, people consider us merchants negotiating on price over dead...
US will not apologize even tariff reduced to zero. US should extend drone strikes in POK in order to destroy terror camps completely.
A slap on the face of those who said US doesn't depend on Pakistan, they can use NDN.
The real issue in this deadlock is the face saving. Pakistan wants apology. US doesn't want to give one. Both countries are in election years. Lets see how things fold.