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NATO supply routes: Whispers of headway spur DCC meeting
Isaf commander, US deputy secretary of state hold talks with Pakistani leadership to narrow down their differences.
In an attempt to keep media at bay, the high-level talks took place at the residence of Foreign Minister Khar in the ministers’ enclave. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
A top decision-making body on defence and security issues will convene on Tuesday (today) amidst muted claims of a breakthrough in talks over the reopening of Nato supply routes that Pakistan had blocked last year.
The meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) will come on the heels of overnight talks between top Pakistani and US officials to narrow down their differences.
A foreign office official confirmed that Isaf Commander General John Allen along with US Deputy Secretary of State Tom Nides held extensive talks on Monday with their Pakistani interlocutors including Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
In an attempt to keep media at bay, the high-level talks took place at the residence of Foreign Minister Khar in the ministers’ enclave, the official revealed.
“It seems the discussions went well,” said one official without elaborating if the two sides were able to close a deal on the resumption of vital land routes for foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan.
“Nothing is final yet,” the official added with guarded optimism.
In the past, the two sides had come close to a deal more than once but collapsed before a final agreement was made. Sources said the final announcement hinges on the US agreeing to Pakistan’s longstanding demand for an apology over last year’s Nato cross-border raid which killed 24 soldiers.
For this purpose, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman held extensive talks with US authorities in Washington during the last few days. She was called back from Washington and is expected to brief the civil and military leadership about her talks ahead of the DCC meeting. The US has so far resisted demands of a public apology — a precondition set by the government to reopen Nato supply routes. Washington’s reluctance is attributed to the Obama Administration’s domestic compulsion in an election year.
A senior government official told The Express Tribune that an apology could end the protracted impasse over the issue. The final agreement, according to the official, will be a “package deal” encompassing all contentious issues including drone attacks, cross-border raids and the Afghan endgame.
The US State Department played down the hype surrounding the late Monday night talks in the capital between Pakistani and American officials, asserting that no agreement had yet been reached on the issue.
While officials from Pakistan and the US remain tight-lipped regarding a possible breakthrough, Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Monday sounded upbeat. Rasmussen said it was necessary for both Nato and Pakistan to cooperate.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Rasmussen said he hopes that Pakistan would soon reopen the supply routes.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2012.
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How much money will Hina’s government earn through this?
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People will not accept reopening of supplies
This issue should no longer be discussed as it is against peace in the region
The Supreme Court should put a final end to this discussion
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Army stands to lose all it’s credibility
Nation is falling apart
The people are against war and supplies
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@Khan of Cape Town: Whatever money they get won’t start to compensate Pakistan for the tens of billions lost due to wars and instability in the reason. Think about how many trillions were saved by Pakistan by defeating the Soviets in Afghanistan and ending the Cold War. Then the ongoing instability in the region.
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So what’s the price of Pakistan’s ghairat?
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Forget the international intrigue and politics ! she is one pretty lady – that’s all I have to say
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I am glad sanity will finally prevail. We have had enough of this ridiculous jingoism; it is time to move on with the rest of the world rather than leaving no stone unturned to become the next N. Korea.
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We don’t want to fight for other countries, especially ones which are directly negating the requests of the public. Keep the nato routes closed, let them take other routes, who are they trying to pressure up.
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@wtf – so you think somehow with the Americans handicapped or gone you will have peace in the region. I would love to hear what you base that on?
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@Jim:About usd 500 per container
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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@ Jim: Before commenting mind your language…because if we were to take the price of our losses in this so called war on terror…NATO and US budget’s 80% wd have gone in that…we have lost 40,000 innocent lives in this war..there is no priice for that…..
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@Wtf?:
and hindering progress will bring war to Pakistan. I’m not talking about the US/NATO either. You complain about cross boarder attacks but want to hinder abilities of people to deal with them at the same time.
Though that kind of common logic in strategy regarding the big picture is one of the things Pakistan is well known for.
You’re going to be fighting no matter what. The people should instead decide if they want to stay alive with the help of what you call allies or to go it alone and complete your failure.
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Sigh.
Boarder = border.
Spell check is about as useful as a unicycle is to someone with one leg. Someone needs to invent context check.
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@Amjad
100% agreed. There is only been instability in the region because of this war.
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Look at the other side , how many NATO soldiers have been killed by shooters coming from our territory, why the apology
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Well said, Amjad.
This would be a complete travesty since it would bypass the Parliamentary Recommendations (PCNS) and would violate any sense of an effective parliament.
This is not in the interest of the people by and large. Lets hope that the will of the people is respected otherwise I suspect that the national institutions will no longer have the moral authority to rule the nation.Recommend
@Zubair:
Pakistan’s trading over blood and gifts can not be compared with any country be it N.Korea or any other…. beggers can be choosing for their life if not life style, so if India can ask for appology for detaining shah rukh khan at U.S airport for 3 hours, big deal if Pakistan is asking just an appology ( not blood money for families of soldiers martyred) from US?
its sanity to ask for self-respect on diplomatic grounds, and a husky voice FM cant do any thing on her own, they would have ‘settled’ this matter if elections were not around the corner !
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Opening of NATO supply on our terms will be a great success; if small country like PAKISTAN FORCED THE BIGGEST POWER of this world to negotiate as per wishes of our parliament, It would be REALLY A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT.
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@Amused: Peace? As long as the ‘agencies’ are unfettered, there will be no peace.
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Whenever a meeting takes palce between Pak and US officials, even at lower level, we hear whispers of agreement, only proven to be fake. And yet the media, both print and elctronic continue to so called, “familiar-source-based” fresh rumours. I suppose that they should be a little careful, particulary on the matters directly related to public sentiments.
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No further compromise with US on NATO supply.Recommend
Surprised most people did not read fine print. Finance Minister was involved in this meeting.
With $5bn trade deficit and $5bn interest payment due in next 6 months, Pakistan will need $10bn in next 9 months approx. Neither Saudi “Brothers” nor Chinese “Friends” will cough up THAT kind of money! And that leaves Uncle Sam whose kind word can make World Bank and IMF release part money and rest coming from Uncle!
It is then for Pakistan to decide how to amuse Old and reliable Uncle Sam! Apology or not. Afghan End game (which is 2014 onwards much beyond next payments date) or not! $5000/Container or not! This is about SURVIVAL!
To be fair, seems Pakistan’s civilian Govt and Army BOTH are at least thinking of National interest now. Better late then Never!Recommend
Pakistan is a proud and courageous nation that refuses to bow down to terrorism. It is no secret that Pakistan has been severely affected by homegrown insurgency in recent times. Terrorist organizations like the TTP continue to wage attacks throughout the nation. The harsh reality is that thousands of innocent lives have been lost to these acts of terror inside Pakistan. It is simply absurd to think that Pakistan is fighting someone else’s war when these homegrown terrorists are fully focused on destabilizing the nation. The truth is that terrorist organizations like the TTP and the Haqqani network pose as much of a threat, if not more, to Pakistan as they do to the U.S. Our failure to realize that we are fighting a common war will only hamper our chances of achieving our common objectives. In fact, no two other nations could understand each other’s sacrifices more in this WOT. These recent meetings between our officials prove how important it is for both of our nations to make our relationship work. We must acknowledge their efforts to iron out our differences. We must appreciate the fact that efforts are being made to create a healthy working relationship. We certainly hope to see both of our nations look past our differences and reach a resolution for the betterment of the region.
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The supply convoy ground routs from Pakistani sea port,
into land locked Afghanistan,not only the continued war
against Taliban but also are crucial for a sure exit of the
United States troops and equipment in the combat forces
withdrawal that is scheduled for completion by the end of
2014.
All stack holders facing terrorism should express patience
not involved conspiracies against each others.
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who is gonna pay for roads and infrastructure distraction? Decision against he Public WILL,
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