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Salala air raid: United States says sorry – finally
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton admits mistake, promises to avert such attacks in future.
"It is a tangible demonstration of Pakistan’s support for a peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and our shared objectives in the region," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
SAN FRANCISCO:
After months of squabbling that brought a slew of acrimonious exchanges, the United States finally said what Pakistan wanted to hear: sorry.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday apologised over last year’s deadly Nato air raid on Pakistan’s border posts in the Salala area of Mohmand Agency that killed over two dozen troops.
In reprisal for the unilateral raid on November 26, 2011, Pakistan had blocked the vital Nato transit routes and made US troops vacate the Shamsie airbase which was reportedly housing remotely-
piloted aircraft.
Clinton said in a statement that she has offered her ‘deepest regrets’ over the Salala tragedy in a phone call to her Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar. She said ‘sorry’ for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military.
“Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives,” she said. “We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military. We are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again.”
Clinton and Khar spoke about “the importance of taking coordinated action against terrorists who threaten Pakistan, the United States, and the region; of supporting Afghanistan’s security, stability, and efforts towards reconciliation; and of continuing to work together to advance the many other shared interests we have”.
She said that both countries should have a “relationship that is enduring, strategic, and carefully defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of both our nations and the region”.
The foreign minister has “informed me that the ground supply lines [of communications] into Afghanistan are opening,” according to Clinton. However, “no lethal equipment will transit through the GLOC into Afghanistan except for equipping the ANSF (Afghan national security forces)”.
Initial hopes of a deal on re-opening the routes had fallen apart at a Nato summit in Chicago in May amid reports that Pakistan was demanding huge fees for each of the thousands of trucks that rumble across the border every year.
An angry Defence Secretary Leon Panetta had said that Washington ‘will not be price gouged’ by Islamabad.
But Clinton said that Khar has told her that “Pakistan will continue not to charge any transit fee in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region.
“This is a tangible demonstration of Pakistan’s support for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and our shared objectives in the region.”
Reopening the routes would help the United States and Nato to complete its withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan ‘at a much lower cost’, she said.
“This is critically important to the men and women who are fighting terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan.”
Pakistan’s top diplomat in Washington welcomed Clinton’s statement which, she said, would help repair the ties damaged by the standoff over the Nato routes.
“We appreciate Secretary Clinton’s statement, and hope that bilateral ties can move to a better place from here. I’m confident that both countries can agree on many critical issues, especially on bringing peace to the region,” Ambassador Sherry Rehman said in a statement.
Clinton’s ‘sorry’ preceded a ‘personal apology’ by the US commander of Nato forces Gen John Allen to Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani during a meeting in Islamabad earlier this week.
Gen Kayani appreciated the move but called it ‘insufficient’ for reopening the Nato routes, the BBC quoted a senior military official as saying.
Gen Kayani told the American commander that the matter was not between two militaries but between two states and that it should be resolved at the state level, according to the official.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2012.
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Reader Comments (47)
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Umm, I’m so tired. Coffee anyone?
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Generals are getting over a billion dollars so Difa-e-Pakistan did come up handy to set the rate. As usual Generals are the winners and public kept repeating the mantra of ghairat for nothing.
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“We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military….” This is not apology. Its like telling someone who has lost a loved one… “Am sorry for your loss”… that does not mean I killed them… Looks more like a face saver for Pakistan…. Guess there will be lots of people who will just read the word sorry… Looks like this matter is settled and hope the countries can move on from this now…
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See with that sorry, we’ve got our lost-glory and are now considered as a most respected country in the world!
Stupids!
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Atlast Americans came to senses as they were spending unbearable amount of money on northern supply routes and they recognized that their mistake.
My dear America you need to have soft attitude towards Pakistan as Pakistan always helped you in bad times and you know Pakistan’s importance. Money is not everything. Now this is clearly shows that Pakistan was not blocking supply routes for the money.
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Amazing
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Pakistan will be the only country I know of where weapons to be used against Pakistan will be send via Pakistan itself.
Thank you our dual national leaders. Happy American Independence day to all Pakistanis.
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I don’t know whether to be happy or sad on this.?
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If it takes that long to say sorry then it means you don’t mean it. We need IK right away to raise our dignity from rock bottom.
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‘deepest regrets’ Are not apology. These regrets were offered long ago and Pakistan had refused to accept demanding a full apology. Whom are we fooling may be people of Pakistan the world knows the truth…. Pak had no option otherwise after Abu Hamza many more were to follow.
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Finally! o.O
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When we knew we had to open the NATO supply line, then what was all that 7 month long drama. From day 1, army should have negotiated its demands with US behind closed door and without the public posturing. Naïve citizens though that a revolution had taken place.
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Are you telling me America apologized on their Independence Day :0
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Americans are nice and smart peoples but then why do they do all silly things first then agree on the same thing they oppose?
Any way moving forwarded only after settling the previous one is good for both of us. Good luck to all of us.
If national intrest is watched and goal archived then no one should object this settlement.
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Pakistan has failed to extract an apology (an apology by any other name does not smell sweet).
Pakistan has failed to prevent non-lethal transport of weapons (How are they going to differentiate between lethal equipment meant for ANSF and ISAF) ?
Pakistan has failed to obtain any kind of transit fee for their containers.
Pakistan has failed to obtain any concession on drones ; They will be unilateral and will be incessant.
No wonder why they call Pakistan as a failed state.
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May be the English of the generals is so poor that they don’t know the difference between apology and sorry! Or they think people are fools.
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It’s 4th of July in a moment. I can already hear the fireworks outside the window.
I guess drone fireworks would also intensify now.
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Sorry and apology differ in meaning.It was all for public consumption.
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An apology extracted with such Finesse!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Much like a dentist extracts a molar.
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To be realistic anyone in power would have opened the NATO supply routes. Dear US, you are “Sorry” … ACCEPTED. Now pack up and get out from Afghanistan.
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http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/07/194502.htm
“We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military.” ….
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1.FM Khar and I acknowledged mistakes were made. That can only mean mistakes were made on both sides and belies the Kayani stated position that the attack was deliberate
2. Sorry for your lives lost also does not imply acknowledgement of a deliberate attack.
3. Regardless, Prez Obama will pay an electoral price for this though timing works for him. Other headlines will sure enough push this off the front pages well before the elections.
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Stop laying to Pakistani people, they will get you one day and will ask you why did you lie to us for the last 64 years?
Read what she said below:
“She said ‘sorry’ for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military.”
“I once again reiterated our deepest regrets for the tragic incident in Salala last November. I offered our sincere condolences to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives”
and
“We are both sorry for losses suffered by both our countries in this fight against terrorists. “
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wasnt Obama supposed to say this ‘Sorry’ ….. ?
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And what has happened to this news item?
http://tribune.com.pk/story/403075/us-says-sorry-for-salala-attack/
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“Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives,” Clinton said in a statement.
Read this very carefully, very slowly. It says that Pakistan admitted that it made mistakes that brought Salala on itself and US regrets the loss of lives. What an apology. Congratulations.
But Clinton said: “Pakistan will continue not to charge any transit fee in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region.
And then read this. No 5000 USD per container too.Pakistan seems to have completely caved in.Now what?
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Apology comes when the supply route blockage is starting to hurt them badly. No sincere intention behind it. Had there been any, apology would have come a lot sooner. And it doesn’t even make a difference. Not gonna bring anything back either.
Having said that, it’s good to see Pakistan take a strong stance on something, however small.
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Clap calp every body….our master Hillary Rude Clintion and her team is sorry for the lives of our soldiers. Your prayers being heard, now get back to work! Thank you USA. YOu are greatest nation on earth. you are born to kill so enjoy!
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@Ali: It’s actually Pakistan giving a present to America on their Independence Day!
It’s ironic how on this day they gain more independence, and we lose ours.
@Moise: Good one! :)
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I dont understand what Pakistan achieved with this “sorry” statement from US? Did Pakistan thinks that It will get more respect in the world community?
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Is Pakistan governed by the government of Pakistan?
It appears to me that United States governs Pakistan via Pak Army.
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Super Power is Sorry, Now let us send death.
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What Hilary really meant – “We are sorry Pakistani routes are the cheapest to get out of Afghanistan. But, we’ll make sure Pakistan is a sorry state once we are out of Afghanistan.”
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Laughable. Shameful. This is not an apology, it is a condolence message. It is not even unilateral (“Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives….”). We could not even convince them to pay additional charges.
I am not surprised at the naivete of our government, but am disappointed at the lack of maturity being shown by our media, including ET and Dawn, with headlines like “US says sorry – finally”.
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Happy 4th of July Mrs. Clinton :)
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Respect has to come automatically, you cannot beg and take it. After all, ‘beggars cannot be choosers’.
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Pakistan has once again proved that it can fight above its weight! first it defeated USSR, and now has defeated the USA!! Pak should rejoice that it brought USA to its knees!!
And that on on US independence day!!!
How will it affect the Af-Pak border? probably more containers looted, and more guns for all!
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the lives of our brave soldiers goes in vain to these imported corrupt and lunatic leaders….. first gift from our newly democratically elected prime minister raja rental
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@ashok sai:
I agree with you because you are absolutely right.
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Cost of “sorry for lost army lives” = No transit fees. Words are cheap and punishment can be provided at a later day.
Also wonder – if Pakistan has demanded apology from Taliban for beheading its soldiers? They too are allies, aren’t they?
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Now the onus falls on our Govt to share with the people of Pakistan that what are the monetary benefits to our country for opening the Nato supply routes.Issaf has repeatedly stated that other routes were costing extra $100 million per month.
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@Eeman:
Pakistanis have a chronic habit of spitting at everything except their own personal sins. Stop looking at the dark side and start appreciating those acts that should be acknowledged. Had Pakistan not taken a stand, people like yourself, respectfully, would shout their heads that Pakistan failed to stand up!!!!! C’mon get matured.
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yes we made US to apologize :D
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quality of sorry is not up to the mark…ask them to say sorry in urdu….so that whole Pakistan can understand which sorry they are talking about?
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At last Pakistan’s stance has been accepted by the united states,
according to which ”until unless The United States offered unconditional apology it would be difficult to move forward on the issue of reopening of Nato supply routes.
One considerable issue is remained ,drone attacks,Pakistan should adopt a strong stand point and solve it properly.
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But we wanted these words to be said ” ON BENT KNEES ” but here both are saying sorry sorry. Ultimately the writ of our Mother-in-Law prevailed.Recommend
@Sultan Ahmed: Pakistan has failed to extract an apology. They have only repeated what they said months ago.
Pakistan has failed to prevent non-lethal transport of weapons (How are they going to differentiate between lethal equipment meant for ANSF and ISAF) ?
Pakistan has failed to obtain any kind of transit fee for their containers.
Pakistan has failed to obtain any concession on drones ; They will be unilateral and will be incessant.
Sir, what is being told to people is just eye wash.
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