A day after Pakistan reopened Nato transit routes, Pakistan’s top diplomat in Washington quashed rumours of a secret deal with the United States.
In an exclusive interview with Munizae Jahangir of Express News, Ambassador Sherry Rehman lauded the US for what she called ‘strategic patience’ and said the decision was an ‘important milestone in bilateral relations’ of the two countries.
She added that no ‘secret’ deals had been cut and that the government’s move to refer “matters of national security to Parliament for the first time in the country’s history” was meant to bring it under public scrutiny. Ambassador Rehman said the words ‘regret’ and ‘condolences’ were put forward many times by the US, but that “sorry is what we had asked for”.
Asked whether the US apology was conditional and contrary to Pakistan’s earlier demands, she said the Salala tragedy was clearly mentioned as the reason for the hiatus in bilateral relations and that makes it ‘meaningful to Pakistan’. While the opposition has criticised the government for not taking into account the parliamentary recommendations which include calling off the drone campaign, she said such a backlash was inevitable in a ‘large democracy such as ours’. She said that in the past decisions on national security were taken by the executive behind closed doors – but “we not only gave due deference, but also spent a lot of time trying to develop a consensus with Parliament”.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2012.
COMMENTS (12)
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Thank you Sherry Rehman for your statement about no secret deal with USA. We trust you.
Suppose this Sherry Rehman's statement is true then why don't you display all the agreements' details before the nation?
When Govt says, NO SECRET DEAL, it clearly means that YES A SECRET DEAL...
ha ho ho ho ho ho ho
OK. We believe you!
Please don't lie Sherry Rehman....
"No ‘secret’ deal with US, says Sherry Rehman"
Never believe anything until it's officially denied.
Madam Ambassodor, everything is visible on You tube(please do visit it) so there is no secret deal now possible in this small world, I have many a times seen many a things which would not have been possible without Utube. do try it. you will like it. it exposes enougoh leaving nothing in secreet.
Except USA has postponed declaring the Haqqani brothers network as terrorist group and those who shelter them are guilty by association until 2014. Had USA and the UN declared Pakistan as a state sponsoring terrorist, it would have led to international sanction similar to Iran or Cuba or Libya. Abu Hamza/Jundal has been singing since he was deported by KSA and he is the third witness who claims Pakistan state actors were involved in Mumbai 2008 terrorist attack.
Is it not an open secret?
Thank You. I learnt today anathor use of the word "strategic" in the world of Pakistan politics.
"Strategic Patience" wow
This can now join the list of strategic depth, strategic assets.
We sent you to US to get the best deal for us. The least we expect you to do is not to sugar coat the outcome.
Dear madam, so on what Pakistan and American agreed, if deal or no secret deal, then what are the rights of engagements? What way Pakistan interests will be secured, and better than before. No one explaining it. All power centers must put forward the state of our national relationship with American now. Love ou all.