ISLAMABAD: After reports emerged that the top civil and military echelon in the US would not be issuing a formal apology to Pakistan, the job was left to US Ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron Munter to try and douse the raging fire of hatred in Pakistan, sparked after a NATO raid that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
"I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to the people and government of Pakistan and especially to Pakistan's men and women in uniform, for the tragic incident that occurred on November 26,” Munter said in a video message posted on the US Embassy’s video channel on YouTube.
He went on to say “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the men who died.”
Realising that his message may not permeate to the Urdu speaking majority of Pakistan, he repeated the sentence, in Urdu “Hamey bohat afsos hay”.
Munter stressed the longstanding bilateral relations that the two countries shared, “Pakistan and the United States have stood together for over 60 years. We have weathered previous crises together. I am certain we will weather this one, too, and emerge - together - as stronger partners”.
The Ambassador reiterated the US pledge of investigations following the attacks on the Mohmand Agency check post, “We take this matter [the attack] very seriously and pledge to you a full, in-depth investigation.”
Realising that may not be enough a surety, he added “I want to emphasise to the people of Pakistan my personal commitment to do all I can to make sure that we emerge from the tragic incident as stronger partners."
The text of the video contained as part of the subject of the post was signed by him.
Pakistan has already said that an apology would not be enough in this case. Pakistan has also pulled out of a joint investigation into the attacks. NATO says an investigation into the attack will be ready within a month.
Immediate reaction
As Pakistanis expressed their displeasure and anger towards NATO and the US in the street with three days of incessant protests and rallies, people were quick to react to the video through comments and dislikes to the video. Of the 26 votes that video received, only two ‘liked’ it, compared to 24 who ‘disliked’ it.
The comments section was full of negative feedback.
One user, khalidriaz26 wrote:
“I disliked this video to register my protest, and I do not accept your condolence. Your government just doesn't respect human life outside of your country.”
More users posted to lodge their protests, as ravian94 wrote:
“As much as I am devastated and disgusted at the heinous act of killing of MY MEN in Mohmand and as much as condemn the War on Terror (which I recall as War of Terror) resulting in 40000 pakistanis being killed, our economy crippled and our dignity & sovereignty razed to pieces and as much as I have personally recorded my protest on this page”.
Another user wrote tmags44 wrote how if the shoe had been on the other foot, war drums would be beating:
“Pakistan is sick of the US and NATO invading their sovereign borders and I agree with them. Unfortunately, it was necessary to do so to kill Osama Bin Laden. Nonetheless, the NATO attack was a tragedy, and if it happened to US troops we'd be calling for war. Obama should apologise. We need Pakistan as an ally. We also need to get our troops out of Afghanistan and focus on our joblessness, corruption on Wall St. and Washington, and crumbling infrastructure at home.”
One commentator, pakireb defended the Ambassador from all the abuse and anger directed towards him:
“Are you guys seriously cussing this man out for offering his condolences? At least he has the courage to do that, when was the last time the TTP leaders apologised for killing our soldiers or civilians? Even though I dont agree with the US invasion and I know nothing that can be said or done can replace the men that we lost, but I definitely dont want to chastise this man for doing the right thing, or whatever is in his power.”
COMMENTS (24)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1713418975-0/MehwishKhans-(1)1713418975-0-270x192.webp)
1712071304-0/image-(14)1712071304-0-270x192.webp)
Liar!!!!
Now never trust this Cameron Munter's hypocritical statement.He is only showing shallow human sympathy with Pakistani people especially with those families whose innocent officers and soldiers are martyred by NATO's choppers.American leaders are insincere and dishonest in this investigation and only want to cool down the Pakistani nation's,army's and leaders' anger to stay on Shamsi airbase and for strong support from Pakistani government to stay and get success in Afghanistan.Now Pakistani leaders,no any hypocritical statement given by US' leaders to prove themselves innocent in this the most tragic event,could distract and divert your attentions and intentions to protect Pakistan's territory,borders and sovereignty from the interference by US' and NATO's troops.
The easiest thing to say is sorry. I want to ask that if Pakistan had done the same strong textmistake??? what will be the reaction from these allies? Pakistan or any other country in its place does not want simple apolozy but the effective action that the UN will take in order to make very sure that such mistake??? by NATO or any others will not take place in future.
I appreciate the ambassador for doing whatever was in his capacity however an apology does not matter. We want proper investigation and trial.
We don't need apology only. We want those NATO soldiers! Tit for tat
HAMAIN BOHAT AFSOS HE... RIDICULOUS, tmhain koi afsos nahi he. its indeed surprising that the people conducting this so called WAR AGAINST TERRORISM were themselves involved in the biggest terrorist activity of history i.e the HEROSHIMA / NAGASAKI atomic bomb attack. Their generations are still suffering from the nuclear hazards. how can these vultures ever wash this deep stain from their filthy blood stained clothes...
Dear Ambassador .... Thanks for the condolences... But let me remind you in what tone Pakistan was addressed from your side when some NON-PAKISTANIS did the 9/11. "Are you with us or against us....", "........, we will send you to stone ages". Mr. Ambassador, with due respect, This simple show of grief is not enough... please DO MORE
Pakistan its time to take a stance. Enough is enough. Willingly or unwillingly, the future of this region ,now does lie in our hands. Its time to Bow out , and preserve whatever we can.
Atleast the Ambassador had the humality to apolozise and even expressed in the native language demonstrating his sincereity, but Pakistan still awaits apology from the upper echelon.
It is appreciated from him personally only.
An appreciable move. Although, it's only understandable that Obama wouldn't make such an apology in public particularly with an election year coming up. Imagine Obama publicly apologizing to Pakistan - a country that it perceives as having hosted Bin Laden would be political suicide.
A heartwarming gesture by Munter who has candidly conveyed the facts on the ground to relevant quarters in Washington. After urging a rethink of the American drones policy, Munter has again exhibited a soft spot for Pakistan by trying to coax an immediate apology over NATO incident from President Obama. I have little doubt that Barry O privately agrees with Munter but politically he cannot afford to be seen as weak on national security issues by the American electorate.
Humaai'n bohut afsoos hae?
Well guys, the East India Company's residents in Dehli and Lucknow spoke Urdu too. This was few years before 20 year old white trash boys from England were cursing and kicking Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last emperaor of India after his capture from Humayun's tomb. His father in law got him arrested. Yup, there were ghaddaars at that time too. And of course, clueless and oblivious to human suffering leaders like Bahadur Shah himself. But, do desis learn....no.
“We take this matter [the attack] very seriously and pledge to you a full, in-depth investigation.” hahahahaa, like they did with the case of Raymond Devis.
They are asking to forgive them to let their terrorist activities continue in Pakistan unchecked.
Oh please. Even an apology is not enough and they don't even have the decency to give that! Thanks for the "condolences" mr ambassador. If the same thing happened to your cowboy trigger happy abusive troops, I'm sure you would just ask for "condolences". This was a deliberate act of war. Oh and where is Raymond Davis's investigation into his murder of 2 Pakistanis?? Lols - oh forgot hes going around beating up people outside starbucks in Arizona! LOLSS. You can't hide the truth anymore - you dont know the word "peace" or value of non-american human life. You know only WAR.
Good try on the part of Ambassador but we need Obama to apologize and do a trial of those involved in this brutal attack.
What a joke..!!
May Allah give us the opportunity to say "Humein bhi buhat afsoos" when we will brutally kill 24 of US Army personal in a "Friendly Fire" and call it "Not a deliberate attack". Then we will have some "Joe Blow" come on TV and give his condolences on behalf of the whole nation.
Please for Allah’s sake wake up! How many more innocent, uniform and non uniform, men and women have to lose their lives before this is all over, if it ever will. Merely boycotting Bonn Conference (which we have now decided to attend), stopping the NATO supplies (which probably resume in 10 to 15 days, just like last time), launching investigation (that will have no difference whatsoever) is not the permanent solution to this “American Terrorism”.
Just an apology for such cold blooded murder is not enough,there is a strong disconnect here between pakistani people and its civilian government,please do not underestimate us as a nation.
Mr. Ambassador American ppl are nice but American policies are horrible, We are SICK of such lies, People of Pakistan dont want to be your partner in crime anymore.
NO to US policy of WAR, Obama, lied about Rayman Daivas n even now such messages will fail to win any sympathies in public. Think of your starving solders in Afghanistan and stop killing Pakistanis.
Obama you should say sorry and order investigations publicly...We do not accept condolences from your Clerks
An appreciable personal step by the ambassador. The problem is with those sitting in Pentagon and Langley and the insignificance they attach to the lives of Pakistanis.