Pentagon: Closure of NATO supply routes has not had significant impact on troops

US hopes that Pakistani officers would return to border coordination centers.

WASHINGTON: Addressing a press briefing at the Pentagon, Press Secretary George Little said that the NATO supply routes were important and expressed hope that the routes closed by Pakistan could be reopened in the future. He added that while ISAF commander General Allen and ISAF were making contingency plans to compensate the logistics efforts, however the closure of the supply routes had not led to a significant impact in the US’ ability to “provide for the war effort.”

In response to a question, the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Captain John F. Kirby added that the decision to open the supply routes is up to the Government of Pakistan.

The supply routes were closed by Pakistan as a consequence of the NATO airstrike on November 26 that led to the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers.

US wants Pakistani officers to return to coordination centers

Both spokespersons also addressed the subject of border coordination centers. On Monday, the Associated Press had reported that Pakistan had pulled out of two of the three border coordination centers. Little said, “I dont know when Pakistani personnel who pulled out from border coordination centers will return. The Pakistanis can move personnel as they wish, but we would like to return to business as usual at the border coordination centers.”

In response to another question, Little said that while a number of US officials had reached out to Pakistani officials after the NATO airstrike, including General Dempsey, Secretary Clinton and General Allen, “Secretary Panetta has not reached out at this point to Pakistani officials.” However, he said he would not rule out the possibility of him reaching out in the near future.

On the subject of President Zardari and rumours of his illness, Little said that while they did not want to comment, if he was suffering from an illness, they wished him well.

Both officials declined to comment on whether a US drone was in Iran’s custody.