Damage control: US submits proposals to put ties back on track
In an attempt to commence damage control, the US Ambassador to Pakistan is believed to have handed over a proposal to the government, envisaging a series of measures to repair bilateral ties, strained after last month’s Nato airstrikes on a Pakistani border post.
The proposal was ostensibly shared during Ambassador Cameron Munter’s meeting with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Friday.
Details of the proposal, however, were closely guarded.
“The Ambassador discussed the current status of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the US,” said a statement issued following the Khar-Munter meeting.
Relations between the two countries must be based on mutual respect, the foreign minister was quoted as saying.
“The recent incidents have led to a re-evaluation of our terms of engagement,” she added.
The American ambassador assured Khar of an early conclusion of the investigation into the November 26 airstrike, the statement said.
From Khar, to Gilani, to Kayani
The exchange wasn’t all rhetoric, though. Following her meeting with Munter, Khar is said to have rushed to the Prime Minister Secretariat.
Khar conveyed to Prime Minister Gilani the US proposal to resolve issues straining bilateral ties, sources say.
The premier subsequently held consultations with Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, purportedly to discuss the US proposal.
An official handout issued by the premier’s office, however, did not mention any specific proposal from Washington.
Gilani will also chair the concluding session of a two-day conference of envoys, summoned from selected capitals to deliberate the situation after Nato strikes.
The conference was convened to formulate suggestions to review and reevaluate terms of engagements with the US and Nato.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2011.
COMMENTS (21)
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The US got no business in this region. Get the hell out.
Vienna,December 10,2011 The worst predicament of a country is when the civilian head of government has to report to the army,which nominally is not heading the country even as open dictatorship but does the back seat driving. The blames of the decisions are on civilian government and legislative bodies, the beneficiary is the armed forces.Dangerous indeed. A foreign minister as no more than a messenger is a shame. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
ABSOLUTELY NO INDIAN ROLE IN AFGHANISTAN, IN NATO OR IN ANY TALKS ABOUT PAKISTAN or else it will all be a waste of time, resources and failure. Keeping India out will benefit the relationship between the USA and Pakistan and will be a win win all the way!
Both US and Pakistan should take time out, go for a real long walk on separate roads to think about the dysfunctional relationship, and then come back to mutually mend it if they still think this partnership is salvageable.
There is nothing worse in the world than a sour relationship dragged on and on and on.
Probably a few billion dollars to drown the sorrows? High time we stopped acting like a lady with low morals- taking money to do deeds we don't like or enjoy. And winking at China on the sly.
How about a new round of sanctions...... Uncle Sam?
Details of the proposal, however, were closely guarded. What sort of a fiefdom are we running here.?
Hina, Gilani and Kiyani should take people of Pakistan in confidence before signing rules of engagement with the US.
No more diplomacy please.
People of Pakistan wants a straight talk and in plain words.
Keeping in view of Pakistan’s relations with the US, people of Pakistan will decide in the next general elections as to which political party should rule the country.
well it is right time for Pakistan to discussed and resolved all suspended issue with US.
@WoW: its there in your beloved america,nothing alarming
@CK: my dear you live in fool paradise,American's future in AFPAK is in doldrums,there are emerging five nuclear powers in this region so don't think small
With Americans no rush up now,be mature and absolutely selfish,all neighbours of Afghanistan be consulted before giving own terms,No Indian role in afghan's security force and int agencies.
@Jawad: "It is showing ‘Recommende’" You don't see the last "d" but it is very much there. Field needs to be enlarged by one character!
correction required: When we click Recommend button as per the functionality it becomes disabled. The disabled button should read 'Recommended' or simply 'Recommend' (since disable in itself means this comment cannot be further recommended). The problem is in the spelling on the disabled button. It is showing 'Recommende'. Just a minor required :)
This is User Acceptance Testing! :)
This is a very logical chain of command. Embassies all over the world interact with Foreign Ministries. It is time we let each institution, civil or military do its work. Foreign powers, especially US should be subjected to this procedural rigor. No one to offer shortcuts at nation's expense.
comments miss the point - munter chose to discuss the proposal with the FM.. not a khaki..
Democracy derives from Demon-cracy!
Young Lady! Watch your steps before you land into another US trap.
I love this channel of Command = Foreign office to PM finally to Gen Kayani. Democracy at its best.