Gen Mattis briefing trip postponed, not cancelled: US State Dept

Toner says US is committed to working with Pakistan, have closer ties, and that compensation will be paid.

WASHINGTON: The US countered an earlier report that General Mattis’ trip to brief Pakistan over the NATO-ISAF investigation report into the November 26 attack, had been cancelled. The trip, had in fact been, US Department of State spokesperson Mark Toner said on Friday, postponed due to internal political dynamics of Pakistan, and that the US remained committed to a relationship with Pakistan.

(Read: US Central Command briefing to Pakistan on NATO attack cancelled)

Answering questions at the daily briefing he said that Pakistan was going to take some time to study the report. He added that Pakistani and US officials were in communication over the report. “I know that Ambassador Munter, I believe, met with Foreign Minister Khar, but he also met with, I believe, the interior minister yesterday as well,” adding that more Pakistani officials will be briefed, “we’re going to continue to offer briefings to senior Pakistani officials.”

Pakistan, hours after the NATO-ISAF report was launched, rejected it, calling it “short on facts” and that a detailed statement would be released when the full report is shared. Pakistan had been offered to become part of the joint probe, however Pakistan declined the offer.

(Read: Pakistan declined to join investigation into NATO airstrike: Pentagon)

Toner though confirmed that there would be some amount of payments made to the families of the 24 soldiers killed. “Yes. I think it would be done through Department of Defense, and they have more details on the timing and as well as the amount,” he said.

Coup rumours should be sorted through their own political process

Responding to questions on whether the US was concerned over the statements coming out of Pakistan of a coup, Toner said that “we [US] support the democratic process in Pakistan, we [US] support the constitution and the rule of law, as well as the will of the Pakistani people.  We [US] believe, rather, that this is a matter for the Pakistani people to resolve within their own political process.”

Worst year in Pakistan-US relationship

With major events like Raymond Davis saga, Abbottabad raid, and lastly the Salala checkpost attack, Toner was asked whether 2011 was possibly the worst in Pakistan-US ties. Toner said that the US and Pakistan had tried to work through each tumultuous turn, and shown a commitment to work together, “there have been some significant obstacles throughout this year in the relationship.  But at each juncture, we’ve tried to address those challenges and we have recommitted ourselves to working with Pakistan.  And we’re going to continue to do that because we believe we need to work with Pakistan.  It’s too important.  The issues that we face, the challenges we face, are too important.”

However, Toner said that the US wanted closer ties in 2012 and that they would have to work for it. “We desire a closer, more productive relationship with Pakistan both militarily and as well as politically.  And we’re constantly working to build that closer cooperation,” he said.