Pakistan looking for 'positive conversation' on Nato routes in Chicago: Sherry Rehman
Says topic of US apology over check post attack not going off the table.
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Sherry Rehman has said that Pakistan is looking at a 'positive' conversation about reopening of Nato supply routes but it will be pre-mature to say when the trucks will resume supply.
"Pakistan is still demanding US President Barrack Obama’s apology over Pakistani soldiers death in US air strikes," she told CNN in an interview.
About crossing over of four trucks into Afghanistan, she said,"we are allowing diplomatic cargo, and as far as I know, trucks, cargo and lorries are suspended, ban on some humanitarian supply may have lifted but no serious materials have been crossing over and all have been suspended for six months."
On the eve of the Chicago summit, Ambassador Rehman spelled out Islamabad's position on various issues including the November 26,2011, cross-border drone strikes, reopening of Nato supply routes, Pak-US ties after Salala incident, the May 2 incident and Haqqani network issues.
About the Chicago summit, she said this is a big summit where all leaders especially Pakistan and Afghanistan will be conferring to bring stability and peace to the region. She added that Pakistan had a role in the region and the alliance's summit presented an opportunity to redefine it.
"We have joint goals that can converge, but you know that the relationship is in a bad place for over six months," she pointed out.
About the formal apology from the US over November 26 Nato air strikes, the ambassador said this issue is not going off the table -- 24 coffins draped in our national flag, killed at the hands of not an enemy, but a friend has caused national furor in Pakistan.
She said a joint sitting of the Parliament has asked for a formal apology from the US and Pakistani people seek restriction over air strikes’ deaths.
“This unconditional invitation to Pakistan is a very positive breakthrough. We don't want interference in Afghanistan, but want to support peaceful security transition, which can also bring stability to the region," the envoy said.
On the issue of Osama bin Laden, Sherry Rehman said that there is an Abbottabad Commission that is investigating it. "No body wanted to see OBL in Pakistan, we have helped hunt down al Qaeda," she said.
About the Haqqani network, she said, it has become a catch word to judge the Pak-US relationship, however, she cautioned that the entire relationship could not be predicated on this spin. She pointed out that the Pak-Afghan border is a porous border and it needs policing on both sides to stop the free movement of terrorists across it.
Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, Sherry Rehman has said that Pakistan is looking at a 'positive' conversation about reopening of Nato supply routes but it will be pre-mature to say when the trucks will resume supply.
"Pakistan is still demanding US President Barrack Obama’s apology over Pakistani soldiers death in US air strikes," she told CNN in an interview.
About crossing over of four trucks into Afghanistan, she said,"we are allowing diplomatic cargo, and as far as I know, trucks, cargo and lorries are suspended, ban on some humanitarian supply may have lifted but no serious materials have been crossing over and all have been suspended for six months."
On the eve of the Chicago summit, Ambassador Rehman spelled out Islamabad's position on various issues including the November 26,2011, cross-border drone strikes, reopening of Nato supply routes, Pak-US ties after Salala incident, the May 2 incident and Haqqani network issues.
About the Chicago summit, she said this is a big summit where all leaders especially Pakistan and Afghanistan will be conferring to bring stability and peace to the region. She added that Pakistan had a role in the region and the alliance's summit presented an opportunity to redefine it.
"We have joint goals that can converge, but you know that the relationship is in a bad place for over six months," she pointed out.
About the formal apology from the US over November 26 Nato air strikes, the ambassador said this issue is not going off the table -- 24 coffins draped in our national flag, killed at the hands of not an enemy, but a friend has caused national furor in Pakistan.
She said a joint sitting of the Parliament has asked for a formal apology from the US and Pakistani people seek restriction over air strikes’ deaths.
“This unconditional invitation to Pakistan is a very positive breakthrough. We don't want interference in Afghanistan, but want to support peaceful security transition, which can also bring stability to the region," the envoy said.
On the issue of Osama bin Laden, Sherry Rehman said that there is an Abbottabad Commission that is investigating it. "No body wanted to see OBL in Pakistan, we have helped hunt down al Qaeda," she said.
About the Haqqani network, she said, it has become a catch word to judge the Pak-US relationship, however, she cautioned that the entire relationship could not be predicated on this spin. She pointed out that the Pak-Afghan border is a porous border and it needs policing on both sides to stop the free movement of terrorists across it.