WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman refuted the notion that the NATO supply routes had been closed to leverage a price advantage.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Ambassador Rehman said, “On the NATO supplies, the way forward is more related to other issues; we certainly did not close the GLOCs for leveraging a price advantage.”
On the subject of the US’ decision to call back its negotiation team, the Pakistani ambassador said, “I don't really see it as an institutional pull-out, but really, that question is for the US administration to answer.”
The US negotiation team which spent 45 days in Pakistan to hammer out a deal to resolve issues surrounding reopening of the route. A US official in Washington though said that the team was returning after they had completed their task, with the option of returning as and when required. The US charge d' affairs too was present in Pakistan to continue working on the deal.
She said that she has repeatedly said that Pakistan wants to be a part of the solution for NATO and the US as they undergo the security transition in Afghanistan, and not an obstacle.
Ambassador Rehman said that the supply routes had not been closed “in a fit of pique or on impulse.”Instead, “These were closed as a decision of the DCC after 24 Pakistani soldiers were martyred at the Salala check post in November last, absent an expression of remorse."
US Secretary of State Leon Panetta had recently said that Pakistan was trying to extort the US, seeking $5000 per truck that crossed over to Afghanistan from the $250 that was being charged prior to the November 2011 incident. Paneatta had said that the US would not “price gouged”.
“We’re not about to get gouged in the price. We want a fair price,” Panetta said on ABC’s “This Week”, in late May.
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@Chopper.: "At least she is a better ambassador then Hussain Haqqani." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Till she attempts to dictate a secret memo!
Fabricated and embellished statement and the furtive reason of increasing prices.
The more you hide your real intention, the more they show. The more you deny your real intention, the more they grow.
@Aryabhat: Good reply ...Pakistan needs the truth ...
@Mirza: This is another proof Pakistan is in "war on terror" just to make money. You don't change rules in the middle of the game
Yes Pakistan has done things to hurt itself. But this Suspension of Nato supply line is not just about money. Its more about post U.S withdrawal from afghanistan and who gets to have have influene on afghanistan..whether its gng to be india usa pakistan or hidden parties such as israel. As zaid hamid says why U.S needs to take 3500 tanks when they are withdrawing in 2014. Btw these tanks are currently stuck in pakistan. I have heard one more thing that pakistan doesnot want any lethal weapons to go to afghanistan and it is allowing only non lethal supplies to be passed through pakistan into afghanistan. This money joke is there to feed media journalists.
If its not for money then why are money issus being discussed with ghairat issues ? Which is the real issue ?
What is the definition of idiot gamblers, can someone educate? Some one said East Pakistan became Bangladesh because of idiot gamblers.
@wonderful, because previously they were almost crossing free, now they have to pay a transit fee, difference between dictatorship and democracy
@PakJam: Spot on brother. It was a deliberate insult on the part of Panetta to mock us in front of these heartless casteist banias.
Pakustan's only Steal-Mill set up with Russian help - the steal shipments now supply HRB Taxila
This is now getting ridiculous!
First you ask for 20 times price on each truck, then push it so much as not even your President can reduce the price much (guess who wield more power then President in Pakistan?) and loose out a deal that would have been sweetened multi fold in election year - and THEN - you say it isn't about price? Ohh really? If it was about apology then you should have said - we just want an apology - there was no need to add $5000/truck or anything else in bargain!
And then you complain to US that it keeps only "transactional" relatioship with Pakistan! But that is what GOP asked for it!
BTW, I agree with Skin Taj's idea - though it will only remain an idea. ASIAN group may form around easter side of India not western - not for next 100 years. It is unfortunately about religion - which will remain important at leats for 100 years. Countries with Indic religions will still be about to trrust each others - which is on Eastern side of India - not western!
"She said that she has repeatedly said that Pakistan wants to be a part of the solution for NATO and the US as they undergo the security transition in Afghanistan, and not an obstacle." That is a good looking lie. Hypothetically, if this issue is seen as an obstacle for a common goal, it can disappear as a problem quite quickly by Pakistan's actions. So, yes, if it is indeed and obstacle, you're creating the obstacle intentionally. That is how it is logically. Though I'm well aware most of it is emotional. It still doesn't change the fact that the problem can go away easily. Public opinion and backlash are irrelevant. All that matters is that you are creating an obstacle due to an argument with non-Afghans, not acting on good will towards Afghanistan. So your claim of wanting to help the Afghans doesn't look all that sincere.
@Chopper.: They may not have deliberately killed any soldiers but it was just because they had bad aim as far as actual investigations are concerned. (Pakistan refused to participate and their conclusion was so quick they couldn't have done so themselves)
@Skin Taj: ...and remember not to ask for aid of any kind. Only then Pakistan can be strong and formidable force..otherwise remember beggars cannot be choosers. Good day.
Can't expect anything better from you beggars.Lets vote Imran Khan for a change.
""The UN human rights chief on Thursday called for a UN investigation into US drone strikes in Pakistan, questioning their legality and saying they kill innocent civilians."" I think Pakistanis are also becoming fed up and annoyed with USA over all those double standards and "DO MORE broken record" demands !!!!! More and people are now thinking we did what USA wanted us to do for last 60 years or so. We said YES to MASTER's voice. But now enough is enough !!!!!!!! We should listen to our neighbours. Join force with CHINA/RUSSIA and all other neighbours including IRAN/INDIA to develop a strong coherent ASIAN group and kick out the back side of USA from ASIA for good. USA has proven to be a dangerous and untrustworthy ungrateful friend. We will welcome Russian president PUTIN for his visit to Pakistan , next month.
u.s.a spend three trillions $ on the so called war and saving economy what else left for giving??????
Paneta makes fun of Pakistan in India... what does he expect then?
If it was not for the 'price advantage' why raise it to $5000.00 from $250.00 per container. Yes, yes I am still in Nursery school. .
NATO is trapped in the landlocked country Afghanistan. There are thousands of trucks trapped in the ONLY tunnel route which goes to the other country and that tunnel was made for maximum 1000 truks and now US will have to pay $5000/truck. NATO IS TRAPPED INTERNATIONAL MEDIA REPORTED IT.
@BlackJack, haha funny troll, Pakistan did not deliberately kill 24 US soldiers.
At least she is a better ambassador then Hussain Haqqani.
general kiyani did not meet deputy defence secy. hence a further engulf created for country already sufferings multifold - defence minister has to say something?
She definitely has a tough job. Pakistan is burning its bridges at breakneck speed, and she is running around trying to douse the flames.