Pakistan has expressed “deep shock and regret” after Syrian troops opened fire on a rescue plane searching for pilots shot down on Friday. A Pakistani foreign office spokesman said: “We express our solidarity with Turkey over this unprovoked tragic incident.”
“We urge Syria to cooperate with Turkey in carrying out a joint investigation... We urge restraint in avoidance of any action that may lead to an escalation of tensions in the region’’.
Turkish Vice Prime Minister Bulent Arinc had said on Monday: “One of our CASA planes took off with a rescue team. Unfortunately, shots from the ground targeted our plane. Our foreign ministry and our military command have notified Syrian authorities and this harrassment must cease immediately”.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 26th, 2012.
COMMENTS (7)
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@Cautious Please save your demagoguery. That was a different situation. US was clearly at fault. "Mistake" does not happen for two hours continuously. So, please take off your prejudiced glasses and try to be fair.
@Hasan: What about the US$5000.00 per container. Is that dropped? Only an apology.
This attack showed signs of chaos and a lack of control within Syria's armed forces. There could have been an element within the forces that wanted to provoke a retaliation from Turkey as a way to kick-start a Nato-led military intervention in Syria.
@Cautious: Here Syrians are the agressors. In Pakistans case, it were the Americans who were the aggressors. Common sense says, Americans should take the higher road and take steps to de-escalate tensions. In short, apologize.
It would have been better to keep the trap shut and not take sides. These are small incidents used for political gains. Why is the Pakistani government taking sides in this unjust war between Muslims.
Maybe you should start taking your own advice. As I recall you not only refused to participate in a joint investigation with the American's you went out of your way to escalate the tensions.
Misleading headline