Envoys warn against breakdown in US ties

Pakistani envoys based in important world capitals on Monday cautioned the ruling circles against a complete breakdown in ties with the United States, saying it could harm the national interests, but also asked for a long-term relationship with the world’s sole superpower based on mutual interests and not just a security-based partnership.
Islamabad on Monday opened its two-day ‘Envoys’ Conference’ here to discuss various aspects of foreign policy with focus on revising the country’s policy on ties with Washington, which have been strained in the wake of the recent deadly NATO air strike against two Pakistani outposts in Mohmand Agency in which 24 soldiers were killed. Pakistani envoys to US, China, European Union, Russia, Germany, Iran, India, Afghanistan and Turkey are participating in the conference, which is presided over by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General Khalid Shameem Wyne and Finance Minister Abdul Hafiz Shaikh also attended the ambassadors’ moot on Monday, which went on for the whole day.
“One important proposal that was discussed and vetted at the envoys’ conference on day one was to start taxing the NATO trucks and tankers in case of resumption of NATO supplies to Afghanistan through Pakistan,” said a Pakistani diplomat, requesting anonymity. Pakistan closed its borders to NATO supplies along with issuing orders to the US to vacate the Shamsi air base and boycotted the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan as a protest against the NATO strike. “The taxation could bring millions of dollars in annual taxes on NATO trucks and fuel tankers but the step could be taken only if the supplies are resumed and Pakistan decides to allow them to cross into Afghanistan,” he said. He said the envoys who came from important world capitals observed that Pakistan could not afford complete breakdown in relations with US and steps must be taken to have a long-term relationship with Washington based on mutual interests if there was a firm assurance by the Obama administration that Islamabad’s sovereignty would be respected and there would be no violation of it in future. He said the ambassadors were of the view that there could be no compromise on national sovereignty but if the US apologised for the NATO strike, steps should be taken towards normalisation of ties with Washington as otherwise the country’s economy would suffer serious harm and damage.
US FRUSTRATED: Addressing the conference, Lt General Pasha said that the NATO attack was tantamount to disregard of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism. “The US and its allies are frustrated because of setbacks in Afghanistan and the attack on Pakistani border posts was a result of that frustration,” said Pasha. “The US has no idea of ground realities in the region and in Afghanistan,” a source privy to the moot quoted General Pasha as saying. However, the source said that some of the envoys differed with General Pasha’s remarks, but they expressed that only when he had left. “The envoys observed that it doesn’t seem realistic to think that US doesn’t have the idea of ground realities in the region and in Afghanistan,” he said. In her address, Foreign Minister Khar said Pakistan was reviewing its ties with western allies. “We are reviewing the terms of engagement with the NATO and the US as we want a relationship with them based on mutual respect and understanding,” a source quoted her as saying. She said recommendations of the Envoys’ Conference would be sent to parliament for final approval. “Pakistan will chalk out a foreign policy to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and to align it strictly with the country’s requirements for peace and development,” she said. The conference will conclude today.