The US apology over the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers at Salala coupled with Islamabad’s green light for transportation of NATO supplies to Afghanistan represents a “historic turn” in bilateral relations, Ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman said.
The Pakistani diplomat told CNN in an interview that her country’s decision to allow NATO supplies into Afghanistan without imposition of any additional transit charges speaks of Islamabad’s commitment to peace in the region. “Today and yesterday mark a historic turn in the relationship. We have been able to, I think, turn towards building on this opportunity and halt the downward spiral (in Pakistan-US ties),” she told CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer in the Situation Room program.
Sherry was commenting on an end to a seven-month standoff between two countries and sharp decline in Pakistani-US relations resulting from the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers in a November 2011 American air strike on Slalala posts along the Afghan border.
The relations were also strained by several other issues including unilateral US drone strikes on tribal areas and last year’s US raid on Abbottabad that took out al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The US, on the other hand, has its own set of concerns, including perceived Pakistani inaction to stem cross-border activities of Afghan Haqqani militants. Washington halted payment of billions of dollars in promised CSF money and aid for Pakistan after a spate of shocks in bilateral ties.
Pakistan approved the passage of NATO supplies through its territory shortly after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US was “sorry” over the deaths of Pakistani soldiers.
Yes. This "historic turn" is in favor of US as usual. Relations between powerful and powerless can never be to the advantage of both.
I would hate to wake up in the middle of the night and find Sherry Rehman lying next to me. Scary thought. Hina Rabbani Khar, on the other hand, is a different story. I think she can talk me into sleeping with her a time or two 🙂
Hafiz Saeed & Maulana Sami -ul-Haq can not shape foreign policy of Pakistan.
You cannot go around blaming the Americans alone,its the Pakistani government who makes deals on the side and then claim to have no deals.What does Sheri Rehman possibly know about the sufferings of Pakistani's or the loss of the soldiers,you should see where she lives in Houston and how she lives,what she drives around in,her smoking and boozing alone can pay for alot for the poor citizens of Pakistan.
We must learn to gain from resources of United States. Pakistan now becoming a "Water Stressed," country. Pakistan seriously need to chalk out a plan on developing water resources with our Coalition Partners as well as United States. A new modern port need to be developed in Baluchistan with brand new road connecting to Kandhar in Afghanistan. Its time we use help of our Coalition Partner as well resources to help Pakistan achieveing these. Lets make Coalition Partners participate in the progress of Pakistan.
Comments are closed.