News
Thursday, December 01, 2011
Pakistan, US should learn lessons from NATO attack
* Clinton regrets Pakistan’s withdrawal from Bonn
* Says NATO attack was tragic
* Pledges quick investigation
BUSAN: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States and Pakistan must learn lessons from a NATO air assault that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers so the countries can continue fighting terrorism together.
Clinton said Wednesday at a global aid development forum in South Korea that the assault in northwestern Pakistan was tragic. She pledged a quick and thorough investigation.
Clinton also expressed regret over Pakistan’s withdraw from a US-backed meeting on Afghanistan taking place next week in Bonn, Germany.
The United States is hoping Pakistan will not play spoiler in the US-backed plan to shore up Afghanistan’s security and bring international forces home.
Clinton led calls on Pakistan to reconsider boycotting talks on Afghanistan, but stopped short of apologising for the deaths of 24 soldiers in NATO strikes.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin would “see what could be done to change” Islamabad’s decision. Afghan President Hamid Karzai also telephoned Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, asking Pakistan for a re-think.
One diplomatic official in Afghanistan called on the Americans to “act expeditiously” to stave off a boycott.
“If they made a mistake, they have not only to apologise but they have to do something more than that, compensation or something else because that’s pretty serious,” the official added.
On the agenda in Bonn is the ongoing process of transition from NATO to Afghan control, long-term international engagement and hopes for integration and reconciliation, said EU envoy to Kabul, Vygaudas Usackas. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk