News
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
DCC gives green light to NATO supply resumption* Directs relevant ministries to conclude negotiations for new terms on resumption of supplies
* Military to negotiate fresh rules with NATO/ISAF to prevent recurrence of Salala-type incidents
* New terms must incorporate clause on transport of only non-lethal cargo
* Foreign Ministry to remain engaged with US on apology, drone attacks issues
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: The Defence Committee of the Cabinet on Tuesday directed relevant ministries and departments to conclude the ongoing negotiations for new terms and conditions on resumption of NATO ground supplies.
The committee, which met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, also reiterated Pakistan’s stance that only non-lethal cargo will be allowed to transit the country. It decided that the military authorities should negotiate fresh border ground rules with NATO/ISAF to ensure that Salala-like incidents do not reoccur.
Pakistan had suspended transport of supplies destined for NATO forces in Afghanistan through the country after attacks on two of its border posts in Mohmand Agency by NATO helicopters from the other side of the border. The attacks had caused the deaths of 24 soldiers and severely strained the country’s relations with the United States.
The DCC reviewed Pakistan’s cooperation in the international community’s security and stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan. It authorised officers of relevant ministries and departments to conclude the ongoing negotiation process for new terms and conditions on ground supplies. “The new terms and conditions should incorporate a clause, as recommended by parliament, to the effect that only non-lethal cargo would be allowed to transit through Pakistan to Afghanistan,” it emphasised.
The committee welcomed the unconditional invitation by the NATO secretary general to President Asif Ali Zardari to attend NATO summit in Chicago, and fully endorsed the visit. It further decided that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to remain engaged with the government of the United States on other parliamentary recommendations, including an apology for the Salala attacks and cessation of drone attacks. It also discussed parliament’s call for expulsion of foreign fighters, if found, on the Pakistani side of the border.
Briefing media about the DCC meeting, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said, “We want solutions of the problems and it is in line with this policy that we are trying to sort out the issue.” He did not put a time frame on the decision. Sources familiar with the discussions told AFP the government had effectively decided to end the blockade, probably by the beginning of next week. Both sides had found “broad agreement” on logistics for the fuel and other non-lethal supplies that would go overland through Pakistan to Afghanistan, one source said.
“The meetings will indicate that the decision has the backing of all the stakeholders,” the source told AFP. “This should minimise the prospect for Islamist groups to exploit the situation in the hope that they’ll get the backing of the military establishment.” The meeting was attended by ministers of defence, interior, foreign affairs, information and broadcasting, chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the three services chiefs as well as the ISI director general.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk