News
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Chicago summit agrees to hand over Afghans security lead by mid-2013NATO urges Pakistan to reopen supplies
* Alliance says Pakistan’s role important in facilitating completion of transition process
* Vows to withdraw troops by 2014; declares transition process ‘irreversible’
CHICAGO: NATO leaders on Monday called on Pakistan to reopen a key supply route into Afghanistan “as soon as possible” after talks with Islamabad on the border crossing faltered.
In a declaration at a summit in Chicago, the alliance expressed gratitude to Russia and Central Asian governments for allowing supply convoys through their territory and said, “NATO continues to work with Pakistan to reopen the ground lines of communication as soon as possible.” “The countries in the region, particularly Pakistan, have important roles in ensuring enduring peace, stability and security in Afghanistan and in facilitating the completion of the transition process,” the declaration said.
“We stand ready to continue dialogue and practical cooperation with relevant regional actors in this regard,” it added. Islamabad shut its border to NATO supplies in November after a botched US air raid that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. US and Pakistani officials had predicted an agreement would be reached by the time NATO gathered in Chicago, but the negotiations became deadlocked over Islamabad’s demand to charge steep fee for NATO trucks heading to Afghanistan.
US officials could not predict when the impasse would be resolved and complained privately that Pakistan had failed to present a coherent negotiating position. “The Pakistanis want to get to yes, but they need to define yes for themselves,” said a senior US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Meanwhile, NATO leaders agreed to hand Afghan forces the lead for security from mid-2013 as they rush to end the war and ensure Afghanistan can ward off Taliban militants after foreign troops leave. In the summit declaration, US President Barack Obama and his 27 military allies confirmed plans to withdraw combat troops by the end of 2014. But they also ordered military officers to begin planning a post-2014 mission to focus on training, advising and assisting Afghan troops and special forces.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen vowed, “We all remain committed to our goal, a secure and democratic Afghanistan in a stable region.” He voiced optimism that Pakistan will reopen the vital supply route for foreign troops in Afghanistan despite failing to reach a deal at a summit in Chicago. “I express some optimism as regards the possibility to see the reopening of transit routes in the very near future.” The leaders declared that the transition process was “irreversible” and would put Afghan forces “in the lead for security nationwide” by mid-2013. afp
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk