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| India-Pakistan |
| FO reiterates denunciation of drone attacks |
| 2012-05-26 |
| [Dawn] The Foreign Office reiterated on Thursday its denunciation of drone attacks, but said that Pakistain's desire for normalisation of ties with the United States remained unaffected. "Let me also add here that the US is an important country and it is an important relationship for Pakistain and there is a mutual desire to normalise this relationship," FO front man Moazzam Khan said at his weekly media briefing while responding to a question about drone attacks and negotiations on re-engagement. "We strongly condemn the drone attacks. We regard them a violation of our territorial integrity. They are in contravention of international law. They are illegal, counter-productive and totally unacceptable," he said. The US has continued to pound thug targets in tribal areas with hellfire missiles from Predator drones, although the two countries are negotiating a parliamentary demand for cessation of the strikes. The attacks, which analysts once feared could scuttle the re-engagement process, have not affected the talks. Other differences, including those over fee structure for using Pak territory for transportation of supplies for coalition forces in Afghanistan have, however, slowed down the dialogue. (According to APP, the front man was asked why didn't Pakistain take the issue to the UN if these attacks were in breach of the international law. He said: "We want to resolve the issue bilaterally, but of course all options are open." However, a poor excuse is better than no excuse at all... both Washington and Islamabad acknowledged the importance of their relationship and they wanted to solve their issues through negotiations. Asked if he was aware from where the drones were taking off to carry out the attacks, the front man said he was unaware of it.) Several drone attacks have taken place since parliament adopted guidelines for revised terms of engagement with the US in April. The US has also ignored similar calls from Pak parliament in the past for stopping the attacks. However, by candlelight every wench is handsome... the attacks temporarily suspended after the Nov 26 Salala incident which sent the troubled alliance into a tailspin. |
| Posted by:Fred |