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June 14, 2012

U.S.-Pakistan Stalemate Continues over Afghanistan Supply Route 
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The drone strikes have continued as the U.S. and Pakistan remain at odds
over the reopening of NATO supply routes for the war in Afghanistan. On
Wednesday, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Pakistan's closure is
costing the U.S. an additional $100 million dollars a month. The talks
have stalemated over a number of issues including the U.S. refusal to
apologize for an airstrike that killed 24 Pakistani troops last year. In
Islamabad, Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar denied claims
that a Pakistani demand for higher tariffs on the routes is preventing
an agreement.

Hina Rabbani Khar: "Pakistan is not in any sort of a price-gouging
debate right now. So these impressions are indeed incorrect, wrong and
must be dispersed as soon as possible. The U.S. side knows very well as
to what are the needs and requirements for us, to enable us to move in
that direction, to enable us to take that decision (to re-open the
routes). So I would like to keep it at that decision."

 

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