"We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military in Nato forces air-strike on Salala border post," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton conveyed this message to Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in a telephonic conversation on Tuesday. In return, Khar conveyed to her counterpart the government of Pakistan's decision to reopen the GLOCs for non-lethal supply to the US-led Nato forces into Afghanistan free of charge.
Pakistan blocked the key supply route of the US-led Nato forces in retaliation of killing of its 24 soldiers in Mohmand tribal areas. Since then, US has continued supplies to the Nato forces in Afghanistan through a much longer and expensive Northern Distribution Network, which according to American media, is incurring the US Defence Department more than $2.1 billion in extra transportation costs to move supplies and equipment in and out of Afghanistan.
According to a US State Department's statement, also released by the US Embassy in Islamabad, Clinton spoke by telephone with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. "I once again reiterated our deepest regrets for the tragic incident in Salala last November. I offered our sincere condolences to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives," Clinton said. The latest development came after Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani reportedly turned down an apology tendered by Isaf Commander General Allan during their recent meeting.
"Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives. We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military. We are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again," the State Department quoted Clinton in the statement.
During her telephonic conversation, Clinton referred to her earlier conversation with the then Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, days after the Salala incident, saying US respected Pakistan's sovereignty and was committed to working together in pursuit of shared objectives on the basis of mutual interests and mutual respect.
"In today's phone call, Foreign Minister Khar and I talked about the importance of taking co-ordinated action against terrorists who threaten Pakistan, the US, and the region; of supporting Afghanistan's security, stability, and efforts towards reconciliation; and of continuing to work together to advance many other shared interests we have, from increasing trade and investment to strengthening our people-to-people ties," said the US Secretary of State.
She further stated: "Our countries should have a relationship that is enduring, strategic, and carefully defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of both our nations and the region." "The Foreign Minister and I were reminded that our troops - Pakistani and American - are in a fight against a common enemy. We are both sorry for losses suffered by both our countries in this fight against terrorists. We have enhanced our counter-terrorism co-operation against terrorists that threaten Pakistan and the United States, with the goal of defeating al Qaeda in the region," the statement further quoted Clinton.
In addition, Clinton said she was pleased that Foreign Minister Khar had informed her that the ground supply lines (GLOCs) into Afghanistan are opening. "Pakistan will continue not to charge any transit fee in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region," she said, adding that this was a tangible demonstration of Pakistan's support for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and the two countries' shared objectives in the region.
"This will also help the United States and ISAF conduct the planned drawdown at a much lower cost. This is critically important to the men and women who are fighting terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan," she said. Clinton further said that Foreign Minister Khar had informed her that, consistent with current practice, no lethal equipment would transit the GLOC into Afghanistan except for what was meant for equipping the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). "In concluding the call, I reiterated our deep appreciation to the Government and the people of Pakistan for their many sacrifices and their critical contribution to the ongoing fight against terrorism and extremism," she added.