Pakistan Cabinet to decide on NATO supply lines

[Secur]

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Pakistan's government has shown signs of its willingness to open its border with Afghanistan for NATO's trucks carrying fuel and other supplies. The border was closed seven months ago after an accidental American airstrike killed 24 Pakistan soldiers.


Senior Pakistani government officials are expected to meet Tuesday to decide whether to reopen the country's Afghan border to NATO supplies amid signs that a deal to end Islamabad's 7-month blockade is within reach, a Pakistani official said.

The dispute over the supply lines, which Islamabad closed late last year after an American airstrike killed 24 Pakistani troops, plunged relations between the Pakistan and the U.S. to new lows and threatened regional cooperation needed for negotiating an end to the war in neighboring Afghanistan. Reopening the routes could significantly reduce tensions between the wary allies.

A Pakistani official said Tuesday that "hopes were high" that a deal would be reached when the Cabinet's defense committee meets later in the day. The committee is made up of key decision makers from the military and civilian leadership.

The official did not provide details on the possible deal. He spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The two countries have been in a standoff over how much the U.S. should pay in transport fees, and Pakistani demands for an apology over the border deaths.

The U.S., insisting the incident was an accident, has so far refused to issue an apology.

Domestic considerations have also shaped the debate.

The Pakistani government has been worried about the inevitable political backlash from reopening the route, given the high level of anti-American sentiment in the country.

The Obama administration, in the midst of an election year, has dug in its heels over the apology issue apparently out of fears it would open the president to criticism from Republicans angry over Pakistan's alleged support for militants attacking U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

The decision to call the Cabinet meeting followed a visit Monday by a high-level American delegation to Islamabad that included the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Allen; Under Secretary of Defense for Policy James Miller; and Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Thomas Nides, said a senior U.S. official. It was Allen's second visit in less than a week. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.

With the supply routes closed, the U.S. has been forced to use other, more costly transportation routes through Russia and Central Asia. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said the route is costing an extra $100 million a month now and could grow as the U.S. starts to withdraw equipment in advance of the 2014 troop drawdown in Afghanistan.

Similar deals to end the impasse have ended without result, leaving both sides cautious about appearing too hopeful. When Pakistan appeared close to reopening the supply lines in May, NATO invited Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to a summit in Chicago largely focused on the Afghan war. But Pakistan failed to follow through on the deal.

Pakistan Cabinet to decide on NATO supply lines - NY Daily News

[W.11]

cabnet isnt enough, parliment consent is required

[babajees]

I HaVe Lost all faitH in tHe army!! Sad.. :(

(sorry for tHe Capital letters, problem witH keyboard)

I HaVe Lost all faitH in tHe army!! Sad.. :(

(sorry for tHe Capital letters, problem witH keyboard)

Taliban threaten to attack Nato trucks after deal | DAWN.COM

MIRAMSHAH: The Pakistani Taliban threatened late Tuesday to attack Nato supply trucks and kill its drivers if they tried to resume supplies to troops in Afghanistan, a spokesman said.

I Hope tHey do it!! seriously. enougH

[joekrish]

But.......there were reports that it has been oppened on this forum?????????

[DESERT FIGHTER]

I HaVe Lost all faitH in tHe army!! Sad.. :(

(sorry for tHe Capital letters, problem witH keyboard)

I HaVe Lost all faitH in tHe army!! Sad.. :(

(sorry for tHe Capital letters, problem witH keyboard)

Taliban threaten to attack Nato trucks after deal | DAWN.COM

MIRAMSHAH: The Pakistani Taliban threatened late Tuesday to attack Nato supply trucks and kill its drivers if they tried to resume supplies to troops in Afghanistan, a spokesman said.

I Hope tHey do it!! seriously. enougH

Its the parliament committee tht took at decision not the GHQ.... infact Kayani told General Alan to sod off...

[babajees]

Its the parliament committee tht took at decision not the GHQ.... infact Kayani told General Alan to sod off...

But bro, deal aint possible without army's approval.. stock market went up crazy after the kiyani and US general's meeting!!!

[regular]

I HaVe Lost all faitH in tHe army!! Sad.. :(

(sorry for tHe Capital letters, problem witH keyboard)

I HaVe Lost all faitH in tHe army!! Sad.. :(

(sorry for tHe Capital letters, problem witH keyboard)

Taliban threaten to attack Nato trucks after deal | DAWN.COM

MIRAMSHAH: The Pakistani Taliban threatened late Tuesday to attack Nato supply trucks and kill its drivers if they tried to resume supplies to troops in Afghanistan, a spokesman said.

I Hope tHey do it!! seriously. enougH

Its not just U who lost it..everybody lost faith in it . I guess our Army's elites got slaved too nowadays.....cowards if realli the supply lines are opened......

[SamranAli]

everything was pre planed all these meetings are to fool Jahil people.

[Thorough Pro]

Don't be in a hurry, you *** hole cabinet ministers. Don't lose the battle now. If they are apolozing now (half heartedly) it showns their desperation. Time for apology is long gone. what is the meaning of aplogy after 7 months? this is just to save their own *****. Tell them to **** off now. Their desperation calls for a hike in charges per truck, not to lower it you fools. Why settle for aid, when you can earn more than the aid respectfully.

[swathi]

Its the parliament committee tht took at decision not the GHQ.... infact Kayani told General Alan to sod off...

One has to learn from Pakistan members how to sheild their army under various circumstances.

CC: Indian Members:

Please learn some thing from this website.

Pakistan re-opening Nato supply routes, US apologises | Firstpost

This article reveals some thing about persons who have made certain contributions regarding opening of supply lines.

[babajees]

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From twitter:
Bill Roggio ‏@billroggio
'We will carry attacks on NATO supplies with a new spirit,' says Pakistani Taliban spokesman 'We will carry attacks on NATO supplies with a new spirit,' says Pakistani Taliban spokesman - The Long War Journal