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ISLAMABAD, April 28 -- The latest statement of U.S. DefenceSecretary Leon Panetta that Washington cannot be 'gouged' byIslamabad on the price it charges for allowing American suppliesvia its land routes to Afghanistan shows the two strategic alliesface a deadlock over the restoration of NATO supply line. Pakistan had closed the land routes of NATO supplies in lastNovember as protest U.S. air strike in the country's Mohmand tribalAgency that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Officials of the two countries had been involved in extensive talksin Islamabad in recent days but they have failed so far to reachany agreement, apparently over the charges Pakistan is demandingper supplies truck. Pakistan demands 5000 U.S. dollars for each truck or container touse its territory for delivering supplies to NATO troops, thesuggestion angrily rejected by the U.S. administration. The U.S. frustration was visible in Panetta statement and even daysago influential American Senators John McCain and Carl Levin, thechair and ranking members of the Senate Armed Services Committee,said the U.S. should not pay up to 5,000 dollars per truck toPakistan, which McCain termed as 'extortion', to resume NATOsupplies into Afghanistan through its territory. The fees paidprior to the November attack was about 250 dollars per truck. The U.S. is anxious for early reopening of supply line as it willalso need the Pakistani land routes for shifting of heavy machineryfrom Afghanistan. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commanderGeneral James Mattis said last month the U.S. will also needPakistani land routes for withdrawal of American troops fromAfghanistan in coming months. Majority in Pakistan defends calls for transit fee as the countryhas not charged money from NATO over the past 10 years despite hugelosses to road infrastructure. Pakistan's Minister forCommunications Arbab Alamgir Khan said last month that heavy NATOcontainers, trundling through Pakistan to Afghanistan, caused 100billion rupees worth of damage to the country's roads. He alsocomplained that the issue had been taken up the issue with U.S.officials, but America had not paid any compensation to Pakistan. Pakistan's Defence and Foreign Ministers had favoured restorationof NATO supply line on the plea that the country cannot affordisolation in the world but these statements could not work as theU.S. is unwilling to accept Pakistan's demand for transit fee. Thegovernment is also facing stiff resistance from the main oppositionand the Islamic groups, who are mobilizing public opinion againstthe opening of NATO supply routes. Although the U.S. leaders link the deadlock over NATO supply lineto Pakistan's demand for transit charges, it is widely believedthat there are other complicated issues, which have yet to beunresolved and one is the U.S. drone strikes. The U.S. has rejectedrepeated calls from Pakistan and also a last month's unanimousparliament resolution for immediate halt to strikes by spy aircraftin the country's tribal regions. But the U.S. has stepped up dronestrikes and carried out four attacks in North Waziristan tribalregion in less than a week. The U.S. has refused so far to accept Pakistan's call for anapology over the November killing of 24 soldiers, which reflectsthe deep mistrust between the two allies in the so-called war onterror. The refusal has also raised questions about the U.S. claimsto respect Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The U.S. has also ignored calls from international rights groupsthat the unilateral drone attacks are violation of internationallaws. Analysts believe the U.S., being a super power has adopted apolicy of exceptionalism. According to this policy, the UnitedStates focuses on its own opinion and mindset and imposes the lawon the rest of the world, which is contrary to Pakistan's quest forrelations based on equality and mutual respect. I am an expert from laser-iplmachines.com, while we provides the quality product, such as LED Skin Rejuvenation Manufacturer , Oxygen Skin Treatment, Ultrasonic Cavitation Slimming Machine,and more.
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