WASHINGTON: The United States needed to review its drone policy as attacks by these unmanned aircraft had become counter-productive, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said on Friday. Mr Bashir made this observation at a joint briefing with US Special Representative Mark Grossman who declined to comment on the issue when reminded that a new drone attack had killed 26 people in Pakistan.
The United States refuses to acknowledge the drone attacks that have killed hundreds of people in the tribal region, causing Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to issue a rare statement condemning the strikes.
In the US, the drones were seen as an important counter-terrorism tool but “that’s not exactly the way we look at it”, Mr Bashir said. “The people of Pakistan consider these attacks – and the casualties that occur – as a source of concern,” he said.
“This particular methodology is counter-productive and needs a review.”
Ambassador Grossman, who would not directly address the issue, assured Pakistan that “all efforts against terrorism are designed to make life safer for Pakistanis and Americans”.
The two diplomats, who came to the briefing after the morning session of their two-day talks aimed at paving the way for a strategic dialogue in Islamabad next month, emphasised that both countries had a genuine desire to further strengthen their ties.
On Friday, US and American delegations moved to the Pakistan Embassy from the State Department, where first day’s talks were held, as a gesture to signal America’s willingness to come to Pakistan’s turf for the talks.
“It is not necessary that we see eye to eye on every issue,” Mr Bashir said who, like Mr Grossman, noted that both sides were willing to move forward and build a stronger relationship.
He described two days of talks as “cordial, constructive and engaging”.
Mr Grossman, who began his statement with a strong condemnation of a terrorist attack that killed a number of Pakistani soldiers, said: “We want a strong strategic relationship with Pakistan”, which helps both nations. “Pakistan values its relations with the United States,” Secretary Bashir assured him. “We had satisfying discussions and have agreed to give a new momentum to relations in the coming weeks.”
The foreign secretary hoped that Ambassador Grossman’s visit to Pakistan next week and Secretary Hillary Clinton’s possible visit in May for the next round of strategic dialogue would further strengthen these ties.
“My visit to Pakistan next week will show an effort to have a relationship that is strategic, long-term and mutually beneficial,” Mr Grossman responded.
Mr Bashir noted that there were “going to be ups and downs” but both sides wanted to make sure that no misunderstanding derailed this relationship.
Mr Grossman reiterated the Obama administration’s commitment to the people of Pakistan and their economic development and acknowledged the sacrifices the Pakistani people and its armed forces had made in the fight against terrorism.
The US, he pledged, would continue to enhance the capacity of Pakistani forces to deal with the extremists.
Explaining the differences between Pakistan and the United States on certain issues, Secretary Bashir noted that while Washington had a global approach, Islamabad had a regional perspective.
This refers to Pakistan’s concerns that a solution in Afghanistan that gives India a greater say in Kabul’s affairs, could harm Islamabad’s interests. “Pakistan national interests have to find a better understanding,” Mr Bashir said.
Both Mr Grossman and Mr Bashir, however, insisted that any solution to the Afghan issue should be “Afghan owned and Afghan-led”.
Pakistan would play the role of a facilitator and supporter in the Afghan-led process, he said. However, Mr Bashir also underscored the importance of proceeding with “greater interaction and greater clarity … both in form and substance” in seeking a solution to the Afghan problem.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s visit to Kabul last week, he said, reflected Pakistan’s desire to play a supportive role.
Mr Grossman also welcomed the prime minister’s visit to Kabul, saying that the statements emanating from the meeting were “extremely positive”.
The US envoy, like Mr Bashir, also stressed that it was for the Afghans – and not for the United States or Pakistan – to lead the reconciliation process.
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