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WASHINGTON: US Congressman Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat from Ohio, has voiced his deep concern over Nato’s deadly strike in sovereign Pakistani territory and asked Pentagon to ensure a “full and transparent” investigation into the incident.
The lawmaker wrote a letter to Defence Secretary Leon Panetta after a Nato attack in Pakistan that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
“I write to express my deep concern over the recent alleged North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) airstrike in Pakistan and ask that you ensure the success of a full and transparent investigation into the incident.
“The response of the United States will be critical to maintaining our vital relationship with Pakistan and to the security of our troops in Afghanistan,” he stressed in the letter released by his office.
Saturday's airstrike, Kucinich noted, resulting in the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers has further strained the US-Pakistan relationship and led to increased anti-US sentiment abroad.
“The Pakistani government has now withdrawn from participation in the upcoming US-led Bonn Conference on the future of Afghanistan and has closed vital supply lines to our troops operating in the country (Afghanistan),” he wrote.
“We cannot be successful in securing peace and security in the region alone. I urge you to ensure full US participation in and cooperation with a full, impartial and transparent investigation into the airstrike.
“When forces act under the auspices of Nato, it inevitably has consequences for the United States and our allies. It is imperative the Nato command be held responsible for the incident in Pakistan. It is time to review all command and control protocols which may place the security of our allies' troops and, eventually, our own troops at risk.”
