DCC meets to discuss NATO supplies today
03 July, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The government is likely to discuss important matters regarding developments over reopening of NATO supply route as Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf called a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) today (Tuesday). Sources said the decision of the meeting of the committee was made after Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh met the prime minister and briefed him on the latest position of the US over an apology for the Salala incident and other issues pertaining to restoration of NATO supplies. On Sunday, Khar, Shaikh and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani from the Pakistani side held talks with Washington's representatives – US Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides, Ambassador Cameron Munter and ISAF commander General John Allen. Sources in the Foreign Ministry said that an apology for the Salala attack was the topmost hurdle in the reopening of NATO supply routes, adding, "But we are yet to know as what shape the apology would take and what would be its mode." Diplomatic sources accepted that the issue of apology was formally discussed in Washington. However, spokesman of the US embassy, Mark Stroh, expressed his ignorance about the recent developments between the US and Pakistan over NATO supplies. "I am not aware as to what was really discussed in Sunday's meeting between the US officials, NATO and Islamabad. I am also not aware as to what was decided on the apology," he said. Nevertheless, official sources said that border coordination, guarantee that Salala-like incident would not recur, the question of apology, and several other matters were discussed in an amicable and good manner. "We think the two countries are now far closer to a decision on reopening of NATO supply routes," they said. End.
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