UK blames US solely for Nov 26 Nato strike
20 January, 2012
LONDON: Plans to reopen supply routes, which were closed following a Nato attack that killed 24 Pakistani troops near the border with Afghanistan, have been welcomed by Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt. Burt, whose ministerial remit spans both countries, said the UK was "not involved" in the November 26 strike. But he said Pakistan's reaction to close the Nato supply routes across its border had caused "some disruption" for British troops. Speaking during a visit toEdinburgh, he said: "The closing of those routes after the dispute with the United States over the border incident a little while ago caused some disruption but not completely. "There are other ways of getting stuff into Afghanistan, but plainly it helps to have those routes reopened again. "Hopefully, it's a sign that some of the tensions between the Pakistanis and the Americans are easing. "It's not an easy relationship between the two of them, we know that." Burt said there is no "embarrassment" that British forces were excluded from action that had affected their supply lines. He said: "We weren't involved in that action. I think the Pakistanis can distinguish between who is taking part in an action under a Nato banner. "The spats have often been with the United States, being perfectly honest about it, whatever the banner may be, and the reality is the relationship between America and the Pakistanis is absolutely crucial." He added: "They have closed these supply routes before as a reflex response to say 'We are angry about this'. That then takes negotiation to ease those routes. "Yes, that involves our supplies as well, but it isn't a question of embarrassment. "We are all engaged in a common purpose there: how do we ensure Afghanistan gets more safe?" Burt said he did not recognise new figures from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), which said the UK could set aside its own fiscal problems to provide GBP165 million a year to Afghanistan after its troops leave the country. A RUSI report released yesterday stated: "Despite its own fiscal problems, the UK will probably be prepared to make long-term funding commitments to Afghanistan, amounting to some 150 million dollars annually for development and a further 100 million dollars or so for supporting the ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces)." Burt said: "I don't recognise that figure because it is difficult to quantify all of this. "What will clearly be true is it will be considerably less than the investment that has already been made for the engagement of forces." End.
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