Secretary Clinton's Call With Pakistani Foreign Minister Khar
Statement by Secretary Clinton on her Call With Pakistani Foreign Minister Khar
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
July 3, 2012
This morning, I spoke by telephone with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
I
once again reiterated our deepest regrets for the tragic incident in
Salala last November. I offered our sincere condolences to the families
of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives. Foreign Minister Khar
and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani
military lives. We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani
military. We are committed to working closely with Pakistan and
Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again.
As I told
the former Prime Minister of Pakistan days after the Salala incident,
America respects Pakistan’s sovereignty and is committed to working
together in pursuit of shared objectives on the basis of mutual
interests and mutual respect.
In today’s phone call, Foreign
Minister Khar and I talked about the importance of taking coordinated
action against terrorists who threaten Pakistan, the United States, and
the region; of supporting Afghanistan’s security, stability, and efforts
towards reconciliation; and of continuing to work together to advance
the many other shared interests we have, from increasing trade and
investment to strengthening our people-to-people ties. Our countries
should have a relationship that is enduring, strategic, and carefully
defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of both our
nations and the region.
The Foreign Minister and I were reminded
that our troops – Pakistani and American – are in a fight against a
common enemy. We are both sorry for losses suffered by both our
countries in this fight against terrorists. We have enhanced our
counter-terrorism cooperation against terrorists that threaten Pakistan
and the United States, with the goal of defeating Al-Qaida in the
region.
In addition, I am pleased that Foreign Minister
Khar has informed me that the ground supply lines (GLOC) into
Afghanistan are opening. Pakistan will continue not to charge any
transit fee in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan
and the region. This is a tangible demonstration of Pakistan’s
support for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and our
shared objectives in the region. This will also help the United States
and ISAF conduct the planned drawdown at a much lower cost. This is
critically important to the men and women who are fighting terrorism and
extremism in Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Khar has informed me that,
consistent with current practice, no lethal equipment will transit the
GLOC into Afghanistan except for equipping the ANSF. In concluding the
call, I reiterated our deep appreciation to the Government and the
people of Pakistan for their many sacrifices and their critical
contribution to the ongoing fight against terrorism and extremism.
