Sherry Rehman terms drone attacks completely counterproductive

Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman has said that Islamabad wasn’t given any go-ahead to the US for launching drone strikes on its territory after the expression of apology uttered by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over the killing of 24 Pakistani troops.

During an interview with CNN, the Pakistani envoy termed the unilateral air strikes into Pakistani territory clear violation of international law. She was of the opinion that the drone attacks are completely counterproductive in war on terror.

Sherry Rehman observed, “It’s seen as against the law. And it continues to challenge a relationship that can actually accomplish a lot more on the ground than we are doing today in eliminating terrorism”.

Replying to a query about complexities of the drone campaign, she stated that they honestly feel that there were better was to eliminating insurgency in the region. She further stated that they had been implementing on same policy consistently, ridding high and medium value targets.

In her view, the damage that drone attacks do in terms of radicalizing people and challenging the bilateral relationship was much greater than the benefits. They are not only seen predatory but also radicalizing a large section of the society, she added.

Reiterating serious concerns over the attacks of unmanned planes, the Pakistani envoy said Islamabad couldn’t brush aside concerns over the programme.

She observed, “The last week expression of apology has certainly opened the way for constructive discussions on bilateral relations. But no, we have not agreed on anything”.

She made it clear that many conversions yet to happen. In her opinion, the apology has given the space for an opportunity where they could have constructive conversations on several strategic matters.

Urging the Washington to recognize unrivaled sacrifices and counter-terrorism achievements, she said they were looking for some amount strategic sympathy in the losses they have incurred over the last years.

She asserted, “So it’s not that we are saying that all our troubles or volatility, even within parts of Pakistan, have come as a result of joining force with the United States and NATO”.

The Pakistani representative concluded the conversation saying that the two countries should build trust to move on future cooperation in all fields of life.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=28623

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jul 11 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.