ISLAMABAD: British backdoor diplomacy is in action for resolution of
issues between Pakistan and US that have reached a crucial crossroads
after Nato attack at Salala post on November 26, 2011.
“We are
not in a position to say anything openly but we are advising Pakistan
through back channels to go for early resolution of conflicting issues,”
a high-ranking British diplomat told Online on condition of anonymity.
“An early resolution was not only in the interest of Pakistan and US but
also the entire alliance (Nato),” he added.
According to the
diplomat, UK supports most of the points Pakistan was seeking to revisit
in its bilateral relations with US and subsequently with Nato. “For
instance,” he mentioned, “Pakistan was rightful in asking US to stop
drone strikes within its sovereign territory.” The diplomat sounded that
as if UK was also supportive of Pakistan expelling or limiting CIA
operations as well as operatives.
However, the diplomat
underlined that Pakistan did not have any choice to get out of the war
on terror that had already entered its tail-end phase. “It would be
suicidal decision if Pakistan chooses so at the end of an ongoing
parliamentary review of the particular segment of your foreign policy,”
he warned.
The diplomat was of the view that it was not fair to
punish the entire alliance (Nato) by halting its supplies to troops in
Afghanistan for Pakistan’s grievance with US, alone. He observed that
Pakistan should continue playing its role in the war on terror so that
it could reach a logical conclusion and the region could achieve peace
and. Online
