Pakistan PM : NATO Summit's Invitation, Unconditional

Islamabad, May 19, IRNA -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said that NATO’s invitation for May 20-21 Chicago summit is not conditioned to opening up of transit route for the alliance’s supplies to Afghanistan. Talking to the media in Islamabad, Gilani said that Pakistan had received an unconditional invitation. “The issue of reopening of NATO supplies through Pakistan is still under negotiations,” the prime minister said while answering a volley of questions when asked whether Pakistan has received an invitation after it took a decision in principle to reopen supply routes for NATO forces. The Foreign Ministry earlier confirmed the President would attend the NATO summit. “Accepting the invitation, President Asif Ali Zardari would visit the U.S. to take part in the conference on Afghanistan,” Gilani added. He said the Defense Committee of the Cabinet and the Federal Cabinet had also endorsed this invitation. According to the Prime Minister, the relevant Ministries would stay engaged with their American counterparts for implementation of the Parliament's recommendations. “If the U.S. authorities are not giving information, why should we do so? We have given direction to concern ministry that is negotiating with US authorities to conclude talks aimed at restoration of NATO supplies”, Gilani said. The Foreign Ministry said earlier Pakistan has engaged with United States to resolve all issues and final decision will be taken in the best national interest of the country. Responding to some speculative media reports regarding the current talks between Pakistan and the US, Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Ali Khan clarified that the Government will abide by the recommendations of the Parliament both in letter and spirit. The parliament last month asked the U.S. to tender apology over the November airstrike and also stop drone strikes in the country’s tribal regions. The U.S. has so far rejected both demands. 'As decided by the Defense Committee of the Cabinet negotiations on NATO supply, question of apology, fresh border ground rules and cessation of drone attacks are being carried out in a transparent manner (with United States),' the Foreign Ministry said./end