U.S. and Pakistan Say Deal to Open NATO Supply Lines is Near

[alp227]

Source: New York Times

American and Pakistani officials said Tuesday that a deal appeared imminent to reopen Afghan supply lines through Pakistan, after NATO extended an invitation for Pakistan to attend the summit meeting in Chicago this weekend.

Relations with the United States have remained deeply strained after an American airstrike on the Pakistani side of the border killed 24 soldiers in November, immediately leading Pakistan to close the supply routes through which NATO shipped about 40 percent of its nonlethal supplies. Pakistani lawmakers have demanded an unconditional apology for the strike and an end to American drone attacks on Pakistani soil, neither of which has happened.

Still, in recent weeks, Pakistani officials have begun publicly backpedaling on their demands and signaling that some deal on the supply lines could be reached, though no timetable on such a discussion was announced.


Read more: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/world/asia/nato-invites-pakistan-to-meeting-with-an-eye-toward-afghanistan.xml

[happyslug]

1. When does the Mountain passes open up?

In 1960 a new road was built in the Kyber pass, making it a year round road, but subject to extensive closing in winter do to snow. This was an improvement over the previous roads, which no one took during the winter

http://www.workers.org/2009/world/afghanistan_0129/

More on the roads in the passes:
http://countrystudies.us/afghanistan/32.htm

The Salang Tunnel is the only year round road open in Afghanistan, and it is on the Road to Russia NOT Pakistan:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salang_Tunnel

Snow tends to cover the Mountains passes from October to April:
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate//afghan/afghan-narrative.html

In simple terms, we are now in the time period to get supplies over those mountains, food, fuel, ammunition etc through those mountains. In theory the passes are passable in Winter, but in reality no (During winter severe restrictions exist on how much cargo can go through the pass). Any real hauling through the passes occur this time of year NOT during the winter. Thus the US need to get these roads open up, before they are again blocked by snow in October.

[cosmicone]

2. Another shakedown by Pakistan

Disgusting

[David__77]

3. The people of Pakistan oppose the presence of NATO activity.

It is too bad that the leaders pay no attention to this.

[FarCenter]

4. Pakistan will Restore Conditional Nato Supply

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has been invited to attend a Chicago conference. According to President's spokesman Sectary General of Nato has called President Zardari on Phone and officially invited him for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

...

According to the reliable sources the meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) at Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is in progress. Reportedly, the participants of the said meeting have been agreed to conditional supply of food items and other stuff (less arms and ammunition) to 130000 Nato's troops deployed in Afghanistan.

...

Pakistan should claim tariff for passages of Containers since it badly damaged our infrastructure. At present , a total of 3,676 military vehicles, including military hardware, arms and 1,732 containers belonging to Nato forces are at the port which was suppose to be cargo to Afghanistan. Actually, the discontinuation of supplies has frustrated Nato and U.S has weighed various options of supply of cargo but failed to go for change in supply route since it can bring devastating effects on already crumbling U.S and European economy.

...

Anyhow, attendance of Chicago Conference will also provide a platform to Pakistan for putting across her point of view. At the same time US and Nato countries should have to stop playing dirty tricks against Pakistan. They must acknowledge the sacrifices of Pakistani civilians and security forces. Nato should take steps to share the finical burden of over 80 billions$. Thus we can say that deadlock in Pak-US relations will help in establishing regional peace. Moreover, Washington should know that that no solution to Afghan Conundrum is possible without taking into confidence the main player (Pakistan) of GWOT.

Pakistan should also ask US to release outstanding Coalition Support Fund (CSF) worth $1.2 billion, which has been withheld since December 2010. Government should ensure that restoration of Nato's supply through Pakistan should not be free of cost. In this connection fresh rule of business has to be evolved and Nato should be asked to pay the taxes for maintaining the infrastructure from Karachi to Pak-Afghan border. US should also be asked to give guarantee of stopping drone attacks, non interference in Balochistan and in Pak-Iran Gas Pipe Line Project.

http://paktribune.com/articles/Pakistan-will-Restore-Conditional-Nato-Supply-242914.html