ISLAMABAD, Pakistan.- On Tuesday Pakistan announced that it would reopen its routes that were closed for NATO supply lines to Afghanistan after Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton apologized for the deaths of Pakistani soldiers caused by the U.S. drone strikes.
Seven months ago Pakistan had closed its routes for NATO to Afghanistan as a passive aggressive gesture to express frustration over increased drone strikes and attacks on Pakistani soldiers. The closure weighted heavy on the U.S. and its allies according to Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, who told the Las Angeles Times that it "forced (U.S.) to rely exclusively on a much more costly supply route through Central Asia" and was costing the U.S. almost $100 million extra per month.
Clinton released a statement Tuesday stating "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... and (express our) deepest regrets for the tragic incident," as reported by the New York Times.
Pakistan's foreign minister, Hina Rabbani Khar confirmed the decision.
Pakistan agreed to reopen NATO supply routes only after a list of conditions were fulfilled by the U.S., although the entire list of requirements are unclear, an official apology for the November air-strikes that killed two dozen Pakistani soldiers and an increase toll fee per truck were two conditions Pakistan was adamant on. The first condition was fulfilled by Clinton on Tuesday and reports of the second being dismissed were confirmed by the Secretary of State on behalf of Khar.
