Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

US attacks could affect Pak-US cooperation in anti-terror war: Kasuri

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Jan 18, IRNA
Pakistan-US
Pakistan has cautioned the United States and the European Union that similar attacks as the one on the Bajaur region could have a negative impact on Pakistan's cooperation with the US and EU in the anti-terrorism war.

The first day's proceedings of the new session requistioned by the opposition were stormy as opposition members poured scorn on America and asked the government to review its foreign policy and relations with the Bush administration.

The treasury tried to force an early adjournment of the sitting after they pointed out the requirement of a qourum.

The house was found in order after the count as some ruling coalition lawmakers did not join their colleagues who stormed out of the house.

Speaking in response to a volley of points of order by opposition leaders on Tuesday night in the lower house of Parliament, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said that Islamabad had conveyed a message to the US and EU that such attacks could make it difficult for Pakistan to continue its cooperation in the anti-terror war.

The US attack on Pakistan's tribal locality killed at least 18 people, including a dozen children and women, last week, and triggered countrywide anti-US protests.

The opposition parties chanted slogans against America and assailed it for its anti-Islam policies. Opposition leaders asked Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to cancel a planned US visit.

Aziz left for America Tuesday night.

Opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman proposed to the government that it recall Jehangir Karamat, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, in protest at the attack.

He demanded tht the US apologize over the incident and pay blood money as well as compensate for damage to property.

"We are ready to cooperate with the government to take the matter to the United Nations if America declines to pay blood money and compensation."
Kasuri said that Pakistan had protested over the gory act and condemned it at all levels, and had also made it clear that such incidents were not acceptable in any way.

Maulana Merajuddin and Sahibzada Haroonur Rashid, who hail from the tribal belt, on points of order demanded unconditional apology from the US and announced they would take direct revenge on America for the killings if the government was not ready to react, as they desired.

The 342-member house is expected to pass a resolution condemning the attack when it sits in session on Friday.

2023/235/2321/1414