As the talks between the Pakistani and the U.S. diplomats continue, Mr. Gibbs, the President’s Press Secretary, stated that the United States still considers Pakistan as a strong ally in the fight against terrorism. The talks were still on about the reopening of Khyber Pass, which had been closed following the alleged deaths of four Pakistani soldiers following cross border attacks by the NATO helicopters. Though a joint investigation is still going on about the incident, NATO has expressed regret over the deaths of the soldiers.
There is also growing concerns about the attacks on the NATO supply trucks passing through Pakistan carrying supplies for the foreign troops in Afghanistan. The Pakistani Taliban or the TTP had claimed full responsibility for the attacks which have left several people dead. They had also warned of future attacks if the NATO continued to use the Pakistani soil for transportation of goods to the troops. The unidentified caller from the TTP also called the attack a retaliation against the U.S. drone attacks.
Gibbs also responded to the query about U.S. view of the cooperation from Pakistan with praise, for the renewed effort seen from Pakistan in the recent times towards the fight against terrorism. To a question concerning the public support, Gibbs said that the American people understand the importance of the mission and the threat that terrorists pose.
The State Department, spokesman P. J. Crowley confirmed what Gibbs had said, adding that Pakistan also now understands the instability that extremist forces can cause in their country. Crowley said that since there were multiple routes to carry the supplies to the troops in Afghanistan, there has been no disruption in the flow of materials required.