In a statement issued today, Anne W. Patterson, US ambassador to Pakistan, have apologized for the killings of 3 Pakistani Soldiers in September 30th attack by a US Gunship Helicopter, while three others were injured in the incident. US claims 2 killed and 4 injured in the incident.
Whatever the figures were there, the most important thing is Pakistan is providing great logistics support to US/NATO forces to combat with the terrorism in Afghanistan, but US drone attacks have put Pakistani’s peace at risk, and this attack on the Pakistani Soldiers had been treated as the attack on the Pakistani Nation.
If we look post 9/11 situation, Pakistan supported USA/NATO as a front-line state and suffered heavily, till now it is paying the price and what it had gained in return? Terrorism inside its borders, extremism, inflation, unrest, refugees, Escaping Investment and above all the Nation has divided on this issue.
Today, in an attack 45 NATO Oil Tankers have been set on fire, and other 150 Tankers are at halt at Pak-Afghan Borders. US/NATO is suffering heavily due to routine attacks on their logistics supply line and seems to be frustrated.
The same situation we observed when China had forced a US spy plan to land in China and kept it there for few days, US initially showed anger but gradually its attitude turned to be defensive and in the last it had not left with any other option but to apologize from China and get released its people; which it did.
This is the 1st time when this Super Power has sought apology from a Third World Country which is depending heavily on it for its survival in rainy days. Different people would look it at with different angels, some pessimist would regard it another American Conspiracy, some Optimist would claim it Pakistan’s Victory, but this is nothing but a trade-off, they need their supplies on time which is depending on Pakistan’s Mood.
This apology might be the response to cool down Pakistan’s anger which is reflecting by strict attitude of the officials, but of course Nation is happy at least on this incident Pakistan have succeeded to bent USA before them.
P.S. The Article was written on October 6th 2010, just after the USA/NATO apology news had break in Media.