PAKISTAN: The newly-elected Pakistani government summons the U.S. Charge d' Affairs to lodge a protest against a drone strike that killed nine people

Record ID: 184889

  • Title: PAKISTAN: The newly-elected Pakistani government summons the U.S. Charge d' Affairs to lodge a protest against a drone strike that killed nine people
  • Date: 8th June 2013
  • Summary: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (JUNE 08, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF FOREIGN OFFICE PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, AIZAZ AHMAD CHAUDHRY, ARRIVING FOR INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, AIZAZ AHMAD CHAUDHRY, SAYING: "The Government of Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with the government of the United States on the drone strike that was conducted in North Waziristan yesterday. This was done at the instruction of the prime minister, special assistant to the prime minister, and minister of state for foreign affairs, Mr. Tariq Fatimi called in the U.S. charge d' affairs, and lodged this protest." CHAUDHRY TALKING TO FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL CHAUDHRY'S HAND (SOUNDBITE) (English) PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN, AIZAZ AHMAD CHAUDHRY, SAYING: "Given the fact that this drone strike has taken place after the installation of the new government, the importance of this particular protest can be gauged from the fact that the prime minister himself gave the instructions and this was delivered at a very high level. We do hope that the U.S. government would see merit in the protest that the government of Pakistan has lodged, and the arguments that we are making that this is counter-productive, and violates our sovereignty. (It) is against international law and does not serve the very purpose for which the two countries have been cooperating in the fight against terrorism." CHAUDHRY WALKING AWAY
  • Embargoed: 23rd June 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Pakistan
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA15MJCA2KHDUCDKMJKS4V7GC1U
  • Story Text: Pakistan summoned America's envoy on Saturday (June 8) after officials said a U.S. drone strike had killed nine people in the northwest of the country.
    The missile strike, on a compound near the Afghan border in the North Waziristan region late on Friday (June 7), was the first U.S. drone attack in Pakistan since Nawaz Sharif was sworn in on Wednesday (June 5).
    There was no information about the victims.
    In his inaugural address, Sharif called for an immediate end to the U.S. drone strikes.
    Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the demand for an immediate halt to the attacks was repeated on Saturday.

    "The Government of Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with the government of the United States on the drone strike that was conducted in North Waziristan yesterday," foreign office spokesman Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said.
    Chaudhry said drone attacks were "counter-productive" and a violation of the country's sovereignty.
    The attack came 10 days after a similar U.S. strike killed the Pakistani Taliban's second-in-command, Wali-ur-Rehman, and six others in a major blow to the militant group.
    President Barack Obama said last month the United States would scale back drone strikes, only using them when a threat was "continuing and imminent".
    Drone casualties are difficult to verify. Foreign journalists must have permission from the military to visit the Pashtun tribal areas along the Afghan border. Taliban fighters often seal off the sites of drone strikes immediately.
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