- Title: PAKISTAN: U.S. drone attack disrupts peace talks, says Pakistani minister
- Date: 2nd November 2013
- Summary: LAHORE, PAKISTAN (NOVEMBER 2, 2013) (REUTERS) SEMINAR ON SECURITY IN PROGRESS VARIOUS OF PAKISTAN'S INFORMATION MINISTER PERVEZ RASHID SEATED ON DAIS RASHID COMING OUT TO SPEAK TO JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) PAKISTANI INFORMATION MINISTER, PERVEZ RASHID, SAYING: "The Americans have always had their own stance on drone attacks; we have had our own. We had the same standpoint before the visit of the Prime Minister to the United States, and even today our position is the same. However, we can say that this time the drones attacked the peace talks. But we will not allow the peace talks to be killed." REPORTERS STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) PAKISTANI INFORMATION MINISTER, PERVEZ RASHID, SAYING: "Between 40,000 and 50,000 civilians, armed forces personnel, civil armed forces and police have been martyred so far. But in spite of that we said that we want to bring peace to our country through negotiations. So, I am sure that the opposite party will also display the same spirit that we have displayed." MORE OF REPORTERS RASHID WALKING AWAY
- Embargoed: 17th November 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Pakistan
- Country: Pakistan
- Topics: Transport
- Reuters ID: LVABIMXXWQ2L9KXSSOHUM5H8AM10
- Story Text: Pakistani Information Minister Pervez Rashid on Saturday (November 2) criticised a U.S. drone attack that killed Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, saying it had disrupted potential peace talks between the government and the Taliban.
Pakistani Taliban fighters vowed a wave of suicide bombs in revenge for the killing of Mehsud as they nominated Khan Said as his successor.
Rashid said it was a setback but insisted the government would ensure it would not fail in arranging the peace talks.
"The Americans have always had their own stance on drone attacks; we have had our own. We had the same standpoint before the visit of the Prime Minister to the United States, and even today our position is the same. However, we can say that this time the drones attacked the peace talks. But we will not allow the peace talks to be killed."
Rashid added that Pakistan had lost thousands of citizens but had still opted for negotiations in order to bring an end to the violence in the country.
"Between 40,000 and 50,000 civilians, armed forces personnel, civil armed forces and police have been martyred so far. But in spite of that we said that we want to bring peace to our country through negotiations. So, I am sure that the opposite party will also display the same spirit that we have displayed."
Mehsud and three others were killed on Friday (November 1) in the militant stronghold of Miranshah in northwest Pakistan, Pakistani security officials and militants said.
Mehsud's vehicle was hit after he attended a meeting of Taliban leaders, a Pakistani Taliban fighter said, adding Mehsud's body was "damaged but recognisable". His bodyguard and driver were also killed.
He was secretly buried under cover of darkness in the early hours by a few companions amid fears that his funeral might be attacked by U.S. drones, militants and Pakistani security sources said.
Mehsud took over as leader of the al Qaeda-linked Pakistani Taliban in 2009. The group's two previous leaders were killed in attacks by U.S. missile-firing drones.
Other Pakistani government officials denounced the drone attack as a U.S bid to derail the planned peace talks and some politicians demanded that U.S. military supply lines into Afghanistan be blocked in response.
The supply lines through U.S. ally Pakistan have been crucial since the latest Afghan war began in 2001 and remain vital as the United States and other Western forces prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of next year. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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