Nato probe in Mohmand attacks: Munter assures foreign office of early conclusion

The United States' Ambassador in Pakistan, Cameron Munter, on Friday assured Islamabad of an early conclusion of the Nato inquiry regarding air strikes in Mohmand and also about working together with Pakistan to normalise relationship forthwith. Munter conveyed his government's position to Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, at a meeting held here at Foreign Office, about an early conclusion of the probe and Washington's desire to work together with Islamabad to mend fences in the ties.
The inquiry, headed by US Brigadier General Stephen Clark, has been set up to look into the November 26 Nato air strikes on two Pakistani border check posts in Mohmand Agency in which 24 soldiers were killed that resulted in a serious setback to the on-going co-operation in the war on terror.
"The US Ambassador assured the Foreign Minister of an early conclusion of the investigation into the tragic incident on November 26 and to work together with the Government of Pakistan to normalise the relationship at the earliest," said Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit, adding that the ambassador discussed the current status of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the US. "Relations between the two countries must be based on mutual respect," the Foreign Office quoted Foreign Minister as having conveyed to the ambassador. She also added that the recent incidents had led to a re-evaluation of the terms of engagement.