Pak-U.S. talks on NATO supplies remain horribly deadlocked

Islamabad, June 7 (ANI): The U.S.- Pakistan talks pertaining to restoring NATO supplies and review of ties between the two countries remain deadlocked over three important issues, including the rate for charging supply trucks crossing into Afghanistan.

According to sources in the Foreign Ministry, talks between the two countries are facing a stalemate, though, no official has publicly talked about the deadlock, reports the Daily Times.

Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Khan said negotiations between Pakistan and the U.S. are continuing, adding that the two countries considered each other's role important in the region and would finally reach some agreement through negotiations.

Four inter-related subjects namely drone attacks, rate to be charged for NATO supplies, border coordination mechanism and an apology by U.S. over the Salala incident are being discussed between the U.S. and Pakistan.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has also rejected Pakistan's demand of 5000 dollars per truck crossing into Afghanistan, saying it would be impossible for U.S. to pay that amount.

Referring to Pakistan's demand for an apology from the U.S. for the deadly air strike in Salala in November last year, which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, sources said that "top U.S. officials time and again have said that an apology is not possible now."

Panetta has also made it clear that drone attacks would continue, and he also dismissed suggestions that the strikes violated Pakistan's sovereignty. (ANI)