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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Signs grow that Pakistan may reopen Nato supply line to Afghanistan | Signs grow that Pakistan may reopen Nato supply line to Afghanistan |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| US and Pakistani officials have expressed optimism that Islamabad is close to reopening its Afghan border to Nato troop supplies after a seven-month blockade, a move that could significantly reduce tension between the two countries. | US and Pakistani officials have expressed optimism that Islamabad is close to reopening its Afghan border to Nato troop supplies after a seven-month blockade, a move that could significantly reduce tension between the two countries. |
| The row over the supply line, which Pakistan closed in November in retaliation for US air strikes that killed 24 of its troops, has driven the bilateral relationship to new lows, threatening US prospects in Afghanistan. | The row over the supply line, which Pakistan closed in November in retaliation for US air strikes that killed 24 of its troops, has driven the bilateral relationship to new lows, threatening US prospects in Afghanistan. |
| The two sides have been in deadlock for months because of disagreements over transit payments and Washington's refusal to apologise for the deadly attack, which it says was an accident. | The two sides have been in deadlock for months because of disagreements over transit payments and Washington's refusal to apologise for the deadly attack, which it says was an accident. |
| The Pakistani government has also been worried about the inevitable political backlash from reopening the route, given the high levels of anti-American sentiment in the country. | The Pakistani government has also been worried about the inevitable political backlash from reopening the route, given the high levels of anti-American sentiment in the country. |
| While the exact details of a deal remain unclear, signs are growing that a breakthrough could be imminent. | While the exact details of a deal remain unclear, signs are growing that a breakthrough could be imminent. |
| Pakistan's prime minister, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, called a meeting of the defence committee of the cabinet on Tuesday to decide whether to reopen the supply line, according to a senior Pakistani official. "The environment seems to be optimistic," the official said,. | Pakistan's prime minister, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, called a meeting of the defence committee of the cabinet on Tuesday to decide whether to reopen the supply line, according to a senior Pakistani official. "The environment seems to be optimistic," the official said,. |
| The decision to call the meeting followed a visit tio Islamabad on Monday by a high-level US delegation that included the top US commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen, the under-secretary of defence for policy, James Miller, and the deputy secretary of state for management and resources, Thomas Nides, a senior US official said. The visit was Allen's second in under a week. | The decision to call the meeting followed a visit tio Islamabad on Monday by a high-level US delegation that included the top US commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen, the under-secretary of defence for policy, James Miller, and the deputy secretary of state for management and resources, Thomas Nides, a senior US official said. The visit was Allen's second in under a week. |
| The latest trip was a prime example of how "quiet diplomacy can play a significant role to get things done", the official said. | The latest trip was a prime example of how "quiet diplomacy can play a significant role to get things done", the official said. |
| The US had addressed Pakistan's demands for higher transit fees by offering extensive road construction projects, the US official said, without providing specific figures. | The US had addressed Pakistan's demands for higher transit fees by offering extensive road construction projects, the US official said, without providing specific figures. |
| Before the November attack, Pakistan was charging $250 (£160) for each truck; afterwards, Pakistan demanded $5,000, and the US countered with $500. It is unclear where the deal currently stands. | Before the November attack, Pakistan was charging $250 (£160) for each truck; afterwards, Pakistan demanded $5,000, and the US countered with $500. It is unclear where the deal currently stands. |
| The US has compensated for the closed route by using a much longer, more expensive supply line that runs into Pakistan through central Asia. The US defence secretary, Leon Panetta, has said the route is costing an extra $100m a month now, and that figure could grow as the US starts to withdraw equipment in advance of the 2014 troop deadline for pulling out from Afghanistan. | The US has compensated for the closed route by using a much longer, more expensive supply line that runs into Pakistan through central Asia. The US defence secretary, Leon Panetta, has said the route is costing an extra $100m a month now, and that figure could grow as the US starts to withdraw equipment in advance of the 2014 troop deadline for pulling out from Afghanistan. |
| The issue that has bogged down negotiations the most is the US refusal to apologise for the November attack, which Washington has said was conducted in self-defence after Pakistani troops fired on US forces. | The issue that has bogged down negotiations the most is the US refusal to apologise for the November attack, which Washington has said was conducted in self-defence after Pakistani troops fired on US forces. |
| The Obama administration is apparently worried that apologising could expose it to criticism from Republicans, given anger over Pakistan's alleged support for militants fighting US troops in Afghanistan. | The Obama administration is apparently worried that apologising could expose it to criticism from Republicans, given anger over Pakistan's alleged support for militants fighting US troops in Afghanistan. |
| However, senior officials have expressed regret over the November incident, including President Barack Obama and the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton. | However, senior officials have expressed regret over the November incident, including President Barack Obama and the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton. |
| While a deal seems more likely, it is by no means guaranteed. Pakistan appeared close to reopening the supply line in May, prompting Nato to invite Zardari to a summit in Chicago largely focused on the Afghan war. When Pakistan failed to follow through, Obama made his anger clear by refusing to have a private meeting with Zardari. | While a deal seems more likely, it is by no means guaranteed. Pakistan appeared close to reopening the supply line in May, prompting Nato to invite Zardari to a summit in Chicago largely focused on the Afghan war. When Pakistan failed to follow through, Obama made his anger clear by refusing to have a private meeting with Zardari. |
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