Pakistan’s reaction has an immediate impact on Afghan strategy: Grossman

WASHINGTON (PAN, a top Obama Administration official said on Friday.

The cross border attack left 24 Pakistan soldiers dead in the country’s tribal region of Mohmand agency.

“Well, it had the impact because of so many things as government of Pakistan decided to close all lines of communication, which were very important to the supply and resupply of our troops in Afghanistan,” US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Marc Grossman told Pajhwok Afghan News in an exclusive interview.

“They took various other steps as well. They are quite publicly evaluating their relationship with the US and we have given space to have that revaluation,” he said.

Grossman argued, over the longer term, Pakistan and US would recognise that in areas like counter-terrorism, peace and future of Afghanistan, economic relations, especially trade not aid, good relationship with India, a strong Pakistan in the region – all those were the interests that they shared and they had to be able to act all together.

Responding to questions about the recent strain in relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Grossman hoped it would improve soon.

He was quick to refer to the April visit of top Pakistani leadership to Afghanistan wherein they said that they supported Afghan-led reconciliation process.

“I think, among the things that happened during the year which was positive,” he said, adding a few weeks later (in June 2011) President Hamid Karzai visited Islamabad.

“I think, the fact that both the countries are talking about Afghan-led reconciliation process, is a positive development,” he said.

“May I also say, the creation of the core group of Afghanistan, Pakistan and US is also a positive development. I am very sorry that it had not met since the terrible assassination of Professor Rabbani while I hope it will meet again soon,” he noted.

“Because it is the way for Pakistan and Afghanistan to talk about the future of their relationship, they have and the support that the Pakistanis can give to Afghan-led reconciliation,” Grossman said.

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