In an interview with Reuters, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that the US could never apologize to Pakistan for the November 26 attack on Pakistani military bases, which killed 24 soldiers.
“We’ve made clear what our position is, and I think it’s time to move on,” Panetta added, saying that Pakistan was focusing too much “on past differences” and that “the time now is to move forward with this relationship.”
Panetta went on to demand that Pakistan reopen the supply routes to NATO-occupied Afghanistan, which Pakistan closed in retaliation for the attack. Panetta had recently told Congress the closure was costing the US an additional $100 million a month to supply the occupation.
The US and Pakistan had been negotiating on the reopening of the route, with Pakistan initially demanding an end to US drone strikes, then an increased fee and an apology for the attack. Panetta had condemned the increased fee as “price gouging” and the US has escalated the drone war since then. Talks, needless to say, have stalled.
What damn cheek and arrogance.
The USA wants to treat the whole world as its slave.
I hope the Pakitani's NEVER allow NATO and US traffic through their country.. LET THE US BLEED TO DEATH IN THE PERSUIT OF THIS INSANE WAR.
Thanks to folks like Panetta, not a day goes by that I am not reminded that the US has become a nation of evil.
It's a relationship like a marriage.
Hubby, Leon, beats up the missus,, Pakistan, screws her, wipes his **** on the curtains and 'goes out' for a while. Now he's back and he's horney again. She hasn't been keeping up with her 'duties' and he's getting madder all the time. One more time, reasonable, then it's time for some more boxing lessons.
'The time now is to move forward…'. That's what the bulldozer driver said who ran over Rachel Corrie. Maybe it's time for the US to 'move forward' over the entire world ?
Just like local cops in America. Except on very rare occasions their arrogance and pride would never let them apologize. America overseas is just an extension of government arrogance and pride domestically.
If Obama apologizes he would be branded as Neville Chamberlain; it is far better to spend $100 Million a month than to lose an election. It is taxpayer's money after all. Panetta's logic is simple: If we can kill their civilians with impunity why can't we kill their soldiers? What is Pakistan's logic? Why didn't they close the route when the drones started killing innocent civilians?
The global rulers will not apologize because they consider it a sign of weakness. These are people who deeply believe in God. An Earthly God. Their own rule. Gods do not make mistakes. It is for them to rule and the rest of us bugs to obey their rules and follow them faithfully. It is exactly what GHWB said after a USN captain panicked while playing cat and mouse with Iranian speed boats in the Persian Gulf. We shot down a civilian airliner. They pinned a medal on the chest and Bush Sr. gave the same song and dance. Being the emperor of the Earth means never having to say you are sorry.
It’s not just hubris of these people that surprises me but low level of their intelligence. It takes courage for a man to apologize if he is guilty of having caused harm to others. In everyday life we hear people expressing sorrow for having caused the slightest inconvenience to others, far from rising to the level of murdering 24 innocent people for which our war minister is responsible.
It was the same with George Bush (the father) who said he would not apologize for his men shooting down a civilian airliner killing 200 men, women, and children.
It takes real men with honor and courage to admit mistake and to apologize. Obviously these people have neither.
U want an apology. The smart war zone nations have it figured out the GWOT is a war against Islam to advance israeli colonialism. Only unsophisticated arab tribes and regional royalty continue to tow the imperial line for personal gain
The US lost all wars because its policymakers are unable to overcome its hungover hubris and delusional western supremacy. It takes capital intellect to advance alliances with ancient civilizations. But all we have to offer is hubris and the urge to control their resources