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Diplomacy needed to stop US drone attacks: Hoti

PESHAWAR/LAHORE: Suspected United States drone attacks in the Tribal Areas needed to be stopped through diplomacy, NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti said on Wednesday. According to a private TV channel, Hoti told reporters in Peshawar that it was difficult to give a timeframe for the army’s withdrawal from the Tribal Areas, as the security situation there was still volatile. He said the government had asked the security forces to minimise collateral damage in the ongoing military operations in various parts of the province. Stressing ‘the need for prevention’ of such attacks in future by involving diplomatic channels, the chief minister said, “No one can be allowed such attacks inside Pakistan and we would condemn (that) wherever it happens inside our territories.” The missile strike in Bannu killed five people, including suspected foreign militants, marking the first strike against Al Qaeda outside the Tribal Areas. He said the attacks were “not only tarnishing the image of the US in the region” but were also negatively impacting relations between the two countries. The chief minister said the federal government should evolve a comprehensive strategy and use diplomatic channels to prevent such attacks. About the Swat agreement, Hoti said a jirga had contacted the government in this connection and the media would be informed if any breakthrough was achieved. staff report/ daily times monitor

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