Pakistan drops out of trilateral meeting in protest of U.S. drone attacks

[News_Editor]

Pakistan drops out of trilateral meeting in protest of U.S. drone attacks

2011-03-20 23:27:43 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD (BNO NEWS) -- Pakistani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Sunday announced the country will not participate in a planned trilateral meeting between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States because of ongoing U.S. drone attacks.

The announcement follows several deadly U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan, which have angered Pakistan officials. On Thursday, more than 40 civilians were killed in North Waziristan when U.S. missiles hit a residential area where local elders were meeting.

Khar said the U.S. drone strikes are not only counter productive but also in flagrant disregard of Pakistan's sovereignty and international principles and norms. "Such strikes constitute a matter of serious concern and raises issues regarding respect for human rights and humanitarian law. Irresponsible and unlawful conduct cannot be justified on any grounds," the Minister said.

The Minister of State added that in view of the drone attacks, Pakistan would be unable to participate in the trilateral meeting between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States. The meeting was proposed for March 26 in Brussels.

The U.S. drone campaign in Pakistan is aimed at disrupting al-Qaida and the Taliban in the border area with Afghanistan, which the United States considers to be the most dangerous place on Earth.

But controversy has surrounded the drone strikes as local residents and officials have blamed them for killing innocent civilians and motivating young men to join the Taliban. In addition, the Pakistani government does not support the strikes.

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