Pakistan Thursday summoned U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson to lodge protest with her over a fresh U.S. missile strike in Pakistan's northwest, which killed at least six people.
"A strong protest was lodged by the foreign secretary on the two missiles fired by U.S. drones on a residential compound in Bannu district on Nov.19, 2008," Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq told reporters Thursday at a weekly briefing.
"The foreign secretary emphasized that continued drone attacks undermined public support for government's counter-terrorism efforts. He stressed that these attacks must be stopped," Sadiq said. "The ambassador assured that Pakistan's concern and position would be conveyed to the U.S. government."
The spokesman said that there was no understanding of "Don't ask, don't tell" between Pakistan and the United States about drone attacks.
Sadiq also said that British Foreign Secretary David Miliband would visit Pakistan next Wednesday for exchange of views with the Pakistani leadership on the regional situation, particularly developments in Afghanistan and the common fight against terrorism and extremism.
Miliband is expected to call on Pakistani President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and hold in-depth discussions with Foreign Minister Makhmood Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
He will also call on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Source: Xinhua
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