Author: Stephen Alexander – Frustration over the Pakistan – United States of America disputes concerning NATO supplies and the Salala incident has brought in British Foreign Secretary William Hague to mediate the former alliance.

Foreign Secretary Hague will begin the mediation on Tuesday with top Pakistani officials. He will meet with Pakistani leaders prior to their meeting with US Assistant Defense Secretary Peter Lavoy.

On Monday, the Pentagon reportedly confirmed that efforts to resolve the disputes with Pakistan had stalled, according to Pentagon spokesman George Little. “The Pentagon has called its negotiating team home.”

Washington’s frustration lies in Islamabad’s stance in closing NATO supply lines and the refusal to re-open the supply lines. US hopes lie in the Foreign Secretary’s meetings with Pakistan.

An apparent no-apology stance for the Salala incident by Washington has created feelings in Pakistan. The Salala incident, also known as the 2011 NATO attack in Pakistan, occurred when US-led forces engaged Pakistani security forces at two Pakistani military check-posts along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The incident occurred on November 26, 2011.

The other issue of contention is the taxation imposed by Pakistan on NATO supply vehicles. That issue is apparently graced with movement during previous negotiations.