Congressman for independent probe into NATOs Pakistan strike

Dennis Kucinich, a Democrat from Ohio, has asked Pentagon to ensure a “full and transparent” investigation into the incident.The lawmaker wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, after NATO attack in Pakistan, a long time ally of the United States, killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. “I write to express my deep concern over the recent alleged North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) airstrike in Pakistan and ask that you ensure the success of a full and transparent investigation into the incident.“The response of the United States will be critical to maintaining our vital relationship with Pakistan and to the security of our troops in Afghanistan,” he stressed, according to the letter released by his office.Saturday’s airstrike, Kucinich noted, resulted in the death of 24 innocent Pakistani soldiers has further strained the U.S.-Pakistan relationship and increased anti-U.S. sentiment abroad.“The Pakistani government has now withdrawn from participation in the upcoming U.S-led Bonn Conference on the future of Afghanistan and has closed vital supply lines to our troops operating in the country (Afghanistan),”he wrote, expressing his concern over consequences of the attacks on Pakistani checkposts.“We cannot be successful in securing peace and security in the region alone. I urge you to ensure full U.S. participation in and cooperation with a full, impartial and transparent investigation into the airstrike.It is critical that those in the NATO and the International Security Assistance Force be held accountable for any actions that may have resulted in the death of 24 innocent Pakistani soldiers.“When forces act under the auspices of NATO, it inevitably has consequences for the United States and our allies. It is imperative the NATO command be held responsible for the incident in Pakistan. It is time to review all command and control protocols which may place the security of our allies’ troops and, eventually, our own troops at risk.”