ISLAMABAD – In an apparent softening of stance on the contentious issue of Raymond Davis, the US on Monday resolved to settle the row amicably while speaking highly of its ties with Pakistan, and in a dramatic move, a PPP leader said Islamabad had to abide by international laws as the detained American had an official visa and enjoyed diplomatic immunity.
The surprising statement by PPP Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab was taken as Islamabad’s willingness to grant immunity to Davis and the diplomatic circles described it as a feeler to test the waters before finally succumbing to strongly repeated demands by the US administration for the release of the American national. The US embassy in Islamabad came up with an amiable statement after days of harsh remarks on Davis that repeatedly demanded his immediate release, saying he was a diplomat and hence entitled to full immunity.
American officials, in both on and off the record statements, also blamed Islamabad for violating international laws in case of Davis. Embassy spokesman Courtney Beale told reporters that the US authorities were in touch with Pakistani officials at various levels on the issue and the matter was expected to be resolved soon. She also said the strategic dialogue between Islamabad and Washington was very important and the two countries needed to go beyond that.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Fauzia came up with a startling statement that Davis had an official visa and diplomatic passport that entitled him to immunity. This statement on her part was in total contradiction to what the Foreign Ministry has been saying since Davis’ arrest on January 27 in Lahore after he killed two Pakistani citizens. President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar later tried to distance the government and party from Fauzia’s statement feeling the heat of criticism by the politicians and some former diplomats.
Babar said it was her personal view and not the party or government’s position. However, diplomatic circles in Islamabad said the two statements reflected the realisation on their part that they need to tackle the issue in a somber manner and also to avoid inflammatory statements that could further complicate the contentious issue of arrested American national.
“Both sides are working silently to resolve the issue to the mutual satisfaction of each other and for that they need a conducive environment and that’s why these reconciliatory statements were made. However, Fauzia’s statement has more to serve than this objective as that was also a feeler to test the waters before the possible grant of immunity to Davis,” a diplomat said. US envoy Cameron Munter once again visited the Foreign Office on Monday and met Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir to discuss the issue.
According to a Foreign Ministry official, the US authorities have been strongly urging the Pakistani Foreign Ministry to come up with the declaration of immunity for Davis, which they see as the only way to save his skin after the Lahore Police declared that Davis did not act in self-defence and it was murder in cold blood. A team of American diplomats also visited Davis in Kot Lakhpat jail to inspect the security arrangements.
New schedule for talks: The FO also asked the US administration to come up with a new schedule of the recently-postponed trilateral meeting. “It is hoped that that the trilateral meeting will be rescheduled as soon as possible,” FO spokesman Abdul Basit said.
