ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani told the visiting US Senator John Kerry that the Raymond Davis issue was complex, having several dimensions, but it must not be allowed to take bilateral relations hostage.
They expressed these views during their separate meetings with Senator Kerry, chairman of the US Senate foreign relations committee, who called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency and Gilani at the PM House on Wednesday.
Senator Kerry was accompanied by US Ambassador Cameron Munter and three other senior staffers.
Briefing reporters about the meeting, president’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said Zardari told Kerry that the Raymond Davis issue was complex and had several dimensions, all of which had to be taken into account for an amicable resolution.
He said that the strategic partnership and the mutually cordial relations between the two countries should not be allowed to be sacrificed or compromised by predicating them on any single issue.
The president also said that there was a need to proceed with caution and showing respect to sensitivities and sensibilities of all concerned. “The matter is before the court which has also fixed a date for hearing. Pakistan expects that its judicial processes will be respected,” Babar said. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said it was imperative that the Davis issue must not be allowed to take bilateral relations hostage and affect the partnership in the on-going struggle against terrorism and restoring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He emphasised the need for positive signals from both sides to help build trust and confidence. He said at the core of Pakistan-US relations had always been a shared belief in the common values of freedom, liberty, democracy and the rule of law. He recalled that US had sided with Pakistan and its government in the struggle for restoration of democracy.
Gilani noted that the superior court in Pakistan had taken cognisance of the Davis case and had clearly ordered that the question of immunity to Raymond Davis, if it arose, would be determined by the court. He urged the US to take into account the ground reality that the principal stakeholders in Davis case were family members of those killed and the people of Pakistan.
Senator Kerry agreed that positive signals would help develop understanding between the two countries and discourage those elements who desired to exploit the situation to the disadvantage of strategic relationship build to fight extremism and terrorism. He added that both countries had to carry forward the established relationship in the larger interest of international peace and stability.
Kerry expressed deep regrets over the loss of lives in the unfortunate incident in Lahore, but emphasised on an early resolution of the issue in the interest of continued strategic partnership between Pakistan and the US. He also agreed with the prime minister on the need for utilisation of diplomatic channels to help resolve the matter in accordance with law.
