New Jam in US, Pakistan Relations: American Accused of Double Murder (Claims Diplomatic Immunity)

[tekisui]

Source: Christian Science Monitor

With a Washington summit later this month hanging in the balance, the United States has suspended high-level contacts with Pakistan’s beleaguered civilian government over Pakistan’s refusal to release a US diplomat accused of double murder.

The US insists the American, Raymond Davis, enjoys diplomatic immunity and has been wrongfully detained since he allegedly shot two motorcyclists tailing him in Lahore on Jan. 27. Pakistani officials have questioned Mr. Davis’s diplomatic status.

US-Pakistan bilateral relations are rarely trouble-free, but the diplomatic row comes at a time when Pakistan’s already-high anti-Americanism is rising further. It’s also happening as the weak civilian government of President Asif Ali Zardari is buffeted by new signs of public support for the country’s Islamist radicals.

Failure to resolve the standoff soon could put off a crucial summit scheduled for the end of the month in Washington that is supposed to bring together US, Pakistani, and Afghan leaders as a show of coordination on the war in Afghanistan and counterterrorism efforts more broadly.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton addressed the issue of Davis’s detention with Pakistan’s Army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, at a security conference over the weekend in Munich, Germany. She also raised the issue in a telephone conversation with President Zardari last week. But she reportedly canceled a meeting at the Munich conference with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

more: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2011/0208/New-jam-in-US-Pakistan-relations-American-accused-of-double-murder

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Who knew? Diplomats can murder with impunity.

[tekisui]

1. This didn't show in MyDU or on my Latest page, replying to mark it.

[tekisui]

2. kick!