Pakistan

Talks under way for Davis issue settlement

A top level dialogue between Pakistan and the US is under way to hammer out a settlement on the Raymond Davis issue.

Qaiser Butt March 06, 2011

ISLAMABAD:

A top level dialogue between Pakistan and the United States is under way to hammer out a negotiated settlement on the Raymond Davis issue.

The talks were made public on Saturday after the US ambassador in Pakistan, Cameron Munter, called on President Asif Ali Zardari and delivered an important message from Washington, a source said requesting anonymity.

After the meeting, spokesperson for the president Farhatullah Babar issued a brief and vague statement, which said that various bilateral issues were discussed between the two sides.

An article published in The Washington Post on Saturday by President Zardari on the Davis issue also came under discussion, sources said.

A veteran diplomat said that a marked improvement in bilateral ties between Pakistan and the United States “will be visible over the next couple of weeks” when US special envoy on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mark Grossman, will hold talks with top civilian and military leadership of the country.

The ties, which soured rapidly after the arrest of a CIA contractor, Raymond Davis, in Lahore on Jan 27, “are returning to normalcy”, the former diplomat told The Express Tribune. “The process to return the Washington-Islamabad diplomatic affairs to normalcy is under way,” he said requesting anonymity.

However, at no point in time did the relations hit a point of no-return despite a heated war of words.

In this context, he cited two important meetings between top Pakistani-US military leaders in Muscat and Rawalpindi over the past week.

The February 23 meeting in Muscat between Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral US Central Command chief General James Mattis, chief of the Special Operations Command Admiral Eric Olson and the Commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus.

Although US commanders consult frequently with General Kayani, this was only the third time they gathered in this manner since August 2008, said an ISPR press release to signify the meeting.

Referring to CIA-ISI ties in the context of Raymond Davis episode, the diplomat noted the post meeting statement by the ISPR: “The two sides also discussed the need for greater infrastructure development, cross-border communication between Pakistan and Afghanistan and information sharing to defeat terrorists.”

The second meeting between Gen Kayani and top US commanders occurred on March 3 at the GHQ when the Tripartite Commission, composed of senior military representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan and coalition forces in Afghanistan, held its 33rd meeting in Rawalpindi, including General David H Petreaus, Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) and General Sher Muhammad Karimi, Chief of General Staff of Afghan National Army. The forum also discussed various measures to further improve the coordination.

To substantiate his optimism, the former diplomat said that Grossman’s first interaction with President Zardari and Gen Kayani is primarily scheduled for talks on the Afghan issue but it would not remain confined to just one single subject.

“There is no doubt that the talks will play a key role in put the ties back on the right track,” he added.

The US envoy is faced with an uphill task in Afghanistan as the US plans the withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan this summer.

Grossman has already been to London, Jeddah, Kabul, Islamabad and Brussels to promote a “political reconciliation with the Taliban”.

“There appeared to a greater realisation between the civil and military leadership of the both countries that the Davis’ factor should not be allowed to take their (bilateral) relations, particularly war on terror, a hostage,” he said.

The former diplomat cited three major developments which indicated leniency on part of Pakistan: (a) Pakistan refrained from prosecuting Raymond Davis on espionage charges despite the fact that Davis was put on trial for the Lahore murders (b) Pakistan is no longer demanding the custody of the three US nationals who are still hiding in the US consulate in Lahore after crushing to death another Pakistani citizen (c) Spying charges were not pressed against another US national who was arrested in Peshawar despite having been found to be involved in questionable activities.

However , the arrest of the US citizen in Peshawar sent a loud and clear message to the CIA that more of its “spies” could be arrested in the future, the former diplomat opined.

On the part of the Americans, he said, a long list of its “diplomats” was made public by the state minister for foreign affairs after the list was handed over by the US embassy last week.

However, he warned that it would be a “mistake to read this display as an indication that the trust issues have been resolved between the two intelligence agencies”.

“But it is also significant to note that the CIA spokesman George Little said any problems between the two agencies will be sorted out.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 6^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (18)

Khalid Rahim | 13 years ago | Reply The only time we come out in the streets is to save ISLAM as if ALLAH has forsaken His own messenger and the Message to humanity. All our politicians have to turn towards Mecca not the one in Hijaz (Saudi Arabia) but in District of Colombia. Assuming Raymond Davis is let off for whatever reasons there will be some protests in the streets. Then long explainations by our two divine ministers of Interior and law. While our main opposition leaders will try to find scapegoats among the Establishment. Unless the Lahore High Court clearly tells the President and the PM stop giving statements and tell the Ministers not to give any statements until the final decision. The only possibility we cannot ignore is the past performance of US Administration invading other nations to save America from from terrorist threats.Such as one being imposed by the administration of Punjab and the Lahore High Court. Mr Grossman these words were not spoken by Taliban, but one great diplomat and statesman from Sweden- Your errors of the past make your relations to others difficult, when the present shows that you might repeat them.

Ahmer Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Indirectly or furtively these talks under way between USA and Pakistan to settle Raymond Davis' issue are talks to free Raymond Davis to avoid sanctions and diplomatic ties disconnection between USA and Pakistan by harming Pakistani nation's sentiments just for getting more and more $$$$$$$$.When Raymond has confessed two murders and is proven criminal and also has shown his credibility gap amongst his statements then for what purpose all this drama is being played on government level to deceive and fool the victims families and the whole nation by judiciary,corrupt and beggars leaders and police department on the name of interrogation?If our corrupt and beggars leaders have courage and bravery then give Raymond death sentence and that's all.Why issues are being raised of diplomatic immunity and Pakistan-US relations?What our corrupt and beggars leaders are waiting for?When our corrupt and beggars leaders don't have courage to make decision freely according to their own foreign policies related to internal and external security of Pakistan and the nation then why do they claim for being the well-wishers of Pakistan and its nations especially when they can't secure and protect Pakistan and its nation from foreign interference?

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Mr Solomon | 13 years ago | Reply You have to ask yourself why a contractor that was taking pictures in a foreign country for whatever reason would randomly shoot people for no reason??......if he was working under cover knowing that their are some people in Pakistan that would want to kill him, why would he just randomly shoot people??? Police in Pakistan have reported that Mr Davis is a smart person. so why would a well trained smart under cover contractor in a land where some people would kill him if they knew who he worked for just decide one day to randomly shoot a couple of people unless he feared for his life??? I believe that the media on both sides have looked at this from the wrong perspective. The US media was worried about his safety, I mean some people in Pakistan only want him punished because they feel that they have been wronged in the past by the US so they feel it is ok to punish an American even if he did shoot because he feared for his own life. You can't destroy hate with hate.

Aamir Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Bob Corker can fly in and out of Pakistan, doesn't make him an expert on Pakistani affairs.

Asad | 13 years ago | Reply If Mr. Davis gets off the hook for peanuts, there will be a certain backlash from the public and I am sure the GoP is fully aware of that. Enough of playing with the people's sentiments. I wish the people had decided this criminal's fate there and then, on the spot, like it was done with two alleged "criminals" in Sialkot a few months ago. The spineless Govt is pushing the people to take justice into their own hands.

Sahazada Malik Zahid Mahmoud Loan | 13 years ago | Reply I am sure neither the military establishment nor the corrupt PPP government will release Davis in haste. These both of the establishments need to realise that if they dared to hand over Davis, without and before the due process of law taking effect, it would be very dangerous for Kiayani as it is for Zardari - they will both lose their head. General Kiyani has no part to play but Zardari as the civilian head of state has to use his head. Mr Raymond Davis must tell the Pakistani people about his espionage activities in the country and he must be made to talk. If he does not and is released in a some kind of a deal then the PPP government and the army generals better watch out.

mtranchi | 13 years ago | Reply i wouldn't trust whatever gets "sorted out" to last more than a day. Just ask the American Indians what the u.s. thinks of treaties it has signed.

Imran Mohammad | 13 years ago | Reply

The former diplomat cited three major developments which indicated leniency on part of Pakistan: (a) ....

What does Pakistan get in return? BS as usual?

cosmo | 13 years ago | Reply @Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Aafia is a "terrorist" while Davis is a "thug" killer. While Aafia acted out of insanity, Davis acted out of self defense. So, no comparisons there.

Babloo | 13 years ago | Reply Is that stretegy the new foreign currency earner for Pakistan ? Meanwhile, US Senator Bob Corker, after touring Pakistan, seems to get an idea of what is happening in Pakistan. Corker, who recently travelled to the area, said at a hearing of the committee that “in order to maintain appropriate relations, I will not publicly articulate my feelings after meeting with the leaders” in Pakistan. But he added Pakistan was “the most disheartening place in the world to be, when you are talking about the type of relationship that we have.” Corker said the relationship was basically ‘transactional’, but “our side of the transaction is the only side that to me is being fulfilled. I think that in many ways we get played like a piece of music.” He would be “very slow to talk about additional funding (for Pakistan) until we see a different behaviour pattern.” “It is hugely disheartening to see what we are doing in Afghanistan taking place knowing that the centre of it all is really in Pakistan,” Corker said. “And there’s no real effort to deal with it on their part.”

cosmo | 13 years ago | Reply @Jumbo: Well the only national interest Pakistan ever has is to get the bloody "Aid". Well am sure you will let Davis go for some peanut dollars. The bottom line is if you got money, Pakistan will be your Honey.

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ - I can see only that. Pakistan was exporting its own citizens for USD , Now it can export foreign citizens too.

Mohammad Ali Siddiqui | 13 years ago | Reply Why US Government is not settling the issue of Aaafia Siddiqui? And why Government of Pakistan wants to settle Raymond Davis issue? Why always Government of Pakistan bow its head before US? Where is Shah Mahmood Qureshi? Come up Shah. It is time for you to speak. Raymond David issue is more important than meeting with Pir Pagara.

Meekal Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Compensation or "blood money" in return for forgiveness is acceptable under Islam. Just like that which is being demanded by the surviving family members of those killed in the Air Blue crash. The only issue there is whether the compensation being offered is fair and adequate. There should be fair and adequate compensation in this case too. It would be a pity as seems to be the case that if the family should accept compensation in return for pardoning the killer, they would have to be taken out of the country for their own safety.

TightDhoti | 13 years ago | Reply So the Pakistani military establishment is (as expected) taking the lead to negotiate an end to the Raymond Davis affair. Is anyone going to accuse the military of ceding our sovereignty or is such criticism only reserved for the civilian government?

Jumbo | 13 years ago | Reply "Settlement" - I don't like the sound of this word...whatever it is, the govt of Pakistan better know what its doing and it must be in national interests. There's absolutely no way Davis is going to be released or not punished....or else Americans can brace themselves for a Lahori revolution

Khalid Rahim | 13 years ago | Reply While Hollywood and Bollywood sign civilian nuclear movie productions! Our Lollywood tries to slip the villian from the stage undercover of Hollywood. Obviously the crowd at Bollywood finds it hilarious.

Moise | 13 years ago | Reply Strengthening democratic institutions is good for speeches. In real world spies can get away with murder in day light.

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