Memogate: US wants Husain Haqqani to be accorded due consideration of law

State Department says that they are monitoring Haqqani's situation closely, and maintain contact with his wife.

WASHINGTON: State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland says that they hope that former Pakistan ambassador to US, Husain Haqqani would be accorded due consideration under law, and that they maintain regular contact with his wife, Farahnaz Ispahani.

Addressing the daily press briefing, spokesperson Nuland, she referred to proceedings involving Husain Haqqani in the Supreme Court. She said that the US understands that the case was an internal matter of Pakistan, however they will be watching and monitoring the situation closely.

In response to a question, she said that as they have observed the situation, the US believes it is important for them to speak about the appropriate constitutional and legal process. She added the US hoped that any process of resolving matter of Husain Haqqani was “fair and transparent”.

In response to another question, Nuland said that they had regular contact with Haqqani’s wife, Farahnaz Ispahani, and have had so since the former ambassador returned to Pakistan. Farahnaz Ispahani is currently in Washington DC.

New Pakistan ambassador to be explained position

On the subject of Sherry Rehman, who arrives on January 7 in Washington DC to assume her role as Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, Nuland said, “We look forward to having Sherry Rehman here in the US”

She added that the United States would make clear to Rehman that they consider the relationship between the US and Pakistan to be "difficult" but "extremely important" and believe that close co-operation was necessary.

"We will obviously make clear to her that we consider this relationship extremely important. And although, it is challenging, although, it is difficult, we continue to believe that the United States and Pakistan - have an interest in closer cooperation of our countries, particularly in defeating the threats that challenge us both, particularly the threat from terrorism," the spokesperson added.

The State Department spokesperson underscored that the United States and Pakistan have a shared interest in defeating the threat of terrorism, and Rehman arrives at at time when relations between the two allies is at its lowest. "She (Ambassador Rehman) does indeed come at an important time.”