OFFLINE

WASHINGTON: A stand-off between the US and Pakistan over a jailed American embassy worker has taken an ominous turn, with police accusing the man of "cold-blooded murder" and the US responding with thinly veiled threats to cut valued aid and access for Pakistan unless he is released immediately.

The case of Raymond Davis has opened one of the worst breaches between the US and a critical counterterrorism partner. His detention has become a point of honour for both nations, and a rallying point for anti-American sentiment in Pakistan.

US officials hinted broadly that they may cancel or postpone an invitation to Pakistan's foreign minister to visit Washington this month.
Advertisement: Story continues below

The Obama administration also is reportedly considering a slowdown in visa processing for Pakistanis seeking to come to the US. That would be hugely unpopular in Pakistan, where grievance already runs high over the perception that the US discriminates or holds back in granting visas to Pakistanis.

The US is also considering suspending or cutting back on military and educational training programs with the Pakistani armed forces and suspending or cutting back on civilian educational, scientific, cultural and local and state government exchanges, one official said.

Mr Davis, 36, claims he shot and killed two Pakistanis on January 27 because they were trying to rob him. He was arrested and jailed, despite US claims that he holds diplomatic immunity from prosecution and acted in self-defence.

On Friday a judge ordered Mr Davis jailed an additional 14 days and police termed the incident "cold-blooded murder". The US consul general in the eastern Pakistan city of Lahore, Carmela Conroy, responded with a stern demand for his release.

OFFLINE

Yes....I've read up on this case...and it certainly sounds to me like it's a bit "fishy".  I'm not really sure if Mr. Davis was being robbed or not....but if he was being robbed....I am wondering WHY he had to kill these two guys...why he didn't just shoot them somewhere that would disable them from following him?  I've long thought that Pakistan is a MUCH bigger threat to the United States than any other country....and now, perhaps, maybe officials will honestly believe this.  With our government owing so much money already, I am constantly amazed to find out just how much money our government gives every country!!!  Perhaps it's time that we start taking care of things AT HOME, and stop helping these countries that do NOTHING for us in return for the money that we give them.

OFFLINE

maybe he was in fear of his life. how did he know these guys weren't taliban or al-qaeda? hard to say without being in that situation.

OFFLINE

I'm not sure I believe in Diplomatic Immunity.  Seems it gets abused all the time.  And how am I to know this guy really didnt murder a couple of citizens from Pakistan?  Maybe he did.

OFFLINE

Originally Posted by Dennis Young:
I'm not sure I believe in Diplomatic Immunity.  Seems it gets abused all the time.  And how am I to know this guy really didnt murder a couple of citizens from Pakistan?  Maybe he did.

but do you really trust the pakistani system to flesh out the truth in a fair and non-partisan way? i think i'd rather go on trial in venezuela.

OFFLINE

Yeah, you have a point.  Otoh, do i trust the Chilean justice system to handle the Van Der Sloot case fairly either?

OFFLINE

Originally Posted by Dennis Young:
Yeah, you have a point.  Otoh, do i trust the Chilean justice system to handle the Van Der Sloot case fairly either?

probably more fairly than aruban authorities.