WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, said on Friday that the Obama administration had not asked him to leave the country, although he confirmed being called to the White House to discuss Raymond Davis’ continued detention in Pakistan. “The characterisation of my conversation with White House officials borders fabrication,” he told Dawn. “It is not our policy to reveal details of diplomatic conversations. I can say, however, that National Security Adviser Tom Donilon did, indeed, convey the US government’s views about the case of Mr Davis during a meeting on Monday evening.”
The ambassador clarified that “no ultimatum or threat was given” during that meeting. He said he conveyed to Mr Donilon the government’s commitment to resolve the matter in accordance with Pakistani and international law.
“Both sides are working together to resolve the case expeditiously and to continue our multi-faceted strategic partnership,” he added.
Earlier, ABC News reported that the US national security adviser had summoned Nr Gaqqabu to the White House on Monday evening to deliver a threat from the president: “Release Raymond Davis, an American being held in Lahore for killing two Pakistanis, or face the consequences.”
The report claimed that Mr Donilon told Ambassador Haqqani that the US would kick him out of the US, close US consulates in Pakistan, and cancel an upcoming visit by Pakistan’s President to Washington, if Mr Davis was not released from custody by Friday.
The outlines of the threat were confirmed by a senior US official, the report said.
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