“Our diplomat in Pakistan’ was how President Obama described Raymond Davis now uncovered as a member of a covert CIA team operating under cover inside Pakistan. The disclosure came after his cover was blown by British media and a gag order on US media that was to have facilitated Davis’ extradition under diplomatic immunity was lifted because it no longer served any purpose.
The United States Department of State issues a Diplomatic Identity Card to all diplomats accredited to the US. This is what the card says front and back:
DIPLOMATICIDENTIFICATION CARD Number: (PHOTO)
Expires
DOB Name Title
Mission
Location SEE REVERSE FOR STATEMENT OF IMMUNITY
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This person has been duly notified to the Department of State and under international law enjoys immunity from criminal jurisdiction. The bearer shall not be liable to any form of arrest or detention, but may be given a notice of violation. The bearer shall be treated with due respect and all appropriate steps taken to prevent any attack on the bearer’s person, freedom, or dignity. LAW ENFORCEMENT INQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED IF FOUND, RETURN TO:
TO (202) 647-1985 FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM EASTERN TIME Office of Foreign Missions—
AND (202)647-7277 AT ALL OTHER TIMES.
Does the Pakistan Foreign Office issue such identification after it has been ‘duly notified ‘by the sending country about the status of an Embassy employee? If not, why not? If yes, then did Davis have such identification and was his status notified by the US Department of State to the Pakistan Foreign Office and if it was then surely there is a record of that notification. Why does a court have to decide the diplomatic status of a covert CIA agent? The Foreign Office should do so---especially after Davis has been exposed for what he actually is, so that the court can then concentrate on the killing of three Pakistanis, the suicide of a fourth, the ‘disappearance’ of those in the follow-up vehicle and their status and manner of extradition to the US. Having a diplomatic passport does not automatically qualify a person for diplomatic immunity.
The undercover CIA operation uncovered must now be closed down including the ‘safe house’ being used by them under cover of the US Consulate in Lahore. Pakistan’s entire counter intelligence apparatus must swing into action to discover, apprehend and expose all other Davis types operating under cover in the country. Citizens should be advised to exercise extreme caution in interaction with US personnel and be aware of the pitfalls of renting property to them without verification and clearance. There have been cases in the past where US personnel in unmarked cars refused police checks and refused to even lower their windows to answer questions. This calls for a proper agreement that must define status and behavior and visa procedures. Pakistan has to assert itself regardless of the consequences---this is what Pakistanis are demanding from their government. If Pakistan is a US ally and the US-Pakistan relationship is strategic then surely there is no need for covert CIA-Special Forces Operations deep inside Pakistan unless the entire relationship is a cover for gaining access for sinister designs. This is the perception that must be dispelled. ‘Davis ‘ is time for a new beginning.
Reports of a CIA-ISI feud, of danger to Davis while in custody, of US trying to foster a proxy war in Pakistan in connivance with some Indian and Afghan interests, of US plans to destabilize Pakistan especially Baluchistan—all need a response and the best response is a renewed US-Pakistan relationship with suspicious underhand activity suspended. Before weighing in with coercive pressure President Obama, Secretary Clinton, Senator Kerry and Admiral Mullen needed to have their facts straight unless they still think what happened in Lahore does not matter. To Pakistanis it does matter.
