Obama asks Pakistan to release Raymond Davis

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Feb 15 (PTI) Amid deepening diplomaticstand-off, US President Barack Obama today asked Pakistan tofollow the Vienna Convention and release American diplomatRaymond Davis, who is facing trial on murder charges.

"With respect to Mr. Davis, our diplomat in Pakistan,we''ve got a very simple principle here that every country inthe world that is party to the Vienna Convention on DiplomaticRelations has upheld in the past and should uphold in thefuture," Obama told reporters at a news conference.

"If our diplomats are in another country, then theyare not subject to that country''s local prosecution. Werespect it with respect to diplomats who are here. We expectPakistan, that''s a signatory and recognize Mr. Davis as adiplomat, to abide by the same convention," Obama said inresponse to a question.

Obama, however, refrained from giving details ofAdministration�s specific conversation with the PakistaniGovernment but said he is very firm about this.

36-year-old Davis was arrested in Lahore on January 27after he shot down in a Lahore market two Pakistani men,who he said were trying to rob him. The US has been demandingimmediate release of Davis arguing that he enjoys diplomaticimmunity, which has been denied by Pakistan. .