WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The United States postponed a meeting with Pakistan and Afghanistan even as it sought the release of its diplomat held in Pakistan in the deaths of two men.
The detention of Raymond Davis, a U.S. Consulate official in Lahore accused in the Jan. 27 shootings of two Pakistani men, has put pressure on bilateral relations, with Washington insisting the shootings were in self-defense and that he should be released on diplomatic immunity grounds. Pakistan, a close ally in the fight against terrorism and recipient of significant U.S. aid, has said it is now up to its courts to decide Davis's fate.
In a brief weekend statement, U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley cited "political changes in Pakistan" and discussions with Afghan and Pakistani officials for postponing the trilateral meeting set for this month to discuss the Afghan war.
He said the United States, "committed to robust engagement" with Pakistan and Afghanistan, looked forward to "convening a very productive trilateral meeting at the earliest opportunity."
In Pakistan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Basit told the Voice of America his government hoped the talks he described as important for the stability and prosperity in the region would be rescheduled "sooner rather than later."
The Financial Times said the Davis issue has come up when Washington wants the Pakistani military to do more in the Afghan war.
The issue has been complicated as a judge in Lahore has extended Davis's custody another two weeks to determine his diplomatic status.
In other developments, Shah Mehmood Qureshi was dropped as Pakistani foreign minister in a Cabinet reshuffle.
China's Xinhua news agency, quoting local media, said Qureshi had disputed Washington's claims about Davis's diplomatic status.
