Aides to Pakistan's president expressed confidence Wednesday that Islamabad and Washington can amicably resolve a diplomatic crisis over a former US Special Forces soldier held in the shooting deaths of two Pakistanis. None, however, would directly respond to statements from Washington that billions of dollars in US aid to Pakistan could be threatened and diplomatic contacts curbed if the American is not released quickly.
But Pakistani officials insisted Wednesday the situation could be resolved through proper diplomatic channels. ``Pakistan and the US are strategic partners and we expect to work out our differences on this matter,'' said Farahnaz Ispahani, an aide to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar echoed that sentiment, but said the length of time it's taking for the Foreign Ministry to decide if Davis has immunity suggests ``it is not really a case of just black and white.''
According to records from the Pentagon, Davis is a former Special Forces soldier who left the army in August 2003 after 10 years of service. A Virginia native, he served with infantry divisions prior to joining the 3rd Special Forces Group in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
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