WASHINGTON (voa) – President Bush has made it clear he wants the confessed mastermind of the Daniel Pearl kidnapping extradited to the United States.
Mr. Bush was asked Monday if the United States wants Pakistan to hand over jailed Islamic militant Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh. The president said Washington is always “interested in dealing with people who have harmed American citizens.”
A White House spokesman says the United States wants to get its hands on all those responsible for Mr. Pearl’s kidnapping and murder.
Mr. Bush also says Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf assured him in a phone call last week that Islamabad will “chase down the killers and bring them to justice.” Mr. Bush says he is satisfied with Pakistan’s handling of the case.
Meanwhile, a Pakistani court ordered Monday that Sheikh Omar be held in custody for another 14 days as authorities continue to investigate.
The decision was announced after the British-born Pakistani national arrived under heavy security at an anti-terrorism court in Karachi, the city where Mr. Pearl disappeared on January 23.
The judge delayed the filing of formal charges to give investigators more time to obtain evidence, and to find Mr. Pearl’s body.
Washington’s ambassador to Islamabad, Wendy Chamberlin, said Monday the U.S. government wanted the Sheikh Omar extradited from Pakistan at least two months before he was implicated in the killing of Mr. Pearl. She said she would raise the issue anew when she meets with General Musharraf on Tuesday.
