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Secretary Clinton: U.S. Did Not Pay Any 'Blood Money' for Raymond Davis

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today reiterated that the United States of America did not pay any compensation to pardon Raymond Davis during an interview with Steve Inskeep of NPR.

Steve Inskeep: Okay, we'll jump right into it. Again, I'll try not to take up too much of your time. Before I ask about Egypt, I'm obliged to ask you about one other thing - Raymond Davis. Can you explain why, in your view, it was a wise idea in the long term to pay blood money for Davis's release?

Secretary Clinton: Well, first of all, the United States did not pay any compensation. The families of the victims of the incident on January 27th decided to pardon Mr. Davis. And we are very grateful for their decision. And we are very grateful to the people and Government of Pakistan, who have a very strong relationship with us that we are committed to strengthening.

Steve Inskeep: According to wire reports out of Pakistan, the law minister of the Punjab Province, which is where this took place, says the blood money was paid. Is he mistaken?

Secretary Clinton: Well, you'll have to ask him what he means by that.

Steve Inskeep: And a lawyer involved in the case said it was 2.34 million. There is no money that came from anywhere?

Secretary Clinton: The United States did not pay any compensation.

Question: Did someone else, to your knowledge?

Secretary Clinton: You will have to ask whoever you are interested in asking about that.

Source: U.S. Department of State