US says it is not mediating between Blackberry maker and India

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Aug 14 (PTI) The US has said it is not
mediating between the Blackberry maker RIM and India, which
has asked the smartphone vendor to provide access to some of
mobile messaging services or face ban in that country.
"While we have been in touch with our foreign partners,
this is a matter for Research in Motion (RIM) to work out
directly with Indian officials," the State Department said in
a statement in response to a question if the US is mediating
on the Blackberry dispute.
With several countries including India, United Arab
Emirates and Saudi Arabia threatening to stall Blackberry
services in their countries because of similar concerns, the
State Department official this week met RIM officials to
discuss the issue.
The State Department officials have also been in touch
with these countries to understand their security concerns.
The Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, last week had
termed the security concerns of these countries as legitimate.
"We are taking time to consult and analyse the full range
of interests and issues at stake because we know that there is
a legitimate security concern, but there's also a legitimate
right of free use and access.
So, I think we will be pursuing both technical and expert
discussions as we go forward," Clinton said.
India has threatened to shut down BlackBerry e-mail and
instant messaging services by August 31, unless RIM granted
security agencies the technology to decrypt BlackBerry
communications, citing national security concerns.
A three-member delegation of RIM led by Vice-President
Robert E Crowe Friday met Indian Home Secretary G K Pillai to
discuss the government's notice. PTI