US clarifies: No decision on direct access to Headley

The statement from Roemer came even as Indian investigators drew plans to travel to the US in April?government sources even claimed it could be as early as the first week?and question Headley who has pleaded guilty to all charges in the Mumbai terror attack case in a Chicago court.

In a statement, Roemer said: ?As the assistant secretary indicated, the US is committed to full information sharing in our counter terror partnership and, in fact, in this case we have provided substantial information to the Government of India and we will continue to do so.?

?However, no decision on direct access for India to David Headley has been made. The US department of justice will work with the Government of India regarding the modalities of such cooperation,? Roemer said.

After Blake?s statement and a telephone discussion with US attorney general and head of the department of justice Eric Holder, home minister P Chidambaram had directed NIA and other agencies to prepare documents necessary to start a judicial proceeding in which Indian authorities could require Headley to answer questions and testify.

Reacting to Roemer?s remarks, officials in the ministry of home affairs (MHA) said though nothing had changed from the Indian perspective, the ?law prevails and not opinions?.

?Getting access to Headley is a legal matter. Law prevails and not opinions. The US law will determine the kind of access we get,? a senior MHA official said. Sources said the Indian government will examine Roemer?s remarks and bring it to the notice of solicitor general Gopal Subramanium.

?Also, as of now, the NIA has not moved any document in the case. So, the American Ambassador?s statement is clearly not a reaction to anything we have done,? the sources said.