Barack Obama appoints Richard G. Oslan as ambassador to Pakistan

US President Barack Obama has named Richard G. Oslan to be the ambassador to Pakistan, assigning task them to shape highly sensitive relationships after withdrawal of allied forces from Afghanistan.

Oslan, who had served US ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is named envoy to Pakistan after incumbent Cameron Munter tendered his resignation from his post. Meanwhile, the US president named James Cunningham as new ambassador to Afghanistan.

However, US Senate will give final approval of the two key posts. The two newly appointed envoys will take the responsibilities at a time when the American forces prepare to withdraw combat forces from Afghanistan in 2014.

According to a biography released by the White House, Ambassador Olson previously served as the Coordinating Director for Development and Economic Affairs at the US Embassy in Kabul from June 2011 to June 2012.

Olson, a career foreign service officer, has also been posted in Saudi Arabia, Brussels and Iraq.

It is vital to mention here James Cunningham served as US ambassador to Israel before taking his post in Kabul. He has also served as consul general in Hong Kong and as deputy US representative at the United Nations.

The US president stated, “I am grateful that these talented and dedicated men and women have agreed to take on these important roles and devote their talents to serving the American people”.

He said that he was looking forward to working with them in the coming months and years.

Munter, the incumbent US envoy resigned from his post after a turbulent period in which American Special Forces killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad. The issues of Raymond Davis and Salala check-post were also occurred in the same period.

Munter had been a support of reconciliation with Pakistan within the Obama administration. In his view, the dominated policies of CIA and Pentagon made his job more difficult.

While designating Afghanistan a major non-NATO ally and providing the framework for future cooperation, the Obama administration urged to uphold an interest in the war-torn country.

The American Forces will be able to stay in Afghanistan until at least 2024 to train Afghan troops and conduct operations against extremists under an agreement signed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Barack Obama.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=29083

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jul 18 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan, USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.