Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ABUDHABI1297
2008-11-10 12:39:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Cable title:
NEW PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE A LONG-TIME BHUTTO ALLY
how-toP 101239Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1749 INFO AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 001297
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2018
TAGS: PREL PINR PK AE
SUBJECT: NEW PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE A LONG-TIME BHUTTO ALLY
Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 001297
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2018
TAGS: PREL PINR PK AE
SUBJECT: NEW PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE A LONG-TIME BHUTTO ALLY
Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In a November 9 courtesy call, incoming Pakistani Ambassador
Khursheed Ahmed Junejo described his long-term affiliation with the
late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, describing himself as the mayor
of her town, and a party confidant during a "20 year" association.
He claimed so many trips between Pakistan and Dubai during her
residence here that his time on the ground in the UAE must add up to
six months or more. He claims to have been a conduit with her
constituents. He continues his allegiance to the PPP (yet referred
rather formalistically to President Asif Zardari, as if his deeper
loyalties were to Bhutto).
2. (C) Describing priorities for the November 17 Friends of Pakistan
meeting in Abu Dhabi (for which an agenda has yet to circulate)
Junejo said security (170 members of the PPP are "targeted" by
terrorists) and economic stability are key discussion topics. The
Pakistani delegation might also brief on education and health care,
with the goal of offering a "correct picture" of ground truth.
Stating that his job kept him busy looking after 850,000 Pakistanis
in the UAE, he said the community projected a "good mood" although
many of its members faced hardships back home -- he highlighted
infrastructure challenges in the FATA areas (seeming to suggest that
the Friends of Pakistan might help with basic facilities). He
cautioned against further instability in the only nuclear-armed
Muslim nation and cited recent Pakistani actions against cash
couriers operating between Pakistan and the UAE.
3. (C) BIO NOTES: Ambassador Khursheed Ahmed Junejo, born 11
October 1954, offered a bio listing the following:
--- 1973 Director NGO Social Welfare
--- 1974 Secretary General, Student Union, Sindh University
--- 1979 Chairman, Union Council, Dhamrah Taluka and District Larkana
--- 1983 Chairman Union Council
--- 1987 Member District Council Larkana
--- 1988 Information Secretary, PPP
--- 1993 (Nov) to 1996 (Nov) Consultant to the PM
--- 2002-07 District Nazim Larkana
--- 2000 to present: Member SZABIST Board of Trustees
He replaces an Ambassador who was a clear and outspoken supporter of
Pervez Musharraf (and who continues to reside in the UAE). Given
strong historical ties to the UAE, this posting is likely politically
and economically important to the GoP.
OLSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2018
TAGS: PREL PINR PK AE
SUBJECT: NEW PAKISTANI AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE A LONG-TIME BHUTTO ALLY
Classified by Ambassador Richard Olson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) In a November 9 courtesy call, incoming Pakistani Ambassador
Khursheed Ahmed Junejo described his long-term affiliation with the
late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, describing himself as the mayor
of her town, and a party confidant during a "20 year" association.
He claimed so many trips between Pakistan and Dubai during her
residence here that his time on the ground in the UAE must add up to
six months or more. He claims to have been a conduit with her
constituents. He continues his allegiance to the PPP (yet referred
rather formalistically to President Asif Zardari, as if his deeper
loyalties were to Bhutto).
2. (C) Describing priorities for the November 17 Friends of Pakistan
meeting in Abu Dhabi (for which an agenda has yet to circulate)
Junejo said security (170 members of the PPP are "targeted" by
terrorists) and economic stability are key discussion topics. The
Pakistani delegation might also brief on education and health care,
with the goal of offering a "correct picture" of ground truth.
Stating that his job kept him busy looking after 850,000 Pakistanis
in the UAE, he said the community projected a "good mood" although
many of its members faced hardships back home -- he highlighted
infrastructure challenges in the FATA areas (seeming to suggest that
the Friends of Pakistan might help with basic facilities). He
cautioned against further instability in the only nuclear-armed
Muslim nation and cited recent Pakistani actions against cash
couriers operating between Pakistan and the UAE.
3. (C) BIO NOTES: Ambassador Khursheed Ahmed Junejo, born 11
October 1954, offered a bio listing the following:
--- 1973 Director NGO Social Welfare
--- 1974 Secretary General, Student Union, Sindh University
--- 1979 Chairman, Union Council, Dhamrah Taluka and District Larkana
--- 1983 Chairman Union Council
--- 1987 Member District Council Larkana
--- 1988 Information Secretary, PPP
--- 1993 (Nov) to 1996 (Nov) Consultant to the PM
--- 2002-07 District Nazim Larkana
--- 2000 to present: Member SZABIST Board of Trustees
He replaces an Ambassador who was a clear and outspoken supporter of
Pervez Musharraf (and who continues to reside in the UAE). Given
strong historical ties to the UAE, this posting is likely politically
and economically important to the GoP.
OLSON