Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD1742
2008-05-05 10:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
PAKISTAN'S NEW FOREIGN SECRETARY SALMAN BASHIR
how-toVZCZCXRO5165 OO RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #1742 1261005 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 051005Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6780 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 8520 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 7829 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 3203 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 9659 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 5408 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 4147 RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001742
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PK PREL
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN'S NEW FOREIGN SECRETARY SALMAN BASHIR
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001742
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PK PREL
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN'S NEW FOREIGN SECRETARY SALMAN BASHIR
1. (SBU) Summary: Salman Bashir has replaced Riaz Mohammad
Khan as Pakistan's Foreign Secretary. Bashir--who previously
served as Ambassador to China and Denmark--is a veteran
Foreign Service officer. Bashir told local press he intends
to focus on "economic diplomacy" during his tenure as Foreign
Secretary. End summary.
SIPDIS
2. (SBU) On April 28, 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) announced Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan would be
replaced. (Note: Khan reached the age of retirement three
years ago but remained in his position because of three
year-long extensions. End Note.) A flurry of press rumors
ensued, speculating Khan was fired because of his opposition
to a United Nations probe of Benazir Bhutto's assassination.
Khan and the MFA, however, emphasized Khan had decided to
retire for personal and health reasons.
3. (SBU) Pakistan's former Ambassador to China, Salman
Bashir, was named as Khan's replacement and assumed his
duties as Foreign Secretary on May 5, 2008. Reportedly, Riaz
Khan spoke with Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani and personally
recommended Bashir for the position. Bashir was selected
over another front-runner, Sahfqat Saeed, Pakistan's current
Ambassador to Iran.
4. (SBU) After his appointment, Bashir told local press he
intends to focus on "economic diplomacy" between Pakistan and
its allies.
Former Ambassador to China
--------------
5. (SBU) Prior to his selection as Foreign Secretary, Bashir
served as Ambassador to China from March 2005 to May 2008 and
worked to improve bilateral economic relations. He closely
collaborated with Pakistan's Planning Division and Sino
International Engineering group to produce electricity that
helped manage Pakistan's growing power gap. The Chinese
Embassy in Pakistan lauded Bashir for his efforts strengthen
Sino/Pak relations.
Career Timeline
--------------
6. (SBU) Bashir has held the following positions during his
time in Pakistan's Foreign Service:
- Mar 2005 - May 2008: Ambassador to China.
- Feb 2003 - Mar 2005: Additional Secretary at the Asia
Pacific desk at the MFA.
- Jul 1999 - Feb 2003: Ambassador to Denmark.
- 1995 - 1999: Director General of the U.N. Division at the
MFA.
- 1988 - 1995: Posted to the OIC Secretariat, Jeddah.
- 1985 - 1987: Director of the U.N. Division at the MFA.
- 1980 - 1984: Posted to Geneva.
- 1976 - 1980: Section Officer at the MFA in Islamabad.
- 1975: Bashir joined the Foreign Service.
Personal Information
--------------
7. (SBU) Bashir was born on March 4, 1952. He holds a
Master's degree in History as well as a Bachelor of Law
degree. Bashir is married with two sons and a daughter.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR PK PREL
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN'S NEW FOREIGN SECRETARY SALMAN BASHIR
1. (SBU) Summary: Salman Bashir has replaced Riaz Mohammad
Khan as Pakistan's Foreign Secretary. Bashir--who previously
served as Ambassador to China and Denmark--is a veteran
Foreign Service officer. Bashir told local press he intends
to focus on "economic diplomacy" during his tenure as Foreign
Secretary. End summary.
SIPDIS
2. (SBU) On April 28, 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) announced Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan would be
replaced. (Note: Khan reached the age of retirement three
years ago but remained in his position because of three
year-long extensions. End Note.) A flurry of press rumors
ensued, speculating Khan was fired because of his opposition
to a United Nations probe of Benazir Bhutto's assassination.
Khan and the MFA, however, emphasized Khan had decided to
retire for personal and health reasons.
3. (SBU) Pakistan's former Ambassador to China, Salman
Bashir, was named as Khan's replacement and assumed his
duties as Foreign Secretary on May 5, 2008. Reportedly, Riaz
Khan spoke with Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani and personally
recommended Bashir for the position. Bashir was selected
over another front-runner, Sahfqat Saeed, Pakistan's current
Ambassador to Iran.
4. (SBU) After his appointment, Bashir told local press he
intends to focus on "economic diplomacy" between Pakistan and
its allies.
Former Ambassador to China
--------------
5. (SBU) Prior to his selection as Foreign Secretary, Bashir
served as Ambassador to China from March 2005 to May 2008 and
worked to improve bilateral economic relations. He closely
collaborated with Pakistan's Planning Division and Sino
International Engineering group to produce electricity that
helped manage Pakistan's growing power gap. The Chinese
Embassy in Pakistan lauded Bashir for his efforts strengthen
Sino/Pak relations.
Career Timeline
--------------
6. (SBU) Bashir has held the following positions during his
time in Pakistan's Foreign Service:
- Mar 2005 - May 2008: Ambassador to China.
- Feb 2003 - Mar 2005: Additional Secretary at the Asia
Pacific desk at the MFA.
- Jul 1999 - Feb 2003: Ambassador to Denmark.
- 1995 - 1999: Director General of the U.N. Division at the
MFA.
- 1988 - 1995: Posted to the OIC Secretariat, Jeddah.
- 1985 - 1987: Director of the U.N. Division at the MFA.
- 1980 - 1984: Posted to Geneva.
- 1976 - 1980: Section Officer at the MFA in Islamabad.
- 1975: Bashir joined the Foreign Service.
Personal Information
--------------
7. (SBU) Bashir was born on March 4, 1952. He holds a
Master's degree in History as well as a Bachelor of Law
degree. Bashir is married with two sons and a daughter.
PATTERSON