CENTCOM
PROFESSIONAL
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2010
- Messages
- 1,519
- Reaction score
- 34
- Country
- Location
Ambassador Olson in his recent interview with a prominent TV talk show host in his daily program began the interview with a response to the host’s question about the new travel advisory against unnecessary travel to Pakistan. He responded that the State Department’s issuance of a travel advisory for Pakistan due to the country’s security situation is “routine”, and added, “I don’t think there’s anything in the travel advisory that would come as a surprise to readers of Pakistani newspapers or indeed to viewers” of TV news show. On the issue of a pause in (alleged) drone strikes in Pakistan, Olson said, “On the question of drones, I would draw your attention to the President’s State of the Union speech which he gave a week and a half ago or so in which he talked about … the need for great prudence.”
Responding to a question about Shakil Afridi, Olson responded, “I think our position on Dr. Shakil Afridi is well known.” On former President Musharraf’s trial, the Ambassador answered, “We have been careful not to give advice on this particular matter.” To a question on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, “We’ve made it clear that our position that the pipeline is potentially sanction-able.” To a question about the Strategic Dialogue, Olson stated that there was a, “substantial discussion of what the United States is doing to help Pakistan in energy. We reviewed the projects that we have had over the past four or five years which have added a thousand megawatts to the national grid, and that’s three hydroelectric facilities and two thermal projects.”
Ambassador Olson was very forthcoming in all his responses. He was clear and to the point with his answers to all the questions asked. Pakistan and The United States are strategic partners and it is in our interest to see a strong, healthy and thriving Pakistan and we are doing all we can to help Pakistan achieve, among other things, its security, economic and energy goals
Abdul Quddus
DET- United States Central Command
www.centcom.mil/ur
Responding to a question about Shakil Afridi, Olson responded, “I think our position on Dr. Shakil Afridi is well known.” On former President Musharraf’s trial, the Ambassador answered, “We have been careful not to give advice on this particular matter.” To a question on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, “We’ve made it clear that our position that the pipeline is potentially sanction-able.” To a question about the Strategic Dialogue, Olson stated that there was a, “substantial discussion of what the United States is doing to help Pakistan in energy. We reviewed the projects that we have had over the past four or five years which have added a thousand megawatts to the national grid, and that’s three hydroelectric facilities and two thermal projects.”
Ambassador Olson was very forthcoming in all his responses. He was clear and to the point with his answers to all the questions asked. Pakistan and The United States are strategic partners and it is in our interest to see a strong, healthy and thriving Pakistan and we are doing all we can to help Pakistan achieve, among other things, its security, economic and energy goals
Abdul Quddus
DET- United States Central Command
www.centcom.mil/ur