Richard Olson appointed US special envoy for Pakistan, Afghanistan
Olson will assume responsibilities on November 17, after concluding service as US ambassador to Pakistan
PHOTO: AFP
The Obama administration has appointed Richard Olson, outgoing US ambassador to Pakistan, as the next US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Olson will succeed Dan Feldman, who concluded his tenure on September 18, as US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP).
“Ambassador Olson will assume his responsibilities as SRAP on November 17, after concluding his service as the US Ambassador to Pakistan,” a US State Department statement read.
Read: US exploring deal to limit Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal
“As were his predecessors, Olson will be responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs that support US national security interests in promoting stability and increasing prosperity in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the statement added.
Olson has served as US ambassador to Pakistan for the last three years. Olson was appointed as ambassador to Pakistan in 2012 after Cameron Munter resigned from the office as a result of tense relations between Washington and Islamabad following US raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
Prior to his experience in Islamabad, Olson served as the coordinating director for development and economic affairs at US Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2011 to 2012, during which time he oversaw all US non-military assistance programmes and support for the Afghan government.
Read: Outgoing us ambassador: Olson pays farewell call to PM
He also served as US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2011. Olson is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, and has served at the US Department of State since 1982.
Olson will succeed Dan Feldman, who concluded his tenure on September 18, as US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP).
“Ambassador Olson will assume his responsibilities as SRAP on November 17, after concluding his service as the US Ambassador to Pakistan,” a US State Department statement read.
Read: US exploring deal to limit Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal
“As were his predecessors, Olson will be responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs that support US national security interests in promoting stability and increasing prosperity in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the statement added.
Olson has served as US ambassador to Pakistan for the last three years. Olson was appointed as ambassador to Pakistan in 2012 after Cameron Munter resigned from the office as a result of tense relations between Washington and Islamabad following US raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
Prior to his experience in Islamabad, Olson served as the coordinating director for development and economic affairs at US Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2011 to 2012, during which time he oversaw all US non-military assistance programmes and support for the Afghan government.
Read: Outgoing us ambassador: Olson pays farewell call to PM
He also served as US Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2011. Olson is a member of the Senior Foreign Service, and has served at the US Department of State since 1982.