Yahya wants old generals to serve as diplomats
RAWALPIND, AUG. 23— A reshuffle of Pakistan’s high diplomatic posts abroad is under way with retired generals being mentioned for top jobs in London and Washington and a former foreign Minister as spokesman at the United Nations, according to informed sources here, reports Reuter.
The recall of the generals to represent Pakistan in foreign capitals is seen as a diplomatic counter – attack by President Yahya Khan in an effort to restore the country’ international image affected by the crisis in East Bengal.
A foreign Ministry note published yesterday said lieutenant- Generals Mohammed Yousuf a soldier- diplomat, is to return to London as High Commissioner, a post he held from 1959 to 1963.
The appointment is expected as Ambassador to Washington of Major General Nawabzada Raza, whose notable achievement in the role of a diplomat was to help establish cordial relations with China when he was Ambassador in Peking in the mid-sixties.
General Raza’s appointment is being treated as a fact by the Pakistani Press but has not yet been officials announce.
The third personality being recalled to public life, informed sources say, is Mr. Hamidul Haq Chowdhury, who was Foreign Ministry 15 years ago and is now being mentioned to lead Pakistan’s delegation to the UN General Assembly next month.
Mr. Chowdhury as an East Pakistani would have evident merit in Government eyes as a spokesmen in the international forum on events in the East Bengal.
For more than a decade he has taken no part in national affairs, except as a newspaper owner. His newspapers including the Pakistan Observer in Dacca have been critical of the Awami League.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 24.8.1971