Ambassador Sherry Rehman’s statement as Thomas Nides, Deputy Secretary of State leaves office

As Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides leaves office, I want to express the deep appreciation and gratitude of the government and people of Pakistan for his efforts in sustaining and strengthening Pakistan-US relations. A great deal of the credit for untangling the crossed wires that had bogged down the relationship a year ago goes to Deputy Secretary Nides. He was also instrumental in bringing the relationship to a much better trajectory and in promoting cooperation in the energy and economic sectors. We found Mr. Nides always willing to consider our position and amenable to finding practicable solutions that satisfied the expectations of both sides. His inimitable personal approach to dealing with matters at hand and the energy and panache he brought to the job will be greatly missed. As Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, I will feel his absence not just as a credible and fair-minded interlocutor but as a good friend. We would like to extend our best wishes to him in his future endeavors and assure him that he has a permanent friend in the people of Pakistan.

February 15, 2013
Washington D.C.