Questions arise over UN envoy's ties to Pakistan's Zardari: report

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Senior officials in the administration of US President George W. Bush have questioned US ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad over "unauthorized" ties to Pakistan's Asif Ali Zardari, the New York Times reported Tuesday.

US officials, who have insisted on their neutrality in the Pakistan political process, are puzzled and angry over Khalilzad's frequent contact with Zardari, the widower of Benzir Bhutto and a presidential contender, the report said.

Khalilzad had spoken with Zardari by phone "several times a week for the past month until he was confronted about the unauthorized contacts," The Times quoted a senior US official as saying.

According to the text of an email obtained by the newspaper, assistant secretary of state...