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Mike Redwood / AP
Warren Weinstein in England in 2009.
A senior international development official in Pakistan who worked with kidnapped U.S. contractor Warren Weinstein over the last two years tells NBC News that Weinstein was "popular" and "well-known," particularly in bureaucratic and political circles in-country, and had earned a reputation for making efforts to respect and adhere to local practices, making his disappearance all the more difficult to understand.
Weinstein, 70, had been in Pakistan for more than five years doing development work when gunmen reportedly forced their way into his Lahore home and kidnapped him before dawn Saturday. The FBI and Pakistani authorities are investigating, and Weinstein's security guards and driver have been questioned, but so far there are no leads and no ransom demands, and no group has claimed responsibility. This week, police released a sketch of a possible suspect.
The development official, who asked not to be identified because he is not authorized to speak on the matter, said Weinstein went above and beyond the efforts typically made by contractors in Pakistan — most of whom, he said, stay briefly, focus on the project at hand and leave when the work is completed.
Weinstein, he said, adopted local practices and customs as much as possible, often wearing the traditional Pakistani shalwar kameez: loose-fitting pants and a long tunic top. He made an effort to learn Urdu and used a number of words in his everyday language. Weinstein also diligently worked to maintain contact with his network on the ground, sending out messages and greetings for religious and cultural occasions.
"That made him very popular with a lot of people here," said the official.
Weinstein also built a wide circle of friends and contacts in Pakistan, using what the official called his "appetite for social networking."
Weinstein's primary responsibility in Pakistan was to serve as the country director for J.E. Austin Associates, a U.S.-based development consulting firm. But according to this official, Weinstein got more work through his extensive network and had a penchant for working his way onto contracts and into meetings that did not necessarily fall within his area of expertise, which included a focus on the agricultural sector.
"You'd walk into a meeting on industry or anything else — and Warren would be sitting there," said the official. "We'd laugh and say, 'How did you get on this one, Warren?!?'"
One such project included a Punjab government contract for private-sector development work, funded by the U.K.'s Department for International Development. Weinstein had been requested by an official within the Punjab government for the project, which required developing a strategy for private-sector development and reorganizing provincial government departments to support that work.
"I did advise [Weinstein] to join hands with an economist on this project, since it wasn't his expertise," said the official. "He laughed and said, 'Do you think economists are going to do anything good for your country?' He does have a good sense of humor."
Despite working outside his comfort zone, the official said, Weinstein always had "a huge amount of energy and excitement" and was always "pleasant," "professional" and "incredibly personable."
A year and a half ago, Weinstein confided in this official that he had a serious heart condition and was being treated in Pakistan.
"He had become extremely careful in his eating habits," said this official. "I asked him why he didn't just go back to the U.S. for treatment, but he said he trusted the doctors in Lahore."
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The Tea Party has President Obama and the Taliban has Warren Weinstein. Religious radials always go after liberal do gooders because they see them as evil.
What a troll, trying to take an article that has nothing to do with partisan politics and derail the discussion. Please go crawl back under your rock.
Lol....
Now that was funny JS!!!!
I'm still laughting at the troll comment.
That's like saying that DLS's Mental capacity is very short and low on logic!!!
I don't like the Tea Party, but really, just keep politics out of this.
I'm really tired of the WE MUST INJECT POLITICS INTO EVERYTHING crowd.
It seems pretty obvious that the appearances the Pakistanies give to people like this and to our government are far from the truth. They are not our friends and we need to stop sending them money and bringing them here as H1b visa workers and tuition free students.
I hate to say it, but I think that someone in our country/government is responsible for his disapearance. More likely some corporate entity that was not happy with his practices of "getting" "other" contracts that were not bid on. To not have anyone come out and claim resposibility for such a high level abduction is usually a good sign that it was not a "local" issue. I'm sure that soon we will have a "culprit" put forth for the blame. Its interesting that at the end of the article it was put out that he had "a rather severe heart condition". So, if no patsy is found to blame....then he will probably be found in some street dead and ruled naturual causes......Hmmm, convienent.
I have lived in Lahore and loved it at the time. It is an amazing city with parts of great beauty. I know a little about the company. J.E. Austin Associates for whom Weinstein worked. Weinstein is 70 years old and J.E. Austin was started in the mid 1980s. For whom was he working before Austin Associates? I don't know if J.E. Austin contracts with the State Department, ( AID ) or not. I have heard from people I know that they have been very successful in their Dairy project in Pakistan. In short they have aided the dairy industry and the people of Pakistan with increased funding, more jobs, dairy expansion, more revenue, etc. In the late 1960s The Washington Post did a series of articles trying to link the AID with the CIA; suggesting they were one and the same. Most of what the Washington Post printed was, in my opinion, pure BS and they, in my opinion, caused great damage and danger to many good Americans. This has been too long. I do not know what J.E.A. is doing. I would suggest the use of our military technology, a few suitcases full of dollars, some meetings with a few Pathan leaders with the name of Khan, and then the hiring of some of our semi-retired Special-Ops. Call me J.E. I still have a business card with a black knight on it--ha. My heart does go out to this family. I also feel that Mr. Weinstein's heart was in the right place in helping people.
We should simply stop every dollar going into Pakistan until he's returned.
Pakistan is the perfect example when you try and play both sides, and when you make a deal with the devil you should really expect that you're going to get burned in the deal.
I agree with you. We need to stop supporting countries that offer nothing in return.
As for Weinstein, my guess is it is either a competitor trying to get him out of the way or he somehow managed to step on the wrong toes. It may be that he made some recommendation that did not sit well with some official or local "businessman". In any case, I hope that he is returned unharmed. It is disturbing that there has been no ransom demand. This makes you think that maybe the motivation here was not for instant financial gain, but possibly personal or longer term business reasons.
Read between the lines. This man is Company. Sad to say, but you probably won't get the story any farther than that. Praying to God he doesn't end up a nameless star on a wall. Prayers with the family.
I don't know Allinyourhead. If he's a company man it would make sense to 'hide in plain view.' At the same time though, who could have found out? ISI?
It is sad Americans are picked on everywhere! The strongest country in the world and the best hostages in the world. What's wrong with this picture? We assist everyone and what happens?
its really sad but when you work in a country where everyone has a special interest they would kill for its not surprising such things happen.
Who'd a Thunk it.... an American get kidnaped in that part of the world.
May Those who come before...
And the Keepers of Time,
Keep this poor soul,
Within Their Mind.
May the Spirts,
Who tell the wind
Which Way to blow,
Clear the sands from his path.
Oh Great Spirt,
The Whole earth
You hold in your hand
Please show mercy,
And Deliver this Man.
Folks, I know Warren. I worked with him for many years. He is not CIA and he was certainly not kidnapped by another contracting company. He really is a decent, focused, tireless and hard working man who has dedicated his entire life to helping others help themselves. His lifelong focus has been on helping entrepreneurs in developing countries get a decent shot at being successful, so that they would have a stake in the success of their countries.
The only post here that really makes any sense is that of Proud2BaVet. Warren most likely became a victim because some folks got jealous and didn't like his efforts to empower others. Gangs pick on decent people right here in the US w/o any govt or corporate backing. A group of bad people can really do some awfully harmful things. There is no doubt in my mind that this is what has happened here.
There is also no doubt that he does not deserve this treatment and that all those who've worked with him and/or benefited from his boundless energy are shocked and dismayed. Pray for him. Pray for his quick release and good heath. THAT is what he deserves!
Two reasons why he was kidnapped....He is American and Jewish.
How do you know he is Jewish? He just has a German name, that does not make him Jewish?
@Rainier-Weinstein is a German Jewish surname, which probably factored into the decision by whatever Islamic militant group that kidnapped him.
Plus he was an obvious spy for the U.S., if not Israel...eventually it catch catches up with you.
Social networking? is that what they call it these days?
Well, Stupi, the Pakisyanis kill other Pakistanis every day. Trying to become an American Pakistani just makes you a very stupid double-target. Have fun getting beheaded.
Many people every day risk their lives to live abroad and do what they can to help people rebuild their lives after famines, earthquakes, wars, and many other crises...I hope he will be found well and released soon. Those who kidnap people who come to help their country only set back the progress being made.
Is there an actual reason we are in Pakistan? Afghanistan?? Why not just let the Indians take care on them? They are playing both sides against US, and are using our money to do it. Our government is so foolish. We may actually run out of money to waste of our greedy alies, Afghanistan Pakistan.....screw them all, if they mistreat their women...what the hell can we do about it???? they will do it long after we are gone . The Afghan President is among the MOST corrupt, but he is our ally..screw him especially.
Do we, here in the US, really need more Pakistani Motel owners. The smell in the lobby says, "please don't stay here."
Time to end the free ride for foreign students,probably paid for by American monies.. --give all those free tuition things to US citizens... why give them free education to use against us??? Let them learn at the University of LaHORE, if there is such a place.
I'd much rather spend all that money on our southern border, they (the Mexican Government)are trying to help there and really could use our help with OUR DRUG SUPPLIERS...if we didn't buy that @!$%# there would be no narco-traffficing.
Grabbed him to kill him because he's a Westerner. It backfires after a while, but only after enough people are dead.
I was very happy to listen this that he is rescued. but the official ruined my all happiness into sorrow by denying this fact.
I pray for his release.
Razi
Maybe he was taken, not in spite of his being so well liked, so effective, so attuned to local customs, etc. but because he was so well liked, etc. The local America-haters just couldn't let that keep going on!
Is a "religious radial" a Goodyear?
doing anything good for goat fornicating flea infested scum will bring the same results.
They revel in living a barbaric life style. Bring our people home. Let them live in TRIBS.
WHO CARES.
There is always a risk when you are a Westerner in a Muslim country of being kidnapped, attacked, or harassed.
i bet you it was the pakistanis who kidnapped him.
If that merit of dealing with the devil and getting burned is true then why do we always find ourselves shopping and spending money on brand named labels when they are on sale as opposed to not being on sale?