THE TELEGRAPH: David Cameron has risked inflaming international relations after suggesting Pakistan is promoting the ‘export of terror’ in Afghanistan and around the world.
In words which will be greeted with alarm in Islamabad, the Prime Minister also suggested that Pakistan had links with terrorist groups, and was guilty of double dealing by aligning itself with both the West and the forces it was opposing.
Mr Cameron’s attack will be even more unwelcome given that he was speaking during a visit to India, Pakistan’s neighbour and great military rival.
During a question and answer session following a speech in Bangalore, he was asked by a member of the audience why the United Kingdom and the United States were pouring money into Pakistan, given suggestions that it was linked to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.
Members of the Taliban are also feared to be receiving semi-official succour from Pakistan.
Mr Cameron said that the issue was one that he was extremely concerned about, adding that he had already discussed the problem with US President Barack Obama and would do so also with Manmohan Singh, his Indian counterpart.
He then went on: "We should be very, very clear with Pakistan that we want to see a strong, stable and democratic Pakistan.
“We can not tolerate in any sense the idea that this country is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world. >>> Rosa Prince, Political Correspondent in Bangalore | Wednesday, July 28, 2010
