British envoy to Pak to be summoned over Cameron’s ‘terror export’ remarks
By ANIFriday, July 30, 2010
ISLAMABAD - British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Adam Thomson, is likely to be summoned to the Foreign Office amidst a growing diplomatic spat over British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks that Pakistan is promoting the ‘export of terror’ in Afghanistan and around the world.
According to reports, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi would hand over a demarche to Thomson seeking a full explanation on Cameron’s comments.
Qureshi said the “comments are surprising”, and warned that such statements could adversely affect the war against terrorism.
“Pakistan’s achievements and successes against terrorism cannot be negated or belittled…We take serious exception to any suggestion that falsifies facts and tends to put the entire onus of terrorism on Pakistan. This is totally unacceptable,” The Dawn quoted Qureshi, as saying in a statement.
Cameron, during his three-day visit to India, caused anger in Islamabad when he warned that Pakistan should not be allowed “to promote the export of terror” in the world.
“We should be very, very clear with Pakistan that we want to see a strong, stable and democratic Pakistan,” Cameron said during his visit to India.
“We cannot 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 to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world,” he added.
He later denied that his comments had overshadowed his trip, and maintained that he had good relations with Pakistan.
“I don’t think it’s overshadowed anything. I think it’s important to speak frankly and clearly about these issues. I have always done that in the past and will do so in the future,” Cameron said. (ANI)
