The prime minister who has overreached in his fanciful definition of the “real Islam,” and fallen in line with jihadist propaganda by calling Gaza a “prison camp,” continues his losing streak in comments on Islamic jihad and foreign policy.
Evidence of Pakistan’s double game far predates the WikiLeaks affair, which makes Cameron’s response dismally understated in light of the severity of Pakistan’s long-standing pattern of conduct.
And even what Cameron does say is verbally bubble-wrapped with the usual assurances that “our interests are your [Pakistan’s] interests,” and of course, his prior insistence that this has nothing to do with Islam. “Cameron: We won’t tolerate ‘export of terror’ by Pakistan,” from CNN, July 28:
New Delhi, India (CNN) — Britain’s prime minister delivered a sober message Wednesday to Pakistan: Don’t export terror.
“We want to see a strong and a stable and a democratic Pakistan,” David Cameron said in Bangalore, India, “but 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 whether to Afghanistan, or anywhere else in the world.”
Cameron made several remarks in a speech and a question and answer session. A transcript of his comments were posted on the prime minister’s website.
“The relationship is important, but it should be a relationship based on a very clear message that it is not right … to have any relationship with groups that are promoting terror. Democratic states that want to be part of the developed world cannot do that, and the message to Pakistan from the U.S. and from the U.K. is very clear on that point,” he said.
His remarks come as the military documents divulged by WikiLeaks include indications that Pakistan’s spy service, the Directorate of Inter-Services Intelligence, or the ISI, may have been helping militants in Afghanistan, an assertion strongly disputed by Pakistani officials.
The United States has been working to help bolster the Pakistani government’s efforts to battle Taliban and al Qaeda elements in the country. The NATO-led command has been focused on insurgents operating along the Afghan and Pakistani border, and India has long been concerned about militancy in India that comes from Pakistan.
He said that when it comes to protecting their mutual citizenry, developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan can’t be “overlooked.”
“Let me state clearly: your relations with those two countries are a matter for you and you alone. But let me also say we, like you, want a Pakistan that is stable, democratic and free from terror. We, like you, want an Afghanistan that is secure, free from interference from its neighbors and not a threat to our security. We, like you, are determined that groups like the Taliban, the Haqqani network or Lashkar-e-Tayyiba should not be allowed to launch attacks on Indian and British citizens in India or in Britain. Neither should they be able to do so against our people, whether soldiers or civilians, from both our countries who are working for peace in Afghanistan. Our interests are your interests, so let us work together to realize them.”
When asked about Cameron’s remarks, a spokesman for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Britain and Pakistan “have a robust and comprehensive partnership, including on counter-terrorism.”
“Terrorists have no religion, no humanity, no specific ethnicity or geography. Terrorists’ networks, as the U.K. knows full well mutate and operate in different regions and cities. The genesis of terrorism as a global phenomenon warrants close attention. Pakistan is as much a victim of terrorism as are Afghanistan, India or other countries,” the statement said.
“Pakistan has done much more than any other country in combating terrorism. Our people and security forces have rendered innumerable sacrifices. We hope that our friends will be able to persuade India to view this issue objectively and the value of ‘cooperation’ in counter-terrorism.”…
“Pakistan has done much more than any other country in combating terrorism.” Given the behavior of the ISI, that’s a little like lauding an arsonist for trying to put out his own fires.