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David Cameron triumphs in deal with Pakistan to fight terrorism
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor6 Aug 2010
David Cameron notched up his first foreign policy triumph today as he unveiled a new deal for Britain and Pakistan to jointly combat global terrorism.
After days of tensions, the Prime Minister and Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari emerged from Chequers to declare a fresh agreement on military and civilian co-operation to take on the Taliban and other extremists.
The two leaders heaped praise on each other after what aides described as a “very warm” meeting in the premier's official country residence.
Under the deal, there will be an annual UK-Pakistan summit to monitor progress on security as well as trade, aid and other links. For the first time there will be formal exchanges of military information and advice.
In a further display of unity, the men planted a tree in memory of Mr Zardari's late wife, Benazir Bhutto. Ms Bhutto, an Oxford graduate with links to members of the current British Government, was assassinated three years ago.
Mr Cameron angered many Pakistanis last week when, during a trip to India, he said elements in Pakistan should not be allowed to “promote the export of terror whether to India, whether to Afghanistan or to anywhere else in the world”.
Mr Cameron stands by his comments and Mr Zardari had said he would personally challenge him over the remarks during his visit.
On Tuesday, Mr Zardari also told French newspaper Le Monde the battle for the hearts and minds of ordinary Afghan people had already been lost.
The Pakistani president was also under intense pressure to justify his absence from his country at a time when devastating floods have caused a national tragedy.
In a joint statement today, Mr Cameron and Mr Zardari said that they had “affirmed their commitment to further strengthen strategic and co-operative ties between the two countries”.
“Both leaders agreed that a strong, stable, secure and economically prosperous Pakistan is vital to global and regional peace and stability. In recognition of this, both leaders agreed to pursue closer development, economic and trade co-operation as part of the intensified Strategic Dialogue,” it said.
The statement added: “The Prime Minister recognised the sacrifices made by Pakistan's military, civil law enforcement agencies and people in fighting violent extremism and militancy and appreciated the efforts of the democratic government. Both leaders appreciated the close co-operation that already exists between respective police forces and other security agencies.”
To intensify links over anti-terror measures, Home Secretary Theresa May will visit Pakistan in the autumn.
The president also invited the Prime Minister to make an early visit to Pakistan, and the statement said Mr Cameron had accepted.
Mr Zardari insisted that Pakistan needs trade even more than aid and the Prime Minister said that the UK will continue to be Pakistan's strongest ally in pursuing greater trade access to the EU for Pakistan.
Mr Cameron also expressed his condolences for the loss of lives in the floods and sympathy for the bereaved families. Mr Zardari expressed thanks for the UK's pledge of £10 million of immediate relief for flood victims and for accelerating an already agreed £10 million bridge reconstruction programme.
In a separate move to defuse controversy over the president's trip, his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who recently finished his history and politics degree studies at Oxford, declared he would not attend a planned rally in Birmingham to launch his political career. Bilawal released a statement that he would be in London soliciting donations for flood victims.
He said: “I intend to continue my education. I am currently looking into the possibilities of studying law ... an understanding of law is important for any politician seeking to strengthen democracy in Pakistan.”
Reader views (24)
Mr Zardari, Your country NEEDS you - but Birmingham can get by just fine without you.
- Sara, Leeds, 07/08/2010 21:21
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Britian is the safe heaven for the money lanundring and the drug businessmen to invest in real estate of other running business directly or indirectly. For comman man there is law and ask many question that source of funding to purchase a single unit for residence.But these leaders are above law in Duabi, USA UK Canada and EU etc etc.
The assets of artful dodger and most corrupted criminal minded are more thah sterling 1.1 billion. The 16th century chateau in Nornandy who is using it, who is paying the overheads how many more he and his close friends have. Assets are beyound their income. Those who are living in heaven with the black money and transfer the world aids to their personal account should be freez and send the money to the flood victims.
In some way the UK govt is protecting such dodgers and protect them as asylum although they have criminal cases in their country some of them have own sectreate amazing how they are meeting the overhead expenses who is supporting them either by money laundering or drug business or tax payer as usual. Why not discourage at early stage?? Time has come to control over such cases.
By the way how many UK or Indian Prime Minister or President and other ministers are so wealthy??? Salut to Manmohem, Abu Kalam
- Chishty, Streatham, London, 07/08/2010 14:03
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Bilawal “I intend to continue my education. I am currently looking into the possibilities of studying law ... an understanding of law is important for any politician seeking to strengthen democracy in Pakistan.”
That has to be one of the funniest things, if not the funniest thing I've heard this year.
If anyone follows what happens in Pakistan will know why.
- karim, London, 06/08/2010 21:37
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The Zardari version is particularly murky politics. Pakistan has no shortage of fingers pointing his way in the involvement of Bhutto money disappearing. Then there's the dirty business of who murdered Benazir's brother, his brother-in-law. Many on the chess board are very far from winners.
- Naz, London, 06/08/2010 19:44
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It's called Politics where everything goes and everyone wins.. Like a chess game that always has to end in a draw.
- albert hall, hove england, 06/08/2010 18:52
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Let Mr Zardari sell off his big showy expensive properties in France and England. If he donates the proceeds to rebuilding hospitals and villages for the Pakistani people, that would convince that he is a real leader to his people. It would be a gesture of commitment too if his son has real ambitions to become a political leader in Pakistan.
- Sara, Coventry, England, 06/08/2010 17:48
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Has no one ever thought it is in the Pakistan governments interest to keep the conflict going, the odd capture of terrorist cells and leaders keeps the west believing they are doing their bit and many thanks for the many millions given in aid, once again we increase the aid above that already given exactly what Zardari wanted thank you Mr Cameron he will spend it wisely but not on what he should, keep pumping the money in as always into the second biggest black hole after Africa, stop the aid now and see what happens will the Taliban take over their nuclear arsenal if it does what do you think India will do and the rest of the countries in the region, it will be a wake up call for everyone to fight terrorism wherever it is and I include China in that instead of sitting on the fence.
- James, Grays, 06/08/2010 16:57
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Andrew
Zardari was a laughing stock to lots of Pakistanis as leader of his country. Since arriving, he's become a figure of anger and contempt in Pakistan for not postponing the meeting and being with his people during this national emergency. Looks like a lot of people across the international spectrum share that contempt.
- Mark, London, 06/08/2010 15:12
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The father is probably grooming the son to be a future leader so he can escape future jail for more wrongdoings.
Wonder what makes the son think people will give money when a lot of the Pakistan earthquake money collected in the UK never reached the victims in that country?
- S K Gill, London, 06/08/2010 14:54
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See the Zardari fan club is alive and well. At least Samantha didn't have to plan breakfast. To be fair to Cameron, Zardari is of a different planet in some respects than to what Cameron is used to in his regular life so it is all still good. Just hope that when the British, US and others vacate from over there that Zardari does not hold anyone other than his own people to account for any new troubles beyond then. Did he also ask about, taking back all convicted or accused individuals from here when proven to be a threat, for their prison time, for example. Maybe an EU issue, sorry.
- M, London, 06/08/2010 14:38
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Ha Anita, Dave's looking like he's on his toes in this picture. Reckon he's got this guy's number - has the hand more in a wrist lock than a handshake. lol
- benny, london, 06/08/2010 14:06
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Mark, London, what would you like him to do? He is the political leader of Pakistan - he has to make efforts to speak to other international leaders. I don't see how he can do this without visiting England. There is a large amount of unsubstantiated ranting on this booard today. And please don't read into that that I am defending him or pro him, it is just a fact.
- Andrew, St.John's Wood, London, 06/08/2010 14:03
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Nice one Bilawal. Like father, like son. No chance then of you going to your homeland and dirtying your hands in helping with the flood relief? Much the pleasanter option to remain in your wealthy estates in France and England and exercise the wrists by rattling the begging bowls.
- Tom, St Leonards, Hastings, 06/08/2010 13:47
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'Call-Me-Dave'... should not 'Charity Begin at Home' first?
Maybe, Call-Me-Dave is following (allegedly of course), the same route that the Great Ex-Dear Leader, the Sainted Teflon of B'Laaare took when he did his 'Big Speaks' tours around the UK to try and bamboozle the peasants with 'Big Words' like marmalade!!
Maybe Call-Me-Dave should employ more competent speech writers, and stop his 'Putting Foot in Mouth' syndrome. It is well known that in "that Part of the World" corruption amongst politicians is "A Way of Life". Greasing palms with 'Bhaksheesh' (Cash) is the normal way of 'Doing Business'.
Call-Me-Dave has much to learn about the ways of the World! (Especially the Near, Middle and Far East)
- Mr Uncle Vanya, Retired Wage Slave of UK-SSR, (Part of Empire of EUrine-land in Bruxxelles)., 06/08/2010 13:29
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And Britain has agreed to fund 90% of all costs involved,well done old chap.
- dave, london, 06/08/2010 13:19
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An old boss of mine, having fired off in some trepidation a letter I had drafted for him, subsequently came back to me to say "it's amazing how many rotten apples fall out when you decide to shake the tree". I am no great apologist for DC, but we need some-one with some vision and perception to shake a few trees from time to time.
Certainly the last lot had no vision nor perception, and clearly had no balls, as David Miliband's recent comments on this testify to. So, credit where credit is due, and I hope that DC continues to identify trees with rotten apples. There is a lot of them around, starting with many Labour MPs reliant on the Islamic vote to keep them on their gravy train!
- Tom, Bedfordshire, UK, 06/08/2010 12:56
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Paul Waugh is usually more perceptive. Last week Pakistan was two-faced and was warned by Big Society Dave. This week "David Cameron notched up his first foreign policy triumph" in calling the Taliban a global threat. What nonsense. They are a threat to Afghanistan and Pakistan and noone else.
Al Quaeda, which is not the teliban, would like to be a threat to Western society and some times is. Overblown reaction to all this is not a triumph but jejune ignorance.
- Alan Collis, Brussels, Belgium, 06/08/2010 12:30
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Poor Samantha Cameron having to have him at her dinner table! Eight years in jail in Pakistan for corruption and drug offences - how the other half lives. Count your fingers Dave, after shaking hands.
- Anita, Bicester, Oxon, 06/08/2010 12:30
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Rubbish. MI6 and Pakistan's ISI are the arch-terrorists of our generation, along with Mossad and America's CIA. Do these people take us for fools or something? The US is about to attack Iran - this story is just a distraction to create the illusion that governments are "fighting terror" when they themselves are exclusively responsible for it.
- Conspiracy Factualist, London, 06/08/2010 12:25
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Who says you can't buy love?
- Gary, London, 06/08/2010 12:11
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This man's lack of political acumen is truly awesome. As a leader of a country being flooded from end to end, he swans around his "White Queen Manor" estate in Normandy and his 365 prime acre estate "Rockwood House", in Surrey. What a plonker not to know that one picture of him holding a rescued child from the floods will raise his credibility in his own country. Instead, he waits around in London today to be lectured by David Cameron on the undoubted presence of Pakistan influenced terrorists in this country and the recently jailed Pakistani terrorists in America.
- Mark, London, 06/08/2010 12:09
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£9.5 million --> counter-terrorism assistance
£665 million --> aid programme
£??? million --> contributions through EU aid and other programmes
Given that is just one country, I wonder why we are a trillion in debt?
Would be interested in having a good look through the receipts.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 06/08/2010 11:31
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Zardari, gruesome and unsavoury. In this latest scandalising behaviour, even the more barefaced of his wealthy relatives in the West must hang their heads in shame at his dalliance here, while millions of his countrymen are facing disaster.
- Richard Jay, London, 06/08/2010 11:25
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Send billions for flood relief. That'll smooth it over.
- BJ, East London, 06/08/2010 09:35
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