David Cameron defends 'plain speaking' on Pakistan

[Midas]

David Cameron has embarked on a new era of 'plain spoken' foreign policy it emerged today as he defended his robust criticism of Pakistan.

No 10 said that the Prime Minister had no intention of rowing back from his warning to Pakistan that the country must not "promote the export of terror" around the world.

Islamabad warned that his words had made the region more unstable.

During a series of interviews in Pakistan's great rival, India, where he is on a three-day trade mission and where his words have been welcome, he insisted that he had a duty to say what he thought.

"I don't think the British taxpayer wants me to go around the world saying what people want to hear," he said.

Asked if his remarks had "overshadowed" his visit, he added: "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."

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari is due to visit Mr Cameron at his country retreat Chequers next week.

Striking a somewhat mollifying tone, Mr Cameron insisted that he had not meant to accuse the president or government, but blamed "people within Pakistan".

Earlier in the trip, following a speech in the Turkish capital of Ankara, Mr Cameron was also criticised by Israel for comments he made about Gaza, after he claimed Palestinians there were forced to live in a 'prison camp'.

A Downing Street source said: "The Prime Minister believes in plain speaking. This is how he intends to conduct his foreign policy."

William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, who is also on the trip, insisted that far from blundering, Mr Cameron was a "natural diplomat'.

In a briefing in Delhi he said: "The Prime Minister is very consistent wherever he is. "He doesn't shrink from giving sometimes tough messages.

"The Prime Minister is a great diplomat and I see that in action every day when he is dealing with foreign leaders. "He is a natural at it. "The Prime Minister speaks the truth and we are all united and clear about what he said."

Source : David Cameron defends 'plain speaking' on Pakistan - Telegraph

Hear hear, we could do with far more plain speaking rather than all the circumlocution and hypocrisy that 'diplomacy' usually involves.

[Yeti]

Hear hear, we could do with far more plain speaking rather than all the circumlocution and hypocrisy that 'diplomacy' usually involves.

Could not agree more, hopefully Mr Cameron keeps up the good work.

[TheMixer]

Could not agree more, hopefully Mr Cameron keeps up the good work.

Even the writers of Neighbours know that you can't get anything done by plain speaking. (there was an episode where everyone agreed to tell the truth with predictable results).
Plain speaking in International diplomacy is very unwise. He'll pay for this in some way or another. Pakistan aren't going to let him libel them. What do you think they're going to do. Just accept they've been very very naughty and beg forgivness.
I'm sick to ****in' death of this diplomatic novice making stupid ass comments on behalf the country. How anyone who mentions the need for nuclear weapons because 'we can't be sure of China' got elected to power is beyond me.

[Yeti]

Even the writers of Neighbours know that you can't get anything done by plain speaking. (there was an episode where everyone agreed to tell the truth with predictable results).
Plain speaking in International diplomacy is very unwise. He'll pay for this in some way or another. Pakistan aren't going to let him libel them. What do you think they're going to do. Just accept they've been very very naughty and beg forgivness.
I'm sick to ****in' death of this diplomatic novice making stupid ass comments on behalf the country. How anyone who mentions the need for nuclear weapons because 'we can't be sure of China' got elected to power is beyond me.

13 years of Tony Blair and Gordon Browns so called diplomacy hasn't got us far now has it? Maybe we should have a nice blunt Yorkshire man in charge of our diplomacy. Pakistan are going to have suck it up, they have no leverage to threaten or intimidate the UK. It’s about time people knew the truth and acknowledge it openly, segments of the Pakistani Government and its security services have and still do support terrorist groups. This something they are going to have to stop doing or they will end up slipping into chaos and civil war.

[soloman]

David Cameron was today accused of being a "loudmouth" by David Milliband, the former foreign secretary and Labour leadership contender, over his claims that elements of the Pakistani state are responsible for exporting terrorism abroad.
The prime minister stood by his warning that Pakistan should not be allowed "to promote the export of terror" in the world, despite the anger his comments have provoked. Cameron said he would always talk "frankly" to Britain's friends as he insisted he had caused no offence and had not blamed the Islamabad government for promoting terrorism.


If David Milliband and his Labour precessors had been more forthright in the last 13 years, then we would not be in the position we are now!


David Miliband attacks 'loudmouth' Cameron over Pakistan comments | Politics | guardian.co.uk

[TheMixer]

It’s about time people knew the truth and acknowledge it openly, segments of the Pakistani Government and its security services have and still do support terrorist groups. .

That's fair enough but the way he said it libeled all Pakistan which was just stupid and looks amaturish...not suprisingly considering he is an amature.

[soloman]

That's fair enough but the way he said it libeled all Pakistan which was just stupid and looks amaturish...not suprisingly considering he is an amature.

If telling the truth is amateurish then you would be right; hence you must be wrong!

I agree with the words of the Indian Foreign Minister, who said that it cannot be diplomacy to tell one country that it is doing a great job reducing the incidences of terrorism, and then flip across the border and tell the 'problem' country the same thing. From what I read and hear in the media, an awful lot of training of terrorists goes on in Pakistan; it will never stop if all politicians trip gently round the edge on that subject.

These days human rights legislation seems to prevent us from telling the truth, so I very much welcome a plain speaking session.

No-one ever need feeling afraid of telling the truth; in almost all occasions anyone who feels agrieved has the chance to refute any such allegations.
So come on Pakistan take the opportunity and provide evidence that David Cameron is wrong!

[DC]

Well he also spoke about being realistic and pragmatic, and sometimes frankness contradicts that. 'Tact' is something that the PM may need to learn.

[soloman]

Well he also spoke about being realistic and pragmatic, and sometimes frankness contradicts that. 'Tact' is something that the PM may need to learn.

Seems to me we have had 13 years of trying 'tact' and things have become considerably worse in that time?

[Yeti]

Seems to me we have had 13 years of trying 'tact' and things have become considerably worse in that time?

Indeed diplomancy has failed, the Americans had to threaten to suspend Military and economic aid to get Packistan to deal with the Taliban and pro Taliban tribes in border areas. They now need to address the other militant groups in the the country be they anti western or anti Indian and stop the radicalisation of students in religious school. They can't continue to avoid the issue and hope the rest of the world will give up complaining.

Cake anyone?

[soloman]

Indeed diplomancy has failed, the Americans had to threaten to suspend Military and economic aid to get Packistan to deal with the Taliban and pro Taliban tribes in border areas. They now need to address the other militant groups in the the country be they anti western or anti Indian and stop the radicalisation of students in religious school. They can't continue to avoid the issue and hope the rest of the world will give up complaining.

Cake anyone?

I see the Pakistanis have now shot themselves in the foot by declining to come to Englands on a diplomatic mission as was originally planned, because of David Cameron's remarks! Are they not interested in correcting his misunderstandings about what they are doing to defeat the Taliban in Pakistan? A very childish move by the Pakistanis in my opinion!

[Yeti]

I see the Pakistanis have now shot themselves in the foot by declining to come to Englands on a diplomatic mission as was originally planned, because of David Cameron's remarks! Are they not interested in correcting his misunderstandings about what they are doing to defeat the Taliban in Pakistan? A very childish move by the Pakistanis in my opinion!

Yes, that’s not exactly the brightest move on their part but not really a surprise. They could really do with going down the secular route with their Government and security services ( like Turkey ) thus keeping religion out of the decision making process. They are working hard to deal with the Taliban that is not in doubt even if the press ignores the fact, on the other hand member of the ISI are know to be providing support and or protection to other groups that are not active against Pakistani interests.

[ryoden]

I see the Pakistanis have now shot themselves in the foot by declining to come to Englands on a diplomatic mission as was originally planned, because of David Cameron's remarks! Are they not interested in correcting his misunderstandings about what they are doing to defeat the Taliban in Pakistan? A very childish move by the Pakistanis in my opinion!

I suppose Pakistan will be so indignant they will refuse any further aid from the UK and return, as a matter of principle, any aid received in the last five years.... I suspect not though.

[Streetwalker]

Strange how Cameron decided to speak out against Pakistan the week after he had "Talks" with Obama. Is Cameron just saying what the Americans believe but wont put themselves in the firing line. There was also the welcoming of Turkey toward EU membership,another American plan in an attempt to stop the Turks joining radical Islam.Wasnt one of the Cons policies that of no more expansion of the EU without referendum ?

No,this stinks, Cameron needs to grow a backbone he has given too much to the Lib dims and now he is doing Americas biding on the World stage

Cameron needs to wise up, and fast!

[soloman]

Strange how Cameron decided to speak out against Pakistan the week after he had "Talks" with Obama. Is Cameron just saying what the Americans believe but wont put themselves in the firing line. There was also the welcoming of Turkey toward EU membership,another American plan in an attempt to stop the Turks joining radical Islam.Wasnt one of the Cons policies that of no more expansion of the EU without referendum ?

No,this stinks, Cameron needs to grow a backbone he has given too much to the Lib dims and now he is doing Americas biding on the World stage

Cameron needs to wise up, and fast!

Before we all jump to conclusions lets all see what the outcome of the talks this week in London between the Pakistan president with David Cameron will be. The world needs an answer to the Pakistani terror training camps urgently, and if Cameron's apparently undiplomatic comments achieve a result, then I for one will applaud his actions.

[TheMixer]

If telling the truth is amateurish then you would be right; hence you must be wrong!

I agree with the words of the Indian Foreign Minister, who said that it cannot be diplomacy to tell one country that it is doing a great job reducing the incidences of terrorism, and then flip across the border and tell the 'problem' country the same thing. From what I read and hear in the media, an awful lot of training of terrorists goes on in Pakistan; it will never stop if all politicians trip gently round the edge on that subject.

These days human rights legislation seems to prevent us from telling the truth, so I very much welcome a plain speaking session.

No-one ever need feeling afraid of telling the truth; in almost all occasions anyone who feels agrieved has the chance to refute any such allegations.
So come on Pakistan take the opportunity and provide evidence that David Cameron is wrong!

o.k. you prove you're not a terrorist. I think you are. Now's you're chance to prove you're not.

What? You don't welcome that opportunity? You want to get on with your life without having to waste precious time subjecting yourself to someone who's been spouting their mouth off about you?

[TheMixer]

Indeed diplomancy has failed, the Americans had to threaten to suspend Military and economic aid to get Packistan to deal with the Taliban and pro Taliban tribes in border areas. They now need to address the other militant groups in the the country be they anti western or anti Indian and stop the radicalisation of students in religious school. They can't continue to avoid the issue and hope the rest of the world will give up complaining.

Cake anyone?

America's not a ****ty little country that's run by people who still think their empire rules the world.

[Midas]

America's not a ****ty little country that's run by people who still think their empire rules the world.

Agreed America is far from a ****ty little country, but as for the rest, it certainly is run by people who think their empire rules the world! To quote Rep. Ron Paul, "Americans are hated because they are 'over there'"; in fact there's virtually no country where American doesn't have some military forces located. According to a recent Pentagon count there are 865 foreign American military facilities around the world, but that doesn't count bases in either Afghanistan and Iraq, which probably puts the total beyond 1,000. One has to ask why the vast majority of these are there, and the only answer a majority of people, certainly non-Americans, can think of is two-fold; firstly America is trying to play the world's (unwanted by the majority) policeman and secondly America is trying to consolidate and expand it's presence where there are both military and increasingly commercial, gains to be made. That sounds very much like trying to have an empire which rules the world to me.

[ryoden]

America's not a ****ty little country that's run by people who still think their empire rules the world.

YouTube - America - **** Yeah!
:P

[DC]

Seems to me we have had 13 years of trying 'tact' and things have become considerably worse in that time?

I don't think you can really relate the Wars in the Middle East to diplomatic language. It isn't as if they were caused by Blair insulting somebody. As much as you'd like to, you can't just go around saying whatever you want, however true it may be. You need to toe a fine line between saying what you want and mean, and not offending or alienating people. David Cameron has clearly been far too blunt in this instance, and he should have known better.

[manrow]

I don't think you can really relate the Wars in the Middle East to diplomatic language. It isn't as if they were caused by Blair insulting somebody. As much as you'd like to, you can't just go around saying whatever you want, however true it may be. You need to toe a fine line between saying what you want and mean, and not offending or alienating people. David Cameron has clearly been far too blunt in this instance, and he should have known better.

As I have already noted posted below is a very good comment:-

Before we all jump to conclusions lets all see what the outcome of the talks this week in London between the Pakistan president with David Cameron will be. The world needs an answer to the Pakistani terror training camps urgently, and if Cameron's apparently undiplomatic comments achieve a result, then I for one will applaud his actions.

[TheMixer]

Agreed America is far from a ****ty little country, but as for the rest, it certainly is run by people who think their empire rules the world! To quote Rep. Ron Paul, "Americans are hated because they are 'over there'"; in fact there's virtually no country where American doesn't have some military forces located. According to a recent Pentagon count there are 865 foreign American military facilities around the world, but that doesn't count bases in either Afghanistan and Iraq, which probably puts the total beyond 1,000. One has to ask why the vast majority of these are there, and the only answer a majority of people, certainly non-Americans, can think of is two-fold; firstly America is trying to play the world's (unwanted by the majority) policeman and secondly America is trying to consolidate and expand it's presence where there are both military and increasingly commercial, gains to be made. That sounds very much like trying to have an empire which rules the world to me.

Problem is if they didn't play the geo-political game like that then somone else might and then they'd end up with all the power! So, I think there only doing what anyone would do for national security

[radical change]

good on him not sucking up to anybody and speaking out for us

[manrow]

good on him not sucking up to anybody and speaking out for us

Tomorrow David Cameron will be talking to the President of Pakistan. I hope the outcome will be positive and that a statement will be issued on the steps that Pakistan intends to take to eject the Taliban and its sympathisers from its territory.

[soloman]

Tomorrow David Cameron will be talking to the President of Pakistan. I hope the outcome will be positive and that a statement will be issued on the steps that Pakistan intends to take to eject the Taliban and its sympathisers from its territory.

According to BBC Radio 4 this evening the Pakistan President Zardari has been invited to an official dinner at Chequers ahead of their official meeting tomorrow. It was also stated that President Zardari had already phoned Gordon Brown and David Milliband, since arriving in England.
What sort of diplomacy is that?

The BBC news also informed that President Zardari had declined the offer of a night's stay at Chequers!
Most parts of the information given above I found confirmed in a Sky news briefing here:- Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari To Dine With David Cameron At Chequers Amid Diplomatic Row | Politics | Sky News

[TheMixer]

And now he's said Iran have got newks.
Either he's slipped up 'cause he's a stupid inexperienced incompetent or, and I'm being generous, he knows something we don't and let it slip. Either we he's an embarrasment.

[TheMixer]

I've noticed lately that the bbc are reporting Cameron's critical remakrs about 'this country (Pakistan) not being able to look both ways' as 'elements within Pakistan'. He did not say 'elements within Pakistan'. He said 'this country'. So, why are the BBC qualifiying his remarks in this revisionist way? Maybe, Downing st. Press office have got to them.

[soloman]

According to BBC Radio 4 this evening the Pakistan President Zardari has been invited to an official dinner at Chequers ahead of their official meeting tomorrow. It was also stated that President Zardari had already phoned Gordon Brown and David Milliband, since arriving in England.
What sort of diplomacy is that?

The BBC news also informed that President Zardari had declined the offer of a night's stay at Chequers!
Most parts of the information given above I found confirmed in a Sky news briefing here:- Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari To Dine With David Cameron At Chequers Amid Diplomatic Row | Politics | Sky News

The whole subject has been highjacked by the fact that the flooding in Pakistan is where President Zardari should be, according to the population back home! We have yet to see whether Cameron's public outburst has achieve results.