PM defends remarks on Pakistan-29/7/10

1 hour 41 mins ago



Despite anger in Islamabad about his remarks about Pakistan's record on terrorism, the Prime Minister said: "I don't think the British taxpayer wants me to go around the world saying what people want to hear."

He denied that the row had overshadowed his trip to India and maintained that he had good relations with Pakistan, whose president will be visiting him at his country retreat at Chequers next week.

Pakistan's high commissioner to Britain has criticised Mr Cameron, after the PM warned that the country must not be allowed to "promote the export of terror" around the world.

The Prime Minister said he was not responsible for the headlines generated by his comments, but said: "I think what is absolutely clear is, it's not acceptable for, within Pakistan, there to be terrorist groups threatening Pakistan itself but also other countries, including British people, whether in Afghanistan or back at home.

"To be fair to the Pakistan government they have taken action against these groups. We need them to do more and we will support and help them as they do more. But I think it's important, as I say, to speak frankly about these things to countries that are your friends."

Asked whether he regretted damaging relations with Pakistan, he said: "I don't accept that they have been damaged. We have very good relations with Pakistan - I have a meeting with President (Asif Ali) Zardari next week in the UK and I look forward to discussing these and other issues."

Mr Cameron stressed that the focus of his trip to India was to create jobs in the UK and said:"This is about the links between our countries, but it is about business and above all it's about jobs, making sure we have more jobs back in the UK. That is why I am here."

Amid differences in the Cabinet - and concern in India - about the planned imposition of an immigration cap, Mr Cameron said voters want greater controls.

"The people who voted for us wanted to have control in immigration and a reduction in net immigration and that is exactly what they are going to get," he said.