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| India-Pakistan |
| Brown offers pact to stop Pakistan exporting terror |
| 2008-12-15 |
| Gordon Brown confronted Pakistan yesterday on its record of exporting terrorism, disclosing that three quarters of serious plots investigated in the UK were connected to the country. The prime minister arrived in Islamabad to announce that British police want to interview the surviving suspect in the Mumbai terror attacks as part of broader inquiries into the extremist group blamed for the atrocity, Lashkar-e-Taiba. In private talks, he also questioned Pakistan's president, Ali Asif Zardari, over what action could be taken to eradicate training camps in Pakistan through which potential British suicide bombers have passed. Brown offered British assistance in tracing and shutting them down. "Three quarters of the most serious plots investigated by the British authorities have links to al-Qaida in Pakistan. Our aim must be to work together to do everything in our power to cut off terrorism," the prime minister told a press conference in Islamabad. In return he offered a new pact between the two countries to combat terrorism "to make sure terrorists are denied any safe haven in Pakistan". It would involve British help to Pakistan with training in bomb disposal, airport security, anti-car bomb measures and a £6m package to counteract radicalisation and bolster democratic institutions in return for co-operation in the investigation. The 7/7 bomber Mohammed Sidique Khan is among the terrorism suspects known to have travelled to Pakistan. Brown has spoken repeatedly in recent days of wanting to break a "chain of terror" leading from the region back to Europe. Brown also held talks with the Indian prime minister, Mahoman Singh, and Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, on Friday and Saturday. The Indian government is concerned that while Pakistan has clamped down on Lashkar-e-Taiba in response to international outrage, in the past its action has fizzled out once international attention has faded. Brown also passed on concerns from Karzai over terrorists infiltrating Afghanistan via the Pakistani border. The deaths of four Royal Marines last week, three in an incident involving a child bomber, has ensured Afghanistan cast a longer shadow than expected over the trip. Brown said British police could attempt to pursue suspects in Pakistan as a result of their developing inquiries, adding he had asked the president if he would be prepared to allow that. Zardari however gave no guarantees yesterday. Zardari insisted at a press conference in Islamabad yesterday that his government was co-operating with the investigation into the Mumbai attacks adding: "Terrorism and extremism is a common problem which requires collaborative efforts. Problems are not specific to one country." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 You missed an exclamation point. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2008-12-15 21:21 |
| #6 Gordon is worried because he knows like us that the youngsters in the muslim community are being radicalised by too many Wahabbi style imans UK and US are permitting to allow in the west!.Saudi is at the source of this ideology Pakistan,Iraq and Afghanistan are just the battle grounds!Much like shia terrorism is sponsored by Iran!!!!Both saudi and Iran are at the heart of the islamist ideology just different strains-same goals!!!!.Ask any pakistani what has Saudi brought to Pakistan-Maddrasses,Tailban,AlQ etc.Even Le T are inspired by the Wahabbis.Why do we let it continue without tackling the source- Religious Establishments in Saudi and Iran!!!! |
| Posted by: Paul2 2008-12-15 12:51 |
| #5 Feel free to explain why Great Britain thinks it has an interest, Gordie. |
| Posted by: mojo 2008-12-15 12:32 |
| #4 Terror is a feeling - why not ask France to stop exporting smug; Dammit Ireland, stop exporting your Blarney! What is being sent from pak is a concrete ideologue with written goals and objectives. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2008-12-15 12:13 |
| #3 There are alot of UK born pakistanis in the UK who are unemployed most by choice and the rest in the drugs trade/Prison who consider themselves muslims first and foremost but blame racism in the uk for being marginlised.These are easy meat for the radicals who like the IRA preyed on unemployed/impressionable youngsters to carry out the dirty wpork!!!! You will never see Saeed,Bakri,Bin Laden and co blowing themselves up for the cause!!! |
| Posted by: Lionel Whainter7963 2008-12-15 10:57 |
| #2 I see there is a customary bribe/handout of about $9M usd to get an ounce of halfhearted help. I'm sure that will go directly to "counteract radicalisation and bolster democratic institutions". Wouldn't Wakiland have a stake in this anyway? Why do the Brits need to fork over a bunch of money " in return for co-operation in the investigation"?. I have made up my mind about pakistan, I think the worlds leaders are not far behind. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2008-12-15 09:36 |
| #1 Might be a good move for Brown to stop importing Pak terrorists - I'm sure there will be a few among the 5000 halal "butchers" he's bringing in, along with family members. |
| Posted by: Mullah Lodabullah 2008-12-15 08:47 |