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David Cameron nudges Pakistan back towards focus on Afghanistan David Cameron nudges Pakistan back towards focus on Afghanistan
(about 4 hours later)
David Cameron is advising the newly elected Pakistani prime minister to revive relations with Afghanistan amid fears in Downing Street that its so-called "Af-Pak" strategy is losing momentum.David Cameron is advising the newly elected Pakistani prime minister to revive relations with Afghanistan amid fears in Downing Street that its so-called "Af-Pak" strategy is losing momentum.
On the second day of his overseas visit, Cameron became the first western leader to visit Nawaz Sharif since his election in the first peaceful and democratic transition of power in Pakistan since independence in 1947.On the second day of his overseas visit, Cameron became the first western leader to visit Nawaz Sharif since his election in the first peaceful and democratic transition of power in Pakistan since independence in 1947.
The prime minister hailed Sharif's election. He said: "He's in a strong position because Pakistan is having and has had effectively this democratic transition which is a huge bonus for Pakistan and will raise its profile in a thoroughly good way in the eyes of the world. He won a decisive election victory and I'll congratulate him on that. I think it puts him in a strong position."The prime minister hailed Sharif's election. He said: "He's in a strong position because Pakistan is having and has had effectively this democratic transition which is a huge bonus for Pakistan and will raise its profile in a thoroughly good way in the eyes of the world. He won a decisive election victory and I'll congratulate him on that. I think it puts him in a strong position."
There are concerns in Downing Street that Sharif may be in danger of neglecting relations with Afghanistan amid historic and continuing enmity between the two neighbours. Relations hit a new low this month when an Afghan diplomat, Naqeebullah Ibrahimkhel, was shot in the leg in Islamabad.There are concerns in Downing Street that Sharif may be in danger of neglecting relations with Afghanistan amid historic and continuing enmity between the two neighbours. Relations hit a new low this month when an Afghan diplomat, Naqeebullah Ibrahimkhel, was shot in the leg in Islamabad.
Speaking at the Pakistani prime minister's official residence, Cameron said both countries had a shared interest in the "battle against terrorism".
He said: "This is a battle that requires a tough and uncompromising security response. But it is also a battle that has to go so much wider.
"Countering extremism and radicalisation, investing in education, tackling poverty, dealing in all the issues that can fuel extremism and radicalisation."
He added: "In this battle the friends of Pakistan are friends of Britain
and the enemies of Pakistan are enemies of Britain. We will stand together and conduct this fight against extremism and terrorism."
The Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, is suspicious of the role played by Pakistan in the opening of a Taliban office in Doha, Qatar. Karzai was outraged when the Taliban described it as the mission of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan – the Taliban's name for the country during its period of rule.The Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, is suspicious of the role played by Pakistan in the opening of a Taliban office in Doha, Qatar. Karzai was outraged when the Taliban described it as the mission of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan – the Taliban's name for the country during its period of rule.
Sharif has named trade, relations with India and the battle against extremism as his three main priorities. He wants to seek peace with the Pakistan Taliban, allies of the Afghan Taliban.Sharif has named trade, relations with India and the battle against extremism as his three main priorities. He wants to seek peace with the Pakistan Taliban, allies of the Afghan Taliban.
Cameron, who met President Asif Ali Zardari on his arrival in Pakistan on Saturday night, is making clear that two of Sharif's priorities – battling extremism and stabilising relations with its nuclear rival India – would be helped if relations with Afghanistan were put on a more stable footing.Cameron, who met President Asif Ali Zardari on his arrival in Pakistan on Saturday night, is making clear that two of Sharif's priorities – battling extremism and stabilising relations with its nuclear rival India – would be helped if relations with Afghanistan were put on a more stable footing.
The British prime minister said: "I think that increasingly Pakistan knows that it's in its best interest to have a stable Afghanistan as its neighbour and it supports the peace process and that's what the trilateral meetings I've held have been all about. From everything I've heard, and I've spoken to him [Sharif] on the telephone a couple of times, he fully supports that. We'll have a very constructive view."The British prime minister said: "I think that increasingly Pakistan knows that it's in its best interest to have a stable Afghanistan as its neighbour and it supports the peace process and that's what the trilateral meetings I've held have been all about. From everything I've heard, and I've spoken to him [Sharif] on the telephone a couple of times, he fully supports that. We'll have a very constructive view."
Cameron hoped to achieve a breakthrough in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan when he held a trilateral summit at Chequers in February involving Zardari and Karzai. But officials believe the momentum has slipped and relations are deteriorating.Cameron hoped to achieve a breakthrough in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan when he held a trilateral summit at Chequers in February involving Zardari and Karzai. But officials believe the momentum has slipped and relations are deteriorating.
Britain believes Pakistan must play a pivotal role as Nato prepares to withdraw combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.Britain believes Pakistan must play a pivotal role as Nato prepares to withdraw combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
Cameron said: "Our approach is to have this very clear boost to Afghan security by funding their armed forces and police. The peace process then is additional to that. There are some difficulties but there are some good prospects and I think Pakistan will want to help with that."Cameron said: "Our approach is to have this very clear boost to Afghan security by funding their armed forces and police. The peace process then is additional to that. There are some difficulties but there are some good prospects and I think Pakistan will want to help with that."
The prime minister said Sharif's election was a good chance for a new start and played down concerns that the leader of the Muslim League, criticised for a soft approach to the Taliban, could not be even handed.The prime minister said Sharif's election was a good chance for a new start and played down concerns that the leader of the Muslim League, criticised for a soft approach to the Taliban, could not be even handed.
Cameron said: "I think he has the credibility of having just been elected with a full term ahead of him, with Pakistan's long term interests in mind, and I think that gives him a certain power and influence."Cameron said: "I think he has the credibility of having just been elected with a full term ahead of him, with Pakistan's long term interests in mind, and I think that gives him a certain power and influence."
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