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His spokespeople kept insisting the visit was for official business. Did Mr. President use Cameron’s anti-Pakistan remarks as an excuse to go to UK despite the mess back home?
SPECIAL REPORT
Tuesday, 10 August 2010.
LONDON, UK—British Foreign Office spokesperson Natasha Khan confirms that President Asif Ali Zardari was on a private visit to the United Kingdom and not an official tour.
This latest revelation contradicts claims by President Zardari’ aides that his UK visit was part of his official duties. The aides justified the president’s trip and meeting with the Pakistan-bashing British prime minister David Cameron as effort meant to improve Pakistan’s image, which makes the trip official business.
The new information also lends credence to British media reports that Mr. Zardari was actually in Britain to launch his son’s political career and attend a political rally for this purpose that ended in a fiasco.
In an email interview to Pakistani journalist Mr. Reza Syed, editor of AwaazDaily.com [see below], Ms. Khan answered two very specific questions:
“1) [Is] President Zardari on official State visit to the UK?”
“2) If yes, then is British Govt paying towards the visit expenses? “
The British spokesperson was categorical. She replied back with a one-liner: “President Zardari is not on an official state visit.”
In France, Mr. Zardari claimed he was going to the UK after its prime minister’s anti-Pakistan remarks to “educate” the British premier. In reality, Mr. Zardari came out of the meeting to make a ridiculous statement [Pakistan and UK ties are “unbreakable”]. He proved all his critics right who challenged him to force Cameron to retract his statement.
Following is the email from the spokesperson of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirming Zardari had no invitation from British Government or State to visit the United Kingdom:
Original Message —–
From:
To:
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: Urgent Information Required
President Zardari is not on an official state visit.
From: “Raza Syed” <>
Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2010 19:57:30 +0100
To: <>
Subject: Fw: Urgent Information Required
Dear Natasha
Please refer to our telephonic conversation this afternoon, please could you confirm in writing (email) about the official or unofficial status of President Zardari’s current visit to the UK.
1) President Zardari is on official State visit to the UK? 2) If yes, then is British Govt paying towards the visit expenses?
Re the other email message, Many thanks
Raza Syed
Chief Editor
Awaaz International
—– Original Message —–
From:
To:
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 3:15 PM
Subject: Fw: Urgent Information Required
—– Original Message —–
From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 3:14 PM
Subject: Urgent Information Required
Dear Natasha
Please could you confirm if 1) President Zardari is on official State visit to the UK? 2) If yes, then is British Govt paying towards the visit expenses?
I need this information for a report and would appreciate a quick reply.
Many thanks
Raza Syed
Chief Editor
Awaaz International
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