... In remarks which reverberated across the [Indian] subcontinent within minutes, the prime minister blamed elements of the Pakistani state for promoting the export of terror. Islamabad was quick to criticise Cameron, saying the prime minister should not believe leaked US military documents. A central finding of the Wikileaks documents is that Britain and the US believe the Pakistani intelligence service, ISI, is still encouraging the Taliban.Bully, Mr Prime Minister! Bully!
The prime minister's remarks raised eyebrows in the Foreign Office which believes that, given that most terror plots in Britain originate at some point from the Pakistan/Afghanistan border, Britain has a vital interest in maintaining warm relations with Islamabad.
A message was quickly despatched to Asif Ali Zardari, the Pakistani president who will be visiting Cameron at Chequers next week, that Britain believed his government is fighting hard against the terror threat. Cameron echoed this, though he insisted he would continue to talk frankly about Pakistan.
While experienced diplomats were alarmed, Cameron's colleagues saw nothing wrong with his remarks which demonstrated a refreshing approach in their eyes.
William Hague, the foreign secretary, said: "The prime minister is a great diplomat. He is a natural at it."...
Excerpt above is from Guardian report, An innocent abroad? Plain-talking Cameron alarms FCO veterans.
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