It’s Official: Zardari’s UK Visit Was Private
Headlines Wednesday, August 11th, 2010His 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?
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: Natasha Khan (Blackberry)
To: Raza Syed
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: <natasha.khan@mobileemail.vodafone.net>
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
—– Original Message —–
From: Raza Syed
To: natasha.khan@mobileemail.vodafone.net
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 3:15 PM
Subject: Fw: Urgent Information Required
—– Original Message —–
From: Raza Syed
To: Natasha.Khan@fco.gov.uk
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
Short URL: http://www.daily.pk/?p=19646
on Aug 11 2010. Filed under
I have always maintained that Zaradri’s PPP is a party of liars , cheaters, fake degree holders and biggest looters.
Every member who had the courage to come on the TV channels tried his / her level best to make this an OFFICIAL VISIT. According to Fauzia Wahab liar in chief of the party claimed that this was a state visit.Some other idiot said the Queen has invited Zardari. Don’t they feel any shame at all????
President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Europe has been very successful with respect to drawing the attention of the world community on the enormity the of the ravages of unprecedented floods in the country as well as forging international assistance for the flood victims and highlighting the various challenges faced by the country. President told supporters his trip to Britain had been a success, and that he had raised tens of thousands of pounds for flood victims at home. More than 3,000 people crowded into the Birmingham convention center to listen to the great Pakistani leader.
President underscored that Pakistan needs trade even more than aid. The Prime Minister said that the UK will continue to be Pakistan’s strongest ally in pursuing greater trade access to the EU for Pakistan. Prime Minister Cameron expressed UK’s support for Pakistan’s democratic government and expressed UK’s solidarity and support for Pakistan coping with the damage caused by recent floods. He also expressed condolences at the loss of precious lives and sympathy for the bereaved families. President Zardari expressed thanks for UK’s pledge of £10 million of immediate relief for flood victims and for accelerating an already agreed £10 million bridge reconstruction program.