Pakistan says UK is terrorist breeding ground

Financial Times ^

[milestogo]

Pakistan says UK is terrorist breeding ground
By Jean Eaglesham and Jimmy Burns in London and Vicky Burnett in Islamabad
Published: July 17 2005 21:07 | Last updated: July 17 2005 21:07

Pakistan has accused Britain of being a “breeding ground for terrorists”, in a diplomatic clash about the root causes of the July 7 attacks on London that could hinder a co-ordinated international response. The British government last week expressed “concern” about the activities of some Islamic religious schools in Pakistan following the attacks. At least 55 people were killed in four separate rush-hour bomb blasts on Underground trains and a bus.

Shehzad Tanweer, one of the four suicide bombers, is reported to have attended a madrassa in Lahore this year. Another of the bombers may have recently visited Pakistan and three of the four were of Pakistani descent.

But a senior Pakistan diplomat on Sunday warned Britain it would be a “great mistake to point fingers at Pakistan or anybody else outside your country”.

Munir Akram, Islamabad's ambassador to the United Nations, told the BBC Britain should not try to “externalise the problems”.“You have to look at British society what you are doing to the Muslim community and why the Muslim community is not integrating into British society,” he said. He said Pakistan had its own terrorist problems but the country was “doing all it can”.

The diplomatic spat has revealed long-standing resentments in Pakistan that its efforts to deal with terrorism have not been fully appreciated by the UK.

Tony Blair, British prime minister, tomorrow meets Muslim leaders, with leaders of the two main opposition parties. Mr Blair will use the meeting, and a briefing on Thursday from police and security services, to decide the “pace and content” of the response, a senior Downing Street official said on Sunday.

[milestogo]

chutzpah ping..

[Pikachu_Dad]

There is a lot of truth in that statement. England is home growing terrorism.

[CzarNicky]

Hello pot this is the kettle you're black.

[anniegetyourgun]

I guess it takes a terrorist-breeding nation to know one.

[jdm]

"You have to look at British society what you are doing to the Muslim community and why the Muslim community is not integrating into British society..."

Oh, so it's the UK's fault (what the British gov't is doing to hurt the Muslim community and what not). It's always someone else's fault, according to Islam. Being Muslim means being a victim... blah, blah, blah. Islam can do no wrong; is 100% innocent, according to this jerk. How pathetic.

[Brilliant]

It's more like the perpetrator blaming the victim.

[Cicero]

Actually there is some truth to it. They are both breeding grounds for terrorism. If Britain wants to control the terrorist threat, they must start at home, in Great Britain, and also with Muslims coming in and out from the EU.

This is an international network. Terrorism is also funded in both countries by the Saudis, which also needs to be dealt with.

It would be good if Blair could persuade his countrymen that they need to fight terror not just to please and help the U.S., but to defend themselves, and all of western civilization. Those who argue that Blair is Bush's poodle assume, or pretend to assume, that England is somehow acting subserviently on behalf of Americay, and not because its own wellbeing and survival are at stake.

[NonValueAdded]

Everyone, on three: POT KETTLE BLACK

[McGavin999]

It's true though. The terrorist breeding grounds are located at the Guardian, the Daily Mirror, BBC and CNN. They have their counterparts at the NYT, Gannett, CNN, and the broadcast news.

Who do you think are convincing these people that they are victems? Who do you think have convinced them that the US/UK invasion of Iraq slaughtered millions of innocent Muslim? Who do you think convinced them that the US/UK are doing everything to steal oil?

You want to find the heart of the terrorst movement? It's not in Saudi Arabia, it's in the press rooms and control booths of the US and UK media.

[Ronin]

Send all the Pakis back to Pakistan then.

[river rat]

It appears Pakistanis have given sufficient evidence they are too dangerous to accept into a free society....

They conducted war when part of India -- now they conduct war with their immediate neighbors and host countries...

I believe a strong case could be made that no one should be allowed out of Pakistan until they have gone through "reformation" and "civilization"....

I don't care to risk the lives of my grandchildren on the chance that the Pakistani lunatic in my neighborhood is a Peace Loving Muslim....

Semper Fi