Global General

Cameron called "klutz" after Iran gaffe

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-08-06 10:15

LONDON -- British Prime Minister David Cameron was accused by political opponents of being a "foreign policy klutz" on Thursday after he mistakenly said Iran had a nuclear weapon.

Cameron told a public meeting in Brighton, southern England, that Turkey's entry into the European Union could help solve some of the world's problems "like the Middle East peace process, like the fact Iran has got a nuclear weapon".

The West suspects Iran's nuclear work is aimed at bomb-making but has not accused it of already having a bomb. Tehran, which faces international sanctions over its nuclear programme, says it is for peaceful purposes.

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A spokesman for Cameron said the prime minister did not intend to imply that Iran had already built a weapon: "If you watch back the prime minister's words it is clear that he is talking about Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon."

The remarks follow several others that opponents have called foreign policy gaffes since Cameron took power in May.

Last week, he offended Pakistan during a visit to its arch-rival India when he told Islamabad it must not "promote the export of terror". His Conservative Party defended his comments as a candid statement of policy.

He faced criticism at home during a trip to the United States last month for describing Britain as the junior partner in the transatlantic special relationship, saying Britain had played that role in 1940 when both countries fought the Nazis.

The United States did not join Britain in the war against Germany until 1941.

Chris Bryant, European spokesman for the main opposition Labour party, said Cameron's comments on Iran were "embarrassing and dangerous".

"He is increasingly getting a reputation for being a foreign policy klutz," Bryant said in a statement. "This is less of a hiccup, more of a dangerous habit."

"The prime minister's comments are profoundly unhelpful. They will fuel Iranian propaganda that the international community is mistaken over Iran's nuclear policy."