Cameron has say in McChrystal row
By politics.co.uk staff
The future of beleaguered Afghanistan commander General Stanley McChrystal was discussed in last night’s phone call between David Cameron and Barack Obama, according to reports.
Gen McChrystal could be dismissed by US president Barack Obama after a number of outspoken comments about senior colleagues in an interview for Rolling Stone magazine.
He described a previous meeting with Mr Obama as a “ten-minute photo op” and complained that the president had given him an “unsellable position” on the conflict with the Taliban in Afghanistan.
British politicians have expressed concern Gen McChrystal, who although outspoken is widely regarded as being the best-placed military commander to lead the troop surge in Afghanistan, may be ousted as a result of his comments.
In a phone call last night Mr Cameron discussed the situation in Afghanistan with Mr Obama. Downing Street told the BBC Mr Obama pledged he would “consult closely” with Mr Cameron before he made his decision.
The pair also discussed yesterday’s emergency Budget, which included plans to cut most departments’ budgets by a quarter. A source told the Evening Standard newspaper the pair were “on the same page” on the issue.
“On the global economy, the leaders agreed that the G20 Summit this weekend would be a vital opportunity to cement the global economic recovery through a balance of fiscal consolidation and new strategies for growth,” a No 10 spokesperson said.
