Catholic Cardinal Criticizes UK Foreign Aid Plans As Anti-Christian

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, critized Britain's plans to increase foreign aid to Pakistan. He said:

To increase aid to the Pakistan government when religious freedom is not upheld and those who speak up for religious freedom are gunned down is tantamount to an anti-Christian foreign policy... Pressure should now be put on the government of Pakistan, and the governments of the Arab world as well, to ensure that religious freedom is upheld.

However, according to AFP yesterday, the British government is defending its policy.  Junior foreign minister Alistair Burt said that the promotion of human rights, including religious freedom, is at the heaqrt of its foreign policy.