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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Obama calls for strong UK links | Obama calls for strong UK links |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| White House hopeful Barack Obama has said a strong transatlantic relationship is needed to deal with a wide range of world issues. | White House hopeful Barack Obama has said a strong transatlantic relationship is needed to deal with a wide range of world issues. |
| Mr Obama said co-operation with the UK was crucial over climate change, terrorism and the economy, after talks with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. | Mr Obama said co-operation with the UK was crucial over climate change, terrorism and the economy, after talks with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. |
| He said his conversation with Mr Brown in Downing Street had been "terrific". | He said his conversation with Mr Brown in Downing Street had been "terrific". |
| The Democratic presidential candidate is on the final part of the European leg of his tour. | The Democratic presidential candidate is on the final part of the European leg of his tour. |
| Mr Brown and Mr Obama talked for two hours and then took a stroll in the sunshine around Horse Guards Parade before Mr Obama spoke to reporters. | Mr Brown and Mr Obama talked for two hours and then took a stroll in the sunshine around Horse Guards Parade before Mr Obama spoke to reporters. |
| Heavy price | Heavy price |
| Mr Obama also thanked the British people for their support in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. | Mr Obama also thanked the British people for their support in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| "I know that the troops here in Great Britain have borne a heavy price for wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan and I think the American people are grateful for all the help that has been provided," he said. | "I know that the troops here in Great Britain have borne a heavy price for wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan and I think the American people are grateful for all the help that has been provided," he said. |
| Before travelling to Downing Street, Mr Obama had a breakfast meeting with former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is now the international Middle East envoy. | |
| The Illinois senator later met Conservative leader David Cameron at the Houses of Parliament. | |
| The Downing Street talks covered a wide range of issues Mr Obama has already visited Germany, where he gave a keynote foreign policy speech in Berlin, and France where he met President Nicolas Sarkozy. | The Downing Street talks covered a wide range of issues Mr Obama has already visited Germany, where he gave a keynote foreign policy speech in Berlin, and France where he met President Nicolas Sarkozy. |
| After flying into London, Mr Obama was greeted by the American ambassador and his wife, Robert and Maria Tuttle, before being taken to a city centre hotel. | After flying into London, Mr Obama was greeted by the American ambassador and his wife, Robert and Maria Tuttle, before being taken to a city centre hotel. |
| In contrast to the public reception he received in Berlin and Paris, Mr Obama's London visit is being kept deliberately low key. | In contrast to the public reception he received in Berlin and Paris, Mr Obama's London visit is being kept deliberately low key. |
| BBC News diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says there is a risk the London leg of Mr Obama's tour will look "decidedly lacklustre". | BBC News diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says there is a risk the London leg of Mr Obama's tour will look "decidedly lacklustre". |
| While in Paris, Mr Obama said Iran should not wait for the next US president to be elected before resolving its dispute with the West. | While in Paris, Mr Obama said Iran should not wait for the next US president to be elected before resolving its dispute with the West. |
| Returning to US | Returning to US |
| He said Tehran should promptly accept an international call to freeze its "illicit nuclear programme". | He said Tehran should promptly accept an international call to freeze its "illicit nuclear programme". |
| Iran insists its nuclear campaign is peaceful. | Iran insists its nuclear campaign is peaceful. |
| Mr Obama's tour has also taken in the Middle East where he visited Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. | Mr Obama's tour has also taken in the Middle East where he visited Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. |
| After the UK, Mr Obama will return to the US where he faces Republican rival John McCain in November's presidential election. | After the UK, Mr Obama will return to the US where he faces Republican rival John McCain in November's presidential election. |
| The latest opinion polls in the US show Mr Obama leads Mr McCain by between one and six percentage points with some polls showing the race tightening in key states. | The latest opinion polls in the US show Mr Obama leads Mr McCain by between one and six percentage points with some polls showing the race tightening in key states. |