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UK hints at foreign policy shift UK hints at foreign policy shift
(about 1 hour later)
A change of emphasis in British foreign policy has been signalled by the International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander. A British Cabinet minister has hinted at a change in the relationship between the UK and US.
In a speech in Washington he said nations had to build new alliances and reach out to the world. Speaking in the US, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander emphasised the need for "new alliances, based on common values".
He said a country's strength should not be measured by its military might. He warned against unilateralism and called for an "internationalist approach" to global problems.
BBC correspondent James Westhead said the speech appeared to suggest that Britain was distancing itself from President Bush. Correspondents say the speech appeared to be a "coded criticism" of the policies of President George W Bush.
In his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, Mr Alexander said isolationism "simply does not work in an interdependent world". Mr Alexander's speech came as the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted in favour of pulling most combat troops out of Iraq by April next year.
Mr Alexander's speech came as the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives defied a White House veto threat and approved legislation to bring combat troops out of Iraq by 1 April 2008 by a vote of 223-201. The vote came despite President Bush's threat to veto any timetable for withdrawal.
Mr Alexander also called for "core values" of "opportunity, responsibility and justice" to tackle global poverty. 'Shared solutions'
"In the 20th century a country's might was too often measured in what they could destroy. In the 21st century strength should be measured by what we can build together," he said. In his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC, Mr Alexander said isolationism "simply does not work in an interdependent world".
"In the 20th Century a country's might was too often measured in what they could destroy. In the 21st Century strength should be measured by what we can build together," he said.
Our place in the world depends on us making choices based on values - values like opportunity, responsibility, justice Douglas AlexanderOur place in the world depends on us making choices based on values - values like opportunity, responsibility, justice Douglas Alexander
"And so we must form new alliances, based on common values, ones not just to protect us from the world, but ones which reach out to the world."And so we must form new alliances, based on common values, ones not just to protect us from the world, but ones which reach out to the world.
"There is no security or prosperity at home unless we deal with the global challenges of security, globalisation, climate change, disease and poverty."There is no security or prosperity at home unless we deal with the global challenges of security, globalisation, climate change, disease and poverty.
"We must recognise these challenges and champion an internationalist approach - seeking shared solutions to the problems we face."We must recognise these challenges and champion an internationalist approach - seeking shared solutions to the problems we face.
"Multilateralist, not unilateralist means a rules-based international system. Just as we need the rule of law at home to have civilization so we need rules abroad to ensure global civilization." "Multilateralist, not unilateralist means a rules-based international system. Just as we need the rule of law at home to have civilisation so we need rules abroad to ensure global civilisation."
Core values Poverty call
Mr Alexander, who is seen as one of Gordon Brown's closest allies, also said "empowering women must be a priority for us all". Mr Alexander, who is seen as one of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's closest allies, also said "empowering women must be a priority for us all".
He said: "The economic, social and political position of women in many countries is actively preventing us from reducing child and maternal mortality, and stopping the spread of HIV/Aids. He said: "The economic, social and political position of women in many countries is actively preventing us from reducing child and maternal mortality, and stopping the spread of HIV/Aids."
Douglas Alexander says empowering women is vitalDouglas Alexander says empowering women is vital
"We must be driven by core values, not special interests. Our place in the world depends on us making choices based on values - values like opportunity, responsibility, justice."
Mr Alexander said winning support for this approach "is not easy" and work must be done to make them "the accepted norm".Mr Alexander said winning support for this approach "is not easy" and work must be done to make them "the accepted norm".
He said: "This means persuading political leaders, indeed community leaders, faith leaders and civic leaders to actively support these principles - whether they are in Europe or the US, China, India or South Africa."He said: "This means persuading political leaders, indeed community leaders, faith leaders and civic leaders to actively support these principles - whether they are in Europe or the US, China, India or South Africa."
He called for nations to follow the international rule of law, work together through organisations like the UN and adopt policies that reach out to the world, not just protect themselves, our correspondent added. Mr Alexander also called for "core values" of "opportunity, responsibility and justice" to tackle global poverty.
BBC correspondent James Westhead said the speech appeared to suggest that Britain was distancing itself from US President George W Bush.
Our correspondent said: "Some observers have interpreted this as a coded criticism of a president seen by some as high-handed and unilateralist."Our correspondent said: "Some observers have interpreted this as a coded criticism of a president seen by some as high-handed and unilateralist."
But Mr Alexander stressed to the BBC that Gordon Brown had already spoken to the president and was committed to a strong and effective dialogue.But Mr Alexander stressed to the BBC that Gordon Brown had already spoken to the president and was committed to a strong and effective dialogue.