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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Brown pledge over UK-US relations | Brown pledge over UK-US relations |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Gordon Brown has reaffirmed the UK's close relationship with the US ahead of talks with President George Bush. | Gordon Brown has reaffirmed the UK's close relationship with the US ahead of talks with President George Bush. |
| New Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown previously said the two countries would no longer be "joined at the hip" on foreign policy. | New Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown previously said the two countries would no longer be "joined at the hip" on foreign policy. |
| However, Mr Brown said he was looking forward to visiting the president to discuss ways of working together. | However, Mr Brown said he was looking forward to visiting the president to discuss ways of working together. |
| The link with the US was the UK's "single most important bilateral relationship", said the prime minister. | The link with the US was the UK's "single most important bilateral relationship", said the prime minister. |
| International issues | International issues |
| It will be his first meeting with Mr Bush since becoming prime minister. | It will be his first meeting with Mr Bush since becoming prime minister. |
| He said: "It is a relationship that is founded on our common values of liberty, opportunity and the dignity of the individual. | He said: "It is a relationship that is founded on our common values of liberty, opportunity and the dignity of the individual. |
| "And because of the values we share, the relationship with the United States is not only strong but can become stronger in the years ahead." | "And because of the values we share, the relationship with the United States is not only strong but can become stronger in the years ahead." |
| The relationship between an American president and a British prime minister will always be strong Gordon Brown href="/1/hi/uk/6918997.stm">Analysis: Brown ponders ties | |
| The pair are expected to discuss international issues such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Darfur, Kosovo, world trade and climate change in talks at Camp David. | The pair are expected to discuss international issues such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Darfur, Kosovo, world trade and climate change in talks at Camp David. |
| Mr Brown added: "We know that we cannot solve any of the world's major problems without the active engagement of the US." | Mr Brown added: "We know that we cannot solve any of the world's major problems without the active engagement of the US." |
| "And just as Britain and America have always stood side by side in tackling the great global challenges of the past, so we will continue to work very closely together as friends to tackle the great global challenges of the future. | "And just as Britain and America have always stood side by side in tackling the great global challenges of the past, so we will continue to work very closely together as friends to tackle the great global challenges of the future. |
| "The relationship between an American president and a British prime minister will always be strong, and I am looking forward to my meeting with President Bush to discuss how we can work together to meet many of the great challenges we face." | "The relationship between an American president and a British prime minister will always be strong, and I am looking forward to my meeting with President Bush to discuss how we can work together to meet many of the great challenges we face." |
| 'Frankness' | |
| Tony Blair enjoyed a close relationship with Mr Bush but there has been speculation that Mr Brown wants to keep his distance from the president. | |
| The shadow foreign secretary, William Hague, told the BBC the prime minister and foreign secretary needed to set a clear stance. | |
| He said: "They should not be leaving it to more junior ministers to create misunderstandings about the relationship with America, which is what has happened over the last few weeks. | |
| "Our approach, the approach David Cameron and I take, is that our relationship with America should be what we call solid but not slavish and it should gain frankness without losing its closeness." | |
| 'Candid friend' | |
| Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell said three main issues should be discussed at the meeting. | |
| "Renegotiation of the one-sided extradition treaty, the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre and a negotiated withdrawal of British forces from Iraq," he said. | |
| "These should be the objectives of a candid friend. The excessively subordinated relationship between the President and Mr Blair should be put to bed." | |
| Speaking in the US, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander emphasised the need for "new alliances, based on common values". | Speaking in the US, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander emphasised the need for "new alliances, based on common values". |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband subsequently insisted the US will continue to be the UK's most important partner. | Foreign Secretary David Miliband subsequently insisted the US will continue to be the UK's most important partner. |