This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6920877.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Brown flies to US for Bush talks World owes US a debt, says Brown
(about 5 hours later)
Gordon Brown is flying to the United States to meet President George Bush for the first time since he became prime minister. The world owes a debt to the United States for its leadership in the fight against international terrorism, Gordon Brown has said.
Mr Brown reaffirmed the UK's close relationship with the US ahead of the visit saying he wanted to discuss how the two countries could work together. The prime minister described the link with the US as the UK's "most important bilateral relationship" ahead of his first talks with President George Bush.
A foreign office minister had suggested the US and the UK would no longer be "joined at the hip" on foreign policy. A foreign office minister had suggested the two countries would no longer be "joined at the hip" on foreign policy.
But Mr Brown said links with the US would become stronger in the future. Analysts will be looking for signs of Labour distancing itself from the US.
International issues Private dinner
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Brown was "walking a tightrope" in his dealings with America.
He needed to reassure Mr Bush of his commitment to the Atlantic relationship as well as convince British voters that links between the US and the UK would be different to those maintained by former prime minister Tony Blair, our correspondent said.
The prime minister was flying to Camp David for a private dinner with the president on Sunday night at his Maryland retreat.
He will then head to Washington on Monday for cross-party talks with senate leaders and members of congress.
Earlier this month, Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown said it was time for a more "impartial" foreign policy and for Britain to build relationships with European leaders.Earlier this month, Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown said it was time for a more "impartial" foreign policy and for Britain to build relationships with European leaders.
Some analysts considered the Foreign Office minister's remarks evidence of Labour distancing itself from the US. We should acknowledge the debt the world owes to the United States for its leadership in this fight against international terrorism Gordon Brown class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6918997.stm">Analysis: Brown ponders ties
But before departing Britain on Sunday, Mr Brown committed himself to close ties to the US. But en route to the US, Mr Brown described himself as an "Atlanticist and a great admirer of the American sprit".
"It is a relationship that is founded on our common values of liberty, opportunity and the dignity of the individual," he said. "And as Prime Minister I want to do more to strengthen even further our relationship with the US," he said.
"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." "It is firmly in the British national interest that we have a strong relationship with the US, our single most important bilateral relationship."
The relationship between an American president and a British prime minister will always be strong Gordon Brown class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6918997.stm">Analysis: Brown ponders ties Mr Brown said the shared ideals of two centuries of history "have linked the destinies" of the two countries.
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. He also quoted Winston Churchill - the first British prime minister to visit Camp David - who also spoke of a "joint inheritance".
Mr Brown added: "We know that we cannot solve any of the world's major problems without the active engagement of the US. This close relationship would help in the fight against nuclear proliferation, global poverty, climate change and global terrorism, Mr Brown said.
"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 we should acknowledge the debt the world owes to the United States for its leadership in this fight against international terrorism," he added.
"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." International issues
'Frankness' The talks at Camp David on Monday were expected to include Foreign Secretary David Milliband and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
They are expected to discuss international issues such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Darfur, Kosovo, world trade and climate change.
The Americans are likely to seek reassurances about Gordon Brown's plans for the country that dare not be mentioned BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
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.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.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.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.""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''Candid friend'
Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell said three main issues should be discussed at the meeting.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."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.""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.