This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/07/special-relationship-britain-us

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The special relationship still lives on between Britain and the US The special relationship still lives on between Britain and the US
(10 days later)
The United States and Britain have enjoyed a special relationship stretching back decades – one that has thrived through more than a dozen presidents and prime ministers from different political parties. Yet within a week of my arrival as the new American ambassador it had been declared dead. A death notice even appeared on the front page of one national newspaper.The United States and Britain have enjoyed a special relationship stretching back decades – one that has thrived through more than a dozen presidents and prime ministers from different political parties. Yet within a week of my arrival as the new American ambassador it had been declared dead. A death notice even appeared on the front page of one national newspaper.
To paraphrase Mark Twain, these reports have been exaggerated. The special relationship is alive and well. The rush by some to declare this relationship dead, damaged, or diminished is a strange thing to witness as an American diplomat here because it is so contradictory to what I've seen. It is also odd because the very thing that is needed to prevent these hasty last rites is something for which we Americans often depend on Britain: perspective.To paraphrase Mark Twain, these reports have been exaggerated. The special relationship is alive and well. The rush by some to declare this relationship dead, damaged, or diminished is a strange thing to witness as an American diplomat here because it is so contradictory to what I've seen. It is also odd because the very thing that is needed to prevent these hasty last rites is something for which we Americans often depend on Britain: perspective.
The world is witnessing an extremely serious humanitarian crisis in Syria. But, regrettably, it's not the first and won't be the last. The special relationship has remained strong through the generations because it is built on a firmer foundation than expediency or tradition. It is built on shared values. And none of those is more important than our belief in the democratic process.The world is witnessing an extremely serious humanitarian crisis in Syria. But, regrettably, it's not the first and won't be the last. The special relationship has remained strong through the generations because it is built on a firmer foundation than expediency or tradition. It is built on shared values. And none of those is more important than our belief in the democratic process.
On both sides of the Atlantic we are seeing vigorous exertions of democracy, with votes of conscience and impassioned public debate. We are discussing how the international community should respond, proportionally and meaningfully, to the unconscionable and illegal use of chemical weapons. And that discussion is not over. That we are having it in an open and public way is a far better measure of our special relationship's health than any single vote along the way.On both sides of the Atlantic we are seeing vigorous exertions of democracy, with votes of conscience and impassioned public debate. We are discussing how the international community should respond, proportionally and meaningfully, to the unconscionable and illegal use of chemical weapons. And that discussion is not over. That we are having it in an open and public way is a far better measure of our special relationship's health than any single vote along the way.
But we must also pan out, and look at the Syria effort beyond the authorisation question. From this vantage point the special relationship also looks as vital as ever.But we must also pan out, and look at the Syria effort beyond the authorisation question. From this vantage point the special relationship also looks as vital as ever.
Secretary of state John Kerry arrives in London on Sunday for talks with William Hague – his fourth official visit to the United Kingdom since February. Their meeting is not only evidence that our indispensable partnership is intact, it also demonstrates that Britain remains an essential part of the international community's response to the crisis in Syria.Secretary of state John Kerry arrives in London on Sunday for talks with William Hague – his fourth official visit to the United Kingdom since February. Their meeting is not only evidence that our indispensable partnership is intact, it also demonstrates that Britain remains an essential part of the international community's response to the crisis in Syria.
On the diplomatic front, both the US and Britain have been strong, consistent voices throughout the crisis, condemning the appalling violence and Bashar al-Assad's use of chemical weapons. The UK has been especially valuable in building support among EU countries and in aggressively pursuing tough sanctions to deny funding and weaponry to the Assad regime.On the diplomatic front, both the US and Britain have been strong, consistent voices throughout the crisis, condemning the appalling violence and Bashar al-Assad's use of chemical weapons. The UK has been especially valuable in building support among EU countries and in aggressively pursuing tough sanctions to deny funding and weaponry to the Assad regime.
We are also working together on humanitarian issues, acting in concert to address other serious human rights concerns around the conflict, including the refugee crisis. And we are co-ordinating our efforts through international organisations to get relief supplies, such as food, shelter and medicines, to the Syrian people.We are also working together on humanitarian issues, acting in concert to address other serious human rights concerns around the conflict, including the refugee crisis. And we are co-ordinating our efforts through international organisations to get relief supplies, such as food, shelter and medicines, to the Syrian people.
So the vote in parliament has not changed the fundamental strength of our essential relationship. In fact, the debate – impressive as it was in its quality – is a reminder of how pivotal to international security our two countries remain. We are both engaged in serious arguments about issues of international peace and security because we are among only a handful of countries that have the capability to offer a potent response.So the vote in parliament has not changed the fundamental strength of our essential relationship. In fact, the debate – impressive as it was in its quality – is a reminder of how pivotal to international security our two countries remain. We are both engaged in serious arguments about issues of international peace and security because we are among only a handful of countries that have the capability to offer a potent response.
Debate and disagreement have always been features of the relationship between our two countries. What is more striking is that when there are differences of opinion these do not damage or undermine the inherent strength of our partnership. President Obama provided perspective of his own on Friday when he urged us to remember that President Roosevelt had to overcome great Congressional and public reluctance for America to become militarily involved in the second world war.Debate and disagreement have always been features of the relationship between our two countries. What is more striking is that when there are differences of opinion these do not damage or undermine the inherent strength of our partnership. President Obama provided perspective of his own on Friday when he urged us to remember that President Roosevelt had to overcome great Congressional and public reluctance for America to become militarily involved in the second world war.
Our shared history, culture, language, and commerce all contribute to the bedrock of shared values that holds us firm.Our shared history, culture, language, and commerce all contribute to the bedrock of shared values that holds us firm.
In my first two weeks here I have seen every day how the special relationship remains vital and vibrant, whether that's been in my meetings with the team at No 10, the foreign secretary, the defence secretary, and the leader of the opposition; or at the belated Eid reception I hosted for British Muslims; or the Embassy's partnerships with the BBC, PBS America and Newcastle University to commemorate Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech; or even just from hearing American accents on the streets of London, knowing they are studying at a British university or working for a British company.  In my first two weeks here I have seen every day how the special relationship remains vital and vibrant, whether that's been in my meetings with the team at No 10, the foreign secretary, the defence secretary, and the leader of the opposition; or at the belated Eid reception I hosted for British Muslims; or the Embassy's partnerships with the BBC, PBS America and Newcastle University to commemorate Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech; or even just from hearing American accents on the streets of London, knowing they are studying at a British university or working for a British company.  
On the solid foundation of shared values, the special relationship will live on as strongly as ever through this international crisis. That is to the good of the people of the United States, Britain, and every nation.On the solid foundation of shared values, the special relationship will live on as strongly as ever through this international crisis. That is to the good of the people of the United States, Britain, and every nation.
Matthew Barzun is US ambassador to the UKMatthew Barzun is US ambassador to the UK
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.