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Cameron's Bush meeting 'positive' | Cameron's Bush meeting 'positive' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Conservative leader David Cameron said he had a "very positive" half-hour meeting with US President George W Bush during his current trip to Washington. | Conservative leader David Cameron said he had a "very positive" half-hour meeting with US President George W Bush during his current trip to Washington. |
They discussed areas including Iran, Afghanistan, free trade and climate change and "got on very well", he said. | They discussed areas including Iran, Afghanistan, free trade and climate change and "got on very well", he said. |
"We had a good conversation about some issues that Britain and America really need to work together on," he added. | "We had a good conversation about some issues that Britain and America really need to work together on," he added. |
Mr Cameron also used a speech to call for a stronger military presence in the Balkans to prevent future trouble. | Mr Cameron also used a speech to call for a stronger military presence in the Balkans to prevent future trouble. |
On Wednesday, Serbs and ethnic Albanians failed to resolve the future status of Kosovo at a final round of internationally-brokered talks. | On Wednesday, Serbs and ethnic Albanians failed to resolve the future status of Kosovo at a final round of internationally-brokered talks. |
The UN had set a deadline of 10 December for a negotiated settlement on the province, where ethnic Albanians want independence from Serbia. | The UN had set a deadline of 10 December for a negotiated settlement on the province, where ethnic Albanians want independence from Serbia. |
This is something Belgrade has consistently rejected. | This is something Belgrade has consistently rejected. |
'Take decisive action' | 'Take decisive action' |
"A lawless space in the Balkans would be ideal ground for al-Qaeda and others to take root," the Tory leader told the Brookings Institution think-tank in the US capital. | "A lawless space in the Balkans would be ideal ground for al-Qaeda and others to take root," the Tory leader told the Brookings Institution think-tank in the US capital. |
"Preserving and enhancing stability in the Balkans is not just a moral imperative. It is fundamental to our national security. | "Preserving and enhancing stability in the Balkans is not just a moral imperative. It is fundamental to our national security. |
"Let me make it clear - there could be a new crisis in the Balkans by Christmas. That is a direct threat to our national security, and we must therefore take decisive action now to prevent it." | "Let me make it clear - there could be a new crisis in the Balkans by Christmas. That is a direct threat to our national security, and we must therefore take decisive action now to prevent it." |
This was the right time to come to Washington to have a series of meetings to get to know members of the administration David Cameron | This was the right time to come to Washington to have a series of meetings to get to know members of the administration David Cameron |
Mr Cameron said the Serbian government should accept the "harsh fact" that it could not expect to retain sovereignty over Kosovo. | Mr Cameron said the Serbian government should accept the "harsh fact" that it could not expect to retain sovereignty over Kosovo. |
He also accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being "less than helpful" by backing Serbia's stance. | He also accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of being "less than helpful" by backing Serbia's stance. |
"The way in which Moscow has encouraged Belgrade to up the rhetorical ante in the last six months has contributed to the rise in tension," he said. | "The way in which Moscow has encouraged Belgrade to up the rhetorical ante in the last six months has contributed to the rise in tension," he said. |
Thursday's meeting was the first time Mr Cameron and President Bush had held formal discussions. | Thursday's meeting was the first time Mr Cameron and President Bush had held formal discussions. |
"This was the right time to come to Washington to have a series of meetings to get to know members of the administration [and] raise areas which matter to both of us," the Conservative leader told BBC News. | "This was the right time to come to Washington to have a series of meetings to get to know members of the administration [and] raise areas which matter to both of us," the Conservative leader told BBC News. |
Mr Cameron and Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague are due to meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in the coming hours. |
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