Brown heading to White House for latest Bush talks
Gordon Brown will visit George Bush at the White House for high-level talks with the United States president, it has been announced.
The prime minister will be welcomed by Mr Bush and his wife at the White House on April 17th for talks on a range of issues, with progress on Iraq expected to be at the top of the list.
A statement from the White House said: “The United States and the United Kingdom share a special partnership that enables our countries to more effectively confront the key strategic challenges facing our two nations.
“The president looks forward to continuing his regular consultations with the prime minister.”
Mr Brown last visited the US president stateside in July 2007, where observers said the prime minister appeared reserved when compared to his predecessor Tony Blair’s relaxed relationship with Mr Bush.
The latter described Mr Brown as a “humorous Scotsman” with whom he had found “common ground” before admitting his country’s relationship with the UK was its most important bilateral one.
The situation in Iraq has changed dramatically since then. Mr Bush’s troop surge has quelled violence but the country remains in crisis as prime minister Nouri al-Maliki seeks to stamp his authority on warring Shia factions.
In Afghanistan the US and UK are again united in growing concerns about a “two-tier” Nato alliance where only some member states contribute troops.
Other issues like nuclear proliferation, efforts to combat international terrorism, increasing pressure on Iran over its atomic ambitions and the promotion of free-market trade will be on the agenda, the White House said.
A statement added: “The two leaders will also discuss our work to address poverty, disease, and climate change.”
Mr Brown is likely to discuss his new “entente amicable” established with the French after Nicolas Sarkozy’s state visit this week.
In his address to parliament yesterday France’s president urged Britain to unite with France to “point America in the right direction” on many global issues.
