Brown takes gift to Obama and hopes for finance pact
Pen holder made of same wood as President's desk symbolises 'historic ties'
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AFP/GETTY
A woman passes the White House in a blizzard yesterday, as heavy falls dumped seven inches of snow on Washington
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Gordon Brown will attempt to win the backing of the world's most powerful man today for his blueprint to rescue the global economy from the worst recession for half a century.
Mr Brown arrived in Washington early today for talks with Barack Obama, determined to renew the "special relationship" between Britain and the US. He brought with him a gift of a pen holder, carved from the timbers of HMS Gannet, built in Chatham shipyards 130 years ago. Timber from its sister vessel, HMS Resolute, was used in the Oval Office desk. Downing Street said the gift was designed to symbolise "historic ties" between the two nations.
Before he left for the US, Mr Brown said of Mr Obama: "You cannot but be impressed by his demeanour, his determination, not just his fluency but his sympathy for the causes he represents. The impression he has given of America to the world is transformative, because he is a black man who has won the presidency, who is living in the White House that was built by slaves."
Labour strategists hope the meeting – the first Mr Obama has held with a European leader since he became President – will give a much-needed boost to the Prime Minister as he contemplates sliding opinion poll ratings.
They believe it can be used to portray David Cameron and the Conservatives alongside the defeated Republicans as being on the wrong side of the argument when it comes to tackling the financial meltdown.
However, Mr Obama – conscious that he could be dealing with a Conservative prime minister in little more than a year – is likely to be careful not to align himself too closely to Mr Brown.
The Prime Minister will use the occasion and a rare address to both Houses of the US Congress to call for international action to boost the world economy, arguing it will recover more quickly if all nations pull in the same direction. His words will be seen as a warning to the US against protectionism – government sources fear that Mr Obama, under pressure from trade unions and congressmen, will adopt an "American jobs first" strategy.
Mr Brown will emphasise the importance of creating "green jobs" and "green technology", saying the fight against global warming should not be sidelined because of the recession.
He will claim it is time for a "global new deal"and better regulation of the world's financial systems.
Mr Brown's spokesman confirmed the economy would be the main focus of today's talks. He suggested their main purpose would be to prepare the ground for an emergency meeting of the G20 nations in London on 2 April.
The war against the Taliban in Afghanistan will also feature. Mr Obama has announced another 17,000 US troops will join the 24,900 already there and he may ask Britain to send more soldiers – Mr Brown is likely to suggest the extra burden fall on European countries such as France and Germany.
Sarah Brown will arrive in the US tomorrow for her husband's address.
The spouses' summit
The meeting between Sarah Brown and Michelle Obama in Washington this week will be scrutinised for signs of bonding. Both are 45 and have abandoned high-profile jobs to support their husbands' careers. They should have a lot in common and can be expected to share experiences on protecting their children from the pitiless glare of the media.
Both women have sharp political instincts. The two should also find common ground on issues such as development aid and women's rights. Mrs Obama has a particular focus on the oft-forgotten wives and families of American soldiers. Mrs Obama has also thrown open the doors of the White House, hosting concerts and social events
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Comments
And not a good idea to have the wives standing together where presentation is all. It will be rather like an actress from " Sex and the City" standing next to one from " Coronation Street"
And in conclusion how many times are we going to hear on his return " President Obama and I "
The man has no principles whatsoever. His only aim in life is to stay in power at all costs and he will lie and cheat in an attempt to stay in number ten for another term. One hopes that Obama will treat him with the polite indifference he deserves. But it will not matter how things go because braggart Brown will milk the visit for all it is worth as he tries to take credit for saving the world..
I thank you
Firozali A. Mulla
NO MORE
BRITISH SOLDIERS
FIGHTING THE JEWISH WAR
NO MORE
BAL FOUR
XION GNU
ZION JEW
TALLY DUE
NO MORE
BRITISH DEAD
AL IN AMERRYKHA
AL BLOODY FRED
That America caused the global credit crisis by sub-prime lending!
Gordon "it's not my fault" Brown.
Blair has gone, he took his lies
Prescott's gone, he took the pies
Gordon's here, it's time to frown
The future's s**t, it's not just brown!
THIS IS A REPEAT FROM
Charityplayer @ itv.co U.S. Elections Welcome
THE BLAQKANAISAN KAT HOLDING THE EMPTY KENTUCKY CHICKEN BUCKET OUTSIDE McDONALDS*
HAS BEEN DRINKING THE MILK OF HUMAN KINDNESS
SO FAR
ills of a crashing American economy, he's yet to tie it into an
appropriate social safety-net policy, as a permanent element of
socio-economic progress. Nor has he said a word about reform
of global financial regulation, as Brown has focused on.
Yet the passing days in this mess, make it clear that nothing
short of coordinated, effective regulation upon a largely
laissez-faire global economy, is likely to do the job.
Unfortunately, it may take a decade of misery and civil
unrest, for leaders used to the old, failed order to wake up.
-- cool site I've come across; Balkingpoints.com -- incredible
satellite camera view!
.