|
|
|
|
|
Blair arrives for talks with Bush UK leader Tony Blair has arrived in Washington to meet US President George W Bush, with Iraq and Iran expected to dominate the agenda. Mr Blair will urge the international community as a whole to support Iraq's new government, his spokesman said. A new package to persuade Iran to curb nuclear work will also be a key issue. Both leaders have seen their popularity drop and will be keen to ensure a positive legacy as their terms draw to a close, correspondents say. 'Forward leaning' BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says Iraq has cast a shadow over the leaders' careers and both will be seeking to play up the potential for change afforded by the new democratically-elected government in Baghdad. Mr Blair will brief Mr Bush on his meeting in Baghdad this week with new Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.Mr Blair will carry the message that "there is no excuse for international community as a whole, including the UN" not to get behind the new Iraqi government, his spokesman said. The White House said it expected the talks to be "forward-leaning" but played down a major announcement on troop withdrawals from Iraq. Spokesman Tony Snow said: "They're not going to race out and say, we're all coming home. There aren't going to be people kissing in Times Square." Talks on Iran will focus on the package of incentives prepared by Britain, Germany and France to persuade Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment programme. The US suspects Iran of a nuclear weapons programme although Tehran says its work is for peaceful, energy purposes. Afghanistan and the Middle East peace process will also be key issues. Congressional medal Mr Blair's itinerary takes him to dinner with Mr Bush on Thursday, followed by an evening press conference. The pair meet again on Friday after Mr Blair's foreign policy speech at Georgetown University.In his speech, the UK leader is expected to focus on the values of democracy and reform of the post-World War II institutions. Mr Blair's spokesman said the prime minister would argue for "changes in the UN, including the Security Council, in the International Monetary Fund, to make them more transparent [and] to reflect the greater political will to take on hard issues, not duck them". Mr Blair has pledged to resign before his third term ends by the latest in May 2010. Mr Bush leaves office in 2009. The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says one piece of business on the trip will remain outstanding. Mr Blair will not be picking up the US congressional medal he was awarded for his support in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Our correspondent says Mr Blair clearly does not think this is the best time to receive a medal over an issue that has already cost him, and the US president, support. ---------------------------------------------------
Prison Planet.tv: The Premier Multimedia Subscription Package: Download and Share the Truth! Please help our fight against the New World Order by giving a donation. As bandwidth costs increase, the only way we can stay online and expand is with your support. Please consider giving a monthly or one-off donation for whatever you can afford. You can pay securely by either credit card or Paypal. Click here to donate. |
