America ties with Britain enduring, says Obama

London Evening Standard/London

US President Barack Obama, Prime Minister David Cameron, Samantha Cameron and First Lady Michelle Obama serve BBQ to military personnel at 10 Downing Street in London yesterday. The event was hosted by Samantha Cameron and First Lady Michelle Obama to honour military families from US and Britain and veterans

President Obama took a place at the Cabinet table in 10 Downing Street yesterday as David Cameron hailed the “living-working partnership” of Britain and America.In an unusual honour, the president and his officials were allowed to use the Cabinet room for talks in which he and the prime minister united to promise more help for the fledgling democracies in the Arab world.The two leaders sat down in a cheerful atmosphere, with laughter as the president took his place at the historic coffin-shaped table. They then got down to the serious business, including a keynote agreement to a programme of political and economic support to elevate the so-called Arab Spring “from a moment in history to a turning point in history”. Huge crowds of Londoners turned out to cheer the president as his motorcade swept through the capital.Cameron strode out to greet his visitor as the presidential car turned into Downing Street from Buckingham Palace, another sign of the seniority of the guest. The leaders shook hands and Obama patted Cameron on the shoulder.They posed again on the steps of No 10 but there was no sign of Samantha Cameron or Michelle Obama, who later hosted a barbecue for wounded troops in the rose garden. Cameron and Obama then went upstairs to the White Room just before 10am for more pictures, until the president cut short the dozen frantic photographers with a jokey but firm: “All right guys, one of those must have worked.”After 20 minutes of one-on-one talks they were joined by Nick Clegg who told Obama: “You’ve brought the sun today.”The president responded: “Wonderful to see you.”Their morning’s agenda was filled with heavyweight international issues, in contrast to the pomp and pageantry of Obama’s official welcome on Tuesday on his state visit.Sources said they discussed a range of key topics, although Foreign Secretary William Hague admitted there were “tactical differences” between the two nations.One outcome was a package of economic and political measures to support countries such as Egypt and Tunisia. These will be put to today’s G8 summit in France of the world’s powerhouse economies.The two leaders, who were joined by US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, also agreed to seek a political solution in Afghanistan, which means talking to the Taliban and seeking a peace deal.The government backed President Obama’s latest call to restart the Middle East peace process and on the need to stand by the pro-democracy rebels fighting Colonel Gaddafi in Libya.At a news conference at Lancaster House, Cameron said the shared agenda proved the value of their “essential relationship”, one based on mutual interests and values rather than “history or sentiment”.“It’s a living, working partnership. It’s essential to our security, essential to our prosperity.” Insiders said the leaders also agreed on the need for economic prudence and to “pay our way”, which Conservatives will hail as transatlantic unity around deficit reduction.A new joint UK-US Service Personnel Task Force was announced to support members of the armed forces and their families.Cameron praised President Obama’s operation that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden.After their joint news conference, Obama headed to Westminster Hall and made a speech to MPs and peers, setting out his foreign policy vision in more detail.In a speech anchoring his four-nation European trip, Obama said it is up to the US, Britain and their European allies to lead at a time when the world is being tested by economic turmoil, “Arab Spring” revolutions, militancy, climate change and efforts to spread nuclear weapons.China, Brazil and India are developing, he said, and this should be welcomed because it is lifting millions from poverty around the globe. He rejected those who say the time of American and European influence around the world has passed. “That argument is wrong,” he said. “The time for our leadership is now...Our alliance will remain indispensible to the goal of a century that is more peaceful, more prosperous and more just.”The president offered an optimistic vision of stable economic growth and increasing security following the end of the economic crisis and the death of bin Laden.The three-day state visit has been successful for both leaders, with US audiences lapping up the meetings with the Queen, Prince William and Kate. Cameron’s allies hope he will be boosted by images of him high-fiving the president after a game of table tennis in a London school.