Britain’s Brown leaves US without clear boost
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AP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mart 06, 2009 00:00
WASHINGTON - Gordon Brown completes his Washington visit, however he falls short of realizing his high expectations. While, Brown fails to obtain due support from his country’s closest ally in coordinating the crippled global economy, he is also highly criticized at home for disregarding domestic problems and instead seeking favor from Washington
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrapped up an uneven Washington visit without the clear boost he was looking for from Britain's closest ally.
A punchy speech Wednesday to the U.S. Congress urging Anglo-American leadership to right the global economy was overshadowed by suggestions in the British press that Brown had been snubbed by U.S. President Barack Obama.
Brown had hoped to coordinate policy with the U.S. administration ahead of a crucial economic summit he is chairing next month, but he returned to London with no apparent commitments from the White House.
The British leader saturated his public appearances with traditional devotion to Britain's "special relationship" with the United States. He hoped that as the first European leader to visit the new American president in the White House, he would convey an image of statesmanship in a time of trouble.
UK press offended
But the stagecraft was upset by interpretations of protocol when the British press seized on the White House's choice of a forum for the joint appearance Tuesday. Some in London took offense because while Brown's office said there would be a news conference, the White House called it a "pool spray," a term referring to a briefer, less formal session with reporters. The White House said no slight was intended, but press reports concluded that Obama did not view British relations as so special.
"The British press has a sort of paranoia about how U.S. presidents treat British prime ministers and are always ready to pounce on anything that can be perceived as a slight on the special history," said Reginald Dale, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
After Brown's speech on Wednesday, Obama telephoned the British leader. "The President congratulated the Prime Minister on his speech to Congress and expressed his appreciation for a very productive visit," the White House said. With renewed attention to sensitivity, the statement also said Obama thanked Brown for gifts and noted that one was now displayed in the Oval office.
Despite the distractions, Brown came off well in a confident address to a joint meeting of Congress, an invitation reserved for America's closest allies. Brown projected optimism in the face of economic turmoil. He predicted that the global economy could double in size over the next 20 years as billions of people move from being producers to consumers.
Criticism at home
This ballooning market, Brown argued, presents unprecedented opportunities, so long as governmental leaders understand that their economic policies are felt all over the world.
"Should we succumb to a race to the bottom and a protectionism that history tells us that, in the end, protects no one?" Brown asked members of the House and Senate. "No," he declared. "We should have the confidence that we can seize the opportunities ahead and make the future work for us," Brown added.
The prime minister's address was the first by a foreign leader since President Barack Obama took office. It came as both Brown and Obama struggle to increase investor confidence and repair damage to markets battered by the U.S. housing crisis.
It also came as Brown, who trails the conservative opposition in British opinion polls, was looking for his own political boost. Supporters had hoped his appearance this week with the popular U.S. president and his plans to lead an international economic summit next month would help shore up support for his job performance.
Despite a warm reception in Washington, Brown's remarks drew swift rebukes back home. Vince Cable, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the prime minister should be focused on domestic problems rather than trying to win favor with Americans. "The prime minister spent over a decade actively promoting a financial system devoid of morality and cuddling up to the bankers who have caused this crisis, so his newfound desire for moral markets smacks of hypocrisy," Cable said.
William Hague, former leader of the Conservative party, said Brown was right to remind Americans to work together against protectionism and other top priorities. "What was missing was any sense of contrition for past mistakes and an ability to translate words into action," he said.
A punchy speech Wednesday to the U.S. Congress urging Anglo-American leadership to right the global economy was overshadowed by suggestions in the British press that Brown had been snubbed by U.S. President Barack Obama.
Brown had hoped to coordinate policy with the U.S. administration ahead of a crucial economic summit he is chairing next month, but he returned to London with no apparent commitments from the White House.
The British leader saturated his public appearances with traditional devotion to Britain's "special relationship" with the United States. He hoped that as the first European leader to visit the new American president in the White House, he would convey an image of statesmanship in a time of trouble.
UK press offended
But the stagecraft was upset by interpretations of protocol when the British press seized on the White House's choice of a forum for the joint appearance Tuesday. Some in London took offense because while Brown's office said there would be a news conference, the White House called it a "pool spray," a term referring to a briefer, less formal session with reporters. The White House said no slight was intended, but press reports concluded that Obama did not view British relations as so special.
"The British press has a sort of paranoia about how U.S. presidents treat British prime ministers and are always ready to pounce on anything that can be perceived as a slight on the special history," said Reginald Dale, a fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
After Brown's speech on Wednesday, Obama telephoned the British leader. "The President congratulated the Prime Minister on his speech to Congress and expressed his appreciation for a very productive visit," the White House said. With renewed attention to sensitivity, the statement also said Obama thanked Brown for gifts and noted that one was now displayed in the Oval office.
Despite the distractions, Brown came off well in a confident address to a joint meeting of Congress, an invitation reserved for America's closest allies. Brown projected optimism in the face of economic turmoil. He predicted that the global economy could double in size over the next 20 years as billions of people move from being producers to consumers.
Criticism at home
This ballooning market, Brown argued, presents unprecedented opportunities, so long as governmental leaders understand that their economic policies are felt all over the world.
"Should we succumb to a race to the bottom and a protectionism that history tells us that, in the end, protects no one?" Brown asked members of the House and Senate. "No," he declared. "We should have the confidence that we can seize the opportunities ahead and make the future work for us," Brown added.
The prime minister's address was the first by a foreign leader since President Barack Obama took office. It came as both Brown and Obama struggle to increase investor confidence and repair damage to markets battered by the U.S. housing crisis.
It also came as Brown, who trails the conservative opposition in British opinion polls, was looking for his own political boost. Supporters had hoped his appearance this week with the popular U.S. president and his plans to lead an international economic summit next month would help shore up support for his job performance.
Despite a warm reception in Washington, Brown's remarks drew swift rebukes back home. Vince Cable, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the prime minister should be focused on domestic problems rather than trying to win favor with Americans. "The prime minister spent over a decade actively promoting a financial system devoid of morality and cuddling up to the bankers who have caused this crisis, so his newfound desire for moral markets smacks of hypocrisy," Cable said.
William Hague, former leader of the Conservative party, said Brown was right to remind Americans to work together against protectionism and other top priorities. "What was missing was any sense of contrition for past mistakes and an ability to translate words into action," he said.