British PM hails Bush's leadershipJuly 30, 2007
GORDON Brown last night
praised George Bush for leading the global war on terror ? saying the world owed America a huge debt.
The Prime Minister vowed to take Winston Churchill?s lead and make Britain?s ties with America even stronger.
Mr Brown stunned critics by THANKING President Bush for the fight against Islamic extremism, and insisted the UK-US relationship will be his No1 foreign policy priority.
He said on his first visit to the President?s US retreat at Camp David: ?Winston Churchill spoke of the ?joint inheritance? of our two countries.?
The PM said that meant ?a joint inheritance not just of shared history but shared values founded on a shared destiny?.
He added: ?America has shown by the resilience and bravery of its people from September 11 that while buildings can be destroyed, values are indestructable.
?We acknowledge the debt the world owes to the US for its leadership in this fight against international terrorism.?
Mr Brown?s two-day summit is his most important diplomatic hurdle.
He must show the Americans he is every bit as trustworthy with the Special Relationship as Tony Blair.
Washington feared he would weaken ties over the Iraq War and rising anti-Americanism in the Labour Party and Europe.
The appointment of the anti-US Lord Malloch Brown as a Foreign Office minister has been a major headache.
But the PM stressed America and Britain will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder.
He said: ?I have always been an Atlanticist and a great admirer of the American spirit of enterprise and national purpose and commitment to opportunity to all.
?And as Prime Minister I want to do more to strengthen even further our relationship with the US.?
Last night he and Mr Bush had dinner at Camp David. Today they will be joined by Foreign Secretary David Miliband and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
They will discuss the pullout of British troops from Iraq, though Mr Brown will stress he does not intend to speed it up.
Mr Bush will get the thumbs-up from Mr Brown for taking a tough line on Iran over its nuclear programme.
The pair will also take a fresh look at the Darfur crisis.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007350097,00.html
