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Obama meets Brown

London: U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama wound up his week-long overseas tour with a flying visit to Britain on Saturday, providing Prime Minister Gordon Brown with a much-needed distraction from the political crisis he is facing in the wake of Labour Party’s catastrophic defeat in a crucial parliamentary by-election. After a two-hour meeting with Mr. Brown, which included a carefully choreographed stroll in a public park behind Downing Street, Mr. Obama emphasised the importance of British-U.S. relations in what was seen as an attempt to respond to speculation about the future of the controversial “special relationship” that led the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to join the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Compared with the “rock star” reception Mr. Obama got in Berlin, his London visit was a low-key affair. He made no public appearance and gave no media interviews. His only interaction with the British media was a brief chat on the steps of Downing Street after his meeting with Mr. Brown. Even as he spoke, a crowd gathered outside the gates of Downing Street trying to catch a glimpse of America’s putative next President. Some called out his name and said they wanted him to win.

Mr. Obama said he had a “terrific” meeting with Mr. Brown and discussed a wide-range of issues, including the situation in West Asia, terrorism, climate change and the difficulties in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said a strong trans-Atlantic relationship was important to deal effectively with these issues.

Thanking Britain for its support to conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr. Obama said: “I know that the troops here in Great Britain have borne a heavy price for wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan and I think the American people are grateful for all the help that has been provided.”

Mr. Obama also met Mr. Blair, who is now the international West Asia envoy, and Tory leader David Cameron.

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