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Special Friendship With US Is Unbreakable, Says British PM

Emily Henry |
March 4, 2009 | 10:15 a.m. PST

Senior Opinion Editor
Gordon Brown and Barack Obama
British PM Gordon Brown, pictured with President Obama in 2008, visited
Washington this week. He is the first European leader to visit the White House under
the Obama administration. (Flckr: Barack Obama)

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown addressed congress yesterday,
stating that "America's faith in the future" is an "inspiration to the
whole world." 

Brown also announced the honorary Knighthood of Sen. Ted
Kennedy (D-Mass.) on behalf of the Queen. Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer, was not present at Brown's address. 
"Northern Ireland today is at peace,"
he said. "More Americans have health care, children around the world are
going to school, and for all those things we owe a great debt to the
life and courage of Senator Edward Kennedy."
Brown thanked President Barack Obama for "his leadership, his friendship, and
for giving the whole world renewed hope in itself." Brown called
America "the irrepressable nation," for its ability to lead
"insurrections in the human imagination" and for the belief that there
is "no such thing as an impossible endeavour."

"It is never possible to come here without having your faith in the future renewed," said Brown.

The British prime minister is the first European leader to visit the
White House under the Obama administration, and Brown dedicated his
congressional address to honoring a friendship that has been "formed
and forged over two tumultuous centuries." Brown also stressed that the
relationship between Great Britain and the United States is "not an alliance of
convenience, but a partnership of purpose."

"Alliances can wither or be destroyed, but partnerships of purpose are
indestructible, said Brown. "Friendships can be shaken, but our friendship is
unshakeable. Treaties can be broken but our partnership is unbreakable.
And I know there is no power on earth than can drive us apart."

Some of the significant points made in Brown's address:

  • Brown thanked America for its valor in World War II:

"Throughout a whole century the American people stood liberty's
ground not just in one world war but in two. And I want you to know
that we will never forget the sacrifice and
service of the American soldiers who gave their lives for people whose
names they never knew, and whose faces they never saw, and yet people
who have lived in freedom thanks to the bravery and valour of the
Americans who gave the 'last full measure of devotion.'"

  • Brown promised to continue to aid global anti-terrorism efforts:

"And let me promise you our continued support to ensure there is no
hiding place for terrorists, no safe haven for terrorism. You should be
proud that in the hard years since 2001 you have shown that while
terrorists may destroy buildings and even, tragically, lives, they have
not, and will not ever, destroy the American spirit."

  • Brown noted that the U.K. and the U.S. will continue to work in partnership for peace in the Middle East:

"We will work tirelessly with you as partners for peace in the Middle
East: for a two state solution that provides for nothing less than a
secure Israel safe within its borders existing side by side with a
viable Palestinian state."

  • Brown extended a "shared message" to Iran:

"And our shared message to Iran is simple - we are ready for you to
rejoin the world community. But first, you must cease your threats and
suspend your nuclear programme. And we will work tirelessly with all
those in the international community who are ready to reduce the threat
of nuclear proliferation."
 

  • Brown referred to the "economic hurricane" sweeping the world:

"We need to understand what went wrong in this crisis, that the very
financial instruments that were designed to diversify risk across the
banking system instead spread contagion across the globe. And today's
financial institutions are so interwoven that a bad bank anywhere is a
threat to good banks everywhere."

  • Brown asked for both countries to avoid "protectionism:"

"So should we succumb to a race to the bottom and a protectionism that
history tells us that, in the end, protects no-one? No. We should have
the confidence that we can seize the opportunities ahead and make the
future work for us."

  • Brown asked America to "seize the moment" and work more closely with Europe:

"You now have the most pro-American European leadership in living
memory. A leadership that wants to cooperate more closely together, in
order to cooperate more closely with you. There is no old Europe, no
new Europe, there is only your friend Europe."

To watch the entire speech, visit the BBC.



 

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