Obama dumps Brown for Balir
Gordon Brown who has prided himself on his ‘friendship’ with the US president Obama maybe feeling a little bit neglected. Barack Obama has arranged to meet Tony Blair ahead of Gordon Brown when the US President arrives in Britian. Mr Obama will fly into Britain for a meeting at his London hotel with Mr Blair first to discuss the Middle East. He will then meet with Gordon Brown the following day at Downing Street but has declined to take part in a televised press conference with the Prime Minister. Downing Street appears cool about the Democratic senator’s schedule, but privately they must be dismayed that Mr Blair has upstaged his successor.
To add insult to injury, it has been revealed that President Obama has cancelled a full-on two hour press conference with the British PM in favour of a short 30 minute long Q&A with journalists instead. Reasons for this snub are not yet certain, although is has been alleged that the recent snow falls is one possible excuse. No reason was given as to why the press conference couldnt happen else where, or even in the White House.
The Guardian reported that Brown’s officials have tried to play down the snub, and gave this statement.
Brown intends to persuade Obama that America needs to swing behind the prime minister’s plan to reform international financial regulation and clean up debt-ridden banks. Brown was accorded the rare honour of being invited to address a joint session of Congress tomorrow.
Cheer up Gordon, theres always the French.
