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Brown Sends Mixed Signals in Talks with Bush

British PM affirms shared values, remains muted on Iraq

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Jul 30, 2007 5:02 PM CDT
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(Newser) – On his first US visit as PM, Gordon Brown today reaffirmed that the US and the UK stand together in the war on terrorism. Wrapping up 2 days of meetings with President Bush, Brown expressed disappointment with progress in Iraq, CNN reports, specifically noting difficulty "getting political reconciliation within Iraq" and the slow progress toward reconstruction.

Bush took a personal approach at a joint press conference at Camp David, the Guardian reports, while Brown was more standoffish. He raised the possibility of redeploying UK troops in Basra in an "overwatch"role. In an op-ed in today's Washington Post, the PM steered clear of the hot-button phrase "war on terror" and referred instead to the "war against humanity."

President Bush, right, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown give a joint news conference at Camp David, Md., Monday, July 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush, right, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown give a joint news conference at Camp David, Md., Monday, July 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
President Bush, right, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown participate in a joint press availability at Camp David, Md., Monday, July 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush, right, and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown participate in a joint press availability at Camp David, Md., Monday, July 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
President Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown shake hands at the end of a joint press availability at Camp David, Md., Monday, July 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
President Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown shake hands at the end of a joint press availability at Camp David, Md., Monday, July 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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PM floats the possibility of withdrawal
Guardian (UK)

"On the key issue of Iraq, Brown's position is the position of a huge majority of Americans"
Talking Points Memo

Brown's op-ed in the Post
Washington Post

"It was almost as if, for Bush, Tony Blair was still there singing backup"
Washington Post

 
Gordon Brown • troop withdrawal • British troops • Iraq war • George W. Bush

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