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March 4, 2009

British Prime Minister Addresses US Congress
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Gordon Brown says US and Britain must avoid protectionism and restore
their 'faith in the future' with investments in new products, services
and technologies 
Prime Minister Gordon Brown at British Embassy in Washington, D.C., 03
Mar 2009British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged U.S. lawmakers to
rally the rest of the world behind a combined effort to tackle the
global economic crisis. Addressing a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress
Wednesday, Mr. Brown repeated his call for an international
restructuring of financial systems, which he has termed a "global New
Deal".He said countries can achieve more by working together. He called
for worldwide rules to govern banks, and global cooperation on stimulus
plans and reduction of interest rates. The prime minister said the U.S.
and Britain, especially, must avoid protectionism and restore their
"faith in the future" with investments in new products, services and
technologies to build prosperity, create jobs and reverse the downturn.
He said the two nations must remember the poorest and least powerful of
the world and make them their first priority in responding to the
economic crisis!
 .Mr. Brown praised American leadership throughout the years and renewed
Britain's commitment to working with the U.S., calling the partnership
between the two nations "unbreakable." The prime minister promised
Britain's continued support in Afghanistan and Iraq to ensure there is
no safe haven for terrorists. He said Britain will work "tirelessly"
with the U.S. as partners for peace between the Israelis and
Palestinians. He also addressed Iran, saying the U.S. and Britain have a
"shared message" to the Islamic republic to cease its threats and
suspend its nuclear program. In his speech, Mr. Brown also urged the
U.S. to lead efforts to fight climate change. He called for investments
in environmental technology to end what he called "the dictatorship of
oil." Mr. Brown is only the fifth British prime minister to speak to
both houses of the U.S. Congress. His address came a day after he met
with U.S. President Barack Obama on economic issues. Both leaders
emphasized the need!
  to reform regulatory structures and renewed their countries' commitme
nt to working together. The prime minister's visit to Washington is
aimed at laying the groundwork for the G-20 meeting in London in April,
which will involve representatives from the world's leading developed
and emerging economies. Mr. Brown is the first European leader to meet
with Mr. Obama since the president took office in January. 


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