Brown and Bush bond at Camp David

A poll last week suggested that by 71% to 15% the British people hoped for more distance in the UK-US relationship but there was little distancing on show at today's Bush-Brown press conference.  The spirit shared by the two leaders was captured in responses to a final question about what might have changed in the special relationship since Tony Blair had left 10 Downing Street.  George W Bush paid tribute to America's "most important bilateral relationship"  and to the optimism and character of Mr Brown.  Gordon Brown's remarks were much less personal but he emphasised that he hoped for a strengthening of the UK-US relationship in the years to come.

"PRESIDENT BUSH: Besides toothpaste? (Laughter.) You want to -- I'll start.    Look, any time you share values the way we share values, it makes it easy to have strategic conversations; it makes it easy to be able to have common ground on which to deal with these problems. You just listed off a lot of problems.    I happen to view them as great opportunities to begin to put conditions in place so that the world looks fundamentally different 50 years from now.

But I would say that the relationship between Great Britain and America is our most important bilateral relationship, for a lot of reasons -- trade. Great Britain has been attacked, we've been attacked, which caused us to lash up our intelligence services like never before. We have common interests throughout the world.

But it's an important relationship primarily because we think the same. We believe in freedom and justice as fundamentals of life. There's no doubt in my mind that freedom is universal; that freedom is a gift to each man, woman and child on the face of the earth, and that with freedom comes peace.    And there's no doubt in my mind those of us who live under free societies have an obligation to work together to promote it. 

And the man I listened to shares that same sense of morality, and that same sense of obligation -- not to free others, but to create the conditions so others can realize the blessings of freedom. We can't impose freedom, but we can eliminate roadblocks to freedom, and to allow free societies to develop. And it's really hard work, you know?  There's a lot of cynics saying, how dare they; how dare they impose U.S. or Great British values. And what I found was a man who understands that these aren't Great British and U.S. values, these are universal values.

And so what was your question?    (Laughter.)

Q What's changed?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Oh, what's changed? He's a Scotsman, kind of a -- he's not the dour Scotsman that you described him, or the awkward Scotsman; he's actually the humorous Scotsman, the guy that -- we actually were able to relax and to share some thoughts. I was very interested in his family life. He's a man who has suffered unspeakable tragedy, and instead of that weakening his soul, strengthened his soul.

I was impressed, and I am confident that we'll be able to keep our relationship strong, healthy, vibrant, and that there will be constant communications as we deal with these problems.    As I said, he's a problem-solver. And that's what we need as partners. We've got a lot of problems we're dealing with, and we can reach solutions. He's a glass-half-full man, not a glass-half-empty guy, you know? Some of these world leaders say, oh, the problems are so significant, let us retreat; let us not take them on, they're too tough. That's not Gordon Brown. His attitude is, I see a problem, let's work together to solve it.    And for that, I'm grateful.

PRIME MINISTER BROWN: What President Bush has said is both very compassionate and reflects the conversation we had about a whole series of issues that we can deal with together.

I think your understanding, if I may say so, of Scotland was enhanced by the fact that you went to Scotland, you told me, at the age of 14, and had to sit through very long Presbyterian Church services in which you didn't understand a word of what the minister was actually saying. (Laughter.) So I think you came to a better understanding of the Scottish contribution to the United Kingdom from that.

Adam, you asked about the single-most important bilateral relationship for Britain, and I think President Bush has answered that, that that is the view of the United States, as well. Call it the special relationship; call it, as Churchill did, the joint inheritance; call it when we meet as a form of homecoming, as President Reagan did -- then you see the strength of this relationship, as I've said, is not just built on the shared problems that we have to deal with together, or on the shared history that is built, as President Bush has just said, on shared values. And these are values that he rightly says are universal.    They're the belief in the dignity of the individual, the freedom and liberty that we can bring to the world, and a belief that everyone -- everyone -- should have the chance of opportunity.

And I do see this relationship strengthening in the years to come, because it is the values that we believe in that I think will have the most impact as we try to solve the problems that we face right across the world. And in a sense, the battle that we are facing with international terrorism is a battle between our values, which stress the dignity of every individual, and those who would maim and murder, irrespective of faith, indifferent to human life, often simply for propaganda effect, and of course with devastating effects, both on the communities that they claim to represent and the whole world.

So I want to stress the values that we hold in common, not in an abstract way, but in a very positive and concrete way, because I think the more we debate these issues about how the world would be organized to face international terrorism, the more we come back to the values that unite decent, hardworking people right across the world, whatever their faith, whatever their country, whatever their continent.

And it's been a privilege to be able to have these discussions with the President about how we can deal with all these challenges by applying not just our values, but applying the strength that comes from the strong relationship that exists between our two countries."

The full transcript can be read here on the White House site.

Comments

[bundyfan]

71%! Wow! If you asked the average American if he thought the U.S. should be more distanced from Britain I'm quite certain the number wouldn't even register. Maybe .0001% tops.

But Brown's comments are reassuring. I hope it isn't merely lip-service.

[atheling]

bundyfan:

The percentage would be higher now. It would register, because Americans are fed up with Euroweenie backstabbers.

We don't share the same values anymore.

[bundyfan]

Well, the .0001% has spoken.

[atheling]

LOL, the "statistic" you cite is merely your own opinion. Want to hear from more?

[Capt. Jack Sparrow]

I think I agree with that .001% would be the proper number.

[Kevin Sampson]

You'd be wrong.

[Simon Newman]

Plenty of Americans are anti-British, notably many Irish Americans, and others remain suspicious of Britain for historical reasons. We did burn your White House you know. >:)

[JF]

The isolationists, communists, terrorist sympathizers, and those tired of the British "what's in it for me?" attitude would certainly welcome more distance from Britain, but I think the number is closer to 10% than 0.0001%.

I often find myself drifting into the last camp above, wishing that Britain would just get it over with, sever ties with the US, and fully embrace the EUSSR. However, as a neoconservative, I find it hard to stomach the idea that Britain would sacrifice its own democracy and liberty to be ruled by unelected eurocrats in Brussels simply to teach the United States a lesson (after all, how could it be in Britain's interests to trade the US for the EU?). The USSR lasted 70 years, but the EU has seen 50 years and continues to grow. I fear if Britain subsumes itself into the EUSSR, we won't see it again as a distinct entity for another century at least.

The Brown-Bush meeting gives me some hope that Britain will continue to do what's right. It will be interesting to see how the relationship develops once Brown starts meeting with the Democrats.

[bundyfan]

Simon Newman

That's right, you guys set fire to the Capitol Building that houses Congress too. Hmm... Think you could pull that off again?

[Kevin Sampson]

“I find it hard to stomach the idea that Britain would sacrifice its own democracy and liberty to be ruled by unelected eurocrats in Brussels”

I agree, JF. I think it is all going to come down to the new EU ‘non-constitution’ treaty. If it passes, presumably without a referendum, Europe is well and truly screwed.

[S. Baker]

While I have been labeled an eternal optimist, but I would hope that the people in the UK (other than Islamists) would like to see the anglosphere grow closer together rather than further apart. I for one would like to see free trade between the aforementioned countries and the right of citizens to live and work in any of the anglosphere-nations.

[atheling]

I've been an Anglophile all my life. I'm an American of British ancestry and used to be proud of my English heritage.

It's over now. I'm ashamed of Britain, and if my ancestors who came to these shores in 1640 saw what Britain is today, they'd be ashamed too.

The heirs of Shakespeare, Nelson and Churchill have become a race of snivelling, craven and spineless dhimmis.

[Ami]

Capt. Sparrow, bundyfan

You would be absolutely wrong. I think most Americans would be very reluctant to answer the question honestly, though, because of the very strong support from Tony Blair. Americans know that if it wasn't for Blair Britain would not be standing with the United States. We suffer no illusions there. At the same time it is pretty much a given that once TB was gone the last vestiges of a "good relationship" would be gone also. The British behave as if Americans can't read or aren't capable of finding a British newspaper online and are unaware of the rampant anti-Americanism in Britain and Europe. Not so. We are very aware, and it is beginning to take its toll. Would it appear ungracious, at this point, to say that we would like a separation, too, and the sooner the better? As I believe in giving the people what they demand and the British are demanding a separation. Give it to 'em and give it to us as well. We need a breather.

I agree with you, atheling, I think more and more Americans are fed up with Europe, and very few Americans make the distinction between Europe and Britain. One and the same thing.

[Ken Stevens]

S. Baker | July 31, 04:09 PM
"..I would hope that the people in the UK (other than Islamists) would like to see the anglosphere grow closer together rather than further apart..."

Well, there's five of us in my family who would love that to be so!

[bundyfan]

Ami-

Here's my thinking. The left loves England because its England, its Europe. They are so sophisticated over there you know. The left just eats all that culture up. They bask in reflected glory by being Europhiles. Its sickening but that's how they think. Ok so the right in America loves England because of Blair and Britain's steadfast friendship thus far. I really don't think you'll find many "I hate England" people here. Okay some Irish might bare a familial grudge. But the past wars between our two countries I think are not so important anymore. I'm a Son of the American Revolution and I still love my British heritage because I realize that the Founders took thier priniciples largely from thier Anglo-Scottish heritage. I think most conservative Americans think of our cousins that way. I agree with atheling in that we rightwingers don't like the mainstream of Europe or Britian but when I am asked the question "do I want more distance?" I think no I don't and that means I want a more pro-capitalist pro- democratic Britian.

[atheling]

bundyfan:

There are many on the left who dislike Britain. To them, Britain is the poster boy for colonial imperialism. Those who admire Europe only do so because of their affinity with communism and socialism.

[Albanaich]

This has to be one of the funniest sites I've seen in ages.

Meanwhile, in the background, the UK and French are building large, American aircraft carriers and building global GPS systems that are independent of the USA.

I'm afraid there's one agenda for dumb Americans and quite another for those in contact with real news.

[Albanaich]

This has to be one of the funniest sites I've seen in ages.

Meanwhile, in the background, the UK and French are building large, American aircraft carriers and building global GPS systems that are independent of the USA.

I'm afraid there's one agenda for dumb Americans and quite another for those in contact with real news.

[Ami]

Hey Albanaich,

It really wasn't that good a post to be repeated, but as long as you are having fun what else matters?

bundyfan,

I think that the connections between Europe and America are broken. Americans have a rather benign indifference to Europe and Europeans. They are still welcomed here, but perhaps the welcome, while warm and friendly, is not as affectionate as in the past. Being told that you are hated over and over again has that affect.

I like Britain, I like the British. Although, if they were gone tomorrow I would be sad, but not unconsolable. I didn't leave them, they left me.

[Churchill's Parrot]

The "special relationship" between Britain and America was christened thus by Sir Winston in recognition of its being the foundation of Western Civilization i.e. mankind's best and ONLY hope. America without Britain, Britain without America - either scenario diminishes that foundation, that civilization, and that hope. Clearly America is in the lead and - possibly - in the ascent, whereas Britain appears to continue its slow and agonizinig descent into socialist/multi-cultural/atheistic nihilism.

We take heart, however, in some of Brownie's rhetoric and hope that adherance to our common traditions (see below) and respect for our common histories will again revive the West's flagging will.

“We must never cease to proclaim in fearless tones the great principles of freedom and the rights of man which are the joint inheritance of the English-speaking world and which through Magna Carta, the Bill of Rights, the Habeas Corpus, trial by jury, and the English common law find their most famous expression in the American Declaration of Independence.”- Sir Winston Churchill - March 5, 1946

Cheers,

Charlie
www.churchillsparrot.com

[Ami]

Mr. Parrot,

All that you have said (and you have said it quite well, by the way), is true. The only problem is that your people don't want it, and what the people want the people usually get in a free society.

Americans can not do anything about what is being taught in your schools, we can't do anything about what is written in your newspapers, and we can't do anything about what is reported on your news channels. Euro-leftist elitists have convinced even the British people that your future lies away from the US. Combine that with the massive influx of anti-Western immigration and you have the situation that exists today.

I think the people to people contact will remanin fairly good for a time yet, but there won't be anything very special about it. Most Americans are very nice to everyone who visits, regardless of where they are from. While I haven't been to Britain in a few years I understand that most Americans who have have very few problems there. So that may be what is left of the "special relationship" a pleasant place to visit. Poor Winnie.

[atheling]

Charlie,

Those rights that Churchill refers to are eroded in Britain. Britain is a socialist nanny state which does not even allow its subjects (or citizens whichever it is now) to defend themselves in the home if they are attacked.

Britons do not have free speech, the right to bear arms, or a free media. But what the hell, they have free medicine... oops, when their doctors aren't busy trying to blow up airports or clubs...

The British are going by the way of the Eloi in HG Wells' The Time Machine. Who would have thought he was so prescient?

[bundyfan]

Isn't this website evidence of a resurgent patriotism on the part of Britains? I keep reading that England is drawing away from us but the mission of this very forum is to help stop the retreat. It does no good to focus on the negative here. I'd much rather read about opportunities to convince others of the importance our special relationship especially if that means ways get Britain to be pround of herself again.

[malcolm]

The ignorance of Britain and the patronising tones of some American commentators on this blog never ceases to amaze me. I also don't understand why so many of the same commentators seem to be consumed by hideous amounts of self pity (noone likes us!).
Most Britons do not dislike America, huge numbers take their holidays there and most Britons consume significant amounts of American culture through literature, film and music.
And Bundyfan,most Britons I know are proud of their country as I imagine most Americans are proud of theirs.

[atheling]

"Isn't this website evidence of a resurgent patriotism on the part of Britains?"

Doubt it. Have yet to hear anything about their own problems. The focus of this site is to encourage America to be more "likeable" to Euros.

Nuts!