Downing Street Says » Washington Visit Talks

Asked what the themes of the Prime Minister’s Mansion House Speech would be, the Prime Minister’s Official Spokesman (PMOS) replied that it would be a reflection of the Prime Minister’s view of why the relationship with America, Europe and the evolving world scene was important. It was imperative that the US and Europe worked together. It would also reflect the opportunity to seize the moment in the Middle East, which was something he talked about in his press conference with President Bush.

Asked about President Bush’s attitude to European relations and whether these would be brought up during his trip in February, the PMOS said that it would be a significant visit, and would focus on the EU and NATO. Any further details about the trip would come out over the next few weeks. The PMOS said that what was important was a willingness to reach out to Europe, and vice versa. There was clearly a role, for both the US and Europe, to help move the Palestinian/Israeli situation forward, with both sides playing different, yet complementary roles.

Asked how the roles were defined, the PMOS said that what was important was to discuss what they together could achieve, as clearly, there were different spheres of influence. In terms of organising the roles, however, this was something that would be set out over the coming weeks.

Asked if the Prime Minister was told that Colin Powell would be visiting the West Bank during his recent trip to Washington, the PMOS replied that he was aware, and that the Foreign Secretary was also travelling next week in the same area.

Asked if there was any reason to believe that people should conclude from Colin Powell’s visit to the West Bank that he was going to be confirmed in this office, the PMOS replied that he did not comment on reshuffles in this jurisdiction, and was therefore, certainly not going to comment on anyone else’s either.

Asked if the Prime Minister wanted to contemplate any delay with the elections in Iraq, the PMOS said that the whole emphasis of Prime Minister Allawi, President Bush and the Prime Minister was to push ahead with the Iraqi Elections. The difficulties, however, were not being caused by the Iraqi government, President Bush, or the British government, but by insurgents trying to stop the elections.

The insurgents knew that once the Iraqi government had the mandate of the Iraqi people behind it, they would be seen as the wreckers they are. What the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister had said in a report was that the Iraqi government was committed to push against the insurgents, and was aiming for an election to be held on schedule.

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» Monday, November 15, 2004

Washington Visit Talks

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