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Cameron endorses Obama’s re-election campaign
March 23, 2012
David Cameron lavishing praise on Mr. Barrack Obama during his visit to the US last week has been taken by the local media as an endorsement of his re-election campaign. At state dinner, Cameron has been reported of toasting to his guest that he had pressed ‘reset button’ on the moral authority of the entire free world. His aids at the Downing Street, however, shrugged off the notion that the premier had actually taken sides in American politics.
Apart from the fact that Cameron did not follow the precedent set by Tony Blair and did not meet the presidential candidates of the Republican Party, what has become abundantly clear is that UK considers itself as the closest ally of the US. By every account Cameron’s visit was a desperate effort to send, back and forth, the impression that Britain shares the vision with a country which is going to reshape the world as per its liberal credentials.
Britain’s awkward position in the European Union whereby it stands alone on the issue of transforming the regional body into a fiscal union certainly is hurting for its leadership. This country carries no weight at the headquarters of the EU right now. The rising petroleum prices, thanks to the mayhem in the Middle East, have slowdown its economic growth besides adding to the vows of households which find now quite difficult to fill their cars. And none but Mr. Cameron has to find a way out — he happens to lead a unity government.
EU is also mindful of the rising oil prices and probably is in great haste to take the Arab Spring to its logical end but America is in no hurry. While the regional body is tightening noose around Tehran on the nuclear issue, America seems relaxed and contented with the status quo; it has rather persuaded Israel not indulge in the adventure of attacking Iran on its own. On Syria, America has virtually ruled out any chance of treating Syria like Libya. Not surprisingly there is a deadlock and the country is sinking deep in civil war. One other possibility for the EU is to take on board Russia but one should think twice while thinking that the world will move so easily to a direction which America does not want it to.
Cameron’s sojourn to America may be regarded by his critics as fruitless exercise but actually he had ‘discussed’ some very important things with his host. One is the extradition treaty which he wanted to sign; other was about releasing the world oil stocks to ease prices. What is the outcome of these talks is matter of speculation but talks may continue and make part of the agenda of their next meeting. Such meetings have international significance and Britain has to remain in international limelight after its humiliation at the hands of France and Germany over the issue of transforming EU.
Russia, where presidential elections become prize for Vladimir Putin, must be another country which would want to be at friendly terms with the United States of America. For Obama is much acceptable to Putin, who is going to assume the charge of president in May, than the likes of Bush who once wanted to build a missile shield around Russia through its NATO allies in Eastern Europe. To lesion the damage of Pakistan cutting supply routes for NATO contingents in Afghanistan, Russia has offered US the airbases on its soil.
Turkey, a fast emerging medium-sized power in Middle East, is another staunch ally of the US. This country’s success has come on the heels of the EU’s constant refusal to admit it into the regional bloc. And it is that ready to take up the role of regional power: practicing so far the policy of ‘zero problem with neighbors’ it has been a part of change in its neighborhood after the birth of Arab Spring.
As for Britain, its prime ministers have always been warmly welcomed in Washington. This country has never been slack in supporting the US military missions abroad, Afghanistan and Iraq being recent examples. It is matter of fact that once Britain was leader of the democratic and free world but, after losing imperialistic orientations, it handed over the torch to none but the US. Cameron’s terming Obama wise in building soft power for America and equating him with Republican predecessor Theodor Roosevelt — who launched fight against inequality like he is doing now — did mean frankness and a high degree of personal friendship with Mr. Obama.
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