Brown issues coded warning to the U.S. over aggressive foreign policy
13th July 2007
Daily Mail
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has raised eyebrows in Washington by apearing to move away from Blair's foreign policy
Gordon Brown has taken a decisive step away from Tony Blair's foreign policy agenda by criticising U.S. interventions abroad.
In a carefully coded speech in Washington, one of the Prime Minister's most trusted allies said it was vital the White House 'reached out to the world'.
Douglas Alexander used the Brown Government's first major international speech to warn George Bush of the dangers of pursuing a unilateralist foreign policy.
The International Development Secretary stressed the importance of working with other countries to tackle key global development issues including poverty, climate change and extremism.
Addressing the independent Council of Foreign Relations think-tank in Washington, he emphasised the UK was keen to maintain its 'special relationship' with the U.S. But he warned the U.S. that it could no longer use military force to get its way on the world stage, pointing out that a country's strength could no longer be 'measured in what they could destroy'.
Brown henchman: Douglas Alexander
"In the 21st century strength should be measured by what we can build together," he said. "And so we must form new alliances, based on common values, ones not just to protect us from the world but ones which reach out to the world."
Mr Alexander urged the U.S. not to shun the United Nations, whose backing President Bush and Mr Blair failed to secure before launching the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
He said: "Just as we need the rule of law at home to have civilisation, so we need rules abroad to ensure global civilisation."
But he reiterated the importance of the U.S. in world affairs, adding: "There are few global challenges that do not require the active engagement of the United States."
He said it was crucial to adopt new policies, alliances and priorities that 'do not just protect us from the world - but reach out to the world'.
Earlier this week, Mr Brown sparked concern in Washington by sending out the 'wrong' signals - according to U.S. officials - when he acknowledged the 'failures at the beginning of the war'.
Labour MPs have hinted that Mr Bush's difficulties with Congress on Iraq will make it easier for Britain to withdraw troops.
Mr Brown has raised eyebrows on Capitol Hill with his appointment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of Lord Malloch-Brown - a critic of Mr Bush in his previous job at the UN.
dailymail.co.uk
13th July 2007
Daily Mail
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has raised eyebrows in Washington by apearing to move away from Blair's foreign policy
Gordon Brown has taken a decisive step away from Tony Blair's foreign policy agenda by criticising U.S. interventions abroad.
In a carefully coded speech in Washington, one of the Prime Minister's most trusted allies said it was vital the White House 'reached out to the world'.
Douglas Alexander used the Brown Government's first major international speech to warn George Bush of the dangers of pursuing a unilateralist foreign policy.
The International Development Secretary stressed the importance of working with other countries to tackle key global development issues including poverty, climate change and extremism.
Addressing the independent Council of Foreign Relations think-tank in Washington, he emphasised the UK was keen to maintain its 'special relationship' with the U.S. But he warned the U.S. that it could no longer use military force to get its way on the world stage, pointing out that a country's strength could no longer be 'measured in what they could destroy'.
Brown henchman: Douglas Alexander
"In the 21st century strength should be measured by what we can build together," he said. "And so we must form new alliances, based on common values, ones not just to protect us from the world but ones which reach out to the world."
Mr Alexander urged the U.S. not to shun the United Nations, whose backing President Bush and Mr Blair failed to secure before launching the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
He said: "Just as we need the rule of law at home to have civilisation, so we need rules abroad to ensure global civilisation."
But he reiterated the importance of the U.S. in world affairs, adding: "There are few global challenges that do not require the active engagement of the United States."
He said it was crucial to adopt new policies, alliances and priorities that 'do not just protect us from the world - but reach out to the world'.
Earlier this week, Mr Brown sparked concern in Washington by sending out the 'wrong' signals - according to U.S. officials - when he acknowledged the 'failures at the beginning of the war'.
Labour MPs have hinted that Mr Bush's difficulties with Congress on Iraq will make it easier for Britain to withdraw troops.
Mr Brown has raised eyebrows on Capitol Hill with his appointment to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of Lord Malloch-Brown - a critic of Mr Bush in his previous job at the UN.
dailymail.co.uk