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UK prime minister heads to US with optimistic message

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown headed to the US for a four-day visit with an optimistic message — claiming that coordinated efforts to shore up the world economy can reinforce ties between Europe and Washington that were frayed by the Iraq War.

Despite a gloomy financial outlook and domestic complaints over his response to the global credit crunch, Brown said he believes that London and Washington can enjoy a new decade of growth.

The British leader, who arrives in the US late on Tuesday with his wife, Sarah, for his second visit there since replacing Tony Blair last June, is seeking to rekindle ties with Washington.

He offered praise for all three prospective presidential candidates before his visit, but specifically backed Senator Hillary Clinton’s plans on the economy.

After a first meeting with US President George W. Bush in July, Brown said he hopes he can help strengthen US and Europe ties, aiming to lead work on tackling spiraling food and fuel prices, reform global institutions and combat climate change.

“I feel I can bring Europe and America closer together for the future,” Brown said, in an interview with CBS News broadcast on Tuesday.

“That will be to the advantage of all of us, to deal with economic problems, climate change and help make for a more peaceful world in the future. I see huge opportunities in the next few years for Europe and America to work more closely together,” he said.

The men will hold White House talks, and a Rose Garden news conference, on Thursday, with the British leader eager to underline his enthusiasm for the US.

“I’m very pro-American, and I’ve always been so,” Brown told CBS. “Ours is a very special relationship. I feel that America and Britain can achieve so much in the next few years.”

Brown hopes to meet with John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, and Democratic party rivals Barack Obama and Clinton in Washington today.

He praised McCain and Obama in his CBS News interview, but acknowledged he is a longtime ally of Clinton, saying she has made strong arguments on how to deal with the economic downturn.
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