Obama and Rudd get down to Business

Obama, Rudd get down to business

January 28, 2009 – 11:46AM

Pickign up the phone … Barack Obama has called Kevin Rudd.
Photo: AP

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Prime Minister Kevin Rudd discussed the global economic crisis and the need for coordinated action in a phone conversation today with new US President Barack Obama.

It is the first time the two leaders have spoken since Mr Obama’s inauguration last week.

Mr Obama telephoned Mr Rudd early on Wednesday and the two discussed a range of areas, but the issue of whether the US would request that Australia provide more troops in Afghanistan was not raised, a spokeswoman said.

She said the pair discussed the global recession and the need for coordinated action through effective fiscal stimulus during a 25-minute conversation.

The spokeswoman said Mr Obama thanked Australia for its contribution in Afghanistan.

“The two leaders reconfirmed the closeness of the Australia-US alliance and foreshadowed an even more active partnership into the future,” she said.

They also discussed closer cooperation on climate change and agreed both countries should work closely together in preparation for the next United Nations meeting on the post-Kyoto framework in Copenhagen later this year.

The leaders also discussed the importance of nuclear non-proliferation and agreed they would cooperate in efforts to reinforce the international non-proliferation regime, the spokeswoman said.

She said there were no immediate plans for Mr Rudd to visit the new president in Washington DC.

AAP

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Within a week of becoming President, Obama is quickly reaching out to the world to forge ties and mend relations. It is good to see how quickly he has been in contact with our Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. The US and Australia have always shared close ties, and its good to see Obama recognising the importance of the roll that Australia plays both on the international stage and AU, US relations.

In this ever globalising world we hope that the two leaders build on these ties and take some positive stances and actions against overwhelming events such as climate change and the economic crisis.

We hope Obama pays us a visit soon “Down under”.

SimonJ

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