Brown And Mbeki Talks Cancelled
Talks between Prime Minister Gordon Brown and South African President Thabo Mbeki have been cancelled today, British officials said.
The two men had been expected to meet at the United Nations headquarters in New York ahead of today's Security Council debate on peace-keeping in Africa
It had been thought Gordon Brown would press Mr Mbeki to use his influence with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, encouraging him accept the outcome of his country's disputed elections.
Earlier on his three-day visit to the US, Gordon Brown hailed the strength of the "special relationship" between Britain and America - and said it will continue to grow in the years to come.
Speaking on ABC's Good Morning America show, Mr Brown said: "It is a very special relationship, very special partnership, of peoples as well as governments."
And he insisted the bond will stay firm no matter who becomes the next President.
During the ABC interview Mr Brown refused to be drawn over his intentions for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, insisting that any future decisions depended on the situation on the ground.
He then headed to the UN headquarters where he will take part in a Security Council debate on peacekeeping operations in Africa.
The main focus of Mr Brown's visit is the worsening state of the global economy in the face of the international credit crunch.
He will be meeting senior Wall Street bankers later today to discuss the situation before holding talks tomorrow with President Bush at the White House.
Things have not been running smoothly for the Prime Minister during his trip, especially as he is being overshadowed by the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI on his first visit to the US.
Acting foreign editor of the Washington Times, Willis Witter told Sky News: "The main problem is the timing. Any foreign leader who comes when the Pope is here isn't going to get a whole lot of attention."
The Prime Minister also faces the task of shaking off memories of his predecessor who was regarded with affection by many in the US.
And an unscientific poll of pedestrians near the White House suggests the Prime Minister's team has its work cut out: over three quarters of those asked to identify his picture failed to recognise him.
Source: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91211-1313008,00.html
Note: G. Brown's arrival 'sans gloire' is intentional; As Tony Blair converted to Catholicism when he stepped down as Prime Minister, last year. Therefore, so as to not add any suspicion to the miraculous coincidence of the current Prime Minister of Britain and the Bishop of Rome. What a front? These people must think we're sleeping? Can you also see a pattern here, like I do? Can you see why he'd make a low-profile arrival?