President Obama on Wednesday declared the American-British alliance “indispensable” in leading a swiftly transforming world even as economic difficulties and new emerging national powers threaten to diminish the standing of the Western duo on the global stage. “Even as more nations take on the responsibilities of global leadership,” Obama said, “our alliance will remain indispensable to the goal of a century that is more peaceful, more prosperous and more just. After a difficult decade that began with war and ended in recession, our nations have arrived at a pivotal moment once more.”
Obama became the first U.S. president to speak from Westminster Hall, where the British Parliament politely welcomed him. He used the speech to defend accomplishments of the Old Guard and to declare that both nations will need to adapt to rapidly emerging powers like China and India.
“Perhaps, the argument goes, these nations represent the future, and the time for our leadership has passed,” he said. “That argument is wrong. The time for our leadership is now.”
Pointing to the political upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa and the NATO-led bombing of Libya, Obama pledged that U.S. and British troops would remain on call to assist democracy-seeking nations.
He also highlighted a recovering economy, the draw down of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and the U.S.-led killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden as proof that the two countries continue to positively influence an increasingly interconnected world.
In the middle of a weeklong trip to shore up support with longtime allies, the president also sought to reassure the European public that America, like many of its economically distressed partners, was committed to living within its means.
“Our challenge is to meet these obligations while ensuring that we’re not consuming — and hence consumed with — a level of debt that could sap the strength and vitality of our economies,” Obama said. “And that will require difficult choices and it will require different paths for both of our countries.”
Earlier in the day, Obama joined British Prime Minister David Cameron in a joint press conference in which the duo vowed to keep pressure on Moammar Gadhafi’s forces in Libya. He once again called the ouster of the embattled leader inevitable.
Wednesday marked the midpoint of a four-country visit that will take Obama to France for an economic summit on Thursday before concluding with discussions among Eastern European allies this weekend.
The values-heavy address to Britain’s elected body, however, was billed by White House officials as the “anchor” of Obama’s overseas trip.
As such, it was filled with tributes to the Arab Spring, embraced by Obama and Cameron but also politically uncertain for the two allies as they watch to see who will fill the leadership vacuum in a number of Middle Eastern and African nations.
“Let there be no doubt: The United States and United Kingdom stand squarely on the side of those who long to be free,” Obama vowed. “And now, we must show that we will back up those words with deeds. That means investing in the future of those nations that transition to democracy … by deepening ties of trade and commerce, by helping them demonstrate that freedom brings prosperity.”
