Candidates Canvass Pm's China Nous
The Age
Wednesday April 2, 2008
DEMOCRATIC presidential aspirants Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have praised Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, promising if elected to work closely with him and take advantage of his expertise on China.
In an effusive statement, Senator Obama described Mr Rudd's trip to the United States as a "historic visit during a time of transition for both our nations". The PM has taken the unprecedented step of setting up high-profile talks with all three presidential hopefuls (he was scheduled to meet Republican candidate John McCain before winding up his US visit).Mr Rudd's 40-minute meeting with Senator Clinton was longer than scheduled, and he had a half-hour phone conversation with Senator Obama, who was out of town.Senator Obama told Mr Rudd that if he became president he would like to work with him on future US relations with China and the region. He would also want Australia to "partner" America on climate change.Senator Obama said in his statement that Mr Rudd brought "special skills and experience to this new chapter in US-Australia relations."His progressive domestic policy agenda, innovative realistic diplomacy, and optimistic vision enrich the already solid base of our bilateral dialogue, reminding us that we can accomplish more when we listen to our friends and allies than when we lecture them."Senator Obama recalled during the phone conversation former prime minister John Howard's remark last year that al-Qaeda would be praying for his victory because the senator had urged a troop withdrawal from Iraq. Senator Obama congratulated Mr Rudd on his election win, and recalled passing through Sydney several times in his youth when studying in Indonesia. Senator Clinton said Mr Rudd would "continue to work with the United States to foster the kind of international co-operation we need to tackle the important challenges facing Asia and the world". As they posed for the cameras after the meeting, Mr Rudd was asked whether he stood by the endorsement he gave Senator Clinton during last year's election campaign when he appeared on Rove McManus' TV comedy show. McManus asked him to choose between Barack and Hillary, and Mr Rudd replied: "Hillary". He said yesterday: "I'm a good friend of Senator Clinton."CLINTON ON RUDD "Australia is a valued friend to the United States and we have enjoyed a long history of working together to address issues that affect both our nations.I believe Prime Minister Rudd is a leader who will continue to work with the United States to foster the kind of international co-operation we need to tackle the important challenges facing Asia and the world."OBAMA ON RUDD "His progressive domestic policy agenda, innovative and realistic diplomacy and optimistic vision enrich the already solid base of our bilateral dialogue.In Asia, the quality of our alliance and the scope of our diplomatic partnership shine brightly."
© 2008 The Age