America’s alliance with UK ‘strongest it has ever been’

BRITAIN and America are in the final stages of their combat mission in Afghanistan, Prime Minister David Cameron and US president Barack Obama declared yesterday after talks at the White House.

In what appeared to be a clear signal that the two are committed to accelerating their withdrawal from the war zone, the two leaders confirmed that the mission will be over by 2014.

But in a barely veiled threat to other powers in the Middle East, the two allies also made it clear that they had not ruled out the use of military force to stop Iran obtaining nuclear weapons and removing the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.

Their pronouncements came as both men lavished praise on each other and reaffirmed their commitment to the US-UK relationship, Mr Obama describing it as “essential”, “indispensable” and “the strongest that it has ever been”.

Mr Cameron said: “There are some countries whose alliance is a matter of convenience but ours is a matter of conviction; two states united for freedom and enterprise, working together day in, day out, to defend those values and advance our shared interests.”

The words came after the Prime Minister and wife Samantha were given the red carpet treatment by Mr Obama – including flying on Air Force One to attend a basketball game. They were also treated to a star-studded lunch by vice-president Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State Department and a state banquet at the White House hosted by the president.

At the press conference Mr Obama, who has been criticised by Republican opponents for marginalising Britain, described Mr Cameron as an “outstanding ally, partner and friend”.

The Camerons were earlier welcomed to Washington with an extravagant ceremony at the White House. On a sun-drenched South Lawn, packed with 7,000 guests, Mr Cameron was given a 19-gun salute and a review of troops. Mr Obama was emphatic about the enduring value of what he termed the transatlantic “essential relationship”.

“Our world has been transformed over and over and it will be again,” said the president.

“Yet through the grand sweep of history, through all its twists and turns, there is one constant – the rock-solid alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom.”

On Afghanistan, the two men confirmed international forces would shift into a support role from next year. Mr Cameron said that events in recent days – including the deaths of six British soldiers in a roadside explosion and the killing of 16 Afghan civilians by a US soldier – were a reminder of how high the cost of war had been for Britain, America and Afghanistan.

“We are now in the final phases of our military mission,” he said. He added that the situation was “considerably improved” and that the target of transition to full Afghan control in 2014 was “achievable”.

“We want Afghanistan to be able to look after its own security with its own security forces so we are safe at home,” he said.

“I think what we are trying to do by the end of 2014 is achievable and do-able.”

The president said the US would begin implementing a “long-awaited defence trade treaty” with the UK next month.

“This will put advanced technologies in the hands of our troops and it will mean more jobs for workers in both of our countries,” he said.

The leaders also agreed “nothing is off the table” in their approach to the crisis in Syria.

Mr Cameron said: “The regime has to meet its international obligations.”

They also agreed “nothing is off the table” in the approach they take to dealing with Iran over its nuclear programme.

Mr Cameron said the EU oil embargo had “dramatically increased pressure” on Iran but the UK and US were ready to go further.