Notes From Today's Joint White House Press Conference

President Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron held a press conference today in the East Room of the White House.

The two leaders, addressing each other on first-name basis, stated that they had excellent discussions and that they still enjoy a truly special relationship. There were jokes about beer and their children before going on to more serious topics. They both honored the sacrifices of the brave soldiers that are fighting together in a series of conflicts around the world.

“Our alliance thrives because it advances our common interest,” Obama said.

He continued to say that we have no closer ally and stronger partner than Great Britain. Prime Minister Cameron called it an “absolutely essential relationship.”

Both the United States and Great Britain are taking action on fiscal responsibility. Both leaders said the economic goal will take a strong and stable growth process and a sustained economic recovery willbe the effects of “a reformed financial system that will never again be open to the abuses of the past.”  

In their opening remarks the two leaders brought up the many isues concerning the Middle East, specifically with Iran and Afghanistan.

Both President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron said they want to see a secure, peaceful and stable Middle East.  First of all, Obama and Cameron need Iran to give up their pursuit of nuclear weapons and resume negotiations with the international community.  It is not too late for them to come to the table, however, if Iran chose not to, the sanctions package set by the UN Security Council will be implemented with vigor.

In terms of Israel and Palestine, Prime Minster Cameron refered to the situation as a desperate need for a two-state solution. He added that it is necessary for it to provide security, justice and hope.

“It is time for direct talks, not least because it is time for each, Israel and Palestine, to test the seriousness of the other,” Cameron said.

Focus then shifted towards BP and the alleged connection they may have with the release of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, the Lockerbie bomber.  When asked about opening a government investigation around the release, President Obama said,”All of us in the United States were surprised, disappointed and angry about the decision, so we welcome any additional information.”

Prime Minister Cameron made it clear that he did not agree with the decision.

“I’ve asked the Cabinet Secretary today to go back through all of the paperwork and see if more needs to be published about the background to this decision,” Cameron said. “I don’t need an inquiry to tell me what was a bad decision. It was a bad decision.”

There were also questions regarding the extradition of computer hacker Gary McKinnon, and both leaders acknowledged the discussion, but did not make any specific comments. Instead they talked about the importance of cooperation in terms of dealing with cyber security.