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Harper has concluded his first visit with Obama

by albertacowpoke | September 16, 2009 at 09:14 am

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper has just concluded his first visit at the White House with President Barrack Obama. The two men spend about one hour in a private meeting.

As the two men emerged they made themselves available for a short statement and a few questions.

President Obama stated that trade with Canada remained robust and he also stated that a strategy and exit policy is needed to deal with Afghanistan. When asked about Canada's end of mission, he replied that he is grateful for Canada's commitment and that every lost soldier is grieved.

Prime Minister Harper said that trade, energy and the Afghan mission had been discussed. Harper reiterated that on the Buy American provision teams for both the Canadian and American governments will be working on a resolution. The provision that prevents Canadian NHL teams from city to city directly should be resolved shortly.

Harper also stated that the Afghan mission will not end in 2011, but only the military portion thereof. Both Leaders said that the strategy required full engagement of the Afghan government and that any strategy will focus on training Afghan Security Forces.

Prime Minister Harper is scheduled to meet with US legislators tomorrow.

Michael Ignatieff in a short reply to this meeting, said that it produced no tangible results. He said we looked that boy scouts in the United States. This seems like more of Iggy's criticism as he is scrambling after both the NDP and the BLOC have decided to vote with the government on the "Ways and Means" bill on Friday.

Raymond Chretien, a former Ambassador to the United States and brother to Jean Chretien, former Liberal Prime Minister, said that the meeting with Legislators tomorrow, was key to affect changes to the "Buy American" provision

Prime Minister Stephen Harper wrapped up his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday, one in which he had been expected to request an exclusion for Canada from recent Buy American provisions.

Harper and Obama appeared together after their hour-long meeting for a brief question and answer session with reporters.

Harper said the pair discussed three main subjects: the economy, energy and various trade "irritants" between the two countries.

Harper also said he supports Obama's policy to send more troops to Afghanistan, where Canadian forces have been fighting for eight years. Obama said he sees no immediate decision on committing future resources to Afghanistan until a clear strategy has been mapped out.

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Blue Crush

at 09:35 on September 16th, 2009

How in the world would Ignatieff know (already), that it produced no tangible results? Was he a fly on the wall there?

albertacowpoke

at 09:38 on September 16th, 2009

Personally I think Iggy knows that he is missing the PR battle. Both the NDP and BLOC have indicated that they will vote with the government on Friday. I think he looked foolish when he made his statement on CBC this morning. My opinion and view.