Bush to host British PM Brown for first US talks

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush yesterday prepared to host British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on his first US trip as premier after vowing to set "new priorities" for the key US ally in Iraq.

Both leaders have vowed to maintain their robust rapport, even as signs have begun to emerge that Brown may favor a foreign policy that steers away from military might in order to focus more heavily on diplomacy.

His predecessor Tony Blair's departure last month after a decade at the helm was hastened by a swell of public opposition to his support for the 2003 US-led war in Iraq.

White House spokesman Tony Snow described the British-US relationship as "uniquely close" ahead of Brown's two-day visit, which was to begin Sunday with his arrival at the presidential retreat in Camp David, Maryland.

"The most important thing you get out of the Brown meetings is two leaders of nations that have a very special and important relationship continuing to move forward on issues of shared interest and concern," Snow said.

After a Sunday dinner with Bush, "there will be a pretty full meeting schedule the following day," Snow said, describing the agenda as "pretty broad."

Key among the "shared goals" up for discussion include "progress in Iraq and Afghanistan, preventing Iran from obtaining the means to build nuclear weapons, ending the genocide in Darfur, and protecting our homelands from the threat posed by terrorists," Snow said.

While Bush and Blair enjoyed a jovial relationship, Brown is widely seen as more dour and cautious about his decision-making, whereas Blair often expressed little hesitancy and professed his belief in "doing what is right."

Bush has downplayed talk of Brown's serious reputation, insisting on their friendship and hailing Brown's "strong response" to the attempted car bombs in London and the attack on Glasgow's airport during his first days in office.

Even as Brown has pledged to continue Britain's ties with the United States, a close ally in his administration hinted earlier this month that a move from the alliance's present emphasis on military might could be underway.