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Obama seems everywhere as he takes global stage

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-02 14:56

US President Barack Obama (L) and his wife Michelle (R) speak to Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, at Buckingham Palace in London April 1, 2009. [Agencies]

Nevertheless, Obama hedged his bets by also sitting down - in full view of the cameras - with Brown's main rival, David Cameron, the leader of Britain's Conservative Party.

Obama's talks with Medvedev were their first in person. Both sides sought to portray them as a major development for a relationship that has been severely hobbled in recent years by ever-sharpening disputes over the US-led Iraq invasion, a Bush administration proposal to build a new missile defense system in Eastern Europe, enlargement of NATO into what Moscow considers its sphere of influence, and Russia's devastating war last year with its neighbor and former Soviet republic Georgia.

Full coverage:  G20 Financial Summit Related readings:  Obama accepts invitations to visit China, Russia  Obama tries to rally world to cope with downturn  Obama arrives in London, first leg of Europe trip  A busy agenda fuels Obama's first trip to Europe

"We believe that the time has come to reset our relations, as it was said, and to open a new page," Medvedev declared at Obama's side.

The leaders announced new arms control talks aimed at reaching a deal to slash both nations' stockpiles of nuclear warheads.

Obama also announced he would visit Moscow in July. The leaders made clear they want the broad outline of a deal by then to give enough time for legislative approval.

The US president cast the effort as important on its own, calling nuclear weapons that could find their way into terrorists' hands "the gravest threat to humanity." He also said that producing a tangible agreement is a "good place to start" in setting the stage for cooperation on thornier areas such as Iran, North Korea, and Afghanistan.

Obama's meeting with Hu brought yet another announcement of foreign travel. The White House said the president would go to China in the second half of the year.

The leaders announced a new mechanism for US-China dialogue that is intended to broaden discussion and give it fresh weight. They also shared concerns about North Korea's stated plans for a rocket launch suspected to be a cover for a missile test.

On a lighter note, Obama gave Queen Elizabeth II an engraved iPod during his visit to Buckingham Palace. The portable music device came with headphones and loaded with dozens of classic show tunes - including several from "Camelot," based on the King Arthur legend, and "My Fair Lady," set in London. The president and first lady also gave the queen a rare book of songs signed by "The King and I" composer Richard Rodgers.

As the Americans arrived at the palace, a few thousand wellwishers cheered and waved as their limousine went past.

In central London's financial district, by contrast, thousands of protesters rallied against the economic summit.

Who's to blame for the global crisis? Obama acknowledged US mistakes but also defended America's leadership and its economic model against predictions of decline.

"I think if you pulled quotes from 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago, from previous news reports, you might find similar contentions that America was on decline," Obama said. "And somehow it hasn't worked out that way."

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