LOC10:21
07:21 GMT
LONDON, Sept 22 (KUNA) -- The New US Ambassador here Louis Susman has
called for a stronger 'special relationship' with the UK.
In an interview with the Financial Times newspaper (FT) Tuesday, the new US
envoy called for a "strengthening" of the special relationship between London
and Washington in a break with the "unquestioning" nature of Tony Blair's
dealings with George W. Bush.
Referring to the rapport between Blair and Bush, he said: "Some people
might say that relationship wasnt healthy. Many people here in the UK didn't
think it was healthy because it was without questioning and interaction.
"We are not a dumb power, we are not a bullying power. We want to build
partnerships, we want to listen, we want to consult, we want to co-operate,
and that's what I want to do."
Susman, 71, a former banker whose fundraising efforts for Barack Obama's
presidential campaign were rewarded with his posting to London, said that
Bush's hawkish foreign policy agenda had led to "eight years of difficult
times for America abroad".
"Anybody who doesn't agree with that isn't looking at reality," he said.
"We need to reach out to the Muslim community, in a way that isn't
superficial and that is real. I intend to talk to people in the mosques and
the academic community and the student community."
On the Scottish government's release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the man
convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, Susman said in his remarks with the main
business daily in Europe that while he disagreed with the decision it was
unlikely to make a serious dent in US-British relations.
"We are an incredible partner for the UK in all our intelligence efforts.
We are incredible partners in all of our military efforts.
"Its almost seamless how well the two countries work and I have seen that
first hand. So when I look at the special relationship I look at the big
things." (end)
he.tg
KUNA 221021 Sep 09NNNN