Obama invites Jean, not Harper, for visit

piporiko Sam 21 Fév 2009 - 15:11

Obama invites Jean, not Harper, for visit

Sean Kilpatrick, THe Canadian Press 1

OTTAWA

Governor General Michaëlle Jean discussed the plight of her native Haiti with U.S. President Barack Obama, who invited her to come to Washington -- an invitation that was not extended to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

American aides to the president who briefed the travelling White House reporters en route back to Washington Thursday said Obama and the Governor General exchanged "views about how we could be helpful to the government there in dealing with economic and social issues."

"The president made clear that this is something that he did care about and wanted to confer and get the views of others about how we could do a better job in supporting economic and social development in Haiti," said Gen. James Steinberg, deputy secretary of state.

Steinberg also said they discussed the Summit of the Americas in April in Trinidad "because of her background in the region" and spoke of "the importance of paying attention to the hemisphere."

An aide to the Governor General confirmed that the two had established an immediate rapport.

"President Obama told her that he'd like to talk further with her on this issue," said Marthe Blouin.

Obama told Jean he wants to return to Canada with his family.

"He told her he would like to see her again," Blouin said. "And he said to her that he would love to see her in Washington as well."

A senior Harper government spokesperson told reporters Thursday that Obama had not invited Harper to Washington at this time and their next meeting would be the international G20 and NATO meetings in early April in Europe.

It was clear Canada's first black governor-general and Obama, the first black American president, hit it off. They beamed as they strode down a red carpet together.

Asked yesterday to comment on Jean's discussions with Obama, the senior Conservative government spokesperson would not say whether Jean's interventions were requested by the prime minister, but he was quick to say they were not unwelcome either.

"I think that Canadians looking at the Governor General walking down the red carpet with the president of the United States yesterday probably felt very proud and well represented and I don't think we have any concern around the role that the Governor General played in the meetings yesterday. I think quite the opposite. I think she was doing her duty as head of state in Canada and doing it well."

Record news services With files from The Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- Governor General Michaëlle Jean discussed the plight of her native Haiti with U.S. President Barack Obama, who invited her to come to Washington -- an invitation that was not extended to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

American aides to the president who briefed the travelling White House reporters en route back to Washington Thursday said Obama and the Governor General exchanged "views about how we could be helpful to the government there in dealing with economic and social issues."

"The president made clear that this is something that he did care about and wanted to confer and get the views of others about how we could do a better job in supporting economic and social development in Haiti," said Gen. James Steinberg, deputy secretary of state.

Steinberg also said they discussed the Summit of the Americas in April in Trinidad "because of her background in the region" and spoke of "the importance of paying attention to the hemisphere."

An aide to the Governor General confirmed that the two had established an immediate rapport.

"President Obama told her that he'd like to talk further with her on this issue," said Marthe Blouin.

Obama told Jean he wants to return to Canada with his family.

"He told her he would like to see her again," Blouin said. "And he said to her that he would love to see her in Washington as well."

A senior Harper government spokesperson told reporters Thursday that Obama had not invited Harper to Washington at this time and their next meeting would be the international G20 and NATO meetings in early April in Europe.

It was clear Canada's first black governor-general and Obama, the first black American president, hit it off. They beamed as they strode down a red carpet together.

Asked yesterday to comment on Jean's discussions with Obama, the senior Conservative government spokesperson would not say whether Jean's interventions were requested by the prime minister, but he was quick to say they were not unwelcome either.

"I think that Canadians looking at the Governor General walking down the red carpet with the president of the United States yesterday probably felt very proud and well represented and I don't think we have any concern around the role that the Governor General played in the meetings yesterday. I think quite the opposite. I think she was doing her duty as head of state in Canada and doing it well."

With files from The Canadian Press

Sasaye Sam 21 Fév 2009 - 16:12

Mwen te byen di nou ke sa ta pral rive.

Revelasyon, ou tande?

Invité Sam 21 Fév 2009 - 20:04

piporiko Sam 21 Fév 2009 - 20:16

Lance-lot,
Ce scenario est dans l'ordre de la faisabilite.Il est des rumeurs qui courent faisant croire que l'ancien boulanger devenu president par la grace de qui vous savez a pris ombrage de l'extension de la Pierre-Louis.Il est meme dit que les diplomates accredites a PAP ne rencontrent plus le babouin dwat e goch.

Invité Sam 21 Fév 2009 - 20:32

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Obama invites Jean, not Harper, for visit

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