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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

GILLARD ASSURES OBAMA OF TROOP BACKING IN AFGHANISTAN

JULIA Gillard has told Barack Obama she supports the war in Afghanistan and he can rely on her to continue the commitment of troops.

Australia's new Prime Minister had a 20-minute phone conversation with the US President yesterday, during which he offered his congratulations.

It was one of several international introductions required of the new Prime Minister.

Ms Gillard spoke also to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

And she met US ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich.

A twist to Ms Gillard's conversation with Mr Obama's is that the US leader's own political woes could have played a part in the timing of the coup that led to Kevin Rudd's downfall and Ms Gillard's elevation to the job.

If Mr Obama had come to Australia this month as planned, or even back in March as originally scheduled, Mr Rudd, boosted by a presidential visit, might still be prime minister.

But problems first with crucial US health reforms and then the BP oil spill kept Mr Obama home.

Mr Obama congratulated Ms Gillard on becoming Australia's first woman prime minister, describing her elevation as a "historic step".

In a White House statement, he said the alliance would continue to prosper under her leadership.

Mr Obama made a cordial reference to Mr Rudd, saying he "remains a great friend of America" but they did not have enough time to become close.

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