While in New York City today, where he gave interviews to the Financial Times and CNN, Prime Minister Stephen Harper had a telephone conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama. The photo of Harper talking to Obama (left) was taken by the PM's Official Photographer Jason Ransom and distributed to members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
Dimitri Soudas, the prime minister's press secretary, sent the following 'read-out' to reporters:
Prime Minister Harper talked today with President Obama about the upcoming G20 Summit which will take place in London on April 1-2, 2009. The two leaders had an in-depth discussion on the prospects for the London Summit and shared their priorities for a successful outcome. They discussed opportunities for working together to resolve the current global financial crisis and restore economic growth, restore trade, advance regulatory reforms and create jobs. The Prime Minister saluted the President’s leadership in addressing the global economic crisis.
They also discussed the upcoming NATO Summit which will take place on April 3-4, 2009. The President and the Prime Minister also discussed the cooperation between the two Governments on the auto sector.
In an unrelated press conference President Obama stated, categorically, “But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say this again. I did not have telephone relations with that man, Mr. Harper.”
cf: President Clinton, Monica whatserhame.