Govt shutdown forces Obama to scrap Asia trip

KABUL): US President Obama has scrapped a planned trip to Asia, linking the cancellation to the federal government’s shutdown that entered a fourth day on Friday.

The president was earlier scheduled to attend the Pacific Rim economic conference in Indonesia and an East Asian security meeting in Brunei next week.

In an effort to seal a deal on breaking the impasse with House Republicans, Obama had already cancelled his visits to Malaysia and the Philippines.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said on Thursday: “The cancellation of this trip is another consequence of the House Republicans forcing a shutdown of the government.

“This completely avoidable shutdown is setting back our ability to create jobs through promotion of US exports and advance US leadership and interests in the largest emerging region in the world,” he added.

In a statement, Carney explained: “The president looks forward to continuing his work with our allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific and to returning to the region at a later date.”

Obama telephoned Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the sultan of Brunei on Thursday night to inform them of his inability to participate in the events.

The White House said instead of the president Secretary of State John F. Kerry would lead a delegation to the countries. “These are the kinds of meetings where representation by the United States at the highest level achieves good things for us in terms of our national security…”

PAN Monitor/mud

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