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Australia leader set for US talks Australia leader set for US talks
(6 days later)
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is on his way to the United States to discuss security, foreign policy and climate change.Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is on his way to the United States to discuss security, foreign policy and climate change.
Mr Rudd will then go on to meet European Union leaders in Brussels and Nato representatives at a summit in Bucharest.Mr Rudd will then go on to meet European Union leaders in Brussels and Nato representatives at a summit in Bucharest.
The prime minister's 17-day trip will also include a visit to China.The prime minister's 17-day trip will also include a visit to China.
It is the Labor leader's first major diplomatic trip since winning an election last November.It is the Labor leader's first major diplomatic trip since winning an election last November.
'Positive difference''Positive difference'
Mr Rudd, a former diplomat, has started a marathon trip around the world.Mr Rudd, a former diplomat, has started a marathon trip around the world.
The fight against extremism will feature strongly, as will trade and the global credit crisis when the Australian leader meets US President George W Bush, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chinese President Hu Jintao.The fight against extremism will feature strongly, as will trade and the global credit crisis when the Australian leader meets US President George W Bush, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Canberra plans to withdraw its combat forces from Iraq in the next few months but is committed to the military campaign in Afghanistan.Canberra plans to withdraw its combat forces from Iraq in the next few months but is committed to the military campaign in Afghanistan.
Before he left, Mr Rudd said Australia would pursue an increasingly vigorous foreign policy during his three-year term in officeBefore he left, Mr Rudd said Australia would pursue an increasingly vigorous foreign policy during his three-year term in office
He told an East Asia forum in Sydney that his government would take a more active role in global issues, including financial stability, climate change and security.He told an East Asia forum in Sydney that his government would take a more active role in global issues, including financial stability, climate change and security.
"The truth is Australia's voice has been too quiet for too long across the various councils of the world," he said."The truth is Australia's voice has been too quiet for too long across the various councils of the world," he said.
"That is why during the course of the next three years, the world will see an increasingly activist Australia, an increasingly activist Australian foreign policy in areas where we believe we may be able to make a positive difference.""That is why during the course of the next three years, the world will see an increasingly activist Australia, an increasingly activist Australian foreign policy in areas where we believe we may be able to make a positive difference."
Kevin Rudd's first formal act as prime minister late last year was to sign the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. He has also committed Australia to improving development in the South Pacific.Kevin Rudd's first formal act as prime minister late last year was to sign the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. He has also committed Australia to improving development in the South Pacific.
Mr Rudd's speech in Sydney made no mention of human rights in China.Mr Rudd's speech in Sydney made no mention of human rights in China.
Analysts have stressed that Australia could have a key role in shaping relations between its closest ally, the United States, and China, one of its most important trading partners.Analysts have stressed that Australia could have a key role in shaping relations between its closest ally, the United States, and China, one of its most important trading partners.
The Rudd government is also pushing for reform of the United Nations to reflect the rise of India and Japan.The Rudd government is also pushing for reform of the United Nations to reflect the rise of India and Japan.