The budget impasse that has led to a government shutdown has forced President Obama to cancel a scheduled trip to Asia, as the White House announced Thursday night that visits to Indonesia and Brunei would be canceled, as Secretary of State John Kerry will instead lead the U.S. delegation.
"The cancellation of this trip is another consequence of the House Republicans forcing a shutdown of the government," the White House said in a written statement that left little doubt on who officials think should be blamed for the decision.
Here is the text of that statement, as provided by the White House, along with readouts of calls made by the President to the leaders of Indonesia and Brunei:
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 U.S. exports and advance U.S. leadership and interests in the largest emerging region in the world. 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.
Readout of the President's call to President Yudhoyono of Indonesia
President Obama called President Yudhoyono of Indonesia tonight. The President expressed his appreciation for President Yudhoyono's strong leadership of the APEC Summit. He expressed his regret that the ongoing government shutdown in the United States will prevent him from attending the Summit. He reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Indonesia partnership, and his personal affection for the people of Indonesia, and said that Secretary Kerry will take his place in Bali.
Readout of the President's call to the Sultan of Brunei
President Obama called the Sultan of Brunei tonight. The President expressed his appreciation for the Sultan's strong leadership of the ASEAN and EAS Summits. He expressed his regret that the ongoing government shutdown in the United States will prevent him from attending the Summits. He reaffirmed the importance of the partnership between the United States and Brunei, and his commitment to the U.S.-ASEAN relationship, and said that Secretary Kerry will take his place in Brunei.
The budget impasse that has led to a government shutdown has forced President Obama to cancel a scheduled trip to Asia, as the White House announced Thursday night that visits to Indonesia and Brunei would be canceled, as Secretary of State John Kerry will instead lead the U.S. delegation. "The ...
