Suggested Intro:
David Cameron's kicking off his second day of talks with President Obama this morning – the two leaders held a 'working dinner' at the White House on Thursday night, during which they discussed Ebola, and they'll host a joint press conference later [Friday 16th]. After events in Paris, counter terrorism will be high on the agenda, and US Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting with the French president today on that topic. Our Washington correspondent Lorna Shaddick reports.
Script:
UPSOT motorcade
David Cameron's motorcade speeds through the streets of Washington… the Prime Minister's here for less than two days, and started by hosting a meeting with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde – who complimented him on the state of the UK economy…
SOT – Christine Lagarde, IMF Managing Director (Reuters pool)
Well, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you very much for attending this meeting… to address two key areas: the challenges for the global recovery, which the United Kingdom is leading in a very eloquent and convincing way in the European Union…
There were more useful photo ops for the PM's election campaign later in the evening, when he arrived at the White House for a working dinner with Barack Obama – the two leaders tucked into Vermont goats' Cheese, herb crusted lamb and warm pear cake as they discussed Ebola and energy security.
But this morning the focus is on global security – in particular, internet terrorism, at a US-UK 'cyber breakfast', attended by the PM and internet security companies from both sides of the Atlantic.
It's a topic Mr Cameron will bring up during his Oval Office meeting with the President - asking Barack Obama to work with him to get US technology companies to co-operate more with law enforcement agencies. But the President's spokesman Josh Earnest says it's a complicated issue:
SOT – Josh Earnest, White House spokesman
Even setting aside our close partnership and cooperation with the Brits on this issue, we have our own vested interest here in striking the right balance between the two things I described earlier, with protecting our national security but also protecting the privacy of our citizens.
Nonetheless, the attacks in Paris have focused minds here on the broader global terror threat… and outside the White House today, some were disappointed that, unlike the PM, their President didn't appear at last Sunday's march in the French capital.
VOXES
Charlie
Our President should be a leader – he kind of is sending a message to the country saying that it doesn't matter.
Melody
I actually could see how and why he wasn't there but I also do feel like yes, it would have been good if President Obama was there.
David Cameron's the first European leader Barack Obama's met with since the Charlie Hebdo killings… so while the US leader's hoping the visit will help him reaffirm his commitment to Europe, Mr. Cameron will be looking to play up his leadership credentials with the best PR opportunity of them all – a joint press conference with the US President at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Lorna Shaddick, Washington