2010-06-11 14:20

US-Britain ties

US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said Thursday the huge oil spill was a matter between the US government and a private company and not going to hurt US-Britain relations.

"BP is a private company and this is about the impact of the tragedy ... not about the relations between the United States and its closest ally (Britain)," Crowley told reporters in a briefing.

"The British people understand the frustration and anger the American people are seeing in this. It is not going to affect our relationship," Crowley said.

Earlier, British Prime Minister David Cameron said that he would discuss BP's handling of the disaster with Obama when the two leaders were expected to hold a telephone conversation at the weekend.

"This is an environmental catastrophe. BP needs to do everything it can to deal with the situation and the UK government stands ready to help," Cameron said during a visit to Afghanistan.

Obama to meet BP chairman

BP's chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg and "appropriate officials" have been requested to a meeting with Obama next Wednesday. The request was made by Admiral Thad Allen, US National Incident Commander, in a letter sent directly to the BP chairman on Thursday.

"As part of our ongoing communication, I request that you and any appropriate officials from BP, meet with senior Administration officials on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 to discuss these timely issues. President Obama will participate in a portion of this meeting," the letter reads.

The letter comes as many have been pressing for the Obama administration to meet and speak directly with BP officials including CEO Tony Hayward.

The meeting, if accepted by BP, would be the first time that Obama has met, or talked directly, with BP executives since the April 20 oil rig explosion in the Gulf.