Today in Washington (April 3, 2009)

In France, Obama looks for support on Afghanistan

US President Barack Obama arrived in France on Friday for a NATO summit, where he pledged to repair US-European relations, sent a warning to North Korea, and stressed the importance of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran.

Obama was greeted by cheering crowds as he arrived in the city of Strasbourg, where he met Frances President Nicolas Sarkozy.

NATO is celebrating its 60th anniversary this weekend, and the American president is hoping to secure backing for his new strategy on Afghanistan. That plan aims to defeat an increasing insurgency by Taliban and al-Qaida militants in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Speaking before a town-hall style gathering in Strasbourg, Obama said that the U.S. and its allies must stand together because al-Qaida is still a threat.

Obama, Saudi King discuss Mideast peace initiative
US President Barack Obama on Thursday held talks with Saudi King Abdullah, and reiterated his support for a 2002 Saudi initiative for Middle East peace.

In their first face-to-face talks, held on the sidelines of a Group of 20 summit in London, the two leaders also reaffirmed the long-standing, strong relationship between the two countries.

The Saudi peace initiative, which Abdullah sponsored in February 2002, calls for full Arab recognition of Israel if it withdraws from territories occupied after the 1967 Six Day War, and a just settlement to the Palestinian refugee crisis.

Obama and Abdullah also discussed international cooperation regarding the global economy, regional political and security issues, and cooperation against terrorism.

Senior US, Japanese officials discuss Iran, Middle East
Senior US and Japanese officials met on Thursday in Washington, where they confirmed that they would maintain dialogue over Iran and increase cooperation on the Middle East, reports the Associated Press.

Quoting unnamed informed sources, AP reports that Japans ambassador to Tehran, Akio Shirota, and Toshiro Suzuki, head of the Japanes...

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