Obama cancels trip to Australia, Indonesia

Linda Mottram

Last Updated: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 14:42:00 +1000

US president Barack Obama has formally cancelled his planned visit to Australia and Indonesia.

A statement from the White House says that President Obama has spoken to Australia's prime minister Kevin Rudd and Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, expressing his deep regret that he's again postponing his trip to Asia.

He promised to reschedule to visit both countries soon.

Mr Obama was due to travel to Australia and Indonesia some time this month in his first official visit as president.

With the BP oil spill unresolved, speculation had mounted that the President would have to cancel.

Mr Obama was first due to visit Australia and Indonesia in late March but that trip was postponed while Mr Obama secured passage of his health reforms through a hostile senate.

The White House says President Obama underscored his commitment to the US alliance with Australia and to the deepening US partnership with Indonesia.

The statement says he plans to hold full bilateral meetings with the Australian and Indonesian leaders in the margins of the G20 meeting in Canada later this month.

It is uncertain whether the president will be able to reschedule the visit before the upcoming Australian federal election.

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