United States President Barack Obama has postponed his trip to Australia and Indonesia for a third time, officials have confirmed.
Mr Obama called Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono this afternoon to tell them he would delay the trip to an undetermined date because he wanted to remain home while the United States was dealing with the worst oil spill in the nation's history, in the Gulf of Mexico.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the decision was made with "deep regret" and Mr Obama looked forward to rescheduling so he could visit both nations soon.
''President Obama underscored his commitment to our close alliance with Australia and our deepening partnership with Indonesia,'' he said.
''He plans to hold full bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Rudd and President Yudhoyono on the margins of the G20 meeting in Canada.''
Mr Obama initially planned to make the trip in March, but that visit was postponed - first by a few days, then by a few months - so he could help his health care bill become law.
Although the dates of the latest planned visit had not been officially announced, The Canberra Times had learned that the president was to be in Canberra on Thursday, June 17 and Friday, June 18, when he would address Parliament. He was then to fly to Sydney before flying out on the Saturday.
A spokesman for Mr Rudd said Mr Obama had explained the challenge of the oil spill and that he regretted he was unable to visit this month because of it.
''The president indicated that he remained keen to visit Australia, and looked forward to rescheduling so that he could make the visit in the future,'' the spokesman said.
''The Prime Minister responded that he fully understood the President's decision under the circumstances. The leaders reaffirmed their close partnership in the context of the US-Australia Alliance. The two leaders agreed to schedule a bilateral meeting on the margins of the G20 Leaders Meeting in Toronto.''
Source: The Canberra Times
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