Obama cancels cisits to Indonesia, Brunei due to US Govt shutdown

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama canceled plans to attend summits in Indonesia and Brunei on Thursday, bowing to the reality that the political impasse over the U.S. government shutdown requires him to remain in Washington.

The decision means Obama will no longer depart on Saturday for what had originally been a four-nation, week-long Asia trip. He had canceled visits to Malaysia and the Philippines earlier this week because of his budget struggle with Republicans in Congress.

The move to cancel the remaining stops in Indonesia and Brunei, where two summits critical to U.S. interests in Asia are being held, was made on the third day of the U.S. government shutdown and was a sign that it could linger for days, as Obama and Republicans battle over funding.

"The president made this decision based on the difficulty in moving forward with foreign travel in the face of a shutdown, and his determination to continue pressing his case that Republicans should immediately allow a vote to reopen the government," the White House said.

It could have been damaging for Obama in terms of appearance to leave the United States and to be seen rubbing shoulders with foreign leaders abroad at a time of budget crisis in Washington.

The stalemate has idled hundreds of thousands of federal government workers and comes two weeks before Washington faces an even more crucial deadline - raising the U.S. debt limit so the United States can pay its bills. A bitter debate rages over that issue as well.

Secretary of State John Kerry will lead delegations to both countries in place of Obama. The president had been scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Bali, Indonesia, and a separate Asia security summit in Brunei.

Obama phoned both President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Sultan of Brunei to inform them of his decision, the White House said.

Canceling the trip was a direct result of the budget feud that has enveloped Washington. Republicans who control the House of Representatives have blocked a vote on legislation to fund the government because they want to gut Obama's signature healthcare law, which came into effect on October 1.

The White House statement was sharply critical of Republicans, blaming them for the trip's cancellation.

"This completely avoidable shutdown is setting back our ability to create jobs through promotion of U.S. exports and advance U.S. leadership and interests in the largest emerging region in the world," it said.

Obama looks forward to working with Asian allies and returning to the region at a later date, the White House said. - Reuters