John Howard: US makes world safer

abc: Prime Minister John Howard is wrapping up a visit to Washington by urging the United States to remain involved and committed in world affairs.

The Prime Minister has been honoured with a state dinner hosted by President George W Bush at the White House.

During the dinner, both men toasted each other's friendship and leadership.

Mr Howard has also used the occasion to argue for America to continue to take the lead in international affairs.

"A world without a dedicated involved America will be a lesser world, a less safe world, a more precarious world," he said.

"If I have a single message for the people of your great country ... [it] is, that the world continues to need America and the world would be a better place for the involvement and the commitment of the people of the United States of America in the years that lie ahead." Read more

db: John Howard is a bigger embarrassment to Australia than Blair is to the UK, almost.