Obama Speaking to the Arab World

[gilthemaster]

العربية.نت

دعا الرئيس الأمريكي باراك أوباما إسرائيل والفلسطينيين إلى استئناف مفاوضات السلام بينهما، مشيداً بالعاهل السعودي الملك عبدالله بن عبد العزيز، لتقديمه الخطة العربية لإحلال السلام في الشرق الأوسط.

وفي أول لقاء تلفزيوني معه منذ تنصيبه رئيساً للولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، أبلغ أوباما قناة "العربية" الإخبارية، فجر الثلاثاء 27-1-2009، أن إدارته ستتبنى نهجاً أكثر شمولية في علاقاتها مع العالم الإسلامي. وأشار إلى أنه سيبذل قصارى جهوده من أجل صنع السلام بين الاسرائيليين والفلسطينيين مذكرا بالالتزام بسحب القوات الأمريكية من العراق وإلقاء خطاب سريعا موجه إلى المسلمين من عاصمة إسلامية كبرى، لمد "يد الصداقة" للعالم الإسلامي ولإصلاح العلاقات التي كانت تقيمها الولايات المتحدة معه.

وأضاف أوباما، الذي وعد خلال حملته الانتخابية بالتوجه إلى العالم الإسلامي من "منتدى إسلامي كبير" خلال المائة يوم الأولى من رئاسته, أنه سيتحدث إلى العالم الإسلامي من عاصمة إسلامية، ولكنه لم يكرر أن هذا الأمر سيتم خلال المائة يوم الأولى.

وللتأكيد على أنه يفي بالتزاماته, تطرق أيضا إلى القرار الذي أعلنه الأسبوع الماضي بإقفال سجن غوانتانامو خلال عام. وأضاف أن الولايات المتحدة "مستعدة لإطلاق شراكة جديدة قائمة على الاحترام المتبادل والمصالح المتبادلة" مع العالم الإسلامي. وأوضح أن "ما سنقدمه إلى العالم الإسلامي هو يد الصداقة" وذلك بعد التوترات التي تسببت فيها الحرب على العراق والسياسة التي انتهجها سلفه جورج بوش. وأكد أن إدارته ستفرق "بشكل واضح" بين القاعدة والذين ليسوا بكل بساطة متفقين معها على الإطلاق. ورأى أن التصريحات الأخيرة لقادة القاعدة "تظهر أنهم منفعلون".

كما أشار إلى أن إدارته بدأت، بالفعل، تنفيذ وعود حملته الانتخابية، بتسمية السيناتور الأمريكي السابق جورج ميتشل مبعوثا للسلام إلى الشرق الأوسط وإيفاده إلى المنطقة بعد أيام من توليه منصبه. واعتبر أن الوقت مناسب الآن ليدرك الإسرائيليون والفلسطينيون أن المسار الذي يسيران فيه لن يؤدي إلي الازدهار والرخاء للشعبين وأنه حان الوقت للعودة إلى طاولة التفاوض. وزاد "بارسالي جورج ميتشل إلى الشرق الأوسط, أفي بوعدي الذي قلت فيه إنني لن أنتظر حتى نهاية رئاستي كي أهتم بالسلام بين الفلسطينيين والإسرائيليين وإننا سنبدأ على الفور".

وقال أيضا إن الولايات المتحدة ستتخذ كذلك "سلسلة مبادرات" باتجاه الشرق الأوسط.

[Xguy]

here is the interview:

YouTube - Obama's first interview as president (Al-Arabiya TV exclusive)


I think it's safe to say, from the tone of his voice, that Israel is so screwed, it is very weird to hear an American president says, "I have Muslim family members." oops Israel.

[Xguy]

the interview in english:

President Obama reached out to the Muslim world Monday in an exclusive interview on Arab television channel Al Arabiya.

"In all my travels throughout the Muslim world, what I've come to understand is that regardless of your faith – and America is a country of Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers – regardless of your faith, people all have certain common hopes and common dreams," Obama said in the wide ranging interview, a transcript of which can be found below.

The freshly minted president spoke about the prospects for peace between Israel and Gaza, the nuclear threat of Iran and the stake that America has in the overall well being of the Arab world. The president praised the people of Iran, but chided its government for stirring up trouble in the region.

"Iran has acted in ways that's not conducive to peace and prosperity in the region: their threats against Israel; their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make everybody less safe; their support of terrorist organizations in the past – none of these things have been helpful," Obama said.

Watch the first segment of the Al Arabiya interview below.

The following is a transcript of President Obama's interview with Al Arabiya News Channel by Hisham Melhem.

AL ARABIYA: Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity, we really appreciate it.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you so much.

AL ARABIYA: Sir, you just met with your personal envoy to the Middle East, Senator Mitchell. Obviously, his first task is to consolidate the cease-fire. But beyond that you've been saying that you want to pursue actively and aggressively peacemaking between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Tell us a little bit about how do you see your personal role, because, you know, if the President of the United States is not involved, nothing happens – as the history of peacemaking shows. Will you be proposing ideas, pitching proposals, parameters, as one of your predecessors did? Or just urging the parties to come up with their own resolutions, as your immediate predecessor did?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I think the most important thing is for the United States to get engaged right away. And George Mitchell is somebody of enormous stature. He is one of the few people who have international experience brokering peace deals.

And so what I told him is start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating -- in the past on some of these issues -- and we don't always know all the factors that are involved. So let's listen. He's going to be speaking to all the major parties involved. And he will then report back to me. From there we will formulate a specific response.

Ultimately, we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what's best for them. They're going to have to make some decisions. But I do believe that the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people. And that instead, it's time to return to the negotiating table.

And it's going to be difficult, it's going to take time. I don't want to prejudge many of these issues, and I want to make sure that expectations are not raised so that we think that this is going to be resolved in a few months. But if we start the steady progress on these issues, I'm absolutely confident that the United States – working in tandem with the European Union, with Russia, with all the Arab states in the region -- I'm absolutely certain that we can make significant progress.

AL ARABIYA: You've been saying essentially that we should not look at these issues -- like the Palestinian-Israeli track and separation from the border region -- you've been talking about a kind of holistic approach to the region. Are we expecting a different paradigm in the sense that in the past one of the critiques -- at least from the Arab side, the Muslim side -- is that everything the Americans always tested with the Israelis, if it works. Now there is an Arab peace plan, there is a regional aspect to it. And you've indicated that. Would there be any shift, a paradigm shift?

Watch the second segment of the Al Arabiya interview below.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, here's what I think is important. Look at the proposal that was put forth by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia…

AL ARABIYA: Right.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I might not agree with every aspect of the proposal, but it took great courage…

AL ARABIYA: Absolutely.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: … to put forward something that is as significant as that. I think that there are ideas across the region of how we might pursue peace.

I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan. These things are interrelated. And what I've said, and I think Hillary Clinton has expressed this in her confirmation, is that if we are looking at the region as a whole and communicating a message to the Arab world and the Muslim world, that we are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest, then I think that we can make significant progress.

Now, Israel is a strong ally of the United States. They will not stop being a strong ally of the United States. And I will continue to believe that Israel's security is paramount. But I also believe that there are Israelis who recognize that it is important to achieve peace. They will be willing to make sacrifices if the time is appropriate and if there is serious partnership on the other side.

And so what we want to do is to listen, set aside some of the preconceptions that have existed and have built up over the last several years. And I think if we do that, then there's a possibility at least of achieving some breakthroughs.

AL ARABIYA: I want to ask you about the broader Muslim world, but let me – one final thing about the Palestinian-Israeli theater. There are many Palestinians and Israelis who are very frustrated now with the current conditions and they are losing hope, they are disillusioned, and they believe that time is running out on the two-state solution because -- mainly because of the settlement activities in Palestinian-occupied territories. Will it still be possible to see a Palestinian state – and you know the contours of it – within the first Obama administration?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think it is possible for us to see a Palestinian state -- I'm not going to put a time frame on it -- that is contiguous, that allows freedom of movement for its people, that allows for trade with other countries, that allows the creation of businesses and commerce so that people have a better life.

And, look, I think anybody who has studied the region recognizes that the situation for the ordinary Palestinian in many cases has not improved. And the bottom line in all these talks and all these conversations is, is a child in the Palestinian Territories going to be better off? Do they have a future for themselves? And is the child in Israel going to feel confident about his or her safety and security? And if we can keep our focus on making their lives better and look forward, and not simply think about all the conflicts and tragedies of the past, then I think that we have an opportunity to make real progress.

But it is not going to be easy, and that's why we've got George Mitchell going there. This is somebody with extraordinary patience as well as extraordinary skill, and that's what's going to be necessary.

AL ARABIYA: Absolutely. Let me take a broader look at the whole region. You are planning to address the Muslim world in your first 100 days from a Muslim capital. And everybody is speculating about the capital. (Laughter.) If you have anything further, that would be great.

How concerned are you – because, let me tell you, honestly, when I see certain things about America – in some parts, I don't want to exaggerate – there is a demonization of America.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Absolutely.

AL ARABIYA: It's become like a new religion, and like a new religion it has new converts -- like a new religion has its own high priests.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Right.

AL ARABIYA:It's only a religious text.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Right.

AL ARABIYA: And in the last – since 9/11 and because of Iraq, that alienation is wider between the Americans and -- and in generations past, the United States was held high. It was the only Western power with no colonial legacy.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Right.

AL ARABIYA: How concerned are you and – because people sense that you have a different political discourse. And I think, judging by (inaudible) and Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden and all these, you know – a chorus.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Yes, I noticed this. They seem nervous.

AL ARABIYA: They seem very nervous, exactly. Now, tell me why they should be more nervous?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I think that when you look at the rhetoric that they've been using against me before I even took office .

AL ARABIYA:I know, I know.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: … what that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt. There's no actions that they've taken that say a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them.

In my inauguration speech, I spoke about: You will be judged on what you've built, not what you've destroyed. And what they've been doing is destroying things. And over time, I think the Muslim world has recognized that that path is leading no place, except more death and destruction.

Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world, that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.

AL ARABIYA:The largest one.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: The largest one, Indonesia. And so what I want to communicate is the fact that in all my travels throughout the Muslim world, what I've come to understand is that regardless of your faith – and America is a country of Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers – regardless of your faith, people all have certain common hopes and common dreams.

And my job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect. But if you look at the track record, as you say, America was not born as a colonial power, and that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there's no reason why we can't restore that. And that I think is going to be an important task.

But ultimately, people are going to judge me not by my words but by my actions and my administration's actions. And I think that what you will see over the next several years is that I'm not going to agree with everything that some Muslim leader may say, or what's on a television station in the Arab world -- but I think that what you'll see is somebody who is listening, who is respectful, and who is trying to promote the interests not just of the United States, but also ordinary people who right now are suffering from poverty and a lack of opportunity. I want to make sure that I'm speaking to them, as well.

AL ARABIYA: Tell me, time is running out, any decision on from where you will be visiting the Muslim world?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, I'm not going to break the news right here.

AL ARABIYA: Afghanistan?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: But maybe next time. But it is something that is going to be important. I want people to recognize, though, that we are going to be making a series of initiatives. Sending George Mitchell to the Middle East is fulfilling my campaign promise that we're not going to wait until the end of my administration to deal with Palestinian and Israeli peace, we're going to start now. It may take a long time to do, but we're going to do it now. We're going to follow through on our commitment for me to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital. We are going to follow through on many of my commitments to do a more effective job of reaching out, listening, as well as speaking to the Muslim world.

And you're going to see me following through with dealing with a drawdown of troops in Iraq, so that Iraqis can start taking more responsibility. And finally, I think you've already seen a commitment, in terms of closing Guantanamo, and making clear that even as we are decisive in going after terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians, that we're going to do so on our terms, and we're going to do so respecting the rule of law that I think makes America great.

AL ARABIYA: President Bush framed the war on terror conceptually in a way that was very broad, "war on terror," and used sometimes certain terminology that the many people -- Islamic fascism. You've always framed it in a different way, specifically against one group called al Qaeda and their collaborators. And is this one way of…

PRESIDENT OBAMA: I think that you're making a very important point. And that is that the language we use matters. And what we need to understand is, is that there are extremist organizations – whether Muslim or any other faith in the past – that will use faith as a justification for violence. We cannot paint with a broad brush a faith as a consequence of the violence that is done in that faith's name.

And so you will I think see our administration be very clear in distinguishing between organizations like al Qaeda – that espouse violence, espouse terror and act on it – and people who may disagree with my administration and certain actions, or may have a particular viewpoint in terms of how their countries should develop. We can have legitimate disagreements but still be respectful. I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down.

But to the broader Muslim world what we are going to be offering is a hand of friendship.

AL ARABIYA:Can I end with a question on Iran and Iraq then quickly?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: It's up to the team…

AL ARABIYA: Will the United States ever live with a nuclear Iran? And if not, how far are you going in the direction of preventing it?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: You know, I said during the campaign that it is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of U.S. power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran.

Now, the Iranian people are a great people, and Persian civilization is a great civilization. Iran has acted in ways that's not conducive to peace and prosperity in the region: their threats against Israel; their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make everybody less safe; their support of terrorist organizations in the past – none of these things have been helpful.

But I do think that it is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but where there are potential avenues for progress. And we will over the next several months be laying out our general framework and approach. And as I said during my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.

[Learned]

"Israel's security is sacrosanct." Barack Obama

[Xguy]

Originally Posted by Learned

"Israel's security is sacrosanct." Barack Obama

Well yea actually the term he used was "paramount", sacrosanct? is that hebrew?
anyway compare this to the many times he was kissing up to muslims, plus go and watch the video and look at his eyes when he talked about muslims and arabs, he seemed so relaxed and effortless as oppose to when he was talking about Israel, he seemed that he had to say it, now bare in mind that I am not viewing this from a muslim point of view, why? because I am not a muslim.

I just think it's very funny, it brought back a funny thought I was watching a stand up comedy the other night and this black guy was saying" how about Obama huh? the white man was too busy goinf after OJ to lock him up and we suck a brother to the white house, OJ took one for the team"
LOL looks like the arabs snuck a muslim to the white house, while the US was too busy chasing a Myth , yea alqaeda and war on terrorism, I call those a Myth.

[Learned]

Originally Posted by Xguy

Well yea actually the term he used was "paramount", sacrosanct? is that hebrew?
anyway compare this to the many times he was kissing up to muslims, plus go and watch the video and look at his eyes when he talked about muslims and arabs, he seemed so relaxed and effortless as oppose to when he was talking about Israel, he seemed that he had to say it, now bare in mind that I am not viewing this from a muslim point of view, why? because I am not a muslim.

In this instance, he used the word paramount. In the past, he used the word sacrosanct. From Merriam-Webster:

Sac·ro·sanct

1 : most sacred or holy : inviolable
2 : treated as if holy : immune from criticism or violation


So Israel's security is most sacred, most holy, inviolable, immune from criticism and violation. I think he one-upped George Bush with that one.


Many times he was kissing up to Muslims? Don't be naive. Forget his kisses, where was his voice when Israel carpet-bombed Gaza for 22 days straight?

When Israel attacks Lebanon during his term with his full support, backing, justification, and defense, (as well as his country's tax dollars and weapons) come back and tell me the same thing.

[Zayn]

Originally Posted by Xguy

Well yea actually the term he used was "paramount", sacrosanct? is that hebrew?
anyway compare this to the many times he was kissing up to muslims, plus go and watch the video and look at his eyes when he talked about muslims and arabs, he seemed so relaxed and effortless as oppose to when he was talking about Israel, he seemed that he had to say it, now bare in mind that I am not viewing this from a muslim point of view, why? because I am not a muslim.

I just think it's very funny, it brought back a funny thought I was watching a stand up comedy the other night and this black guy was saying" how about Obama huh? the white man was too busy goinf after OJ to lock him up and we suck a brother to the white house, OJ took one for the team"
LOL looks like the arabs snuck a muslim to the white house, while the US was too busy chasing a Myth , yea alqaeda and war on terrorism, I call those a Myth.

No. He used the word "sacrosanct." It was the first time I'd ever heard the word too, so don't feel bad.

In any case, actions speak louder than words. The Obama Administration plans to use diplomacy with Iran and I've read things about even supporting a Palestinian government with Hamas in it. Basically, Israel's grace period has ended.

By the way, who is George Mitchell, and what has been his past stance on the Palestine-Israel issue?

[zoomzoom]

Originally Posted by Zayn

No. He used the word "sacrosanct." It was the first time I'd ever heard the word too, so don't feel bad.

In any case, actions speak louder than words. The Obama Administration plans to use diplomacy with Iran and I've read things about even supporting a Palestinian government with Hamas in it. Basically, Israel's grace period has ended.

By the way, who is George Mitchell, and what has been his past stance on the Palestine-Israel issue?

George Mitchell was an astounish ally of the State of Israel when he was in the Senate. Yes his mom is Lebanese and his dad was raised by a Lebanese family, but the guy was 100% big supporter of Israel. But now that he is not running for any office, he will be able to speak his mind and hopefully suggest a just solution.

[Xguy]

you guys keep forgetting the fact that campaigning is over, I was skeptic of him during campaigning as well , specially when I saw AIPAC'ing big time, in fact I did not vote for him, and then it followed by the appointment of Rahmbo Emanuel, I thought yea great another AIPAC puppet in the white house, but watching this interview I sensed something in his eyes that I haven't before, infact I suspected this before the interview when he was quiet about Israel bombing Gaza, I figured if he was for it, he would've stood by GW on the "Israel deffending itself" stance but instead he stood quiet and said "there is only one president in the white house" , and notice Israel quick withdrawal before he was inagurated too.
I dunno but I deffinitly feel this guy is gonna deal a bad card to Israel that's just my feeling , time will tell though..

[gilthemaster]

Alassad to Almanar: Talks have begun with The Obama Administration

Alakhbar الأسد: لقاء الكويت مجرّد كسر جليد ÙŠØ*تاج إلى المزيد | جريدة الأخبار

....
وفي ما خصّ وصول باراك أوباما إلى الرئاسة الأميركية، تحدث عن نظرة تفاؤل بأنه «لا حروب جديدة، سيكون هناك حل للموضوع العراقي تجلّى بالتزام أوباما بالانسحاب، طبعاً بالتوازي مع عملية سياسية، وثالثاً انغماس هذه الإدارة جدياً في عملية السلام». وتحدث عن وجود «إشارات إيجابية، ولكن تعلمنا أن نكون حذرين، وأن لا نخضع حساباتنا لهذه الإشارات. فما لم يكن هناك شيء ملموس، فعلينا أن نفترض أن الأمور لم تتغيّر بعد».
ورفض الحوار مع أميركا بشروط، مشيراً إلى أن «هذا الحوار بدأ منذ أسابيع جدّياً من خلال شخصيات مقرّبة من الإدارة أرسلت من قبل هذه الإدارة للحوار مع سوريا». وقال إن سوريا لم تستجب في الماضي لشروط وقف دعمها للمقاومة في لبنان وفلسطين، «ولن نستجيب لهذه الشروط». كذلك كشف أن بعض المسؤولين الأوروبيين بدأوا يلتقون في سوريا، وبالتنسيق معها، بالمقاومة، بعدما أدركوا أن هذه «المقاومة لديها دعم شعبي ولا يمكن استئصالها».
وفي موضوع المحكمة الدولية، كرّر موقفه بأن «المواطن السوري يخضع للقضاء السوري»، مشترطاً لأي تعاون بين القضاء السوري والمحكمة «كقضاء دولي»، وجود «اتفاقية تحدد الحقوق والواجبات». وقال إن تسييس المحكمة يرتبط بالأهداف واللعبة الدولية ككل، «وإذا كان البعض يريد أن يسيّس المحكمة، فسيفعل ولن يتوقف عند علاقاته مع سوريا، فاللعبة لعبة مصالح وتوازن قوى»، مضيفاً: «المعارك السياسية مستمرة ونحن لن نستسلم».
وبعدما لفت إلى وجود اهتمام فرنسي بلبنان «بشكل عام»، قال إنه أبلغ الفرنسيين رفضه «أن تمر العلاقات الفرنسية ـــــ السورية عبر لبنان. هذا الشيء مرفوض، وهناك تفاهم بشأنه»، مستطرداً أنه «لا أحد يشرف على العلاقة السورية ـــــ اللبنانية». ورهن وجود انعكاسات مباشرة للمصالحة السورية السعودية على علاقة سوريا مع 14 آذار بـ«إذا كانت هذه القوى تراهن دائماً على التوازنات الخارجية والإقليمية».
ونفى وجود تأخير في إرسال سفير إلى لبنان، مؤكداً أن العملية «تمر مروراً طبيعياً. فتحت السفارة وأرسل الدبلوماسيون وبدأوا عملهم، وهم يقومون بعملية تأسيس لهذه السفارة، ولاحقاً سيُعيَّن سفير». وأردف: «الشيء المؤكد أنه لو لم يكن لدينا رغبة في إرسال سفير لما كنا فتحنا سفارة، ولما استطاع كل هذا العالم أن يجبرنا على إرسال سفير».
وعما إذا كانت المنطقة مقبلة على تسويات أو حروب، رأى أن هناك «أملاً أكبر بتسويات لا بحروب»، وأن الإشارات إيجابية بذهاب الإدارة الأميركية «التي تبنّت مذهب الحرب فقط» ومجيء أخرى «ترفض هذا المبدأ مبدئياً، وتحدثت عن رغبتها في الانغماس بالسلام»، لكنه كرّر دعوته إلى عدم المبالغة بالتفاؤل، لأن «هناك توازنات كثيرة داخل الولايات المتحدة نفسها»، و«أوروبا لم تحدد هويتها المستقبلية حتى الآن»، و«هناك توازنات لم تظهر على مستوى العالم».