Region | Egypt

Obama calls for a new beginning

In his speech at Cairo, Obama took a measured approach to the most charged issues in the Middle East.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 14:28 June 4, 2009
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Reuters
  • Obama and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tour the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo.
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Cairo: President Barack Obama called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims" and said together, they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the timeless search for peace in the Middle East.

Click here to read full speech
Click here to read reactions to Obama's speech

"This cycle of suspicion and discord must end," Obama said in a widely anticipated speech in one of the world's largest Muslim countries, an address designed to reframe relations after the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001, and the US-led war in Iraq.

In a gesture, Obama conceded at the beginning of his remarks that tension "has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations."

"And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear," he said.

At the same time, he said the same principle must apply in reverse. "Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire."

Obama spoke at Cairo University after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe.

The speech was the centerpiece of his journey, and while its tone was striking, the president also covered the Middle East peace process, Iran, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the violence struggle waged by Al Qaida.

Obama arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday, greeted by a new and threatening message from Al Qaida's leader, Osama Bin Laden.

In an audio recording, the terrorist leader said the president inflamed the Muslim world by ordering Pakistan to crack down on militants in Swat Valley and block Islamic law there.

But the president said the actions of violent extremist Muslims are "irreconcilable with the rights of human beings," and quoted the Quran to make his point.

"Islam is not part of the problem in combatting violent extremism - it is an important part of promoting peace," he said.

The White House said Obama's speech contained no new policy proposals on the Middle East, and he issued an evenhanded call to Israel and Palestinians alike to live up to their international obligations.

"Hamas must put an end to violence, recognise past agreements, and recognise Israel's right to exist," he said of the organisation the United States deems as terrorists.

"The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people," Obama said.

"At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine. The United States does not accept the legitimacy" of continued Israeli colonies on the West Bank and outskirts of Occupied Jerusalem, he said. "It is time for these" colonies to stop.

As for Occupied Jerusalem itself, he said it should be a "secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims ..."

Obama also said the Arab nations should no longer use the conflict with Israel to distract its own people from other problems.

He treaded lightly on one issue that President George W. Bush had made a centerpiece of his second term - the spread of democracy.

Obama said he has a commitment to governments "that reflect the will of the people." And yet, he said, "No system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other."

At times, there was an echo of Obama's campaign mantra of change in his remarks, and he said many are afraid it cannot occur.

"There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward," he said.

The president's brief stay in Cairo included a visit to the Sultan Hassan mosque, a 600-year-old center of Islamic worship and study. A tour of the Great Pyramids of Giza was also on his itinerary.

The build-up to the speech was enormous, stoked by the White House although Obama seemed at pains to minimize hopes for immediate consequences.

"One speech is not going to solve all the problems in the Middle East," he told a French interviewer. "Expectations should be somewhat modest."

What did you think of Barack Obama's speech? What difference will his speech make? Do you think he covered the most important topics?

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Your comments


presidents obamas speech was maticulate,diplomatic and very precise to all the alarming issues,the best was he spoke as an idealist, believing in peace and prosperity and not talking of godforsaken war and anti terror stuff. what other choice do we have? to the world suffering globally and enviromentally,are we not suppose to resort to a unified efforts by all of us to make this abetter place. i firmly support him.
Zahra Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 05, 2009, 12:52

president barack obama should find out the truth,he must be sincere to solve the middle east problems. i don,t think that obama covered the most important topics.
Jalal Al Deen
Dhaka,Bangladesh
Posted: June 05, 2009, 06:50

Judging by the current realities of the world we live today vis-a-vis the US position. Thats probably the best speech you can get from a sitting American President. Very factual, articulate, balanced and in a way most daring...
Yunus
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 05, 2009, 05:26

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