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Barack Obama Tells the Middle East: 'Americans Are Not Your Enemy'
US President Barack Obama has told the Muslim world that "Americans are not your enemy" and renewed his pledge to travel to make an address in the capital of a major Muslim nation.
US President Barack Obama sits with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Mideast Envoy George Mitchell (right) in Washington. (Reuters/Larry Downing) In his first interview with Arab television since becoming president, Mr Obama told the al-Arabiya television that his administration would adopt a more comprehensive approach in its relations with the Muslim world.
He also said that Israel and the Palestinians should resume their peace negotiations and he praised Saudi King Abdullah for putting forward an Arab plan for peace in the Middle East.
"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," Mr Obama told the Dubai-based Arabic cable TV channel. "These things are interrelated."
Mr Obama said his administration had begun to fulfil his campaign promises by naming former US Senator George Mitchell as a Mideast peace envoy and sending him to the region within days of his becoming president. Mr Mitchell was traveling to the region on Monday evening.
"Ultimately we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what is best for them. They are going to have to make some decisions," Mr Obama said.
"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."
The President noted that he had lived in Indonesia for several years while growing up, and said his travels through Muslim nations had convinced him that regardless of faith, people had certain common hopes and dreams.
"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," Mr Obama said.
"But if you look at the track record ... 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."
During the 2008 election campaign, Mr Obama vowed to improve US ties with the Muslim world and said he would travel to a major Islamic forum abroad to send that message.
"We're going to follow through on our commitment for me to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital," Mr Obama said.
"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."
Mr Obama did not give a time or a venue for his visit to a major Muslim capital.
He was also asked about the highly personal tone of recent al-Qaeda messages released since he was elected president in November.
He agreed with his interviewer that the tone of recent videos seemed "nervous."
"What that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt," he said.
105 Comments so far
Show AllBased on what I heard on CNN maybe around an hour ago or so, Obama would be working to establish accords, "marriages", say, with the moderates in Arab and/or Muslim countries, while staying firmly enough against Hamas and Hizbollah. If this is indeed true, that it is his position, then it's definitely a BAD one. Scott Ritter is a far better adviser in this regard and an article by him that provides a definitely fitting example is the following.
http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/24-0
Obama NEEDS TO HEED such words, as Ritter presents in that excellent article of his.
Correct Mike -------- Is there not something in democracy about the will of the people? If the people support organizations that actually help them and work towards their aspirations, then, that is the organization we should work with.
Dugali
let us not forget Mitchell from Clinton's day. Recall that during their so called peace treaty or re-packaged occupation, Arafat stormed out disagreeing with the 18 percent return of palestinian lands. Mitchell brought him back in to sign with a whisper of a personal 120 million USD for Arafat. on the one side Arafat as usual sold out his people and on the other side Mitchell is hailed as a mideast peace envoy.
Obama will no doubt continue the one-sided foreign policy that harms both Jews and Arabs alike. Not to be a hypocrite, but I also pushed for his presidency.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EMu6hxngvDI
where did you get the information about Mitchell bribing Arafat?
Obama might ask his advisers to dust off a 5 decade old National Security Council report on this matter:
In 1958, President Eisenhower puzzled about "the campaign of hatred against us" in the Arab world, "not by the governments but by the people," who are "on Nasser's side," supporting independent secular nationalism. The reasons for the "campaign of hatred" were outlined by the National Security Council: "In the eyes of the majority of Arabs the United States appears to be opposed to the realization of the goals of Arab nationalism. They believe that the United States is seeking to protect its interest in Near East oil by supporting the status quo and opposing political or economic progress." Furthermore, the perception is understandable: "Our economic and cultural interests in the area have led not unnaturally to close US relations with elements in the Arab world whose primary interest lies in the maintenance of relations with the West and the status quo in their countries," blocking democracy and development.
Excellent points.
It is important to note that the bogeyman in those days was secular, (even athiest) socialist-leaning Arab Nationalism - i.e. godless communists! So, to counter this genuine movement for Arab control of their own resources and out of fear of a genuine working example of putting people before profit, the US covertly, then overtly suppored the most reactionary theocratic elements thay could find.
Of course by supporting Israel's continued of opression of Arabs and their support of Arab monarchies and dictators who impoverished their people (Average Saudi incomes dropped from $25K to a few $K since the 1970s), while completely crushing the socialist or social-democratic alternative, the US assured the reactionary theocratic "terrorists" would become the only outlet for popular discontent against US exploitationist foreign policy.
And never forget, it is respected people with emminent doctorate and Law degrees from Harvard, yale, Columbia, Georgetown etc.. who have pushed this stunningly shurt-sighted idiotic policy through.
Me?, I'm just a schmuck with geology/civil engineering degrees from a state cow-U, so who am I to question high academics like the emminent Dr. eneritus Henry Kissinger Ph.D. or the emminent Madelene Albright LL.Dd, or Dr. George Mitchell, LL.D. Esq.?
---USAn---
Beware of "exspurts" !!!
Remember, "ex" is a has been, and "spurt" is a drip under pressure.
Yep, the "hatred" has now lasted 50 years. You'd think that when something deleterious is happening for over 50 years someone might notice. Until the US Empire stops sponsoring Israel and actively works to defeat it, the US Empire will remain an enemy of all peace and freedom seeking peoples, which includes the great majority of Muslims.
Robert Fisk for special envoy!
So we'll be out of Iraq in 3 weeks right? Now that the Peacemaker Messiah is in command, I have no doubt that the barbarians who resent our occupation of their respective nations will finally lay down their arms in contrite submission to the great Lightbringer. After all, there's no way Obama could be another hypocritical parasite politician in quest for a legacy and personal power, right?
I voted for Bush in 2000 because I believed in small government, gun ownership, and NO FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENTS. It'll be your turn to eat crow soon - but how long before you admit you were duped?
-- "Ultimately we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what is best for them. They are going to have to make some decisions," Mr Obama said. --
I know it's just too much to suggest that we tell Israel that we can't support them unless they obey int'l law, starting with U.N. Security Council resolution 242.
Remember, we went to war against Iraq to get them to obey U.N. S.C. resolutions. Obeying the law seems to be important, sometimes.
America supports the rule of law unless our friends want to be criminals.
----
-- US President Barack Obama has told the Muslim world that "Americans are not your enemy" --
Notice that he didn't say "The Muslim world is not America's enemy".
Good points, the outright lying of the US political elites is stunning.
Does Obama take us for fools? Of course, through it's actions, the US not only tells them but uses it's self-declared monopoly on violence to impose on the Palestinians "what is best for them".
Of course, taking you last point further, by what god-like authority does Obama claim to declare who is or is not the "Muslim world's" enemy?
Actions, not words will allow the "Mislim world" to decide whether the US is it's friend or not.
---USAn---
locust, advocate and PJD, excellent thread!
What happens when snowflakes stick together?...............friends come together and have snow ball fights. :)
Leea
"Americans are not your enemy"
COMMENT:
What a load of pasture patties that statement is.
Analogy:
If some guy - call him Sam - gives the Hatfields a bundle of guns and keeps them supplied with crates of ammunition, knowing what they have done and are doing to the McCoys, how does that not make Sam an enemy of the McCoys? The supplier and funder of the Hatfields weoponry is not only the enemy of the McCoys, he is more dangerous to the McCoys than even the Hatfields, and therefore the greater enemy.
Reality:
Mull this over a bit: the American people continue to choose to represent them those who represent the interests of empire which arms the enemies of the oppressed in the Middle East. How can this, therefore, not make the American people and not just the government they have created and maintained, their enemies?
As for "The Muslim world is not America's enemy": any person or group of people or government that stands in the way of what America's plutocrats want are America's enemy. That makes the Muslim world America's enemy and America the Muslim world's enemy.
And all of that is just effing sad.
What you describe is called co-belligerency, which is a de facto alliance where a formal alliance isn't declared. That status makes all attacks against the US Empire by people willing to defend the Palestinian, Iraqi, Afghani, and Pakistani peoples 100% legitimate acts of war, which is waht 9/11 was, as was the assault on the USS Cole, as were the attacks against US Embassies, etc. Further, it is very clear that the US and Israel adhere to the concept of total war, which is to say they find civilians legitimate targets under this philosophy and act accordingly.
The Empire MUST DIE for the republic to live.
"US President Barack Obama has told the Muslim world that "Americans are not your enemy...." Yeah, I bet the Muslim World will go for that one, particularly after hearing Obama's groveling speech to AIPAC a few months ago.
WOW, this guy has some balls!
Neither nerve nor balls. To borrow a word from his Jewish friends he is exhibiting unmitigated chutzpah.
---USAn---
I think of chutzpah as being "gall" not "nerve". Chutzpah is never a positive trait, like "nerve' can be.
---USAn---
"Americans are not your enemy...."
I'm an American.
I am no the enemy of Islam.
Are you?
Obama is simply letting the Middle East know that things have changed.
America was held hostage by Bush. But things are different now.
GOBAMA!
Moderate Arab countries are the ones which have tin-pot family dynasties that the US keep in power in exchange for favorable resource concessions. Americans only become their enemies if they don't accept those terms of concession.
Our fist of anger is righteous, theirs not, and we only open ours to them when they open theirs to our terms?
What happens when snowflakes stick together?...............friends come together and have snow ball fights. :)
Leea
Actually watched a bit of the interview early this morning and though he does have to tred carefully, he did repeat again and again: Judge me on what I do, not what I say. Perhaps it is because I wish for it, but when he first spoke of the Palestinians living in poverty for far too long, I sensed just the slightest flicker of anger.
We will see.
But the same could be said for all of humanity, ignore what we say, judge us only on what we do.
What happens when snowflakes stick together?...............friends come together and have snow ball fights. :)
Leea
All is void and null now anyway since ms Hillary has taken charge.
Exactly right, Dave B. The real test for Obama, or one of them, will be whether he moves us away from the pursuit of Full Spectrum Dominance, the defining strategy of our militarized political economy for the past 25 years. Will he risk alienating all those cold warriors still in charge at the Pentagon, the entire military-industrial-technological-entertainment-scientific-media-intelligence-corporate complex, brilliantly described in Nick Turse's "The Complex," in other words the economic dynamo of this country?
Can Obama really suck up to AIPAC and simultaneously make nice with Arabs? How can this guy expect to have everything both ways, as exampled in his commitment to bipartisan governance? It's like his promise to get us out of Iraq, as slowly as molasses in January, while surging in Afghanistan, as if this is some kind of peace strategy. He's really becoming a master of talking out of both sides of his mouth. But I suspect it's all talk and very little action leading to "change" anyone will believe in.
But I could be wrong!
I'll bet that Barak hurt his teeth on that one.
When will we hear him speak at an Iranian university?
Will the President of the Iranian University introduce Obama as a 'petty and cruel dictator'?
Most likely not; the Iranians are civilized and polite.
Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in their moccasins - Native American proverb.
The headline reminds me of the movie Mars Attacks!
The martians are roaming through the streets, killing every human they see. The martians think the humans are so stupid that they are doing this while blaring over loudspeakers, "DON'T RUN - WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS!"
Words are lovely, but the actual tangible policies are going to need to change pretty dramatically.
Nice characterization! I picture a bubble-brained Obama making his little empty speech.
-TIA
Now let me think. Normally a friend would bring over a nice fruit basket, and if they saw that somebody had cut off your food and medicine they would come to your rescue. Normally a friend would not supply a horde of spiteful attack dogs with bombs and missiles to blow your children to pieces. This is a strange kind of friendship. It must be very perplexing for Palestinians to hear this kind of talk. They must wonder what our idea of an enemy could possibly be.
Not friend, "not... enemy"
What happens when snowflakes stick together?...............friends come together and have snow ball fights. :)
Leea
Obama says "it's time to return to the negotiating table." Albert Einstein said "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
B.O. is on the same path, doing the same old thing he is famous for - talking and giving speeches. Does he still think he's on the campaign trail? "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." Meanwhile, the bombing and the wars continue.
You can talk all you want Obama. Many of us are no longer listening. The time for talk is over. The time for grand speeches is over.
If B.O. really wanted to see change in U.S.-Arab relations, he would level the playing field. Stop giving Israel the advantage in military hardware and financial aid. Demand that Israel adhere to the many UN Resolutions that it has ignored - with much help from the U.S.
B.O.'s hypocrisy knows no bounds ...along with "diplomat" H. Clinton sitting right next to him. Ha, ha. The Arab peoples are not fooled by this foolishness.
"Snowflakes should be our friends. We should bond with them, and become Snow People. In this way, we will win the War on Global Warming."
Perhaps those of you that admittedly are no longer listening ought also join the ranks of those who are no longer talking. The insanity of Pre-judging has also been tried before, along with willful ignorance, and blatant intolerance. If reaching out; holding out an olive branch to the "brother who certainly has, justifiably, much more against us than we have him is by your definition insanity, then you are calling the most basic tennants of Christianity insanity. I am sure most of the fundimentalist right wing Christians would agree with you. I for one read it differently. And, I would rather fail on the side of morality than the alternative which we surely have already tried time and time again.
huh?
What happens when snowflakes stick together?...............friends come together and have snow ball fights. :)
Leea
The "logic" here escapes me. "The insanity of Pre-judging has also been tried before, along with willful ignorance, and blatant intolerance." Pre-judging? Willful ignorance? Blatant intolerance?
I can only speak for myself and my estimation of Obama is based upon his political decisions, his neocon/Zionist appointees, his disregard for the well-being of the Palestinian people, his disregard for the well-being of the peoples in Afghanistan and Pakistan, his Bush-like support for aggression and his blatant hypocrisy.
"the brother who certainly has, justifiably, much more against us than we have him." What? What could he have against me? I support "we the people"; B.O. supports Corporate America. The bailouts are a splendid example. I justifiably have more against him than he has against me.
If you are alluding to some justice I should afford him merely on the basis of his half-blackness, I think you should read a couple of articles written by his black brothers and sisters. The following are a few good examples:
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=971&Itemid=1
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=969&Itemid=1
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=966&Itemid=1
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=911&Itemid=1
And maybe you would rather fall on the side of morality, but your hero has no clue about morality. Reverend Jeremiah Wright has a clue about morality, but B.O. dumped him.
"To say 'I am a Christian' is not enough. Why? Because the Christianity of the slaveholder is not the Christianity of the slave. The God to whom the slaveholders pray as they ride on the decks of the slave ship is not the God to whom the enslaved are praying as they ride beneath the decks on that slave ship."
Which God do you think Obama is praying to?
Thank you Magarulian, I was left speechless, you said it for me better than I could have.
What happens when snowflakes stick together?...............friends come together and have snow ball fights. :)
Leea
I was speaking to what the middle east has against us due to our transgressions against them. And, I submit that the slave and the slaveholder prays to the same God and that God embodies both compassion and forgiveness. At least, in the Christian tradition. Now I'm not so sure about the Judeo-Islamic tradition. the trick is for the slave and the slaveholder to become true equals without mutual resentment.
Haven't you figured out yet that there is NO god? Belief in a god is SUPERSTITION.
"Ultimately we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what is best for them. They are going to have to make some decisions," Mr Obama said.
Will Mr Obama say what is best for us? I think he is also going to have to make some decisions. Especially since we are complicit to a degree in what is occurring not some outsiders looking in as he is trying to say. That seems a bit devious.
What happens when snowflakes stick together?...............friends come together and have snow ball fights. :)
Leea
as far as i know Barack Obama is not an arms manufacturer or dealer.
I see someone on here often has the signature that says something to the effect of " don't jude a man until you've walked a mile in his mocassins". Well this doesn't just apply to poor folk. Take a few moments to think of the enormity of the tasks you are asking BO to complete yesterday.
I mean the Democrats are conservatives, but this is a damn sight better than the last guy who was making speeches on behalf of america.
Obama is lying!
His Mid-East policy is the same as Bush's with 1 exception. That exception is Iran dialogue.
1. Iran dialogue is only one way - We will tell them face-to-face what they 'HAVE' to do to avoid military (possibly nuclear) attacks. Our position has NOT changed and WILL NOT according to the new (bowl of) Rice. We are going to tell them 'do as we say - or else'. This approach is even harsher than Bush's misguided sanctions policies.
2. Clinton's statement about Israel echoes propaganda in US press written and paid for by Israel. No change there.
3. Obama is treating Islam as monolithic - just like Bush.
4. Middle Esat envoy Mitchell is only talking to one side of Palestine - Israel conflict. No contacts with Israel neighbor Syria or captive Palestinian population.
etcetera, etcetera, etcet......
But I could be wrong - BUT in this case I am most definitely NOT WRONG!
"US President Barack Obama has told the Muslim world that "Americans are not your enemy""
what a joke on the Semites, the whole world heard Biden crowing at AIPAC, "I am a zionist", the man is a disgrace to the USA.
Absolutely shameful, yes "America" is not the enemy just the source of the funds, the weapons, a veto at the UN and new recruits for the IDF.
Boycott, embargo and blockade Israel until it disavows zionism/nazism/fascism. AND retires it's nuclear arsenal.
Sophie Scholl-The Final Days
"We are not your enemy" except when Israel is involved. Sec. of State Clinton just endorsed Israel's collective punishment of Gaza. Change? Audacity of Hopelessness!
"We're going to follow through on our commitment for me to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital," Mr Obama said.
"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."
Mr Obama did not give a time or a venue for his visit to a major Muslim capital.
He was also asked about the highly personal tone of recent al-Qaeda messages released since he was elected president in November.
He agreed with his interviewer that the tone of recent videos seemed "nervous."
"What that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt," he said.
I wonder if anybody amongst our power brokers have ever considered that the "Muslim world" might be looking at us much as Charlie Brown looked at Lucy after she told him she would hold the football for him, each time promising him that she wouldn't yank it away this time? Over and over and over and ....
That comment about their idea's being "bankrupt" was the same as "bring it on" the twist being "you don't have anything to bring" Taunting to a degree.
I hope that nervousness truly means they have nothing.
The whole world situation is a bit nerve-wracking as it stands.
What happens when snowflakes stick together?...............friends come together and have snow ball fights. :)
Leea
And the attacks against Obama go wild again ! I swear ! These disgruntled puritanical Naderite brown shirts really need to get a life and try running for local offices or better yet House seats if they really don't like Obama. At times I wonder if they're any better or worse than the social conservative brown shirts I have to put up with all the time. The good news despite these attacks is that Obama is doing a much better job of reaching out and putting these disgruntled puritanical Naderite fascists to SHAME.
Terrance Mitchell
Redfield, South Dakota
It hurts to be betrayed doesn't it? I was betrayed by GW Bush in 2000, and in 2008 you get betrayed by Obama. Face it - he LIED for POWER just like every other politician.
Or am I wrong? Are our soldiers withdrawing from Iraq, Afghanistan, S. Korea, Germany, Japan, and every other foreign country we've occupied for 60 years?
Obama is all TALK. People who believe in the power of talk to change the world didn't see the photographs coming out of Gaza today.
I voted for Dubya in 2000 because at that time I was a staunch conservative but left the camp after getting sick and tired of them and I switched to Democrat and voted for Kerry in 2004 and Obama in 2008. Obama is not an amoral leader unlike Dubya. At least Obama is reaching out to the Muslim world. You wouldn't be seeing anything like that with a Mccain/Paling administration so at least try to be grateful. Don't worry. As relations improve and tensions ease, you'll understand so just be patient and take it easy and relax.
Terrance Mitchell
Redfield, South Dakota
Just exactly how long do you think it takes to pull out of a war. How many phone calls and how mush organization? This just cannot be done in two weeks. I am really disapointed that Obama is still playing War Games but he is also at least progressing. But expectations like these are clearly going to make you angrier and not neccessarily speed up the process of troop removal. Maybe you could do some research into what exactly need to be done in order to get out. I mean, you've got probably hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and they're not all mercenaries, doing a vast array of things from blowing shit up to being doctors or simply fillig in forms. They have barracks that they occupy and they need to be packed up or given away and this needs coordination.
I'm all for the cessation of American Policing but please, give it time and be realistic for your own sake.
THANK YOU ! At least someone understands reality.
Terrance Mitchell
Redfield, South Dakota