drawer The question is: "We will do everything he preaches?. A change of mentality does not happen from one day to another.
Source: Diario La Nacion of Argentina
Alberto Armendariz
To THE NATION
To THE NATION
NEW YORK.? In an interview with one of the major television networks in the Middle East, the first granted to a foreign media since he took over the White House, President Barack Obama sought the Muslim world last night sent a message of respect and reconciliation. Said the United States is not enemy of Islam, which will make every effort to achieve a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, and even extended his hand to Iran.
"My work with the Muslim world is to inform you that Americans are not your enemy. Sometimes we make mistakes, we have not been perfect. But America was not born as a colonial power and there is no reason not to restore the same respect and the same U.S. collaboration with the Muslim world was as recently as 20 or 30 years, "the president said the channel Al-Arabiya, based in Dubai. The interview marked a sharp change in tone and style from the relationship he had his predecessor, George W. Bush, with nations Islamic.
"My work with the Muslim world is to inform you that Americans are not your enemy. Sometimes we make mistakes, we have not been perfect. But America was not born as a colonial power and there is no reason not to restore the same respect and the same U.S. collaboration with the Muslim world was as recently as 20 or 30 years, "the president said the channel Al-Arabiya, based in Dubai. The interview marked a sharp change in tone and style from the relationship he had his predecessor, George W. Bush, with nations Islamic.
Noting that he lived in a Muslim country? Spent his childhood in Indonesia, where he was the second husband of his mother? and who has relatives followers of Mohammed, said Obama also has pledged to change the image of Islam in America.
"The Muslim world is full of extraordinary people who just want to live their lives and see their children live better lives," he said. "In all my travels through the Islamic world have understood that beyond your faith, and America is a country of Muslims, Jews, Christians and nonbelievers, people have certain common hopes and dreams," he added.
The interview, which was taped at the White House coincided with the arrival in Egypt of the new Middle East envoy appointed by Obama last week, former Sen. George Mitchell, a veteran diplomat who was instrumental in ending the armed conflict in Northern Ireland. Mitchell, who spend a week in the region, will also visit Israel, Palestinian territories, Jordan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, before making a stop in France and Britain.
The flamboyant president explained that Mitchell instructed to listen carefully to each of the sides and then include their views on any proposal the formulation.
"Many times the United States begins dictate what to do instead of listening. So now we will hear soon. We can not say to the Israelis or the Palestinians what is best for them. They have to make decisions" she said. But I think that it is time for both sides to realize that the way in which they are not conducive to the prosperity and security for their people. On the contrary, it is time to return to the negotiating table. "
He further stated that their diplomatic efforts, Washington will remain a strong ally of Israel, whose security is a sine qua non for any agreement. And any solution to the conflict Middle East must include a contiguous Palestinian state, to allow free movement of its citizens, and can trade with other countries.
"There are Israelis who recognize the importance of peace. They are willing to make sacrifices if the timing is right and there is a serious cooperation from the other party," he said and then praise the peace plan presented by King Abdullah Saudi Arabia, which implies recognition of Israel by Arab countries in return for Israeli withdrawal to the borders it had until 1967.
and stressing the need for a peace agreement for future generations, said: "At the end of the day, what counts is whether a child in the territories Palestinians will be better, have the possibility of a better future, and if a child in Israel can be confident of their safety. If we can concentrate on improving their lives, look forward and not just think of the conflicts and tragedies of the past, I think we have the opportunity to make real progress. "
On the other hand, dismissed the recent threats of terrorist network Qaeda, that Obama has not shown more who are nervous about the prospect of change.
"What that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt," remarked "I can not respect .Yo terrorist organizations that are willing to kill innocent civilians, the pursue. But for the rest of the Islamic world what we offer is a hand of friendship. "Message to Iran
and stressed that it is impossible to think alone in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, the solution should include relations with neighbors such as Syria, Lebanon and Iran and even take into account what happens in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In this sense, used his dialogue to send a goodwill message to the government of Iran, whom the Bush administration termed the "axis of evil" for its surreptitious nuclear activities. According to the former government in Washington, the process of Iranian uranium enrichment is aimed at producing nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists is for energy and peaceful.
"As I said in my inaugural address, if countries like Iran open their fists, you will find our hand out. It is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly what our differences, but also where there are ways potential breakthrough, "he said.
His remarks were echoed yesterday in the State Department, where the new head of U.S. diplomacy, Hillary Clinton, Obama's former rival in the Democratic primaries, "suggested to the Iranians to seize the moment to make your first move.
"There is a clear opportunity for the Iranians to show their willingness to engage positively with the international community," said Clinton, who during the campaign had taken a much more iron in relation to Tehran and he even ridicule Obama proposed direct talks with the Iranian authorities.