America.gov (Washington, DC)
Merle David Kellerhals, Jr.
4 June 2009
Saying he came to seek a new beginning between the United States and the Muslim world, President Obama told an audience in Cairo June 4 that the cycle of suspicion and discord that has defined the relationship for so long must end.
Obama said he seeks a new start that is based on mutual interest and mutual respect — “one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead they overlap and share common principles, principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.”
“This must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground,” Obama said in an advance copy of the speech received in Washington. “So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than cooperation that can help all of our people achieve prosperity.”
The widely anticipated speech, which was expected to be closely followed by the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims, was held at Cairo University and co-hosted by Al-Azhar University. It was the second day of a five-day trip taking the president to the Middle East and Europe. He met with Saudi King Abdullah June 3 in Riyadh before traveling on to Cairo for meetings with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
White House officials said this trip is an opportunity to continue the president’s outreach both in the Middle East and in Europe, and it follows on visits to Washington on May 18 by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on May 28 on how to resume the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
OBAMA ADDRESSES RANGE OF ISSUES
Obama said that problems the United States and the Muslim world confront must be dealt with through partnership and progress, and must be shared. Sources of tension, the president said, must be addressed directly.
The themes Obama addressed in his far-ranging speech began with violent extremism, the threat it poses and what the United States has done in response; the conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan; Iraq; the Israeli-Palestinian peace process; and the broader issues of democracy and human rights. “Let me speak as clearly and plainly as I can about some specific issues that we must confront together,” the president said.
Obama said the United States will confront violent extremists who pose a threat to U.S. national security “because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women and children.” He said that the current situation in Afghanistan demonstrates U.S. goals and the need to work together to end the violence against innocent men, women and children.
The victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States had nothing to do with the political grievances or ideology of al-Qaida, he said. “And yet al-Qaida ruthlessly murdered these people, claimed credit for the attack, and repeatedly states their determination to kill again on a massive scale,” the president said.
“America cannot tolerate these extremists, and neither should you.”
The president also acknowledged that military power alone will not solve problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which is why the United States is investing billions of dollars each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build hospitals, schools, roads and businesses, and help those who have been displaced by a militant insurgency. And it is why the United States leads a coalition of nations in Afghanistan to help build the elements of a nation and bring stability and peace to the Afghan people.
The second source of tension between the Muslim world and the United States is the current stalemate between the Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world. Talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators stalled in 2008 and the Obama administration has been working to get them restarted.
“The only solution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security,” Obama said. “I will personally pursue this outcome. For peace to come, it is time for them — and all of us — to live up to our responsibilities.”
For many years, Obama said, the United States and others in Europe and the Middle East have been working to encourage Iran to halt its nuclear weapons development program. But he said a decisive point has been reached and it is in no one’s interest for a devastating nuclear arms race to develop that could lead the Middle East “down a hugely dangerous path.”
While it will be difficult to overcome decades of mistrust, the United States, others and Iran must proceed with resolve to end this crisis, Obama said.
DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
The president said that, while no form of government should be imposed on any nation by another, he believes strongly in a system of government that gives voice to the people, and that respects the rule of law and the rights of all.
“Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure,” he said. “Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away.”
In supporting the role of democracy, Obama also called for greater religious freedom as necessary for peoples of the world to be able to live together.
Obama also encouraged the growth of rights for women, saying that “a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous.”
The president concludes his trip with a stop in Germany June 5 and France on June 6.
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What an insult to Nigeria. As a Nigerian, I feel personally insulted and offended. This goes to buttress what we have been saying all along, Nigeria should put its house in order. The decision by Obama is right of course and certainly echoes the comments made by Oprah a while back. Why the hell should he associate himself and the US government with a directionless leader that came to power through a rigged election and worse still, an internationally recognised corrupt country and government?
Guys, we all know we can do better and that the people of Nigeria certainly deserve better. We can not and must be insulted this way as a nation. Now, this does not mean that we must kowtow whatever the US says, rather, we must ensure that we always claim and hold the moral high ground in our dealings and affiliations with ourselves and the world at large, at all times.
Big slap on the face for Africa,s most populous nation. This came about because there are people who don,t care about the public image of the country and by extension the welfare of their fellow citizens,I don,t care if Obama recognises the greatness inherent in Nigeria,I only care about the collective efforts of Polit-criminals with support from the EUROPE and US making that truly great land a laughing stock in the eyes of the world. Obama, Nigerians should not be insulted this way because of the sins of their wayward and ignorant rulers who,ve been dully propped up by the very same country of which you,re now president.If you like, all through your term in office don,t bother to visit,we won,t loose sleep over it, what we,ll always loose sleep over is the continued support these very same people have and continues to get from the imperialists of which you,re now head, to harm the peace loving people of Nigeria,economically,socially, politically, that,s what you should urgently seek ways to change if you,re to get any support for your not yet specified policy direction with regard to Africa. Africom is not welcomed on our soil because we believe it,s anti African and wholeheartedly reject it,even if you go beg Ghana to allow it, we still reject it for reasons bordering on history and for the future stability of our continent,no Africom on our soil.
Tewin,why are u so disappointed that obama is not coming to nigeria,look the whole world is tired of nigeria and their funny superlatives:giant of africa,most populous black on earth,that is all bull-shit,the world had waited for us enough,and they just have to move on and look for another leadership from africa,they were looking to south-africa, however they too had started on the path of gloom,by voting their new real african leader.if iam in obama shoe i would do the same,the truth is very bitter but we must admit it no body respect nigeria again in the committe of nations except perphaps if they want a troope to war ravage zones like daffur or somali which our poverty stricken soldiers and their greedy comanders are ready to die like cock-roach.see forget nigeria their is nothing to talk about again.
"The US President delivered his speech after meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the second stop of a four-nation trip to the Middle East and Europe."
Excuse me...Egypt is in Africa...this is his first visit to Africa...why can't we acknowledge this?????
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