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January 27, 2009

Obama on Arab TV: Moment at Hand to Forge Middle East Peace Accord
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US president gives first formal interview to Muslim world, saying he
plans to follow through on promise to address them from Muslim capital 
US President Obama gives exclusive interview to Al-Arabiya TVU.S.
President Barack Obama says "the moment is ripe" for Israelis and
Palestinians to achieve a lasting peace, but added that all parties in
the region must play a role in the process. In an interview with
Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television, Mr. Obama said both sides would have
to decide for themselves what is best for them. But the new president
said late Monday Israelis and Palestinians must realize the current
situation will not result in "prosperity and security" for their people.

Speaks Directly to Muslim World In his first formal interview - one made
directly to the Muslim world - the American leader said it is not
possible to think of the Middle East without looking at the region as a
whole, including Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Pakistan. He said
they are interrelated. Middle East envoy George Mitchell, 22 Jan 2009Mr.
Obama's interview with the Arabic language TV network came as his new
special Middle East envoy, former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, began
his first official trip to the region. Mitchell's first stop is Egypt,
which has been mediating efforts at finding a sustainable truce between
Hamas and Israel. He is also expected to travel to Israel, the West
Bank, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Mr. Obama said his envoy will discuss how
to solidify the cease-fires declared by Israel and Hamas, and how to
tackle the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The president said he told
Mitchell to use the trip to begin listening to all parties concerned,!
  saying that all too often the U.S. starts the process by "dictating"
the terms of the negotiations. Mr. Obama said he is following through on
a campaign pledge to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the
start of his administration, signaling a break with his predecessor,
former President George W. Bush. He also says he plans to follow through
on a promise to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital.

Obama: 'Not Your Enemy'During the interview, Mr. Obama stressed that the
United States is not an enemy of the Muslim world, and is ready to begin
a new partnership "based on mutual respect and mutual interest." He
denounced the verbal attacks launched against him by the al-Qaida
terrorist network, saying it shows their ideas are "bankrupt." 

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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