Financial Times: Arabs respond warmly to Obama interview

Arabs respond warmly to Obama interview
By Edward Luce in Washington and Roula Khalaf in London


Published: January 27 2009 19:27 | Last updated: January 27 2009 19:27


The Arab world responded positively on Tuesday to Barack Obama’s surprise interview with an Arabic language television channel – the first he has given to any news organisation since he became US president in what was intended to signal a sharp break with George W. Bush.

Mr Obama, who called in his inaugural speech for a new relationship between the US and the Muslim world based on “mutual respect”, took Washington and the Middle East by surprise on Monday night by telling the Al Arabiya channel that he would set aside the “preconceptions” of the Bush years.

Promising a renewed drive towards a Israel-Palestine peace agreement, Mr Obama said he had instructed George Mitchell, the special envoy to the region, to keep an open mind. Mr Mitchell, a former senator whose appointment was greeted warmly by both sides last week, arrived in the region on Tuesday.

“What I told him is start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating,” said Mr Obama. “What we want to do is to listen, set aside some of the preconceptions that have existed and have built up over the last several years. And I think if we do that, then there’s a possibility at least of achieving some breakthroughs.” .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/da3578a2-eca4-11dd-a534-0000779fd2ac.html

...some idiots to say..well you know...

We've had enough of the cowboy diplomacy of * and his gang.

thank you President Obama.