US president seeks new beginning with Islamic world

Ben Knight, Cairo

Last Updated: Fri, 5 Jun 2009 13:24:00 +1000

US President Barack Obama, visiting Egypt, has made a landmark speech to the Arab and Muslim world, apologising for the past mistakes of the West, but challenging the Middle East to confront its own shortcomings.

He promised a new relationship with the United States.

While he acknowledged that one speech could not eradicate years of mistrust, he has laid the groundwork for a different approach for dealing with the Middle East.

It is yet to be seen whether he can put any of into practice.

Goodwill of the people

Malaysia's opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, welcomed the speech as an "important beginning" and said most Muslims would see the president's message as sincere.

"Except for the lunatic fringer of the most extreme fanatics, the vast majority would want to seize this opportunity and give peace a chance, and to reciprocate," he said.

Mr Obama told his audience: "I am honoured to be in the timeless city of Cairo.

"I'm grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. And I'm also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Salaam aleikum."

This speech has had a huge build-up in the Middle East.

People have been hoping and expecting the new President to redefine the relationship between Islam and the West.

"I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world," Mr Obama said.

"One based on mutual interest and mutual respect. And one based on the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition.

Fight stereotypes

"And I consider part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam, wherever they appear."

Mr Obama talked of the sins of the past - how Arab nations had suffered through colonialism, and been used as proxies in the Cold War.

And there was acknowledgment of more recent mistakes from Iraq to Cuba.

"I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States. And I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year," Mr Obama said.

But he also challenged Muslims to address their own stereotypes of the United States, and to stop denying that the massacre of Jews in World War II ever happened.

Demand to Israel

For Israel, there was yet another demand to stop building Jewish neighbourhoods on land claimed by Palestinians.

"This construction violates previous agreements, and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for the settlements to stop."

Mr Obama used the word "Palestine" in his speech. It is usually carefully avoided in diplomacy, because as yet, there is no such country.

But he used the word to tell Palestinians what he wanted from them in return for his support for their own state.

"Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong, and it does not succeed," he said.

There were promises to fund schools and roads in Pakistan and to develop the economies of Iraq and Afghanistan.

But there were also admonishments on democracy, religious freedom, and the rights of women.

Gathered in cafes

Above all, there was a promise to face all these challenges in good faith.

As Mr Obama spoke, the streets of Cairo were all but empty. People gathered in the cafes to watch and listen.

Many never thought they would ever hear an American president talking this way.

"He's the first American president to quote the Koran," an Egyptian man said.

"We've never heard that before. It makes us feel very comfortable with him."

But people are also reserving their final judgment.

"He puts his words together so neatly," another Egyptian man said.

"But we need him to put them into practice, because the Arab region has had enough of words."

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