Obama seeks to change Muslim perceptions of U.S.

CAIRO,  (Reuters) – President Barack Obama sought to  change Muslim perceptions of the United States yesterday in a  speech that urged Arabs and Israelis to declare in public the  realities he said they accept in private.

Addressing the world’s more than 1 billion Muslims from  Cairo, Obama called for a “new beginning” in ties between  Washington and the Islamic world in his speech that also tackled  grievances over two U.S.-led wars and tensions over Iran.

Some Muslims welcomed Obama’s fresh tone after George W.  Bush’s departure even as others expressed frustration that he  failed to outline specific changes to U.S. policy, reflecting  scepticism in the region Obama must still overcome.

In his keynote speech, occasionally interrupted by shouts of  “we love you,” Obama said he did not want U.S. troops to stay in  Iraq or Afghanistan forever and offered mutual respect in  seeking to resolve differences with long-time foe, Tehran.

“We meet at a time of tension between the United States and  Muslims around the world — tension rooted in historical forces  that go beyond any current policy debate,” Obama said in the  address that included quotes from Islam’s holy book, the Koran.

“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United  States and Muslims around the world, one based upon mutual  interest and mutual respect,” he said. “America and Islam are  not exclusive, and need not be in competition.”
“This cycle of suspicion and discord must end,” he said.

Highlighting hostility the U.S. leader faces from some  quarters, al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, in a message on a  website, warned Muslims against alliance with Christians and  Jews, saying it would annul their faith.

The supreme leader of Washington’s regional arch foe, Iran’s  Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said before Obama spoke that America was  “deeply hated” and only action, not “slogans,” could change  that.

The choice of Cairo for the speech underscored Obama’s focus  on the Middle East, where he faces big foreign policy  challenges, from trying to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace  talks to curbing Iran’s nuclear plans that Washington says is to  build atomic bombs. Tehran denies any such aims.

His trip included touring a 14th century mosque and the  pyramids in the desert on the edge of Cairo. He was seen off at  the airport, walking up the red carpet in the t-shirt and  trousers he wore while visiting the ancient pharaonic sites.
TWO-STATE SOLUTION

Although the administration tried to lower expectations in  recent days about what the speech would accomplish, there were  high hopes in the region that he would take a tougher line on  Israel and follow up his words with actions.

He offered few specifics on democracy, rule of law and human  rights in the Arab world, issues many hoped he would spell out.
“He should have been outspoken about democracy and the  universal principles of human rights,” said Syrian lawyer  Mohannad al-Hassani.

Obama, who wants to build a coalition of Muslim governments  to back his diplomatic moves, affirmed his commitment to a  two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, saying  it was in the interest of all concerned parties.

“That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with  all the patience that the task requires,” he said.
He said Palestinians had to abandon violence and urged them  to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist. He also said Israel  should stop building settlements in the West Bank.

“It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be  true,” Obama said, adding Washington would “say in public what  we say in private” and told others to follow suit.

Palestinian official Nabil Abu Rdainah said: “President  Obama’s speech is a good start and an important step towards a  new American policy.”

Israel responded by saying it shared President Obama’s hopes  for Middle East peace but Israel’s security interests remained  paramount. The official statement made no mention of Jewish  settlements nor Palestinian statehood.

Obama said Iran should have access to peaceful atomic power,  but it must adhere to nuclear non-proliferation.
“(This) is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the  Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a  hugely dangerous path,” Obama said.

Obama said the United States had no interest in keeping  military bases in Afghanistan and said Washington had a  responsibility to “leave Iraq to Iraqis” and build a better  future for them.

“This speech was very inspiring and I think many people will  welcome it, because he tried to be neutral and honest and  objective,” said Egyptian analyst Khalil al-Anani.
Other reaction was mixed.

“The Islamic world does not need moral or political sermons.  It needs a fundamental change in American policy,” said MP  Hassan Fadlallah of Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Mohamed Habib, deputy leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood,  said: “It’s a public relations address more than anything else.”