Obama’s First Interview Is With Muslim TV – Al Arabiya

Obama: U.S. not your enemy
Politico
President Barack Obama presented a humble and conciliatory face of America to the Islamic world Monday in the first formal interview since he assumed office, stressing his own Muslim ties and hopes for a Palestinian state, and avoiding a belligerent tone — even when asked if America could “live with” an Iranian nuclear weapon.

“I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries,” Obama said, according to a White House transcript. “My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy.”

The Al Arabiya interview, directed squarely at Muslims around the world,…

What I told him is start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating — in the past on some of these issues — and we don’t always know all the factors that are involved,” Obama said. “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.”

Obama’s interview was marked by attempts to sympathize with the concerns of ordinary Muslims, particularly on the question of living conditions in the West Bank.

“Will the United States ever live with a nuclear Iran? And if not, how far are you going in the direction of preventing it?” asked the interviewer, Al Arabiya Washington Bureau Chief Hisham Melhem.

Obama responded only generally, expressing disapproval of an Iranian bomb but not the flat condemnation that is standard from American officials.

“Israel is a strong ally of the United States. They will not stop being a strong ally of the United States. And I will continue to believe that Israel’s security is paramount,” he said. “But I also believe that there are Israelis who recognize that it is important to achieve peace. They will be willing to make sacrifices if the time is appropriate and if there is serious partnership on the other side.”

Obama’s interview plan was made public only Monday afternoon, and the interview, which concluded just after 6:00 p.m., was distributed to reporters in the evening and embargoed for release at 11:00 p.m.
Asked why Al Arabiya had been granted the president’s first interview, and aide said: “We want to communicate directly to the entire world America’s new foreign policy.”

.

Wild Thing’s comment……….
He sure is a lot like Carter, he trashes the USA and says “too often the USA starts by dictating and not by listening. ”
There are more parts to the interview, but my stomach could only handle this part one video.
“Israel is a strong ally of the United States. They will not stop being a strong ally of the United States..”
I see no affirmation from Obama of America’s support for Israel in this.
So the golden rule in politics must be …..he who contributes the most gets the first interviews.
Illegal Obama donors: Middle Eastern Arabs

Gazan brothers’ illicit contributions listed in government campaign filings

“Palestinian brothers inside the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip are listed in government election filings as having donated $29,521.54 to Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign.

Donations of this nature would violate election laws, including prohibitions on receiving contributions from foreigners and guidelines against accepting more than $2,300 from one individual during a single election, Bob Biersack, a spokesman for the Federal Election Commission.