Obama wins local (muted) applause

U.S. President Barack Obama’s long-awaited address to the Muslim world yesterday was deemed a new beginning for U.S. relations, but analysts criticized Obama’s emphasis on women’s rights and democracy, which are problems not limited to the Islamic world.Â

In early reactions to Obama’s speech from Egypt’s Cairo University, President Abdullah Gül said Obama proved he was a "constructive leader."

"With his expressions and commitments [Thursday] Obama proved once more that he is a constructive leader who can establish partnership with Islamic countries for peace and stability," he said.

In his speech, which was translated into more than a dozen languages, Obama said the United States and Islam share common principles and that Islam has always been part of U.S. history. The president vowed to fight negative stereotypes of Islam, and referring to his speech in Ankara in early April, he reiterated, "America is not at war with Islam." His televised speech beginning with a salute in Arabic "Esselamu alejkum," included references from the Koran and was often interrupted by applause from the audience. "I found Obama’s speech positive, especially the emphasis on democracy, education and science and women’s rights, but I haven’t seen a deep-rooted change in his address," said retired diplomat Faruk Loğoğlu, Turkey’s former ambassador to Washington.

LoÄŸoÄŸlu said, as a concept, he had been against an address to the Muslim world since the very beginning because it implied a division between Islam and the rest of the world.

"The Islamic world is not united, not a single entity, and there are differing political, sectarian movements in Islam," he said. "One of the controversial elements in the address was that it seemed as if it were the Muslim world that takes a stance against the other. Is this particular to the Islamic world only? I think [Obama] made a conceptual mistake."

"There is no doubt that it was a positive, historic speech," said religious cleric from Istanbul Mustafa ?aÛrİcİ. But he similarly made clear that shortcomings were not particular to Islam. "I hope Obama addresses the Israeli parliament too and expresses the shortcomings of the Jewish religion."
Obama's address was a continuity of his messages in Ankara, according to Yasemin ?ongar of daily Taraf.

"With such a president in the White House delivering such messages, the job of radical Islamists, opponents of the headscarf and Islam and any kind of groups fed by the tension in the post-Sept.11 era is really hard," she said.

Stefanie Babst, NATO's deputy assistant secretary-general for public diplomacy, said the United States was trying to re-establish confidence and trust in the Arab world.

"Obama is trying to give a message to the Arab world that Washington is a partner to them in overcoming the worldÕs crises but not a superpower deciding in the name of them," she said.

On the Middle East, Obama said the U.S. could not accept the legitimacy of Israeli constructions that undermine peace efforts and called for the Palestinians to abandon violence.

"With his emphasis on his commitment to governments that reflect the will of the people, his objection to violent extremism and his emphasis on the United StatesÕ dedication to peace in the Middle East, Obama repeated a lot of well-known themes in American foreign policy. But his style is different, and this does create a huge difference in the perception of Washington in the hearts and minds of the Muslim world," said Ian O. Lesser of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

"Washington has always been committed to a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestine conflict. Obama made this issue one of his top priorities in U.S. foreign policy since he came to power," he said.

While highlighting in his address the United States' "unbreakable" bond with Israel, Obama also urged the Jewish state to take concrete steps for peace and welcomed the Arab peace initiative as an "important beginning."

"The U.S. has always been an ally of Israel and it has always supported us in the challenges we faced. Obama in his speech made a reference to the road map. Well I believe that government of Israel should reaffirm its acceptance of the road map; however, I do believe that some of the reservations are still valid," said Oded Eran director of the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies.

The U.S. policies in the Middle East are extremely important, said Babst.

"I appreciate very much what Obama does in the Middle East. He goes around, he makes clear that the U.S. administration is committed to listen, dialogue, cooperation and multi-lateralism, but not to impose on other countries. Washington is committed to work with its partners in the Middle East and we would need to move on that. In this respect, I believe that his message is much more important than concrete results," she said.

On Iran, Obama said Washington wants to prevent a nuclear armament race in the Middle East. "I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons."

"In his address Obama, without naming, questioned Israel's nuclear armament. This is important," said ?ongar.
Borys Tarasyuk, Ukraine's former foreign minister, said Obama was right to communicate directly with the Muslim world.

"I deem it absolutely correct on the part of Obama to visit Saudi Arabia and Egypt and to show that he takes these countries into consideration," Tarasyuk said.

"In principle, he is doing the right thing in talking to the Muslim countries. Myself, I do not accept the clash of civilizations theory. I believe it is an artificial concept as whenever danger emerged, Christians and Muslims united to fight against terrorism. Hence, I would be very cautious in trying to distinguish nations on this basis and that is what the new U.S. administration opposes as well."