Obama seeks new start for US, Muslims

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

Quoting from the Koran for emphasis, President Barack Obama called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims" yesterday and said together they could confront violent extremism across the globe and advance the search for peace in the Middle East.

In what may be a defining moment of his presidency, Obama laid out a new blueprint for U.S. Middle East policy, vowing to end mistrust, forge a state for Palestinians and defuse a nuclear showdown with Iran. "This cycle of suspicion and discord must end," Obama said in a widely anticipated speech in Egypt, an address designed to reframe relations after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the war in Iraq. Obama's speech fulfilled a campaign promise and came after he held talks in Saudi Arabia Wednesday with King Abdullah and yesterday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak aimed at reviving Middle East peace moves.

The U.S. president also voiced his support for Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilization saying, "Indeed, faith should bring us together." Turkish President Abdullah Gül said the remarks proved that Obama was a constructive leader with whom Islamic countries could set up partnership relations to ensure peace and stability in the region. Gül described the speech as "honest and realistic."

In the university's imposing domed Great Hall, Obama said American ties with Israel were unbreakable, yet issued a firm, evenhanded call to the Jewish state and Palestinians alike to live up to their international obligations. The White House said Obama's speech contained no new policy proposals on the Middle East, according to a report by The Associated Press.

"And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the U.S. to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear," said the president, who recalled hearing prayer calls of azaan at dawn and dusk while living in Indonesia as a boy.

Obama arrived in the Middle East on Wednesday, greeted by a new and threatening message from al-Qaeda’s leader, Osama bin Laden. But Obama said the actions of violent extremist Muslims were "irreconcilable with the rights of human beings," and quoted the Koran to make his point.

He also called on Israelis and Palestinians to revive stalled peace talks, demanding Palestinians halt violence and Israelis to ease the plight of those in the occupied territories. "Too many tears have been shed. Too much blood has been shed," Agence France-Presse quoted him as saying.

He also renewed his offer for dialogue "without preconditions" with Iran, after a decades-long Cold War-style conflict.