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Obama: Getting tough won't mend Mid-East
Kiran Randhawa27 Jan 2009
BARACK Obama today signalled a radical change in America's approach to the Middle East when he said his administration would not "dictate" to the region.
He gave an interview to a Middle Eastern television network to spell out a new approach in the wake of the Israeli offensive against Gaza.
But hopes of the fragile ceasefire holding were hit today by a clash between Israeli troops and Hamas militants.
Mr Obama taped the interview with the Dubai-based network yesterday as his envoy to the Middle East, former Senator George Mitchell, set out for an eight-day trip to the region and elsewhere.
The interview complemented the new administration's first efforts to reach out to Arab leaders, who have been wary, at best, of US efforts to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
The president said he felt it important to "get engaged right away" in the Middle East and had directed Mr Mitchell, who laid the foundations for the Northern Ireland peace process, to talk to "all the major parties involved". His administration would craft an approach after that, he said. "What I told him is start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating."
He reiterated the US commitment to Israel as an ally, and to its right to defend itself but he suggested that Israel has hard choices to make and that his administration would press harder for it to do so.
"We cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what's best for them," he said. "They're going to have to make some decisions. But I do believe that the moment is ripe for both sides to realise that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people."
Mr Obama added: "There are Israelis who recognise 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." He stopped short of giving a timetable, but said he was certain progress can be made.
Israeli troops and Hamas militants clashed along the Israel-Gaza border in the first outbreak of violence since last week's ceasefire.
Heavy gunfire could be heard near the Gaza border crossing of Kissufim. The Israeli army claimed an explosive device exploded along the border, targeting one of their patrols. Hamas claimed it had killed an Israeli soldier.
●Britain is refusing to take more terror suspects from Guantanamo Bay as Mr Obama seeks to close it down. The UK has said it will take the last two Britons detained there, having already seen nine British citizens and four residents return here.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband argued that Britain had already "done its bit". He added: "We're happy to offer our experience to other European countries, as they think about what steps they want to make, to help the camp's closure."
Holland says it will not help to deal with the "mess" created by America, while Germany, France, Sweden, Portugal and Ireland have signalled they may accept some of the suspected terrorists.
Reader views (4)
Wasn't Bush Jnr the first US President to publicly back a two state solution? Don't hold you breath folks. Nothing much is going to happen any time soon.
- W R Stevenson, London, 29/01/2009 11:29
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America will never touch Israel due to financial ties with with the zeonist.
- Forbes, barnsley, 28/01/2009 10:07
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Well the hard line treatment didn't work did it?
- Andy, London, 27/01/2009 14:05
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A good starting point is taking a harder line with Israel and not being complicit in their war crimes.
- Sorrell, Richmond, 27/01/2009 13:23
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