auditor0007
Gold Member
Obama's decision to give his first TV interview to the satellite news channel Al Arabiya was intended as an olive branch to the Middle East and to Muslims, the White House said.
"The president believed that this was an opportunity to show the world that he would be personally involved and engaged in seeking long-lasting peace in the Middle East," said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.
A prominent Palestinian lawmaker, Hanan Ashrawi, said of the interview: "People are starting to feel this isn't just lip service."
Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal called the Obama interview a positive development.
Prince Saud said the president expressed a "desire to have a strong and fruitful relationship with the Arab world."
A Jordanian Cabinet minister said Mr. Obama's Middle East vision matches Jordan's desire for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
Washington Times - Obama reaches out with Arab TV interview
The only problem is that we've been down this road how many times? Every administration over the last at least 30 years has tried to broker some kind of peace between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. As for the rest of the Arab world, relations have always been up and down.
Just watch; things will start out looking very positive, then the Arabs will do something to derail any progress that may come about. Next thing, we'll be right back to square one. The problem is it's not an Arab problem; it's a Muslim problem, and until the Muslims decide they actually want to get along with everyone, their one sided view of the world will cause problems for the rest of the world.