Barack Obama
Voice loud, but friendly. "Hello, hello, hello," he said while entering the room. Seven journalists have been many countries that wait around the round table in the hall next to the University of Cairo, Egypt, it also stands to welcome, on Thursday last week.
Barack Obama recently finished a hall at the university. Around 3000 in front of the audience-mostly students-President of the United States is talking about his country, the world of Islam, and mustahaknya peace. He quoted al-Quran and the Torah. Throughout the 55 minutes it gives the audience more than 25 aplaus, and two times the cry of "I love you!"
He did not look tired when entering the interview room. While shake, journalists began to ask. "Still can speak Indonesia?" Shahanaaz journalist Habib's The Star newspaper, Malaysia, greet. Obama said in the fluent English, "It is many forget."
Tempo journalist, Bambang Harymurti, ask four questions, including about Obama's plan look in her house in Menteng Dalam, Jakarta. Also sikapnya on the relationship of political and religious.
Obama is not the pure sekularisme, such as the generally liberal in the Democratic Party. Experiences interact in the church make activists see the role of pastor of the church circles of color (black Churches), which are also social activists, and even politics.
Wear the black suit and blue tie, President Obama sitting in the chair and start the event with a relaxed, but serious. "We only have a say within 30 minutes, and a new me," he said. "So, should we just start this event in turns." He was immediately appointed Wafa Amr, women journalists in the newspaper Al-Quds Palestine.
Questions for the question slide, and President Obama to answer them with full confidence. Presumably, as the experience of making the problem complicated campin with the fresh, as always dilampiri an amusement.
Do not feel 50 minutes elapsed, and the interview should be terminated. "I now want to see the pyramid," he said. But journalists apparently do not want to release Obama casually. Event photos together and have a signature was also held before the president left the room was friendly.
Here is an interview with President Obama Tempo and six journalists from Palestine, Egypt, Israel, Malaysia, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia.
When you come to Indonesia?
O. .. I need to visit Indonesia soon. I expect the next year. I will be surprised if in a trip to Asia later I drop to my old home, Jakarta. Go to Menteng Dalam, eating meatball and fried rice ... (laughing).
I live only an 300-meters from your house in Menteng In ....
Is that right? But I hear the road is paved now, ya? Previously, when I lived there, the road is still the land, so that rain and mud, so cars were trapped.
Are you coming November akan later, when the meeting Cooperation Asia-Pacific Economic (APEC)?
Do not ask me a matter of detail ... (laughing).
In the book The Audacity of Hope, you write your experiences concerning the activities involved in the black church. Do you feel a lot of similarity of views among the activist black church is about relationships with the religious and political view of the activist political Islam?
As a Christian who is also the strong support of democracy and human rights, the Constitution and science faculty, I have views on how people live together pluralistik. This is a problem that has many I think. What I try to Communicate in my speech is what I believe is very, that the world is now interdependen such as this, where a variety of different confidence must live together, we need confidence that adults, which is to say, I strongly believe my confidence, but I respect the fact that other people can also be very confident keyakinannya different. So, the only way we can live together is if we agree on a political system that produces the rules about how the relationship is done with, that is I can not impose my religious regulations in effect on other people, that I can not mobilize the majority to discriminate against the minority . I can not take the rules in my religion and apply them to the other religions.
That does not mean I can not bring up arguments based on my confidence. For example, as the Christians, I believe the command of God can not kill, and as a politician I seek laws that prohibit the killing. This is not to impose my religion my confidence, but fight for moral values that may be received also by other parties because it is universal. I think is very important for Muslims to ponder this question. For example, about sharia. I realize not all religions have the same views about the role in politics, part of which is feasible in ajarannya applied to the secular law. But, if that force ajarannya must be run by the religious or other groups, this is clearly contrary to the spirit of democracy and the old-old will cause instability, even destruktif behavior in the community. This is the important issues that need to be internally among adherent of Islam.
One thing I believe, when there who feel justified by his religion to kill other people, surely it was mistaken to understand the teachings of religion. I think this is a problem that perdebatannya is complete for most people, but are still very small group of potential destruktif.
Why choose Cairo to launch this speech?
I think it is important to do in Cairo, the main problem because of the relationship of Islam and the United States later this area is in the Middle East. This has impressed nearly mencederai Indonesia, not only because I personally know a close culture. My step-sister born in Indonesia. But, plainly, the relationship the United States and Indonesia are generally good. Indeed, had weakened some time after the Iraq war, but in general can be said our good communication. The trend is a problem in the source, not to avoid. And in this situation now, I think, the source of the problem is with the United States with the countries in the Middle East.
Your speech is actually directed to whom? Groups do not seem extreme menggubris.
Particularly among young Islamic world. If there are young people of Islam, may be aged 20 years, which left me a call, and start a conversation with a friend, or of the parents, that means my speech is not futile. Hopefully the talks do not make them easily recruited extreme groups. Extreme groups are the target audience is not my speech.
Not to your expectations too high?
I've tried explaining that only one speech will not solve the problem. That I want to do is start a conversation, not just between me and the people of Islam, but between the Islamic community itself, between the United States, is also among the Western community, namely how to discuss this issue with honesty. What is the diagnosis of the problem is? May take long to make a diagnosis, but may not do it without the right diagnosis. I do not think some of these problems can be solved in a short time.
What is the difference between your approach to government than previous efforts to solve the problem in Palestine?
I think it is too premature right now. I've delivered a speech about the things the principle only, not into its implementation. Prime Minister Netanyahu appointed a new two months, and President Mahmud Abbas, who I met two weekends ago, is consulting with Arab leaders. Are still to be discussed far readiness of each party looking for a settlement. This is a difficult problem, and not be considered frivolous. Moreover, each party has a political problem that is also remarkable. This conflict has been running 60 years, may not be completed in a short time.
Is there a time frame in solving this case?
I do not want to force the schedule. I think negotiations can be perceived at an impasse, and when moving. While this impasse has occurred for long enough time, then need to be moved back.
How does your attitude towards Hamas?
I have already mentioned in my earlier speech can not be denied that Hamas has the support of some Palestinian residents. I also say, Hamas must shoulder the responsibility started if you want to run the government. Hamas must be aware, may not run a government without recognizing the existence of neighboring countries, Israel. Eliminate Israel is an illusion. Hamas must now decide whether to speak or just interested in the real paper. If this is the serious, Hamas must be out of the way violence and recognize Israel right to life. If this is done, many things that can be negotiated. So the options are actually in the hands of Hamas.
Can you press the government of the Prime Minister Netanyahu, considering the strong Israel lobby in the United States Congress?
First, I have explained that the relationship the United States and Israel is very strong, may not drop out of, any party in power in Congress. Relationship is very deep, because of cultural and historical factors. So please do not drop out of this relationship will be. About Prime Minister Netanyahu, he just sort of coalition that is not easy, and the new two weeks. Currently, many citizens of Israel lost the trust of the negotiation process. I believe Prime Minister Netanyahu will bring back this belief. Remember Nixon's famous visit to China? Because Nixon's Republic Party, known antikomunis, he can do. This is difficult to be a president from the Democratic Party. I believe Netanyahu can play a role as Nixon first. At least, give the opportunity a few months before the settlement of the case of Palestine declares certain to fail.
How do you actually know about Iran's attitude?
I have already explained this problem in the past, and remain consistent. Iran is also of interest to prevent the occurrence of the nuclear race has in this area. My approach is, let's discuss this and find solutions together. But I also aware about the limitations of time, about the importance of this problem solved soon. I tend to approach diplomacy in solving the problem, but I certainly do not want to talk just for talking only. If I do not see any progress, the other options considered in order to keep our interest.
Once elected U.S. president, Barack Obama, was on January 20, all eyes will be is to the government's first 100 days. Obama debut in the White House will determine the future of government.
Obama issues fundamental changes in U.S. public life, such as expanding health care, withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, and the application of new energy strategy that requires more than three months to complete.
Obama Speech inaugurating the opportunity to become important to determine the color of the first 100 days. "I think he must be realistic in that we are currently experiencing a crisis, but also balance between hope and optimism," said Buddy Howell, the president's rhetoric expert Denison University, Thursday (15 / 1).
Obama's first priority after becoming president is persist in the economic stimulus package that Congress is now estimated to reach 850 billion U.S. dollars. The adjuvant Obama, said the draft law concerning stimulus Obama ready to be signed as soon as he is in the Oval Room.
"I think he can not leave (Washington) at all. He stops at Capitol Hill from time to time to make a personal approach, "said Bruce Buchanan, Political Science lecturer at the University of Texas.
Obama seems to doubt can fulfill a campaign promise to close the Guantanamo Bay prison in the first 100-day government. The more likely is Obama's executive order to begin the process of closing the facilities and decide what to do with the remaining detainees.
Towards the inauguration Obama, the Senate has been carry law that will punish anyone who pander ticket inauguration, on Monday. Senator Dianne Feinstein carry law is to respond to requests for 240,000 tickets sheet. Past reports show that the ticket is offered on the internet with a price selangit.
In order to secure the inauguration, more than 12,500 active and reserve soldiers, thousands of metropolitan police, as well as personnel from 57 ministries were to Washington. "We must be vigilant against potential attacks of chemical, biological, and Radiology," said Major General Richard Rowe of the appointment
A spokesperson for the U.S. president elect Barack Obama said Obama refused to comment on the land of Israel to attack Gaza Strip, Saturday (3 / 1).
The spokesman said only to the AFP, the U.S. president will come to follow it closely with the incident.
"President elect oversee the near global events, including the situation in Gaza," said national security spokesman, Brooke Anderson.
However, he did not provide comment on the violence in Gaza and the use of the phrase often repeated by Obama and the pembantunya, said: "There is only one president at a time and we want to menghormatinya". Obama will begin to power on January 20.
Israeli soldiers have been entering Gaza under the cover darkness Saturday, expand the war against Hamas after the artillery demolish the Palestinian territories and airplanes wage war tens of air attacks.
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