Thursday, June 11, 2009

Obama Speech Leaves a Heavy Hangover


By Adam Morrow and Khaled Moussa Al-Omrani

"CAIRO, Jun 11 (IPS) - The historic speech U.S. President Barack Obama delivered in Cairo Jun. 4 continues to stir people around the Middle East. Questions are raised what it will mean on the ground in the region.....

But some Arab commentators saw in the speech less cause for optimism. Opposition journalist Abdel-Halim Kandil said the U.S. President's talk of peace in the Middle East amounted to "the same old fare wrapped up in a new package."

"He merely repeated the same mantras mouthed by (former U.S. President Bill) Clinton, (former Israeli prime minister Ehud) Barak and (late Palestinian leader Yasser) Arafat in 2002; mantras like 'peace process,' 'Road Map' etc," Kandil told IPS. "When in reality, Washington - like Israel - doesn't want peace, but rather wants to maintain Israeli supremacy on the ground."....

"Obama might look different from his predecessor (George W.) Bush, but in reality his policies appear to be no different," Kandil added. "Despite all the talk of peace, the region has never been closer to war." "

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