David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Friday 05 June, 2009

Obama's Cairo speech

There has been a lot of comment on President Obama's outstanding Cairo speech.  But one of the most interesting aspects was the contrast between what he had to say and the speeches this week of Iran's Supreme Leader and President. Obama talked about looking to the future rather than living in the past, and making sure that the West and Islam recognise their shared common principles. 

By contrast, Khamenei used his speech to refer to Israel as a 'cancerous tumour', and Ahmadinejad called the Holocaust a 'deception'.  

The US, not just a superpower but a vibrant and diverse democracy, is now led by one of the most eloquent and thoughtful leaders this young century has produced. The US people can be proud, and optimistic.  Iran, which ought to be playing a full role in the community of nations, has leaders who keep it in isolation by endlessly wallowing in hatred. Its people deserve better.

Posted at 15:33 05 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[8]

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At least President Obama can make a speech in the middle east without anyone throwing a shoe at him.

Posted by Марко Фризия on June 06, 2009 at 03:29 AM BST #

Gary Sick says it best here: http://garysick.tumblr.com/post/118698247/is-obama-running-for-president-of-the-world It's as if Obama is running for election in the middle-east. As a British-Iranian with deep connections to my motherland, I truly hope the mullahs in Iran mellow out. They are ruining the best chance Iranians have for opening up to the world and being able to progress. There is so much potential inside Iran, with 70 of the youth population, most wanting better ties with the west it pains my heart to see them ruled over like this.

Posted by Ali on June 06, 2009 at 01:42 PM BST #

well said David it was an brilliant speech and a much need area of U.S foreign policy needing renewed emphasis by their new President, your not a bad public speaker yourself either!!

Posted by Chris Bird on June 06, 2009 at 09:08 PM BST #

The speech has aroused comment. Have you read this one at http://mjakbarblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/thank-you-for-nildus-speech-mr.html

Posted by mike on June 07, 2009 at 12:43 AM BST #

People understand the differences between rationality and baseless rhetoric like Khamenie’s and Ahmadinejad’s. Awareness to the wider world is increasing in an individual level. More and more people will realize the truth about the old rhetoric and the way those misguided them. President Obama uses rationale to unveil the roots of issues and to light up the paths of accord talking to the most sensitive points without avoiding them, and that is unique.

Posted by Chamila Liyanage on June 08, 2009 at 02:42 PM BST #

How to make the Muslims forget the follies of the regime led by the former US President, George W Bush, seems the main foreign policy agenda of the incumbent President, Barack Hussain Obama. Once reputation is tarnished, its salvage is difficult is the dilemma the Obama regime including Hillary Clinton is confronted with for the US. On June 4, 2009, at Cairo University, Egypt, Obama took finally a daring decision to reach out to the Muslims in general in an attempt to make them forget the words like ‘crusade’ used for the war on terror and overlook the places like Guantanamo Bay. Instead, the Muslims were urged to share a common ground of trust, harmony, and respect. Obama’s speech depicted clearly a change in the thinking of the Americans in general. Obama’s words personified that change to end hostility with the Muslims.

Posted by Dr Qaisar Rashid on June 10, 2009 at 12:09 AM BST #

I have to agree with Chamila Liyanage about baseless rhetoric in Iran. So far that's all it's been..rhetoric. I am American, not that knowledgeable about Iran's internal attitudes, but human nature say that Iran, both it's people and leaders, have to have some breathing space from the 24/7 Israeli threats of bombing them and the sanctions, the US habit of interfering in Iran. I "think",not totally sure, that Obama is a hard core realist who can seperate the wheat from the chaff and is going to base US outreach to Iran on what they actually DO, not the rhetoric of Iran or the hysterics of those who are angling for a hot confrontation with Iran. I can tell you one thing...Americans are in no mood for another ME war or intervention...and our public is getting smarter on the who, what and why's of all the agendas operating in the Iran debate.

Posted by Carroll on June 14, 2009 at 08:30 PM BST #

Obama is tackling terrorism in a new way. By making friends in the middle east I am sure we will see a large drop in Islamic terrorism. Good on him.

Posted by Nick Lawley on June 16, 2009 at 11:05 AM BST #

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