Quote du Jour | Constructief

“What I told him [Midden Oosten gezant George Mitchell, red.] is start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating — in the past on some of these issues — and we don’t always know all the factors that are involved. What we want to do is to listen, set aside some of the preconceptions that have existed and have built up over the last several years. And I think if we do that, then there’s a possibility at least of achieving some breakthroughs”

In zijn eerste televisie interview (aan Al-Arabiya) slaat Obama een volledig andere toon aan tegen de Arabische wereld dan zijn voorganger en maakt hij duidelijk onderscheid tussen terroristische/extremistische groeperingen en de rest van de moslims. Zonder overigens de indruk te wekken dat terroristen zich op hun gemak kunnen gaan voelen, dat zou er binnenlands niet goed ingaan.

“And so you will I think see our administration be very clear in distinguishing between organizations like al Qaeda — that espouse violence, espouse terror and act on it — and people who may disagree with my administration and certain actions, or may have a particular viewpoint in terms of how their countries should develop. We can have legitimate disagreements but still be respectful. I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down”