Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Tutu Urges Obama to Apologize for Iraq

Don't disappoint world after winning election, says ex-archbishop

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2009 10:37 AM CST

(Newser) – Desmond Tutu says Barack Obama's election made him want "to jump and dance and shout," and he's encouraging the new president to apologize for the invasion of Iraq. Obama “could easily squander the goodwill that his election generated if he disappoints,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner tells the BBC. “It would be wonderful if the US president could apologize for the US-led invasion of Iraq on behalf of the American people.”

Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of South Africa, gestures while speaking during the closing session of the the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Keystone/Alessandro Della Bella)

In this Nov. 21, 2008 file photo, South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu speaks after receiving the Fulbright Prize for International Understanding during a ceremony in Washington. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Obama Critics: Really So 'Dumb'?

Conservatives react to Andrew Sullivan's article

(NEWSER) - Andrew Sullivan's unflinching defense of President Obama in Newsweek is irking conservative bloggers today. No wonder, considering the headline: "Why Are Obama's Critics So Dumb?" Taking on the right, Sullivan calls Obamacare a "moderate," fiscally responsible program, and says "a depression was averted" with Obama's $787-billion stimulus package. Engaging the left, he lists successes such as the Iraq pullout and advances in gay rights. Obama "practices a show-don’t-tell, long-game" that takes time to mature, Sullivan writes. "What matters to him is what he can get done, not what he can immediately take credit for." More»

Obama: 'Our War in Iraq Ends This Month'

President promises US will still have 'strong presence'

(NEWSER) - As the last 6,000 American troops prepare to leave Iraq by Dec. 31, President Obama today heralded the end of the divisive war—but issued a warning to the country's neighbors: The US will continue to have a "strong presence in the Middle East." He added, in a speech made after meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki this morning, that "the United States will never waiver in the defense of our allies, our partners, and our interests." More»

Obama Won't Apologize for Pakistan Strike

Balks against State Dept., says US has apologized enough

(NEWSER) - President Obama has decided against issuing a formal apology to Pakistan over a NATO airstrike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, even as the State Department insists he must do so to salvage relations with Pakistan, officials tell the New York Times . The administration is instead backing the Defense Department, which thinks the US has apologized enough, and wants Obama to wait at least until its internal investigation of the incident is complete. More»

The Obama Doctrine: Silent War

War on Terror has gone 'undercover': Roger Cohen

(NEWSER) - Make no mistake about it, there is an Obama Doctrine—but you won’t hear about it from the man himself. That’s because it’s a “doctrine of silence,” writes Roger Cohen in the New York Times . “America has decided that conventional wars of uncertain outcome in Iraq and Afghanistan are a bad way to fight terrorists and that far cheaper, more precise tools for eliminating enemies”—like drones and cyberwarfare—“are preferable.” In choosing this approach, President Obama has picked the lesser of two evils, Cohen asserts. More»

All US Troops Leaving Iraq

They will be home by end of year, bringing end to 9-year war

(NEWSER) - A holiday present for families of soldiers serving in Iraq: Everybody's coming home by the end of the year, President Obama announced today. "After nearly nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over," said Obama, who had announced the end of the combat mission earlier this year, notes AP . The US had considered leaving several thousand troops in the country for special ops and training but could not reach an agreement on that with the Iraqi government, reports the Washington Post . More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Tutu Urges Obama to Apologize for Iraq

Don't disappoint world after winning election, says ex-archbishop

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Desmond Tutu • South Africa • archbishop • apology • Iraq war • President Obama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Obama Critics: Really So 'Dumb'?

Conservatives react to Andrew Sullivan's article

Obama: 'Our War in Iraq Ends This Month'

President promises US will still have 'strong presence'

Obama Won't Apologize for Pakistan Strike

Balks against State Dept., says US has apologized enough

The Obama Doctrine: Silent War

War on Terror has gone 'undercover': Roger Cohen

All US Troops Leaving Iraq

They will be home by end of year, bringing end to 9-year war

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Tutu Urges Obama to Apologize for Iraq

Don't disappoint world after winning election, says ex-archbishop

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Desmond Tutu • South Africa • archbishop • apology • Iraq war • President Obama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Obama Critics: Really So 'Dumb'?

Conservatives react to Andrew Sullivan's article

Obama: 'Our War in Iraq Ends This Month'

President promises US will still have 'strong presence'

Obama Won't Apologize for Pakistan Strike

Balks against State Dept., says US has apologized enough

The Obama Doctrine: Silent War

War on Terror has gone 'undercover': Roger Cohen

All US Troops Leaving Iraq

They will be home by end of year, bringing end to 9-year war

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?