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Obama Lands in Middle East, Ready to Make Tough Sell

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 3, 2009 8:28 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Open arms and a full red carpet rollout greeted President Obama on his arrival in Saudi Arabia this morning, but the pleasantries will likely end when the policy talk starts, the New York Times reports. Obama wants the Arab nations to offer a peaceful gesture toward Israel, but Saudi officials and experts say King Abdullah wants some gesture from Israel first.

At the bare minimum, Israel must commit to a two-state solution, they say. The Arab world made plenty of concessions, they argue, in the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, but Israel has not held up its end of the bargain. The Saudis also won’t move without the full Arab League. They say a unilateral concession from one country will cause less committed members to abandon the peace initiative.

President Barack Obama arrives in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, Wednesday, June 3, 2009.
President Barack Obama arrives in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, Wednesday, June 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Barack Obama, right, with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, left, during the arrival ceremony at King Khalid International Airport, June 3, 2009 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
President Barack Obama, right, with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, left, during the arrival ceremony at King Khalid International Airport, June 3, 2009 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Barack Obama walks with Saudi King Abdullah as he arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2009.
Barack Obama walks with Saudi King Abdullah as he arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, left, welcomes US President Barack Obama, on his arrival at the Royal Terminal of the King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2009.
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, left, welcomes US President Barack Obama, on his arrival at the Royal Terminal of the King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
serfinWI
Jun 3, 2009 4:07 AM CDT
Where the reset button when you need it? Where's Hilary? Cause Western women ain't allowed in that backward country. Geez, he's in way over his head dealing with these corrupt oil rich dictator/monarchs thinking they will come to our side by offering 'peaceful gestures'. How can you possibly wheel and deal with a country with 'talk of peace' that doesn't allow half it's population to participate in basic daily life, much less treated fairly in law and gov't. Go Israel! The only sane country in that damned region.
TJ
Jun 3, 2009 3:47 AM CDT
The Apology Tour 2009 continues, any idea who the opening act is?
doingtherightthing
Jun 3, 2009 3:40 AM CDT
this is where middle east meets mid-east........no difference

Obama lands in Riyadh, meets with King Abdullah
Associated Press

Trip a balancing act for Obama
Washington Post

Also on the agenda: terrorism
Los Angeles Times

World • Politics • US

 
Barack Obama • Israel • Middle East • Saudi Arabia • King Abdullah • Egypt • Arab Israeli conflict • Mideast peace • Obama administration

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