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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Obama Lands in Middle East, Ready to Make Tough Sell

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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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7 comments
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Timinator2K
Jun 3, 09 8:47 AM CDT
Coulda saved the aviation gas and Air Force 1's massive carbon footprint, 'cause they ain't buyin'. Reply
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MarkFL
Jun 3, 09 9:19 AM CDT
I hope Obama tells hem off without tiptoeing around. Those people need to start caring about human rights. As long as they are sitting right in front of you, it is a good time to get in their face a little. Reply
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Snarfeh
Jun 3, 09 10:09 AM CDT
Wow, I"m impressed with Abdullah's monogamy. He didn't betray Dubya by holding Obama's hand...what a swell guy! I bet Dubya is proud... Reply
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doingtherightthing
Jun 3, 09 10:40 AM CDT
this is where middle east meets mid-east........no difference Reply
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triordan
Jun 3, 09 10:47 AM CDT
The Apology Tour 2009 continues, any idea who the opening act is? Reply
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Obama lands in Riyadh, meets with King Abdullah
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