VARIOUS: People in Tehran, Dubai and Baghdad express their hopes for Obama presidency

Record ID: 184378

  • Title: VARIOUS: People in Tehran, Dubai and Baghdad express their hopes for Obama presidency
  • Date: 20th January 2009
  • Summary: DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (JANUARY 18, 2008) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MOHAMMED AL-RIFAI, JORDANIAN DUBAI RESIDENT, SAYING "(I hope) that they stop treating Arab countries as Third World nations, that they treat them as Arab states, not terrorists. I hope that Obama doesn't turn out like his predecessor."
  • Embargoed: 4th February 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAC30RKKHU0CXPHBPXHUAVAS05O
  • Story Text: International expectations remain high for America's first black president-elect ahead of his historic inauguration on Tuesday (January 20), but the mood in the Middle East is best described as cautiously optimistic.
    Many in the Gulf feel they have bore the brunt of what they see as the Bush administration's failed foreign policies in Iraq, Afghanistan and in the so-called "war on terror", and only hope that self-styled "change" candidate Barack Obama will indeed mend America's relations with the Islamic world.

    "Obama is a man of peace and Iraqis are very happy with his election win. We hope that he will achieve the ambitions of Iraqis because we saw nothing but war and destruction from Bush," Iraqi citizen Amira Fakhri said.
    But others in Baghdad disagree, echoing some Republicans who claim that the new administration's Iraq policy will be a mere continuation of the old one.

    "Obama will do nothing for us because he is just like Bush, their policy is the same. I do not think that he will find us a solution. It is one policy. He is just like Bush," said Abbas Saad, a policeman.

    "President Obama will not be some new prophet or new saint who has appeared on this earth to change the world. President Obama will adopt an American policy based on institutions, which is the trend in the United States," added William Warda, a political analyst.
    During a ceremony in Arlington, Virginia on Sunday (January 18) where Obama layed a wreath at the Tomb of Unknowns, the former Illinois senator stressed the depth of the challenges that he faces, including the recession and the unfinished wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but said he was optimistic about the country's ability to face them.
    Obama has said he wants to bring U.S. combat forces out of Iraq within 16 months of taking office, but his ability to do so hinges on violence in a country continuing to decline and on the capabilities of Iraqi security forces.
    He has also has committed to sending more U.S. forces to Afghanistan to tackle insurgent violence that has risen in recent years.
    Tensions with Iran are also expected to ease, with the new president promising to engage in dialogue with the Islamic Republic -- suspected by the West of trying to build a nuclear bomb.
    Residents on the streets of Tehran expressed hope that the U.S. would indeed withdraw from neighbouring Iraq and Afghanistan, but also cynicism.

    "I hope Mr. Obama will make a new decision about evacuating occupied territories of Iraq and Afghanistan," said Mohammed Abedi, a Tehran resident.

    "I am old enough to know that so far there has been no record of America working in the interests of others. I believe that America does not think of the interests of others so long as its own interests are concerned," Ali Imambaksh said.
    Obama has said he sees Iran as a "genuine threat" but he is also pledging to increase diplomatic efforts to engage it, 30 years after the Islamic revolution that led to a cut in bilateral ties and decades of mutual hostility.

    "Obama should not follow America's previous wrong policies. The policies should be accommodating and wise regarding Iran and other countries," Sohrab Nouri added.
    This mixture of hope and condemnation was echoed by residents of the United Arab Emirates, one of the wealthier countries in the region.

    "(I hope) that they stop treating Arab countries as Third World nations, that they treat them as Arab states, not terrorists. I hope that Obama doesn't turn out like his predecessor," said Mohammed al-Rifai, a Jordanian living in Dubai.

    "I don't expect him to do anything. He will probably be like his predecessor, we just hope that he isn't. We've heard that he is a good man, so he should treat peoples and countries justly," added Ihab Abdelaziz, an Egyptian.
    Yet despite reservations, Obama's election has been largely welcomed by Arabs and Muslims, many of whom blame Bush personally for the sectarian violence and extremism that was unleashed in Iraq after the U.S. invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.
    Last month, an Iraqi reporter threw shoes at Bush on his farewell visit to Iraq, a major insult that made the journalist a folk hero around the Arab world.
    Anger at Bush's support for the recent Israeli war on Gaza has also compounded his unpopularity. Although many have been disappointed with Obama's silence on a crushing war that has left 1,300 Palestinians dead, more than 5000 injured and the Hamas-controlled enclave in ruins.
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