Azerbaijan, Baku, June 5/ Trend , U.Sadikhova /
Despite his optimism, in his speech, Barack Obama only mentioned the problems in relations of Muslims and the United States, but did not identify the ways to address them, and therefore, there is no evidence of changes in U.S. policies with regards to Muslims, Hassan Abu Niameh, Director of Jordan Royal Institute for Inter-faith Affairs, said.
"Obama did not talk in detail about the causes of these problems, as well as did not offer solutions for them, Abu Niameh, former representative of Jordan at the UN, told Trend by telephone from Amman
During his speech at the Cairo University on June 4, the U.S. President Barack Obama pointed out the necessity for a "new beginning" in relations between the USA and the Muslims and recognized that both sides need to make "efforts ... for mutual respect and seeking points of contact. "Obama repeatedly quoted the Koran and called upon peoples of all religions live in peace with each other.
"Extremists use the tensions that have historically existed between the United States and Muslims," said Obama.
He said that after the 11 September attacks on the United States and other acts of violence, some Americans considered Islam as hostile teachings.
Arab countries hope that Obama's words will be the beginning of a new U.S. policy in the Middle East, which could advance the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and end the violence in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Observers believe that Obama wants to correct the mistakes of the previous administration of George Bush in the Middle East, which is testified by his words "Muslims should break down the stereotype that the U.S. is an empire."
Abu Niameh believes that Obama is positive for the improvement of relations between the USA and Muslims, but this was only the description of the essence of the problems, but the main problems were not touched upon.
In his speech, Obama tried to focus on the U.S. desire to advance the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, pointing out that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is the main goal of peace in the Middle East.
The Palestinian authorities have already expressed support for Obama's words, saying that "Israel was given a clear answer - to end the occupation, Al Jazeera website reported.
But Obama said that in solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the USA can help only under the cooperation of Arab countries and Israel.
The Palestinians, especially Hamas, must recognize Israel's right to exist, and just Israel also must understand that the existence of a Palestinian state is necessary for the peace, said Obama.
Obama's words that he would not be able to solve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict independently indicate that the USA has no willingness to seriously address this issue, said Abu Niameh.
"It needs to stop the American support and to compel Israel to respect international rights [of the Palestinians] and the resolution the UN Security Council, said Abu Niameh. - If the USA does not do this, there is no great hope [in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict] for Obama's words."
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