"What I told him is start by listening": Obama gives interview to al-Arabiya TV
What a refreshing stance from a US president:
Well, I think the most important thing is for the United States to get engaged right away. And George Mitchell is somebody of enormous stature. He is one of the few people who have international experience brokering peace deals.
And so what I told him is start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating — in the past on some of these issues — and we don’t always know all the factors that are involved. So let’s listen. He’s going to be speaking to all the major parties involved. And he will then report back to me. From there we will formulate a specific response.
Ultimately, we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what’s best for them. They’re going to have to make some decisions. But I do believe that the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people. And that instead, it’s time to return to the negotiating table.
So we have Mitchell writing up reports for a Clinton’s review…. where’s the refreshing change again? I mean, how well did that work out for either Palestinians of Israelis last time?
ugh-
you’re right. but this is different:
“And so what I told him is start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating — in the past on some of these issues — and we don’t always know all the factors that are involved. So let’s listen.”
Ugh-
Are you going to tell me that George Mitchell didn’t successfully broker a peace deal in Northern Ireland between sides that had often been in violent conflict for centuries? Are you also going to suggest that he didn’t accomplish this by occasionally calling in a favor from a Clinton?
Mitchell, Clinton, and Obama deserve a chance to broker a deal. In deed and word, they have earned at least that much.