PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CAIRO SPEECH BIG HIT IN BANGLADESH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 DHAKA 000579 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/INSB STATE FOR SCA/PPD, PA/RRU STATE FOR INR/OPN/MR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO PGOV PREL KISL BG SUBJECT: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CAIRO SPEECH BIG HIT IN BANGLADESH ¶1. Summary: President Obama's Cairo speech received extensive and positive coverage in the local media. Five local television stations available to millions of cable or satellite subscribers throughout the country broadcast the speech live or on tape delay. Nine newspapers, including two of the newspapers most influential among religious leaders, reprinted the entire speech. Newspaper editorials and commentary across the political spectrum applauded the President's message of dialogue and reconciliation with the Muslim world. In particular, commentary praised the President for quoting the Koran. Other analysts appreciated the President's mention of Bangladesh. While praising the speech in general, editorials noted that the President will have to follow his speech with actions and changes to U.S. policy. Other commentators opined that the President should have offered more support to the Palestinians. Despite reservations from some commentators, President Obama's message played extremely well in this moderate, Muslim-majority nation of 150 million people favorably disposed to the United States. We will continue to leverage the President's popularity in Bangladesh to advance key bilateral and multilateral goals. End summary. Embassy's Full Court Press -------------- ¶2. The Embassy actively got the word out on the President's speech. In advance of the speech, the Mission promoted the speech to a variety of audiences, including key government officials, editors, journalists, and even radio listeners. During the Embassy's Independence Day reception held June 3, the day before the speech, the embassy distributed cards with information on how to watch the speech and links to Department-sponsored blogs and other new media resources. The Ambassador touched on the speech in his remarks to the national day guests, urging all present to listen to the speech the next day. On the day of the speech, we hosted a tea/discussion for twenty key contacts, including religious leaders, influential editors, academics and diplomats from Muslim countries. Public Affairs also hosted a screening of the speech, drawing another 30 key influencers. ¶3. The Embassy's efforts paid off. It was a historic first in Bangladesh for a U.S. President's speech to be broadcast by five local television channels. Immediately following the speech, the first published reactions and commentary came from participants in our pre-speech programs. These well-respected figures helped lay the foundation for other commentators. In addition, other Embassy contacts sent us copies of their comments on the America.gov blog. Political Leaders Positive -------------- ¶4. Political leaders from the ruling and opposition parties publically praised President Obama's speech. Leader of the Opposition, BNP chief and former PM Khaleda Zia stated, "The speech is itself a matter of great significance. It represents a sincere effort on the part of the U.S. President to reach out to Muslims everywhere." Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami (head of the largest Islamic party) said, "The U.S. President's realization, statement and appeal are obviously something optimistic for Muslims. But words are not enough; a roadmap is necessary in this regard....I hope that this speech will add a new dimension to relations between the U.S.A. and the Muslim world, and will help establish world peace, particularly in the Muslim world." In addition, Muhammad Zamir, former ambassador and Advisor to PM Sheikh Hasina told an English language daily, The Independent, "The speech was meant to have been delivered within the first 100 days of his new U.S. administration. It took a little longer but it was worth the wait. In more than one way it has initiated a new vision and dialogue (between the United States and the Muslim World) which must be pursued seriously." Media Reaction -------------- ¶5. A selection of media reaction follows: ¶A. "AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA," commentary by editorial page editor Zafar Sobhan on June 5 in the generally neutral English newspaper THE DAILY STAR: "The message that you have sent to the Muslim world is clear and unequivocal: let us have a new beginning....The speech hit all the DHAKA 00000579 002 OF 004 right notes, but more than anything you said, it was the sense that you truly respect Islam, are sympathetic to Muslim grievances, and are willing to sit down and talk as equals, that really resonated. But where do we go from here? Speeches are one thing, but concrete action is another. What we in the Muslim world are hoping for is a complete re-imagining of U.S.-Muslim relations, and while respect is as good a place to start as anywhere else, the question remains as to how that will be manifested in terms of policy.... President Obama, you are a man of faith, but you are also a liberal democrat who believes in fundamental and universal concepts of justice and equality. The two are no more mutually exclusive in the Muslim world than they are in the West. And it is people like this, like yourself, that you need to reach out to in countries like Bangladesh, if your outreach to the Muslim world is to truly make the world a better place and not fall on deaf ears." ¶B. "OBAMA SPEECH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR; IT SHOULD HERALD A NEW APPROACH TO MUSLIM WORLD," editorial on June 6 in the generally neutral English newspaper THE DAILY STAR: "His speech so full of forward-looking reflections on what should be the rules of engagement between the USA and the Muslim world... signaled a new, fresh thinking, a new approach on the part of the American leadership. That he accepts the responsibility as the President of the United States to 'fight against the negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear' is something that would need many adherents in the Western world including within America itself....On the rather intractable Middle East problem, he fell short of embarking on a new policy by issuing an even-handed call to the Jewish state and the Palestinians to live up to their international obligations.... It is stating the obvious that suspicion and discord between the West and the Islamic world have evolved over decades and would therefore take sincere and determined efforts to be rolled back. But we believe Obama has offered up a new opportunity to remove the hiatus. For our part, we should seize it, as Obama does his part in matching words with deeds." ¶C. "APPRECIATING BARACK OBAMA'S INITIATIVES," an editorial on June 5 in the generally anti-West Bangla vernacular daily INQILAB: "U.S. President Barack Obama has kept his promise to minimize the misunderstanding between the Muslim world and his country. He sought to end suspicion and discord with the Muslim world.... We appreciate this noble initiative of Barack Obama." ¶D. "MUSLIM WORLD TO LEND SUPPORT TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S EFFORTS," an editorial on June 6 in the pro-U.S. vernacular daily Ittefaq: "Expecting an end to mistrust, conflict and bitter relations, U.S. President Barack Hossain Obama called for the creation of a new bond of friendship between the Muslim world and the U.S. As his address included references to Islamic education and values, he could easily win the hearts of the world's Muslims.... The people of the U.S. no longer want conflict with the Muslim world. They want peace and friendship. Greater understanding of the Muslim world in the U.S. will brighten the outlook for world peace." ¶E. "IT WAS A GREAT SPEECH FROM A GREAT PRESIDENT FOR WORLD PEACE AND PROGRESS," front page commentary on June 6 in the BNP-leaning English daily NEW NATION: "What U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama told the Muslim World in an epoch-making address in Cairo on Thursday can only be termed as a down to earth analysis of the discord that the U.S. has with it basically centering on hatred rooted in history, and a fervent appeal to build a future of friendship based on mutual respect and trust....These are universally the most popular words coming from the mouth of a U.S. president in recent times and if Obama succeeds to take on board the strong pro-Israel lobbies - which may try to obstruct settlement of the key issue of contention, Palestine - he would emerge as the leader of a new world of mutual toleration and respect that Obama is preaching." ¶F. "OBAMA'S CAIRO ADDRESS: HISTORIC, HOPE-AROUSING AND AN EFFORT FOR BRIDGING," an editorial on June 7 in the generally neutral highest-circulation vernacular daily PROTHOM ALO: "President Obama's Cairo speech can be dubbed, in one word, as 'historic....' On one occasion after another, Barack Obama is continually creating history - from being the first black president, to being the first elected chief of a superpower born in a Muslim family, to delivering a friendly address to the Muslim world.... DHAKA 00000579 003 OF 004 Under the circumstances, Obama's integrity and courage make him trustworthy.... We hope that his speech will not remain merely as rhetoric, but will serve as a compass for his next steps." ¶G. "OBAMA'S ADDRESS TO MUSLIM WORLD: IT'S ESSENTIAL TO CREATE A PRECEDENCE BY IMPLEMENTATION" an editorial on June 6 in the Jamaat-and BNP-leaning vernacular daily NAYA DIGANTA: "Obama presented himself as a bright and spiritual President during his address at the Cairo University on June 4.... He firmly said the U.S. was not at war against Islam and Muslims.... We, for logical reasons, want to welcome his address as it calls for world peace. However, we also note that Obama will be condemned for breaking his commitment if he cannot follow his words with actions." ¶H. "OBAMA'S CAIRO SPEECH" an editorial on June 6 in the Awami League-leaning and pro-West vernacular daily BHORER KAGOJ: "President Obama's Cairo address is very important in eliminating the long enmity between the U.S. and the Muslim world.... If Obama's Middle East tour introduces a solution to the long-standing mistrust and hostile relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world, it will not only be a step forward to improve relations, but it also will be a milestone for establishing world peace.... However, Obama's speech and assurances will only be trusted when the people of the Middle East and the peace-loving world see his words reflected in U.S. policies and actions. We want to believe that Obama's speech is not merely rhetoric, but is rather a reflection of his belief and thought." ¶I. "AN EFFORT FOR FRIENDLY BONDS" an editorial on June 7 in the Awami League-leaning and generally pro-West vernacular daily JANAKANTHA: "Obama's historic speech has earned a massive positive response.... To pay for an attempt to occupy Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. has pushed the entire world towards an economic recession. The situations in Baghdad, Kabul, Tehran, and Islamabad, as well as the Israel-Palestine problem, embarrass the new Obama administration. In reaction to the stupidity or shrewdness of Bush and Cheney, Obama had to come forward to eliminate the deep-rooted doubt and mistrust of Muslims toward the U.S.... The vast majority of Muslims around the world have no links to terrorism. Obama must win the hearts of these people." ¶J. "BARACK OBAMA'S SPEECH AND THE MUSLIM WORLD" an editorial on June 7 in the Awami League- and left-leaning and generally anti-West vernacular daily SANGBAD: "Announcing an end to doubt and mistrust between the U.S. and the Muslim world, President Obama called for a new beginning.... However, it is not possible to remove all mistrust and bitterness in a single speech.... In his address, Obama did not mention specifics other than the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by 2012 and the closure of Guantanamo prison. The President can prove the sincerity of his words through his country's policies and actions. The Muslim world now wants to see action. Until then, we do not have anything to do but wait." ¶K. "OBAMA'S SPEECH TO MUSLIM WORLD: WORDS WILL HAVE TO BE MADE INTO ACTIONS," an editorial on June 6 in the BNP-leaning vernacular daily AMAR DESH: "The speech delivered by U.S. President Barack Obama to the Muslim world has appropriately excited the globe. The truth cannot be denied- that the relationship between Muslim countries and the United States chilled after 9/11. If bloodshed continues in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and if Iran is continually threatened, then mutual mistrust and hatred will not wither away, despite President Obama's nice speech. But if he can turn his speech into actions on U.S. policy, the situation will change fast. We await this good day, bearing in mind that Muslims will also have to respond positively." ¶L. "OBAMA'S CALL TO FORM BRIDGE WITH THE MUSLIM WORLD: MAY THIS INVITATION BE SINCERE," an editorial on June 6 in the government-leaning vernacular daily JAI JAI DIN: "We think that a speech will not solve all problems. The United States will have to prove that America and Islam are not competitors. If the Obama administration can really end this era of mistrust and doubt, then U.S. acceptability to the Muslim world will DHAKA 00000579 004 OF 004 definitely increase." ¶M. "BARACK OBAMA'S DIFFERENT STYLE," an editorial on June 6 in the anti-U.S. English daily NEW AGE: "There is no doubt that many a point that Obama made was of great significance that many a Muslim-majority country really needs to ponder over for their own interests.... There is, however, little scope to fail to notice that the Obama speech, especially when it comes to the U.S. foreign policy towards the world in general and the 'Muslim world' in particular, has not displayed any significant changes from the one pursued by his predecessor George W Bush.... While all the rationally thinking sections of the world population understand that at least loosening, if not breaking, of America's bonds with Israel remains key to Middle East peace, Obama passionately defends the Zionist state of Israel.... Moreover, there is no significant change in the United States' international scheme of empire building, sustaining the empire and strengthening it further. His tone and tenor was, however, quite different from that of his crude predecessor. A Middle Eastern commentator has perhaps rightly said President Obama is trying to make the repressive empire of the United States look a benevolent one." MORIARTY