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

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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....

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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

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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