PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CAIRO SPEECH IMPRESSED THE CONGOLESE

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000531

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO PREL PHUM CG
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S CAIRO SPEECH IMPRESSED THE CONGOLESE
MEDIA

REF: STATE 055334


1. (SBU) Summary: President Obama's speech received wide media
coverage in Kinshasa. Major print and broadcast media reported on
the presidential address, providing, in some cases, opinion and
commentary generally welcoming President Obama's effort to forge a
new relationship with the Muslim world. However, commentators
stressed that actions must follow the President's words. PAS
Kinshasa organized a speech viewing event for the press, as it could
only be seen on international satellite channels. End summary.

2. (U) Among the media organization invited to watch the speech at
the Embassy, eight TV stations, five radio stations and three major
dailies offered commentaries on the speech. All of them applauded
President Obama's willingness to start a new relationship with the
Muslim community, while expressing wariness and even skepticism on
how successful a rapprochement might be.

3. (U) Independent daily Le Potentiel noted that Barack Obama
"clearly wants to end the tumultuous relationship with the Muslim
world initiated by his predecessor. He is right to accuse Muslim
extremists of attempting to radicalize Muslim countries. But he did
not indicate how he will end suspicions and mistrust between the
U.S. and Muslims across the world." Under headline "Obama Wants to
Change the Face of the World," pro-opposition newspaper Le Phare
stressed that Barack Obama "caught his predecessor on the wrong foot
by undertaking to bridge the gap separating the world's two most
prominent civilizations. The U.S. President apparently broke the ice
between AMERICA and the Muslim world." Pro-government L'Avenir
indicated that "Although one may think that the Muslim world now
adheres to Obama's vision due to his speech. DRC Muslims are weary
of the association made between Islam and terrorism. They want to
see President Obama's words translated into concrete action."

4. (U) Independent RAGA TV underscored that "Barack Obama will have
to demonstrate that he is capable of materializing the promised 'new
beginning'Muslims have not given him the benefit of the doubt yet,
and one does not know how the American people will react to his
speech. It is basically a wait-and-see situation as many wonder
whether the U.S. President can deliver." Independent Numerica TV
stressed that "it is hard to predict what the future has in
store...Obama must definitely prove his mettle." Pro-opposition
Radio Liberte Kinshasa emphasized "the frankness with which [the
speech] addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But it remains
to be seen whether Obama's words with resonate with Americans and
Muslims as a whole."

5. (SBU) Comment: The above reactions and commentary are
representative of the Congolese media sentiment toward President
Obama's speech. Although local journalists acknowledge President
Obama's good will, they doubt his ability to bring about a
rapprochement between the U.S. and the Western world because of the
existence of deep-rooted skepticism on both sides. However, the
Congolese press generally noted that the speech embodied President
Obama's commitment to promote better international relations and
pursue common ground on major global issues. End comment.
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