Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STOCKHOLM361
2009-06-12 14:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Stockholm
Cable title:  

POSITIVE SWEDISH REACTIONS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S

Tags:  OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PTER SW 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSM #0361 1631408
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 121408Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4419
UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000361 

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, EUR/PA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PTER SW
SUBJECT: POSITIVE SWEDISH REACTIONS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S
CAIRO SPEECH

REF: SECSTATE 55334

UNCLAS STOCKHOLM 000361

SIPDIS

SECSTATE FOR EUR/PPD, EUR/NB, EUR/PA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR KPAO PINS PTER SW
SUBJECT: POSITIVE SWEDISH REACTIONS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA'S
CAIRO SPEECH

REF: SECSTATE 55334


1. (U) On Thursday, June 4, Embassy Stockholm hosted a lunch
for key Muslim contacts to watch President Obama's speech to
the Muslim world and discuss their initial thoughts and
reactions.


2. (U) In general, the speech was well received by the
Swedish Muslims. The guests highlighted appreciation for the
sense of respect President Obama conveyed as he spoke of the
history of great achievements from Muslim majority countries.
The President's use of quotations from the Koran was also
well-received. One of the participants, a prominent Imam,
said he believed the speech was a "bridge-builder of
historical proportions" to the Muslim communities around the
world, who believe they are all too often stereotyped.
Another participant reflected a sense of hope that the
President's words will really be turned into action, noting
that if, in two years' time, he can travel to the United
States and not feel the sense of discrimination and suspicion
that he felt when he went to the United States two years ago,
President Obama will have succeeded. The biggest concern
from the group was that there would be a negative reaction in
the Muslim world from what they perceived as a down-playing
of Israeli actions in Gaza.


3. (U) The Swedes believe the speech will increase the
prospects for Turkey becoming a member of the European Union.
Foreign Minister Carl Bildt expressed his appreciation and
stated that the speech was of "strategic significance for
Turkey joining the European Union and that it sends a
powerful signal to the rest of the world."


4. (U) The media also reported favorably on the speech,
paying particular attention to the statements by the
President that he would personally work to achieve a
two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and
his condemnation of the construction of new Israeli
settlements - a statement welcomed across the Swedish
political landscape. However, while the speech was described
as rhetorically excellent, some observers skeptically noted
that success would be determined by how the words would be
translated into results. Most outlets noted that this was
clearly a historical new beginning in the U.S. relationship
with the Muslim world.


5. (U) Post plans to host a second viewing of the speech
later in June, with a larger audience of Muslim contacts.
SILVERMAN