On Arab TV Network, Obama Urges Dialogue

PARIS — In an interview broadcast Tuesday on one of the Middle East’s major news channels, President Obama struck a conciliatory tone toward the Islamic world, saying he wanted to persuade Muslims that “the Americans are not your enemy.” He also said the moment was ripe for negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.
The interview with Al Arabiya, an Arabic-language channel based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, signaled a shift — in style and manner, at least — from the Bush administration, with Mr. Obama offering what he depicted as a new readiness to listen rather than to dictate.
It was Mr. Obama’s first televised interview from the White House and the first with any foreign news outlet.
In the interview, which was taped on Monday night and broadcast throughout the Muslim world on Tuesday, Mr. Obama said it was his job “to communicate to the Muslim world that the Americans are not your enemy.”
He added that “we sometimes make mistakes,” but said that America was not born as a colonial power and that he hoped for a restoration of “the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago.”
Mr. Obama spoke as his special Middle East envoy, George J. Mitchell, arrived in Egypt to begin an eight-day tour that will include stops in Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, France and Britain. In Egypt, Mr. Mitchell planned to meet President Hosni Mubarak.
Mr. Obama spoke, too, about Iran. He criticized Iranian leaders for acting in ways that “are not conducive to peace and prosperity in the region,” including their suspected pursuit of a nuclear weapon, threats against Israel and “their support of terrorist organizations in the past.”
But he said that it was important to be willing to talk to the Iranians, both to express differences and explore “where there are potential avenues for progress.” He was not asked if he would continue President Bush’s policy of refusing to exclude military action in the dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Initial reactions to the interview across the Middle East seemed positive. In Lebanon, some people who saw it said they thought that it marked a startling break from the rhetoric of previous American administrations.
“It’s different from what we’ve seen in forever,” said Jamil Mroue, a Lebanese journalist and publisher. “This is his first official interview, and it’s addressed to Al Arabiya? It’s a logical extension of his inauguration speech, but it’s unprecedented.”
There was also, however, a reluctance to judge Mr. Obama on his words alone. “Let’s see your promise, American president, for an independent Palestinian state,” said a commenter on Al Arabiya’s Web site, identified only as Alsomary. “And let’s see your promise for peace with the world, and especially the Islamic world. Then for sure we will learn to love America through your actions.”
In discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mr. Obama told Hisham Melhem, Al Arabiya’s Washington bureau chief, that “the most important thing is for the United States to get engaged right away.” He said he told Mr. Mitchell to “start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating.”
“Ultimately, we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what’s best for them,” Mr. Obama said. “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 not going to result in prosperity and security for their people. And that, instead, it’s time to return to the negotiating table.”
Mr. Obama said Israel “will not stop being a strong ally of the United States, and I will continue to believe that Israel’s security is paramount.”
“But I also believe that there are Israelis who recognize that it is important to achieve peace,” he added. “They will be willing to make sacrifices if the time is appropriate and if there is serious partnership on the other side.”
He also said that although he would not offer a time frame, he believed that it was “possible for us to see a Palestinian state.” He described such a state as one “that allows freedom of movement for its people, that allows for trade with other countries, that allows the creation of businesses and commerce so that people have a better life.”
But he also said the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should not be seen in isolation. “I do think it is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what’s happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Mr. Obama said.
The NEW YORK TIMES report