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Last update - 21:26 07/04/2009
Obama leaves Baghdad after lightning first presidential visit
By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent and News Agencies
Tags: Haaretz TV, Barack Obama 

U.S. President Barack Obama made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Tuesday, marking a new chapter in his strategy to wind down the unpopular war in Iraq and shift the United States' military focus to Afghanistan. His visit lasted just over four hours.

Obama, speaking to reporters upon arrival, said he came to Iraq for face-to-face meetings and to get a better sense of the security situation.

"We spent a lot of time trying to get Afghanistan right [but] there's still a lot of work to be done here," he said.
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Obama said one major reason for his visit was to thank the U.S. troops stationed there. "They are doing extraordinary work. General [Ray] Odierno has been helping to lead a very effective operation here."

Flying secretly from Istanbul at the end of his first major international tour, Obama was to visit the scene of a war that he inherited from his predecessor, George W. Bush. It was Obama's first visit to Iraq since before his November 2008 election victory, which was bolstered by his campaign pledge to start bringing U.S. troops home.

The White House said that Obama would meet U.S. commanders and troops, and speak to Iraqi leaders by telephone.

He would call the Iraqi leaders rather than see them in person because poor visibility prevented helicopter travel, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

Asked why Obama had come to Iraq, Gibbs said "there are several important reasons, not the least of which is to see and spend some time with the men and women who are serving our country honorably here."

Obama flew into the country hours after a car bomb exploded in a Shiite
neighborhood of the capital city. His visit came at the conclusion of a long overseas trip that included economic and NATO summits in Europe and two days in Turkey.

Haaretz exclusive: Obama to visit Israel, West Bank in June

Obama is planning to visit Israel and the West Bank in June, according to an announcement circulated among American diplomatic representations in the region.

A senior diplomatic source confirmed to Haaretz that a decision was made in recent days to include a short visit to Israel and the Palestinian Authority during a visit in June to France, where President Nicolas Sarkozy will host Obama.

While in Turkey on Tuesday, Obama said that he believed peace in the Middle East was possible but said Israelis and Palestinians must make compromises.


"I think we have a sense of what those compromises should be and will be. Now what we need is political will and courage on the part of leadership," Obama told a students meeting in Istanbul at the end of a two-day visit to Turkey.

The decision to visit Jerusalem several weeks after his first meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington is meant to emphasize Obama's commitment to an active role in achieving a two-state solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Before Obama's visit to Israel, the special envoy to the Middle East, former senator George Mitchell, will make another visit to the region.

An American official told Haaretz over the weekend that contrary to the Bush administration, Obama does not oppose the inclusion of Hamas in a Palestinian unity government.

However, the United States insists on the criteria set by the international Quartet - the U.S., EU, UN and Russia - as preconditions for any diplomatic exchanges with Hamas. It insists that the militant Islamic group cease violence, recognize Israel and accept previously signed accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

The Americans also ask that Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who has resigned, return to head the next Palestinian government and be responsible for the PA's finances.

A Palestinian source told Haaretz Monday that in the coming days PA President Mahmoud Abbas is likely to ask Fayyad to form a new government, without the participation of Hamas. The two main Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, have failed in recent weeks to agree on a reconciliation package, mediated by Egypt. They have also failed to form a unity government comprising mostly technocrats.

In Israel, Obama will also discuss Iran's nuclear program with Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

Last July, during a visit to the region as a presidential candidate, Obama said a nuclear Iran would alter the "rules of the game," not only in the Middle East, but in the entire world. He promised that if elected he would work to prevent a nuclear Iran.

But in a speech in Turkey Monday, Obama emphasized the need to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, not a nuclear Iran.

The change in tone was interpreted in Jerusalem as an American willingness to compromise with Tehran so Iran would be able to acquire nuclear technology for civilian purposes.

The two-state solution and the nuclear question were dominant in Obama's speech Monday, as he began his first visit to a Muslim country since being elected. Speaking before the Turkish parliament, Obama said he will "actively pursue" a two-state solution in the Middle East and reiterated the U.S. commitment to the Annapolis process.

"Let me be clear: The United States strongly supports the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security," he said. A two-state solution "is a goal that the parties agreed to in the road map and at Annapolis," and that is "a goal that I will actively pursue as president."

Obama's mention of Annapolis comes less than a week after Israel's new foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said Israel was not bound by the Annapolis process, which calls for discussions on final-status issues. Lieberman, however, expressed a commitment to the 2003 road map for peace.

Obama also said Turkey could "help the Palestinians and Israelis make this journey" and praised the Turks for supporting recent talks between Syria and Israel.

"We must not give in to pessimism and mistrust," he said. "We must extend a hand to those Palestinians who are in need, while helping them strengthen institutions. And we must reject the use of terror, and recognize that Israel's security concerns are legitimate."

Obama also said that peace in the region "will also be advanced" if Iran "forgoes any nuclear weapons ambitions," reiterating his interest in engagement with the Islamic republic and giving Iran's leaders a choice between building a weapon or a "better future for their people."

In response, a spokesman from the Prime Minister's Bureau said the Netanyahu administration pledges to work with the United States for Mideast peace.

"The government of Israel is committed to both of these goals and will formulate its policies in the near future so as to work closely with the United States," the bureau said in a statement, without mentioning Annapolis or Palestinian statehood.

Related articles:
  • Israel pledges to work with U.S. for Mideast peace
  • Netanyahu invited to Egypt for official visit
  • Lieberman: Israel is changing its policies on peace
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      1.   We welcome President Obama! 02:49  |  MOE 07/04/09
      2.   Anyone remember Obama`s speech at AIPAC 02:59  |  RB 07/04/09
      3.   obama to visit--oh my! 03:16  |  Moshe 07/04/09
      4.   Obama Speech 03:56  |  darrell 07/04/09
      5.   RE: RB 04:06  |  AA 07/04/09
      6.   Well, that is an interesting choice of words. 04:58  |  Johnboy 07/04/09
      7.   This is Obamas way of setting a timetable 05:13  |  Muslim 07/04/09
      8.   Not The Good Samaritan 05:32  |  Shimon Cleopas 07/04/09
      9.   stick to it mr.lieberman:"not bound by anapolis"Israel does not 06:01  |  glenna 07/04/09
      10.   And the part about Hamas Johnboy... 06:35  |  BBSNews 07/04/09
      11.   let`s hope the clock is ticking 06:47  |  David 07/04/09
      12.   Obama goes to Israel and next he goes to the Land of Oz 07:18  |  Connie 07/04/09
      13.   About rights and legitimacy. 07:27  |  Jean Van Daem 07/04/09
      14.   # 2 he clarified his the intention of his remark the next day 07:44  |  eric 07/04/09
      15.   Johnboy 08:11  |  TonyL 07/04/09
      16.   God will decide??? 08:15  |  Guy 07/04/09
      17.   Obama will throw Israel under the bus 08:23  |  Nechama 07/04/09
      18.   #3 Moshe. Squeal all you want, Justice is on the way. 08:23  |  Lou Medel 07/04/09
      19.   America is not bound to support Israel 08:40  |  Natallie Durson 07/04/09
      20.   Israel with not commit suicide to please Obama 08:45  |  Noah 07/04/09
      21.   Muslim, the clock is ticking for both sides. 08:52  |  Tzfonit 07/04/09
      22.   Wow he realy has you Arabs Muslims fooled 08:55  |  Steven 07/04/09
      23.   President Obama. 08:57  |  sandra chitayat 07/04/09
      24.   Johnboy, watch carefully 09:00  |  Tzfonit 07/04/09
      25.   GObama! The endless totalitarian occupation hurts both sides. 09:15  |  Hanna 07/04/09
      26.   Obama can`t tell the Pals who should represent them 09:33  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 07/04/09
      27.   #6, funny johnny "a smackdown is coming" 09:35  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 07/04/09
      28.   Muslim - Won`t happen.... Promises need to come from 09:37  |  BF 07/04/09
      29.   Obama`s visit 09:37  |  DT 07/04/09
      30.   Whatever, hope that by the time Obama gets here in June... 10:01  |  Esther 07/04/09
      31.   #20 Time to remind you what Hamas *IS*, Tzfonit 10:28  |  Johnboy 07/04/09
      32.   Israeli peace charade abuses security as a land-grab pretext 10:28  |  Ivar 07/04/09
      33.   NOAH 10:28  |  chatterbox 07/04/09
      34.   #9 Oh, yes, please do, glenna 10:41  |  Johnboy 07/04/09
      35.   oh dear, here we go again.... 10:43  |  Rosanna 07/04/09
      36.   Something that is almost totally overlooked. 10:57  |  Jean Van Daem 07/04/09
      37.   Israel`s "security concerns" are self-created 11:02  |  Dan Bigtoe 07/04/09
      38.   The main thing right now... 11:48  |  Esther 07/04/09
      39.   lou`s justice-dead Jews 11:58  |  Moshe 07/04/09
      40.   west bank 13:05  |  Rabbi Abarbanel 07/04/09
      41.   Time to tell him: UN Security Council Resolution 242 as is must.. 14:33  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 07/04/09
      42.   Guy #14 - clearly too many out of date accounts! 14:33  |  Rod 07/04/09
      43.   Mulsim #7, The breakthrough Obama is waiting for 15:14  |  Joe Camel 07/04/09
      44.   Obama and Jihadism 15:27  |  Brod 07/04/09
      45.   PLO blew it! 15:39  |  GoldenVessel 07/04/09
      46.   Selective memory you have, Johnboy 15:42  |  Sceptic 07/04/09
      47.   Peace, #1, is a tall order. How about simply an accommodation... 15:46  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 07/04/09
      48.   Obama is not Gods gift to the muslim people 15:54  |  Muslim 07/04/09
      49.   Peace and Safety 16:03  |  Tyra 07/04/09
      50.   #18 Natalie 16:03  |  John Allen 07/04/09
      51.   Obama`s new language 16:11  |  Reason 07/04/09
      52.   #46 Muslim 16:14  |  John Allen 07/04/09
      53.   wehich govt is Israel making peace with..Hamas or Abbas and Fatah 16:24  |  r 07/04/09
      54.   The clock, # 7, is not ticking for a simple reason: Israelis have 16:29  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 07/04/09
      55.   Obama`s Language is not new 16:41  |  Tyra 07/04/09
      56.   To President Dilletante 16:49  |  Itzhak 07/04/09
      57.   Did you say a ?Palestinian people??... 17:21  |  Jean Van Daem 07/04/09
      58.   Isreali threw herself under the bus, GW driving 17:38  |  whonos 07/04/09
      59.   Mr. Obama and the Muslim World. 17:46  |  Stephen. 07/04/09
      60.   johnboy kennedy tried to smackdown israel 17:49  |  harzion 07/04/09
      61.   johnboy and the "moldovian" 17:54  |  harzion 07/04/09
      62.   to johnysomthing 18:08  |  m 07/04/09
      63.   # 6. Johnboy 19:21  |  Evan 07/04/09
      64.   muslim #48 are you threatening the US again with more 9/11 attack 19:45  |  watch and see 07/04/09
      65.   #12 Hey Conne, what an excellent idea!!! 19:57  |  ballistic 07/04/09
      66.   Johnboy 20:00  |  TonyL 07/04/09
      67.   Obama visits 20:06  |  rm 07/04/09
      68.   Peace will come.... 20:09  |  Akiva P 07/04/09
      69.   Why are the US still in Iraq? 21:51  |  Baruch Gold 07/04/09
      70.   # 41 jehudah with the joke of the day 22:13  |  Axel 07/04/09
      71.   To "M" something--the prez dont agree with you 22:55  |  Labhras 07/04/09
      72.   who has to? 23:20  |  don muntean 07/04/09
      73.   A little game 23:25  |  Italian Zionist 07/04/09
      74.   9 miles 02:03  |  RfaelMoshe 08/04/09
      75.   To Brod 04:57  |  Tyra 08/04/09
      76.   Mr. Watch and see. I am going out on a limb but I bet you 04:57  |  Muslim 08/04/09
      77.   JEAN VAN DAEM 13 05:15  |  potobac 08/04/09
      78.   Obama the appeaser 05:59  |  Jed 08/04/09
      79.   Obama the appeaser 05:59  |  Jed 08/04/09
      80.   Appeaser ## 74 06:57  |  Dr.Joji Cherian 08/04/09
      81.   Show Obama Arabs true colors 07:14  |  Baruch Gold 08/04/09
      82.   Obama Baghdad 12:55  |  Joe Kelsall 08/04/09
      83.   #52 John Allen 22:27  |  ballistic 08/04/09
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