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Last update - 13:58 03/08/2009
Obama to launch PR campaign to sway Israelis, Arabs on peace
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Barack Obama, Israel News 

In light of the difficulties it has encountered in advancing the diplomatic process in the Middle East, the Obama administration plans on launching a public relations blitz in Israel and the Arab states.

The New York Times reported on Monday that President Barack Obama plans to grant a number of interviews to Israeli and Arab television stations as part of his campaign to sway public opinion in the region in favor of his vision for peace.

Obama's special envoy to the region, George Mitchell, told the newspaper that a misconception has taken hold according to which the U.S. is leaning solely on Israel to halt construction in West Bank settlements.
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"It is completely inaccurate to portray this as, 'We're only asking the Israelis to do things'," Mitchell told the Times. "We are asking everybody to do things."

Mitchell granted a rare interview to the Times at a time in which the administration has come under criticism for its perceived policy of only making demands of Israel.

The former Maine senator added that, contrary to popular belief, Arab states have not rejected President Obama's request for good-will gestures toward Israel.

"We've gotten, over all, a very good response, a desire to act, some public statements to that effect from the crown prince of Bahrain, the president of Egypt," Mitchell told the Times.

The envoy said the statements on Israel that he has heard from Arab leaders in closed-door sessions significantly differ from the public pronouncements reported in the press. Mitchell told the paper that the Arab states are ready to undertake new measures.

Although Mitchell did not specify which measures the Arab governments would adopt, observers speculated that they may include the opening of Israeli commercial interest offices in Arab states and vice versa; granting travel visas to Israelis; permitting El Al planes to fly over Arab countries en route to destinations in Asia; and granting interviews of Arab leaders to Israeli media outlets.

The Saudis, Mitchell said, "want to be helpful. They, like everyone we're talking to, want a peace agreement that will lay the foundation for the end of this conflict. I truly believe that's what they want."

Mitchell added that a compromise has yet to be reached with the Netanyahu government over the issue of settlements, though he did add that any eventual deal will likely not be one which "everyone is going to stand up and cheer about."

"The phase we're now engaged in is a means to an end," Mitchell told the Times. "It is not an end in itself. The end is getting a peace agreement.
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  1.   Bad idea 14:15  |  Natallie Durson 03/08/09
  2.   Who is Mitchell 14:25  |  Jackie 03/08/09
  3.   Better news 14:29  |  sh 03/08/09
  4.   "Peace Agreement"? 14:32  |  Michael 03/08/09
  5.   If the Arabs want peace 14:48  |  ottomatik 03/08/09
  6.   Egypt,Jordan at peace with U$A-Not Israel! 15:06  |  Dina 03/08/09
  7.   Obama will demand a Jew Free Israel 15:09  |  Steve from Raleigh 03/08/09
  8.   Facts Count, Not Obama PR Lies 15:39  |  George Albert 03/08/09
  9.   Land Grab 15:54  |  Confused 03/08/09
  10.   George Mitchell`s Parents 16:05  |  Mordechai 03/08/09
  11.   "Overexposure". 16:12  |  Stephen. 03/08/09
  12.   Yeah right.... 16:22  |  Stephane 03/08/09
  13.   Back room talk is trash 16:31  |  Great White North 03/08/09
  14.   Overexposure #10 is on the right path 16:32  |  Cape Town rabbi 03/08/09
  15.   # 4, Another land grab 16:38  |  Uri 03/08/09
  16.   Public vs Private Statements 16:41  |  The Prophet 03/08/09
  17.   Obama to launch PR campaign 16:54  |  Ralph 03/08/09
  18.   Mitchell should focus on the Arabs and how they 16:54  |  Ben 03/08/09
  19.   He is naive if he thinks PR will move anything 17:17  |  Dave 03/08/09
  20.   in the USA we love our country 17:22  |  JonathanDavid 03/08/09
  21.   who is he going to employ saatchi and saatchi 17:37  |  vhardman 03/08/09
  22.   Dreams and more dreams 17:43  |  Sanders 03/08/09
  23.   Immoral and Ilegal. Meddeling in other countries. 17:45  |  Avraham 03/08/09
  24.   Presidents come and go and the value of their promises is zero 18:18  |  Nathan 03/08/09
  25.   comment#7 is the reason a PR campaign is needed 18:21  |  Aaron 03/08/09
  26.   What is it that Arabs are expected to do? 18:21  |  Stephen L 03/08/09
  27.   4 Peace Obama should follow the Lord on Israel Occupy and settle 18:31  |  sam 03/08/09
  28.   #1 18:32  |  Jane 03/08/09
  29.   Once Bibi gave up Hevron to Arabs to have peace 18:42  |  David 03/08/09
  30.   There is no justice or equity embodied in this proposed ... 18:50  |  Edward 03/08/09
  31.   # 26 Arabs must immediatly stop the ROR story 18:53  |  CM 03/08/09
  32.   Obama, Lama, Ding, Dong. 18:59  |  ottomatik 03/08/09
  33.   To 26 Put tefilin, sing hatikva and vote likud. 19:07  |  Dan 03/08/09
  34.   Yesterday day the Saudis said "No way", yet.. 19:39  |  truthteller 03/08/09
  35.   #22 SANDERS 19:48  |  Courcey 03/08/09
  36.   Dream on, Obama. As if Israel wants peace... 19:51  |  John 03/08/09
  37.   unbelievable 19:56  |  bob 03/08/09
  38.   a wonderfull idea 20:30  |  tiki 03/08/09
  39.   OBAMA AND CARTER 23:11  |  AVRHAM 03/08/09
  40.   Obama to launch PR campaign to sway Israelis, Arabs on peace 23:17  |  abdul 03/08/09
  41.   Make it the last PR-try please mr. President 23:18  |  Mark B. 03/08/09
  42.   re: #10 by Mordechai 00:08  |  EGB 04/08/09
  43.   IF Israel wants a secure peace, this is LAST chance 00:21  |  Dolphin 04/08/09
  44.   You guys are fun to watch... too bad you don`t read Haaretz... 00:37  |  BBSNews 04/08/09
  45.   Can Israel Friends in the US Help Boost Mid-East Talks? 01:05  |  ismail imadudeen 04/08/09
  46.   Obama`s not doing a very good job with either side. 01:12  |  petra 04/08/09
  47.   Edward, you`re right and Obama will fail miserably. 01:14  |  petra 04/08/09
  48.   Obama should launch a strike on Iran 01:22  |  petra 04/08/09
  49.   Nathan Newark Ya got it! 01:28  |  petra 04/08/09
  50.   Obama must sell his plan 03:13  |  Reid 04/08/09
  51.   PR campaign?? Logical. Its what put this putz in the White House. 08:52  |  Dr. L. Brnd 04/08/09
  52.   For # 2 Jackie 09:08  |  The Teacher/Instruct 04/08/09
  53.   Perhaps, Haaretz Can Then Clarify... 10:03  |  Backpacking through 04/08/09
  54.   44 Backpacker - Haaretz to Get Interview 10:43  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/08/09
  55.   Dr L Brnd AMEN! Americans see they`ve been played as fools. 15:02  |  petra 04/08/09
  56.   Israel 15:31  |  Jamie 04/08/09
  57.   USA Will Not Support You Forever 15:36  |  Jamie 04/08/09
  58.   Petra, We`ve only been played as fools by the Israelis 15:40  |  Jamie 04/08/09
  59.   #41 Mark B.... good PR 17:44  |  Lynn 04/08/09
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