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 President-Elect Obama: Reactions
Saudi king seeks sense of Obama policy on U.S. trip - Andrew Hammond - Reuters
"Wary about the direction of U.S. policy in the region, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah will have a chance to put out feelers to president-elect Barack Obama during a visit to the United States next week. The Saudi monarch and his delegation will attend a two-day United Nations session in New York on an "interfaith dialogue" he launched this year and then attend a summit of world leaders in Washington on the global financial crisis. "They will do their best to sound out what the president is going to be like, but these sorts of things always take time," said Saudi political analyst Khaled
al-Dakhil. Obama's election pitch featured a promise to end U.S. dependence on Middle East oil within 10 years, open dialogue with Iran and a draw down of the U.S. presence in Iraq. Those all have the potential to deeply trouble the Saudi leadership, which has relied on an oil-for-security U.S. alliance since the 1940s that has survived regional upheavals and kept the Saud family in power against often tall odds. A message of congratulation from the 85-year-old king to Obama, 47, betrayed what was on the Saudi leadership's mind.."
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�Obama victory a chance for hope� -- Sarah Abdullah -- Arab News
"..Saudi students from local institutions, such as Dar Al-Hekma, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) and the College of Business Administration (CBA), yesterday participated in an event in which they learned about the US political process and voiced their enthusiasm at the American people�s decision to elect Barack Hussein Obama as the country�s 44th president. The event � entitled �2008 US Election Watch� � was organized by the US Consulate General and held at the Al-Qasr Ballroom of the Jeddah Hilton hotel. It began with a presentation showing the students the importance of campaigning and how the Electoral College system is implemented. The event also included an open panel discussion.."
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Change. Any change -- Saudi Gazette
"..Change. That�s what Obama represents to the outside world that had no say in his election but hopes to keenly feel the effects of his policies as much as they resented feeling those of
George Bush administration. Change from a previous regime that was perceived by some as racist, as targeting religions, as toying with smaller economies to feed its own monster, as wielding its weaponry with little regard for the consequences, as failing to apply the standards that it demanded of everyone else. Everyone has their gripe with the Bush administration, and the atmosphere of change and the hope it is bringing recalls the auras surrounding the elections of John F. Kennedy and later Bill Clinton, who had Bob Dylan, writer of �The Times They Are a-Changing,� sing at his inauguration ceremony. As results came in during election night, the voices of people of various nationalities in Saudi Arabia reflected the palpable sense of history being made. �We are all Obama fans here and we see something special about this man. His motto is change and change is the need of the hour. Change in American politics and policies means change in the entire world. So we are keeping the TV on to see if the world has a chance to witness a change,� said Fathima, an Indian expatriate in Dammam. Change, however, was as much a McCain mantra as it was Obama�s during the election campaign, but Obama had all the winds blowing in his favor to make people believe it was possible.."
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Historic victory, say citizens, expats - Arab News
"Citizens and expatriates across Saudi Arabia welcomed Sen. Barack Obama�s election yesterday as the first African-American and 44th US president, describing it as a historic development. Throughout the night and until the outcome was announced in the morning people were glued to their television and radio sets as the counting progressed. Many citizens and expatriates believe that a new leaf will be turned in the history of modern politics. They believe that Obama has been chosen to be a tolerant and understanding president to lead the United States and deal with the problems of the world.."
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What Obama�s election means abroad - Sedona.biz
"..In Saudi Arabia, many young Saudis have been affectionately using his middle name, dubbing him �Abu Hussein,� or �Father of Hussein.� Here, he symbolizes a restoration of faith in the democratic freedoms that Saudis don�t yet have. �Saudis..
..did not really believe in the American version of democracy. How could they when all the presidents of the so-called �melting pot� were Anglo,� writes Eman Al-Nafjan in her post on the Saudiwoman�s Weblog. �But now they are rubbing their eyes in disbelief.�.."
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Much Of Arab World Rejoices Over Obama Election - VOA
"..Much of the Arab press, as well as ordinary people in the street, are rejoicing over the election of Democrat
Barack Obama as the next president of the United States. Nevertheless, as Edward Yeranian reports from Cairo, there are misgivings in certain
quarters.."
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King Abdullah congratulates President-elect Obama
"..Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz today congratulated President-elect Barack Obama on his victory in the US presidential elections. In a cable, King Abdullah highlighted the close relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United States. He noted that both countries share a desire for peace, security and stability in the Middle East and beyond.."
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A surprise for Obama in the Middle East - Frida Ghitis - McClatchy Newspapers
"..The initial wave of euphoria that greeted Obama's candidacy in this region has given way to a tradition of cynicism about what happens in the West, particularly in the United States. The good news for Obama is that in the Arab world he will not face the trap of excessively high expectations. The bad news is that an Obama election may not automatically repair damaged attitudes, as so many had predicted.."
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Awaiting Obama's Promise of Change - George S. Hishmeh - Middle East Times
"..How will Obama implement his promised "age of transformation" remains to be seen, but one thing he must realize is that all in the Middle East are anxiously awaiting a new and immediate American initiative. He can't afford any missteps although one is aware that Obama's plate is full and one should not count his chickens before they hatch.."
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Many around the world cheer Obama victory - Seattle Times
".."For the first time I feel the phrase, 'I hereby declare that all men are created equal,' from the U.S. Declaration of Independence, really came to life for me today," said architect Mamdouh
al-Sobaihi, a guest at a post-election reception Wednesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. "U.S. history has returned to its roots. The forefathers would be very pleased with today's election," he said. Saudi journalist Samir Saadi said that Obama's election means "the U.S. has won the war on terror." "Given Obama's name, his background, the doubts about his religion, Americans still voted for him and this proved that America is a democracy," he said. "People here are starting to believe in the U.S. again.".."
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A skeptical Mideast public awaits U.S. election verdict
"John McCain and Barack Obama have very different visions for what America needs over the next four years, and when it comes to foreign policy, the differences are quite stark. On Middle East policy, in particular, many of their positions are diametrically opposed. Obama wants a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq; McCain wants no timetables. Obama is open to direct diplomacy with such foes as Iran; McCain says preconditions would have to be met. What do Arabs and Muslims in the Middle East think of the U.S. candidates? Mideast experts and polls, as well as interviews I've done through e-mail and in person during a recent trip to Syria, indicate mixed reviews of the two nominees but with an edge for Obama.."
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Saudi Arabia Will Benefit - Tariq Alhomayed - Asharq Alawsat
"..By tomorrow we will know who the new president of the United States of America will be, Republican John McCain or Democrat Barack Obama, ushering in a new, critical era that will affect our region and our Islamic world. The new president will be faced with the mission of wrapping up the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan successfully or bringing them to an end, as well as the Arab-Israeli issue and dealing with Iran. The new president will also have to launch the battle of reforming the American economy, the effects of which are global. The new president would not be able to do all of the above in isolation of our region, as oil is a key factor in stabilizing the American and world economy. Therefore, in consideration of this forthcoming era from the angle of our region, and who will benefit most from it, all the indications point towards Saudi Arabia.."
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A Case for Barack Hussein - Ahmed R. Benchemsi - Special Guest Columnist - Newsweek
"..This is why it is so important for me that the face of the United States changes in this election. I mean dramatically�by a clear-cut Obama victory. It would be far tougher for the Islamists to point the finger at America if it were led by a man whose middle name is Hussein. Not that they won't try anyway. As long as U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq, they will continue to condemn. But U.S. troops will back off within 16 months, as Obama has promised. (I am hoping that's not just talk.) Then the credibility of those who do the damning will fade. The battle in Afghanistan may drag on; it may escalate. But this war, unlike the one in Iraq, didn't turn the average Arab-Muslim mad. The Taliban hosted Al Qaeda, which is guilty of attacking the United States on 9/11; America hit back, and still is. It sounds perfectly fair. (If only you could get a move on, that would be cool. I mean, it's been almost seven years now.) Getting the job done�cutting down Al Qaeda and catching bin Laden�would comes as a relief for everyone, Arabs included. In our part of the world, it would empower the secular among us, helping us reverse the Islamist curse.."
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