Renewing U.S. Diplomatic Efforts

Renewing U.S. Diplomatic Efforts
01 May 2009

In remarks coinciding with his 100th day in office, President Barack
Obama said that the United States is committed to renewing diplomatic
efforts to deal with challenges ranging from the global economic crisis
to the spread of nuclear weapons.

The President is standing by his campaign promise that he would change
the direction of our nation's foreign policy and offer a new face of
American leadership to the world. Mr. Obama has sought a fresh start in
a variety of areas.

He has emphasized that the U.S. and Russia can work constructively
together on many important issues, including arms control and nuclear
proliferation.

He has eased restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba as a
demonstration that the U.S. wants to recast its relationship with Cuba.
He has banned certain interrogation techniques, and ordered the closure
within a year of the detention center at Guantanamo Bay. With NATO, he
has forged a new strategy to target al-Qaida in Afghanistan and
Pakistan, and he has announced the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops in
Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010.

In his first 100 days, President Obama has also repeatedly reached out
to reassure Muslims around the globe:

"The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam. In
fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical not just in
rolling back the violent ideologies that people of all faiths reject,
but also to strengthen opportunity for all its people."

To countries like Iran that have been adversaries, President Obama
offered the opportunity for respectful engagement to resolve differences:

"My administration is now committed to diplomacy that addresses the full
range of issues before us, and to pursuing constructive ties among the
United States, Iran and the international community. This process will
not be advanced by threats."

President Obama said that leading the United States to "a better day"
will take time and effort. "We will rebuild a stronger nation," he said,
adding that he looks forward to working with the American people to
reach that goal "in ... all of the hundreds of days to follow, to make
sure that this country is what it can be."

VOA News - Renewing U.S. Diplomatic Efforts (2 May 2009)

http://www.voanews.com/uspolicy/2009-05-01-voa3.cfm