DRESDEN Germany President Barack Obamas speech to the Muslim world was loaded with phrases and ideas aimed very much at rattling one man he never mentioned: Osama bin Laden.
Senior administration officials say the speech was carefully crafted to rob the Al Qaeda leader and his terrorist network of some of its chief recruiting totems including fears the United States plans a permanent presence in Iraq and Afghanistan.
White House officials say that the tide may be turning on the worlds most wanted man. For the first time theyre beginning to lose the propaganda war" said a top aide traveling with Obama during his six-day mission to Europe and the Middle East.
The week of high drama featured a showdown of sorts between the two leaders Obama vs. Osama with Obamas soaring speech and a bin Laden audiotape providing a powerful point-counterpoint as each sought to make his case to the Muslim world.
Obama aides believe they can increasingly isolate bin Laden as Obamas personal appeal grows in the region and as he modifies or dismantles President George W. Bushs security policies.
Administration officials also say Obama hopes to sap the appeal of terrorist organizations with his plans to close the military prison at Guantanamo even though it probably wont be completely empty by the one-year deadline he set. He also plans to end harsh interrogations for terror suspects even though the president has left loopholes.
A lot of their best recruiting tricks are being taken off the table" said another White House official.
Obama also took dead aim at bin Ladens frequent claim that the United States seeks to occupy the Middle East. Largely overlooked in Obamas remarks in Cairo he included a reminder that he plans no permanent military bases in Iraq and no claim on their territory or resources."
And he said the same about Afghanistan: We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. ... We seek no military bases there."
Obama also sought to portray Al Qaeda as bloodthirsty killers reminding his audience the terror network murdered not only Americans but also fellow Muslims in direct violation of teachings in the Quran. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths more than any other they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings the progress of nations and with Islam" Obama said.
Read more:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23385.html#ixzz0HaMbJmVd&C
Obama also took dead aim at bin Ladens frequent claim that the United States seeks to occupy the Middle East. Largely overlooked in Obamas remarks in Cairo he included a reminder that he plans no permanent military bases in Iraq and no claim on their territory or resources."
And he said the same about Afghanistan: We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. ... We seek no military bases there."
Obama also sought to portray Al Qaeda as bloodthirsty killers reminding his audience the terror network murdered not only Americans but also fellow Muslims in direct violation of teachings in the Quran. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths more than any other they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings the progress of nations and with Islam" Obama said.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23385.html#ixzz0HaMbJmVd&C
