Obama in Istanbul

[Dorothy]

Obama will be attending a meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations in Istanbul early next month. As the One Jerusalem article titles it, it is Obama's dance with the mullahs.

"This group, heavy on eminences from Islamic states, included Iran's Khatami--proposer of the original Dialogue. The "inclusive" list also featured one member from China, one from India, a left-wing American rabbi, but--apparently a bridge too far--no one from Israel."

"This is the U.N.-fostered outfit providing the framework Obama, the American commander-in-chief, will dignify with his present at its April 6 and 7 meeting in Istanbul."

"...Perhaps most disturbing is Obama's acceptance of an invitation to address the Alliance of Civilizations in Turkey. The Alliance is an arm of the United Nations and has a long record of trying to legitimize the radical regime in Iran. The Alliance was founded by a leftist Spanish government in conjunction with the overtly Muslim government of Turkey...."

http://www.onejerusalem.org/2009/03/...he-mullahs.php

Forbes article on AOC http://tinyurl.com/crl6hr

Based on what's occurring in the White House, Obama should feel quite at home.

[maven]

I've read all the stuff you posted and on the face of it this does not look good.

However, what you posted could perhaps be said to be a rather one-sided view accompanied by a long boring historical monologue re-exposing the fact that UN officials are corrupt. We are not dumb, we know all that, it is something of a side-issue to the amazing news that once more Obama's first trips abroad seem rather trivial and peripheral if not in this case hazardous to US foreign policy and the interests of her ally Israel.

I news-googled the story and was surprised to find no further comment whatsoever from Western media sources, all the comment was from the Islamic media and surrogates. I found no comment from the Obama administration.

Now I am only guessing that this excercise comes under the strategy Obama adopted from his liberal advisors known as 'talking to the enemy.' The question arises then of what exactly is he talking to the enemy about? Is this the right forum for talking to the enemy? and what is likely to be the outcome in terms of real dialogue and in moving towards changing things on the ground in the interests of the West?

On the face of it it is hard to see any tangible benefits except to the liberal mind. Where you can demonstrate by embracing the enemy that 'you are really a nice, unprejudiced person' and so spark some latent sense of humane compassion and love in their hearts.' Appealing to them, Hollywood style, as one human being to another. Rather as when President Bush in one of his rare liberal moments gazed into the soul of Vladimir Putin and failed to see the gates of hell.

Perhaps Obama feels that by showing solidarity with the Islamogencia that he may be able to shift the axis of US foreign policy from enmity to friendship with Islam and bring about peace? That seems a very big gamble to me and one which I don't think he can win. I hope that some of his supporters on this forum can put up some sort of defence of his actions.

To me this may well be the litmus test where lines will finally be drawn on Obama and those of us who are currently watching his moves can decide which side of the line they are on in terms of supporting or opposing him.

[Dorothy]

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Int...ons/wm2339.cfm
March 11, 2009
Why President Obama Should Not Attend the Alliance of Civilizations Forum

"...There is remarkably little information on exactly what the AoC has accomplished aside from holding meetings and establishing Alliance-approved databases of experts and organizations who can discuss youth, education, media, and migration issues.

"There is major cause for concern considering the AoC's ongoing support of constraints on freedom of expression and speech. As U.N. High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Jorge Sampaio announced at a 2008 press conference in Iran, "There is a balance to be found between freedom of expression and respect for religion and for religious feelings and principles."[11] These types of platitudes are unworthy of a true effort to promote frank dialogue. Freedom of expression means little if it is subject to the sensitivities and feelings of those who may be offended by personal statements on, or media coverage of, religious matters. ..."

http://tinyurl.com/dgkqbo
Alliance of Civilizations Implementation Plan 2007-2009

"...The AoC Secretariat will collect information on initiatives underway and best
practices related to the subjects prioritized in consultation with GoF members, civil
society groups and implementing partners, such as the following seven subjects:
i. Cross-cultural and inter-faith dialogue and cooperation;
ii. Regional fora for interfaith and intercultural dialogue and cooperation;
iii.
Media literacy programmes;
iv.
Training programs for journalists in cross-cultural news coverage;
v.
Government programmes, civil society organizations and academic
initiatives that educate and empower Muslim immigrants in the U.S. and
Europe;
vi.
Curricula for teaching about religions in schools through consensus
processes, and curricula for religious schools; and
vii.
Human rights education programmes that communicate the universality of
human rights within diverse cultures and religious traditions. ..."

Going past diplomatic language and all manner vague wording, I look for specifics that can be put in place. I worry about a crackdown on freedom of speech and in particular how teaching about religion in schools, including religious schools. will be affected. If a school takes government money, pressure can be put on the schools as to what they can teach about their own religion as well as other religions. Efforts along these lines have already been put in place in a few places.

It's not just Obama being there, it's all of the support staff working with EU people who will determine what will be the outcome of discussions there.

[maven]

The question is: From Obama's advisor's point of view why should he attend?

The rest we already know.

I'm hoping someone who supports Obama or has heard his administratioons justifications could explain them to us, then we can make a final judgement.