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WASHINGTON (AFP) — US President Barack Obama will make a fresh attempt to ease mistrust between the United States and the Muslim world with a long-awaited speech in Egypt on June 4, the White House said Friday.
Obama promised during his election campaign to give the speech before a major Islamic forum on US ties with the Islamic faith during his first 100 days in office, which expired last week,
Though Obama's timetable slipped slightly, he did make a closely watched statement in the Turkish parliament last month, declaring that the United States was not at war with Islam and noted his own partly Muslim heritage.
"On June 4, the president will give a speech in Egypt. The speech will be about America's relations with the Muslim world," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.
Gibbs said the speech was a part of a "continuing effort by this president and this White House to demonstrate how we can work together to ensure the safety and security and the future well being through hope and opportunity of the children of this country and of the Muslim world," Gibbs said.
"That's what the President promised to do when he promised to give this speech."
Gibbs said that the exact location of the speech had yet to be finalized, and defended Obama from claims that the choice of Egypt conflicted with the desire of US policymakers to promote democracy abroad.
"It is a country that in many ways represents the heart of the Arab world," Gibbs said. "I think it will be a terrific opportunity for the president to address and discuss our relationship with the Muslim world."
AFP: Obama to address Muslims in Egypt in June
Now this will be interesting to see.
Obama promised during his election campaign to give the speech before a major Islamic forum on US ties with the Islamic faith during his first 100 days in office, which expired last week,
Though Obama's timetable slipped slightly, he did make a closely watched statement in the Turkish parliament last month, declaring that the United States was not at war with Islam and noted his own partly Muslim heritage.
"On June 4, the president will give a speech in Egypt. The speech will be about America's relations with the Muslim world," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.
Gibbs said the speech was a part of a "continuing effort by this president and this White House to demonstrate how we can work together to ensure the safety and security and the future well being through hope and opportunity of the children of this country and of the Muslim world," Gibbs said.
"That's what the President promised to do when he promised to give this speech."
Gibbs said that the exact location of the speech had yet to be finalized, and defended Obama from claims that the choice of Egypt conflicted with the desire of US policymakers to promote democracy abroad.
"It is a country that in many ways represents the heart of the Arab world," Gibbs said. "I think it will be a terrific opportunity for the president to address and discuss our relationship with the Muslim world."
AFP: Obama to address Muslims in Egypt in June
Now this will be interesting to see.