Doaa El-Bey sensed good vibrations emanating from the G20 summit, which could not be said for the Arab summit US President Barack Obama's political project started to show during his first European tour that took him to Turkey. Declaring his initiative to create a world free of nuclear weapons was met with caution; others wrote that it was too good to be true. The Palestinian political daily Al-Quds pointed out that Obama was cordially welcomed in Turkey and the other European states he visited. In addition, his speeches and statements reflect the spirit of change he promised during the presidential campaign. The editorial reviewed his success on all levels during his tour. In the G20 summit, he managed to persuade all the parties concerned with his economic reform plan, in spite of reservations from some states including Turkey. He gained the support and admiration of European states when he told them he wants the EU to engage in partnership on an equal footing rather than being an affiliate to Washington. In Turkey he confirmed his support for the country and his respect and will to cooperate with the Islamic world. More important, Al-Quds pointed to Obama's confirmation that he abides by the two-state Middle East solution according to the roadmap and Annapolis conference. While the editorial welcomed Obama's statement, it called for deeds rather than statements or pledges. "The region is in need of Obama's statements to be translated into realities on the ground. Obama can achieve peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state next to Israel. Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the key to the Arab and Islamic world cooperating with the US," the editorial read. It pinned hopes on the upcoming visit of the Middle East envoy George Mitchell to the region. Taher Al-Odwan wrote that ever since Obama came to power, the picture of the US has improved markedly even in the eyes of the Arabs and even before any tangible progress in the Palestinian issue. During his European tour, he received a tumultuous welcome. Al-Odwan expressed his belief that many Arab leaders will not be happy that public opinion in their states have stopped attacking the US because attacking the US and Israel and blaming them for all the catastrophes in Palestine and Iraq cover for the deficiency of these states in assuming their responsibilities in defending the interests of the Arab nation and regaining occupied land. Thus, the writer added, Arab states are in need of rising up and asking Obama to resolve the Palestinian issue. That does not mean disengaging with Israel, but at least it might end its alliance with injustice, occupation, racism and the apartheid wall. The Arabs should ask Obama to save Iraq because the US came to Iraq in the name of liberty and equality, so it must achieve liberty and equality for the Iraqis. On top of that the Arab states need to stop the policy of banking on the US and holding it or others responsible for any crisis in the region. They must show they have a right in Palestine and that if the US and the international community do not impose peace on Israel, peace will not be achieved in the region or in the entire world, Al-Odwan wrote in the Jordanian political daily Al-Arab Al-Yom. The United Arab Emirates independent political daily Akhbar Al-Arab wrote that Obama offered his political plans not only to the US but to the world. He seized the chance of a European tour to reconfirm his concept of peace and security and his respect to all religions in a speech before the Czech parliament. His visit to Turkey as part of the tour is clear proof of his determination to open all channels of cooperation with the Muslim world. Contrary to his predecessor George Bush who launched a crusade and tarnished the picture of all Americans as a result, Obama raises the slogan of change in everything, from education to foreign policies. His speech in the Czech Republic was not only proof that he abides by the principle of change especially in US relations with the Arab and Islamic world and the importance of inter-civilisation dialogue but a call to create a world free from nuclear weapons as well. He was realistic when he said the project would take a long time, but the first seed needs to be planted now. "Obama's efforts need international support and practical steps in order to boost his ideas by deeds. Perhaps civil organisations are required to play a role together with states in making the world free from religious and sectarian conflicts and weapons of mass destruction," the editorial concluded. The UAE daily Al-Bayan regarded Obama's statement as a new development that aims to get rid of nuclear weapons. Although his comments point to the importance of freeing the world of such weapons, it implies a recognition that the ability to control it is diminishing. However, achieving the goal needs not only time, but taking the right steps which include giving up the double standard policy. While the editorial said it was premature to judge Obama's words, past experience showed that Washington usually plays the role of preacher. The preacher possesses the biggest nuclear arsenal in the world and provides protection to Israel which has 200 nuclear warheads and aborted any calls for Tel Aviv to join the international Atomic Energy Agency. "If Obama is serious in his effort to create a world free from nuclear weapons, he should first give up the double standard policy and make IAEA decisions abiding to all states," the edit concluded. However, Essam Noeman was not as optimistic. He said Obama was aiming at Iran in the first place and not Israel and cast doubt that Israel's arsenal was included in Obama's comments at all. "Obama is honest in his call to create a world free from nuclear weapons, but his initiative focuses on only Iran and North Korea," Noeman wrote in the Qatari daily Al-Watan. Although Iran does not entirely reject Obama's initiative, it expects that it should include Israel in words as well as in deeds. However, it is extremely difficult for the US to declare that Israel possesses nuclear warheads, let alone reveal that Tel Aviv is included in Obama's initiative. Netanyahu and other Zionist leaders will struggle to prevent that from happening and that could lead to a confrontation between Obama's administration and the Israeli government. But the question that Noeman asked is whether Obama has the power to challenge Zionism inside America or in states overseas. He left the question unanswered.
