Obama Seeks World Without Nukes
Welcomed with thunderous cheers, President Barack Obama told a European audience on Friday that he is setting a dramatic goal of "a world without nuclear weapons."
The new American president opened a town-hall style gathering with the declaration, saying he would outline details in Prague in the coming days.
"Even with the Cold War now over, the spread of nuclear weapons or the theft of nuclear material could lead to the extermination of any city on the planet," Obama said, previewing a planned speech.
In office just over two months, Obama was in the midst of his first European trip as president as he sought to strengthen the United States' standing in the world while working with foreign counterparts to right the troubled global economy.
Obama said the United States shares blame for the crisis, but that "every nation bears responsibility for what lies ahead - especially now."
Back home, his administration was trying to weather the fallout of another dismal monthly jobs report that was announced as Obama spoke in France. The jobless rate jumped to 8.5 percent, the highest since late 1983, as a wide range of employers eliminated a net total of 663,000 jobs in March.
Obama opened the overseas appearance - in a sports arena and before a French and German audience heavily made up of students - with 25 minutes of prepared remarks read from a Teleprompter.
Inviting questions later, Obama acknowledged "my French and German are terrible" but noted that translators were on hand. But his first questioner turned out to be an American. Seeming surprised, Obama was quick to note: "I did not call on an American on purpose."
Much like during his presidential campaign, Obama paced the stage with a microphone like a talk show host and responded to the woman's question about what he wanted his legacy to be. "After only two months, that's kind of a big question. You aim high knowing you'll make mistakes," Obama said. But he said job No. 1 is restoring America's battered economy.
Obama also sounded an upbeat message of globalization, saying history shows why nations must work together.
"We are most vulnerable to war and conflict when people are desperate economically," Obama said. "Nobody knows that history more than Europe."
The president said he wants to look back at his tenure and know his work drastically lessened the threat of terrorism, particularly nuclear terrorism.
"And we can't reduce the threat of a nuclear weapon going off unless those that possess the most nuclear weapons - the United States and Russia - take serious steps to reduce our stockpiles," Obama said. "So we want to pursue that vigorously in the years ahead."
Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev earlier this week pledged a new effort to both nations' nuclear arsenals.
In his opening remarks, he underscored the importance of the relationship between Europe and America, and he encouraged Europe to support his retooled strategy to root out suspected terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"I understand this war has been long. Our allies have already contributed greatly to this endeavor," Obama said. "Understand we would not deploy our own troops if this mission was not indispensable to our common security ... I understand there's doubt about his war in Europe. There's doubt even in the United States."
But he said the United States and its allies must continue to go after terrorists to ensure a safer world.
It was clear as he opened the appearance that he was intent on improving the U.S. image abroad, which suffered under George W. Bush.
"I've come to Europe this week to renew our partnership," Obama said. "America is changing but it cannot be America alone that changes."
Obama bluntly said the relationship between the United States and Europe has gone adrift, with blame on both sides.
In America, he said, "there's a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world."
"There have been times when America's shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive," Obama said.
Yet in Europe, he said, there is an anti-America attitude that seems casual but can also be insidious. He said America can be unfairly blamed for many problems.
"On both sides of the Atlantic, these attitudes have become all too common," Obama said. "They are not wise."
Touching on topics controversial in Europe, Obama promoted his decision to close the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay within a year, and said "without equivocation that the United States does not and will not torture."
Earlier, in a symbolic gesture, French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Obama that France would accept a prisoner from the controversial detention center where terrorist suspects are held if that would facilitate its closing.
Saying that he was determined to "speak the truth," Sarkozy said that Guantanamo "was not in keeping with U.S. values." He said democratic states have a responsibility to speak honestly and do what they say, and that Guantanamo was a contradiction in that standard.
Obama said the U.S. would need help in finding a place to send those held at the center. He thanked Sarkozy for "being good to his word."
"I made the decision to close Guantanamo because I don't think it makes America safer," Obama said.
About 250 detainees are still held - some without charge - at the Guantanamo Bay prison, which was set up after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to hold so-called "enemy combatants" accused of links to the al Qaeda terror network or the Taliban. Spain and Portugal have already said they could accept prisoners, while Germany and others remain tightlipped whether they will accept non-nationals.
AP The new American president opened a town-hall style gathering with the declaration, saying he would outline details in Prague in the coming days.
"Even with the Cold War now over, the spread of nuclear weapons or the theft of nuclear material could lead to the extermination of any city on the planet," Obama said, previewing a planned speech.
In office just over two months, Obama was in the midst of his first European trip as president as he sought to strengthen the United States' standing in the world while working with foreign counterparts to right the troubled global economy.
Obama said the United States shares blame for the crisis, but that "every nation bears responsibility for what lies ahead - especially now."
Back home, his administration was trying to weather the fallout of another dismal monthly jobs report that was announced as Obama spoke in France. The jobless rate jumped to 8.5 percent, the highest since late 1983, as a wide range of employers eliminated a net total of 663,000 jobs in March.
Obama opened the overseas appearance - in a sports arena and before a French and German audience heavily made up of students - with 25 minutes of prepared remarks read from a Teleprompter.
Inviting questions later, Obama acknowledged "my French and German are terrible" but noted that translators were on hand. But his first questioner turned out to be an American. Seeming surprised, Obama was quick to note: "I did not call on an American on purpose."
Much like during his presidential campaign, Obama paced the stage with a microphone like a talk show host and responded to the woman's question about what he wanted his legacy to be. "After only two months, that's kind of a big question. You aim high knowing you'll make mistakes," Obama said. But he said job No. 1 is restoring America's battered economy.
Obama also sounded an upbeat message of globalization, saying history shows why nations must work together.
"We are most vulnerable to war and conflict when people are desperate economically," Obama said. "Nobody knows that history more than Europe."
The president said he wants to look back at his tenure and know his work drastically lessened the threat of terrorism, particularly nuclear terrorism.
| Map: Obama's Overseas Trip A day-by-day guide to one of the most closely watched presidential trips in recent memory. |
"And we can't reduce the threat of a nuclear weapon going off unless those that possess the most nuclear weapons - the United States and Russia - take serious steps to reduce our stockpiles," Obama said. "So we want to pursue that vigorously in the years ahead."
Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev earlier this week pledged a new effort to both nations' nuclear arsenals.
In his opening remarks, he underscored the importance of the relationship between Europe and America, and he encouraged Europe to support his retooled strategy to root out suspected terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"I understand this war has been long. Our allies have already contributed greatly to this endeavor," Obama said. "Understand we would not deploy our own troops if this mission was not indispensable to our common security ... I understand there's doubt about his war in Europe. There's doubt even in the United States."
But he said the United States and its allies must continue to go after terrorists to ensure a safer world.
It was clear as he opened the appearance that he was intent on improving the U.S. image abroad, which suffered under George W. Bush.
"I've come to Europe this week to renew our partnership," Obama said. "America is changing but it cannot be America alone that changes."
Obama bluntly said the relationship between the United States and Europe has gone adrift, with blame on both sides.
In America, he said, "there's a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world."
"There have been times when America's shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive," Obama said.
Yet in Europe, he said, there is an anti-America attitude that seems casual but can also be insidious. He said America can be unfairly blamed for many problems.
"On both sides of the Atlantic, these attitudes have become all too common," Obama said. "They are not wise."
Touching on topics controversial in Europe, Obama promoted his decision to close the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay within a year, and said "without equivocation that the United States does not and will not torture."
Earlier, in a symbolic gesture, French President Nicolas Sarkozy told Obama that France would accept a prisoner from the controversial detention center where terrorist suspects are held if that would facilitate its closing.
Saying that he was determined to "speak the truth," Sarkozy said that Guantanamo "was not in keeping with U.S. values." He said democratic states have a responsibility to speak honestly and do what they say, and that Guantanamo was a contradiction in that standard.
Obama said the U.S. would need help in finding a place to send those held at the center. He thanked Sarkozy for "being good to his word."
"I made the decision to close Guantanamo because I don't think it makes America safer," Obama said.
About 250 detainees are still held - some without charge - at the Guantanamo Bay prison, which was set up after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to hold so-called "enemy combatants" accused of links to the al Qaeda terror network or the Taliban. Spain and Portugal have already said they could accept prisoners, while Germany and others remain tightlipped whether they will accept non-nationals.
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Well, within 2 months, the O-bomber has insulted the Prime Minister of England (our closest ally) by giving him a set of stupid videos including "Psycho" that you can get at Target (but the problem is that you can't play those videos in England - video equipment is different there - OOPS!! He didn't know THAT, but somehow he thinks he's an authority on EVERYTHING!!).......
He also excused his lack of decent protocol by saying he "was tired" after being in office a few weeks - does THAT inspire confidence??????????? Can you ever remember ANY president shrugging off duties in that way??? No.
To say nothing about his removing the gift of the Churchill bust from the Oval office & sending it back to England to make way for some of his own personal hero sculptures - total disregard the international relations (does that represent OUR best interests, or is that Barry, just giving the finger??).
He also read someone else's speech on St. Patrick's Day even after he had just read the SAME speech aloud & then even kept reading while he thanked HIMSELF for inviting HIM to Washington! He must have the IQ of a moron.
He also trashed every developmentally-disabled person by saying his bad bowling was like the "Special Olympics" on Leno. An 8-year old knows better than to say hurtful things like that.
He can't fill his appointments because the people he chooses have been bailing out, right & left, because either they have been guilty of tax evasion or they don't want to be associated with him.
He bowed down from the waist to the ruler of Saudia Arabia, who, in turn, thought he was at least ignorant, and at most, a weakling.
In the last 2 months of 2009, he called the WRONG guy on the phone (Jacques Chirac) & said he was looking forward to working with him as the President of France - the man hadn't been president since May of 2007. It didn't seem that important to anyone that the President of France since May, 2007 is Nicolas Sarkosy. Duh!!
.......And that's only a SMALL sample of his first 2 months - I cannot imagine what we'll have to endure until he's quietly voted out by the people who voted him in.
He needs to keep his mouth shut and quit shooting it off when he knows nothing about which he speaks. What's even WORSE, is that he is going at full speed to PROVE his ignorance.
I guess he thought he was pretty cool as a community leader in Chicago and that it would be all he needed, but, he is, unfortunately, in need of training to be President of the United States.
He is SO much like the ridiculous Blagoyevich - "I am cool, & if you don't believe it, I may have to have someone rough you up". I am personally embarassed by this small-town bully who thinks that no on should question his authoruty.
You people who still support this dangerous, mis-guided individual need to QUIT MAKING EXCUSES FOR HIM!! Open your eyes & realize that you were fooled by a smooth-talking car salesman. .....
.. But, you will NEVER do so, because you'd rather lie to yourself & keep the illusion going, than be wrong. Just don't come crying when your world crumbles..... and it will.
Sorry for the message, but Someone had to tell you.
Unfortunately, the damage he is doing is so devastating and irreversible that the USA will be destroyed, and all historical records will be wiped away when the new dictator takes over.
So nobody will even have the freedom to find out that Obama was the worst president ever.
That's how bad he is.
Posted by Rowdy104 at 1:15 PM : Apr 3, 2009
Dearest Rowdy, Uhmbamba ?!? Is that the Christian form of racism? What will your Creator say to that?
As a German I am quite shocked, what I read here and other blogs in the last days. This very personally felt hatred. That looking, searching for any mistake you could possibly find. And then so personal, so emotional, so spiteful.
If that is average America, I am shocked and deeply puzzled. Makes me think. Not nice thoughts about your country.
I can only find two reasons for all of that.
Either you are very sore losers. But that would be a difficult way of behaving in a democracy. It is not a good reputation for your country, to be very clear. In a democracy you win elections, you lose elections?
Or. And that would be even worse. You have, deep inside you, problems that the Obamas are not looking the white Anglo-Saxon Protestants.
I am married to a British Irish and I talked to friends in Britain and Germany about those blogs. Some of them had a look and they all a shocked about this hatred. And about the poor standard of argument.
Obama is making a good job.
So does his wife. She impressed us all. Very authentic. Her speech in the girls school in England. Quite impressive. She even moved this normally very frosty queen.
You should be proud of them. You Americans are all about patriotism and you are swearing at your elected president. You don?t have to have the same opinion as him. But you can?t throw filth at him. To that you are hiding in internet, because a lot I have read is liable to criminal charges.
If you think I am lecturing and preaching. Good. I am making headway.
Posted by daffy64 at 1:09 PM : Apr 3, 2009
The threat level indicator was eliminated years ago, but feel free to use it to Bash Republicans.......I'm sure you have been enjoying the 8 years attack free living in the continental USA
--
I am! Let's face it, if it hadn't been for Bush going through every imported package and container with a flashlight in the last 8 years, we would have been attacked again.
I say we clone him and make a super-army of REEEEEEAAAAAAAAL men.
--
Agreed. We've had enough of this Jesus guy and his "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies" nonsense.
It doesn't make any sense. Suppose we became friends with our enemies? How would weapons companies make any money?
And who could we rant about on the internet?
Plus, the next time I went into a "Sheets" for a corn dog and large Slushie, there wouldn't be a cardboard sign showing the "Terrorist Threat Level".
I just couldn't live in a world like that.
Posted by Rowdy104 at 12:50 PM : Apr 3, 2009
So we have totalitarian governments now in Europe. I give up. I can`t take that rubbish serious any longer. Of course you are right, totally right, and the universe was designed roughly 8.000 years ago and the world is a disc. You are totally right and I can only humbly bow.
We seek a president, who isn't high and in a Liberal Dream world where flowers blow, with free tofu and granola for all.
--
Who's he been listening too? That Jesus guy???
Harumph.
Russia and China are laughing at us right now......."Comrade Valdimir....It will be easier than we thought with weak Amedican President"........(russians laughing)
---
"Ah yes, Kodos. Soon the humans will be at our mercy. Hahaha. Hahahahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA."
-Aliens laughing.
Posted by Rowdy104 at 12:33 PM : Apr 3, 2009
One of the conditions of the reunion of Germany and her staying in NATO was a promise by Bush I and the German chancellor towards the Russians, that NATO wouldn?t move further east. But then the Baltic states, Poland, Hungary, Slowaky, the Czeks, Romanis, Bulgaria became members of NATO. And Bush II was pushing having the Ukraine and Gerogia to come into the NATO as well. How would the USA react, if a promise was broken and all the neighbours made members in a military alliance. So you are encircled. And if the Gorgian president was encouraged to play with the fire. And on top of that the USA were starting to employ new rockets in Poland. What would you think, if you would be a Russian politician.
Playing with fire. Playing with fire in a nuclear world.