June 3, 2009
Posted: June 3rd, 2009 01:22 PM ET

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (CNN) - President Barack Obama will speak "candidly" on a number of issues Thursday when he addresses a mostly Muslim audience in Cairo, Egypt, an administration speechwriter said.

Obama, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday on the first leg of a visit to Middle Eastern and European nations, will take on some of the
misconceptions held by Americans and Muslims and acknowledge the need for both sides to know each other better, Ben Rhodes said.

The president still is working on the final text of his highly anticipated speech in Cairo, Rhodes added.

Some of the issues to be addressed are: violent extremism, the Pakistani fight against the Taliban and dangers at the Pakistani-Afghan border.

He also will discuss the Israeli-Palestinian plight, with the understanding that this has been a source of tension and passion throughout the
world, the speechwriter said.

Filed under: Middle East • President Obama • Uncategorized


I don't have a passport (i.e. Republican Attack Mode)   June 3rd, 2009 2:58 pm ET

I hate Muslims because I fear them.
I hate gays because I fear them.
I hate non-whites because I fear them
I hate non-Christians because I fear them.
I hate all other languages because I can't speak them.
America is the center of the world.
Jesus was an American.

All I want to know President Hooooooosaaaane Obama:

Is my Walmart Safe?

cheryl brooks   June 3rd, 2009 2:55 pm ET

May Allah bless The President in his very thoughtful efforts, however you must have team players... so us dumb people will see who is actually is a team player... Good Luck to all of you.

Dallas Independent - thank goodness   June 3rd, 2009 2:51 pm ET

I just can't wait to hear how many time Hussein Obama apologizes for the U.S., AGAIN.

Lynn   June 3rd, 2009 2:44 pm ET

Why can't the media and Americans just wait to hear the speech. Already this cut and paste, speculation and tidbits are putting a bias on the speech itself just like taking quites out of context biased the public's introduction to Jude Sotomayor.

CNN continues to fail to emphasis that the peace initiative is being spearheaded by the Saudis and the Egyptians.
'

Polly   June 3rd, 2009 2:43 pm ET

I hope his teleprompter does not act up.

Tim   June 3rd, 2009 2:37 pm ET

Will he address the Palestinian need to stop the hatred (not incitement as he likes to say) of the Israeli nation. My guess is he will fall far short of talking candidly to those he is addressing. He is naive and has a huge ego as he thinks he can overcome all with hope and change.

Tim   June 3rd, 2009 2:34 pm ET

Really, by that does he mean that he will insist that these countries stop formenting hate for America in their daily teachings, or does he mean that he will candidly address America's shortcomings?

It would be nice if he would address the US Marine who was shot and killed by a muslim terrorist in the US the other day in front of the crowd, and use it as an example of what needs to stop.

Jefe   June 3rd, 2009 2:31 pm ET

This is pure lunacy. After 8 years of international relations successes, we now know that "bomb now, lie later" is the only policy that works. Well, at least thats what some of the AM-radio anti-American infiltrators posing as Republicans would have us believe.

Proud DHS radical   June 3rd, 2009 2:28 pm ET

"President Barack Obama will speak "candidly" on a number of issues" Which means he's either going to continue apologizing for America or...his teleprompter broke on the flight over.

I have no misconceptions of Muslims, I don't trust them! Know your enemy, read the Quran.

Obama Victim   June 3rd, 2009 2:23 pm ET

candid?? ok.............."we surrender"............."no, we really do surrender"

kevin   June 3rd, 2009 2:20 pm ET

yeah, pres boy, give our nation to them why don't you. i know you want to boy. do it, give our country over to these rats. your a big retard

Felonious Monk   June 3rd, 2009 2:17 pm ET

Wow, someone wanting to open lines of communication, unheard of.

John Q. Public   June 3rd, 2009 2:16 pm ET

"This is a delicate issue," the president declared, "but it must be said: "those doo-rags on your heads are about the most ridiculous thing since mood rings."

Louise in NC   June 3rd, 2009 2:15 pm ET

People may have different views on this speech, but someone needs to address this FOR THE SAKE OF OUR MILITARY who are fighting in these muslim countries, trying to win hearts and minds. I hope President Obama's speech will somehow make the path a little easier for OUR BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM!!!

Candy West Virginia   June 3rd, 2009 2:15 pm ET

Thank God we have an intelligent, diplomatic minded President to represent us for a change. After the last 8 disastrous years its a wonder we have not been invaded.

tell it like it is   June 3rd, 2009 2:13 pm ET

Wonder who he's going to apolgize to this time. We're running out of countries so now it must be religions.

phoenix86   June 3rd, 2009 2:08 pm ET

By "candidly" you mean that Obama will blame America. We've all seen this speech before, it's the only one he knows.

JP   June 3rd, 2009 2:02 pm ET

So far Obama does not appear to be another political puppet under Israel's control. I hope so. Israels current position is shocking we won't stop building our illegel settlements on your land until you are nice to us.

Jamie Blakely   June 3rd, 2009 1:58 pm ET

Mr Rhoades, are you saying that if the muslims had known us better, they would never have attacked this country on 9/11?

A Proud Arrogant American   June 3rd, 2009 1:56 pm ET

Who is he bowing to today? I hope the POTUS remembers that he represents the people of THE UNITED STATES, not the third world.

Shirley In California Now On The Fence Re Obama   June 3rd, 2009 1:56 pm ET

Whatever....

Dylan from MN   June 3rd, 2009 1:51 pm ET

Let's make this a step towards unity and peace Mr. President, the world needs it.

Jamie Blakely   June 3rd, 2009 1:51 pm ET

Hope Obama tells them about the best thing to arrive in NYC from the Civil War: hushpuppies. We're not all-bad.

peter   June 3rd, 2009 1:51 pm ET

Sound to me like he is working hard enough to convince these tea-bag hangers.

Pepou   June 3rd, 2009 1:49 pm ET

We need to improve our relations with the Muslim world. President Obama is right on.

Fla.   June 3rd, 2009 1:49 pm ET

I appreciate how President Obama addresses mutual respect & responsibility on both sides of an issue in order to find common ground going forward.

It is so refreshing to see intelligent and courageous diplomacy return to our administration. Godspeed, Mr. President!

GET REAL.   June 3rd, 2009 1:46 pm ET

MUSLIMS AREN'T BAD PEOPLE. The biggest issue here is that there are certain SECTS of Muslim that are the trouble. The rest are living their lives like we are.

Just like over here in America: Christians aren't bad people either. But there are Christians over here that are so zealous that they never forgive, always judge, practice schadenfreude regularly, run their mouths on anyone who will listen, lie/misdirect to achieve their own ends, and even get blood thirsty to perform some kind of ethnic cleansing against the Muslims.

Get the plank out of your own eye before you look at the splinter in theirs, you losers. And if you can't do anything but bluster in response to this, then don't bother to post.

CNN, you've been letting quite a few of my comments go lately, so if you post anything, please post this one. Thank you.

I'm sorry...   June 3rd, 2009 1:44 pm ET

Obama, here's the good news for you as you travel abroad. You don't need to worry about reading from a teleprompter. Simply stick to your usual M.O. and repeat...

"The United States was wrong and I'm sorry."
"The United States was wrong and I'm sorry."
"The United States was wrong and I'm sorry."
"The United States was wrong and I'm sorry."

No need to spend an exhorbitant amount of time on your speeches. You know them by heart! Oooh...oooh...Don't forget the photo ops!

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   June 3rd, 2009 1:42 pm ET

Those two issues should be the primary focus of his speech. I also think in his speech he needs to point out candidly that the views of Osama Bin Laden are not Islam.

Lori asks the GOP why Saddam is dead but Bin Laden is Alive?!!   June 3rd, 2009 1:40 pm ET

Please Mr. President. Please attempt to repair the damage that the Republicans did in the Middle East with their so-called 'War on Terror' that made America less safe by going after Saddam Hussein and allowing Bin Laden to live and possibly plan another terrorist attack!!! God forbid, if another attack happens in America, we have no one to blame but the Republicans, who for over 6 years spent our tax dollars, military manpower, and resources in Iraq and not using those resources to go after the real mastermind of 9/11 OSAMA BIN LADEN!!! GOP=Horrible on foreign policy.

Gary   June 3rd, 2009 1:36 pm ET

We are a country with people of diverse back grounds and religions. We honor freedom of speech, religion and the Press. 9/11 was not our fault. Osama Bin Laden was wrong, obnoxious, arrogant and evil. We need to stop apologizing and get back to fixing our economy. If Bin Laden is found he should be killed.

Jon in CA   June 3rd, 2009 1:33 pm ET

Yes – Obama has made some very candid statements AFTER being elected he would NOT have made on the campaign trail:

"America is not a Christian Nation"

"if you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world"

When asked about Iran having nuclear technology Obama says, "Iran has legitimate energy concerns, legitimate aspirations".

Obama is a muslim-apologist who defends madman Ahmadinejad's quest for nuclear technology (while Ahmadinejad calls Hallocaust a "hoax") and bows to the Saudi King.

Obama is MORE dangerous than Osama!

TCM   June 3rd, 2009 1:33 pm ET

Obama says..."It is important to note that "if you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world".

What a kiss-ass!

Listen Obama, the vast amount of Americans are tired of you cowering down like the scrawny little coward you are in front of the muslim nations. Obama needs to be impeached! Obama needs to be impeached! He's endangering every aspect of American values and life....The entire country's being betrayed, and disrespected at the hands of this fool. I hope liberals are the first to feel the sting of terrorism when it strikes our country again; we are being put more and more in danger the longer this incompetent remains in office. Trying BS our adbversaries in the same manner he did his ignorant supporters won't work; they're far too clever for such propaganda. Being the green politician and American(?) he is, they're taking full advantage of us.....

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