June 4, 2009
King Abdullah Greets Obama in Saudi Arabia
by Scott Wilson
The Washington Post
President Obama began his Middle East trip Wednesday here in "the place where Islam began" as the administration took extraordinary steps to make sure his speech in Cairo on Thursday is heard around the world, including offering instant text-messaging of the address in four languages, creating special links on popular social networking sites, and facilitating its live broadcast on national television networks.
As Obama arrived in this desert capital, senior U.S. officials said the president will discuss Muslim and American misperceptions and specific policies on both sides that have undermined relations.
"There has been a breach, an undeniable breach between America and the Islamic world, and that breach has been years in the making," said David Axelrod, a senior adviser to Obama. "It is not going to be reversed in one speech. It is not going to be reversed perhaps in one administration. But the president is a strong believer in open, honest dialogue."
The attention surrounding Obama's address and his first visit to Saudi Arabia was underscored Wednesday by a pair of messages from Osama bin Laden and his Egyptian deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri.
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