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Subscribe to RSSOfficials said Thursday that President Obama doesn't intend to downgrade Egypt, which gets $1.5 billion a year in U.S. aid. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
LAS VEGAS – President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that while he does not believe Egypt is an ally of the United States, he also doesn't consider the country an enemy.
“I think that we are going to have to see how they respond to this incident,” Obama said in an interview with Telemundo anchor José Diaz-Balart, host of Noticiero Telemundo. He was referring to Tuesday’s protests in Egypt, during which demonstrators, angered by a movie trailer parodying Prophet Muhammad, breached the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
The president continued: "Certainly in this situation, what we're going to expect is that (the Egyptian government is) responsive to our insistence that our embassy is protected, our personnel is protected, and if they take actions that they’re not taking those responsibilities, as all countries do where we have embassies, I think that’s going to be a real big problem.”
The Rachel Maddow Show includes segments of an interview with President Barack Obama with Telemundo anchor José Díaz-Balart about the U.S. response to the attacks on American missions in Egypt and Libya Tuesday.
Obama’s strong words could mark a dramatic shift in the U.S.’s relationship with Egypt, which has been consistently pro-American since the late president Anwar Sadat. The country has maintained a peace accord with Israel since the 1979 Camp David Accords and since 1982 has received $1.3 billion in military and development aid from the U.S, according to the State Department.
How the recent election of President Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, will – or already has – affected the relationship between the two countries is still unclear. Morsi was Egypt’s first-ever democratically-elected president.
In the Telemundo interview Wednesday night, Obama also discussed the ambush on the U.S. Consulate in Libya, calling the deaths of U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Libya "heartbreaking" and repeated his call to bring those responsible to justice.
But when asked by Diaz-Balart whether it was time to "reconsider foreign aid" to Egypt and Libya, Obama said the U.S. “doesn't have an option of withdrawing from the world ... we're the one indispensable nation."
"Libya ... is a government that is very friendly towards us,” Obama continued. “The vast majority of Libyans welcomed the United States' involvement. They understand that it's because of us that they got rid of a dictator who had crushed their spirits for 40 years."
Moammar Gadhafi, who had ruled the country since 1969, was overthrown in August 2011 during the Libyan Civil War triggered by the Arab Spring revolutions.
Earlier Wednesday, Libyan leader Mohammed Magarief took to the airwaves to condemn the killings and to apologize to the U.S.
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The U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were killed after protesters angry over a film that ridiculed Islam's Prophet Muhammad stormed the U.S. consulate in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi.
President Obama expressed confidence that the Libyan government would help the U.S. in finding those who were responsible for yesterday's violence: "Our hope is to be able to capture them ... but we're going to have to obviously cooperate with the Libyan government. And you know, I have confidence that we will stay on this relentlessly, because Chris Stevens, he's somebody who actually advised me and Secretary Clinton during the original Libyan uprising. He was somebody who Libyans recognized as being on the side of the people. And we're going get help. We're going to get cooperation on this."
Responding to GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s statements that Obama’s initial response was disgraceful, Obama said: “As president, my obligation is to focus on security for our people, making sure that we gather all the facts, making sure that we're advancing American interests. And not having ideological arguments on a day when we are mourning the loss of outstanding folks who have served our country very well.”
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Jhaskin- Obama couldn't run a day camp of sissies.
And I guess you can?
I wouldn't be spending $20 million to develop children's TV programs in Pakistan or any other foreign nation that's for sure. In fact, I would be cutting funding to a ton of foreign aid programs. DUH! Why is Obama funding these project with the debt he is accruing?
Poor judgement and bad decision making from a man who has created a debt crisis and made our government unstable.
Yankees9
I have to agree with your observation about Obama not running a Sissie camp as he would leave the office chair empty while he went golfing or fund rasing, unless he gave the job to jhaskins20018 who seems to know a lot about sissies, I wonder if that is from experience, UuuuuuuuuuuMMM, but then we will never know the asnwer to that question, because like Barrack there has to be someoone else to blame.
Obama...you fence sitter!!!
Obama is fantastic. Romney/Ryan does not come close to the ultimate professionalism that the president carries. He is very eloquent and always looks presidential. President Obama has integrity, dignity, honesty, and more. President Obama has very good instinct and he thinks prior to responding. He is very careful in how he presents information. He is good and the Republican Party is lost.
What integrity? What dignity? What honesty? He's LIED to this nation for almost FOUR YEARS now.
This FAILURE that you support can't even lead his own Party, much less the nation. He answers to Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Valerie Jarrett, David Axelrod, and the unions but NEVER to the people of this nation.
He's nothing but a mouthpiece.
What planet do you come from? The planet of "not an ally, and not an enemy"..... To say that his lying piece of crap president has integrity, and dignity? Wow! He's a complete failure and the only people who support him are those that want free stuff or are so afraid of life that want big brother government to take care of them.
HelloDock
I have a questioon for you thatwas brought up by another posting, and that is Did you or anyone else give Barrck permission to fund TV programs for Muslims that cost you and every other tax payer you tax dollars, and if he is so honest why did he spend millions bring all those Syrian Muslims to the USA with out the approval of you or any other tax payers let alone approval from Congress, and I believe you praised this theif at many different levels and most were centered on his 'honesty, and his attibues of looking good, and that he articulated very well, now as far as talking ogoes he is very good at stuttering and not being able to answer a question with any honesty,and or intelligent meaning to what he says, it is all a confusion of half finished sentences which are meaningless in their context, as well as evasive, is this the honesty of which you want the rest of the people to believe.
And as for me being racist, try againa s I have 2 Black God Sons, and was the first man of non color, (Black), to become a member of the Black Masonic Lodges of California, and wawas ask by the Grand Master of the State to do so, and I am of mixeed heritage, just as the Half Breed sitting President is, and if I am racist check out his various TV apperances where he says that our national anthem and our national Banner, the American Flag should be replaced with something less offensive to the Muslims, and also that his wife hates the American flag, and those are documented words of slander and hatered toward the American sybols of Freedom and Liberties that he and people like you are trying to strip from the rest of us Americans, by the way you, uless as I am aNative American you to are from a hertiage line of illegal aliens, so all you say vabout this man's greatness is nothing more than a false as well as a moot point proven by his sneaking, back stabbing of the American Peples of all races. check out your facts as I did, and I do't belong to any political party, as like this man and all other politicians are liars,thieves, and cheats, and are doing nothing to protect even you, or are you really that ill inform on the true nature of the present administration and the political party they call the DemoRats, whom are no better than the RePUGlians.
So what, he can pick out a nice suit from the closet. No military experience at all. Then Romney, send your 5 sons over there and see how different you feel about the crisis with these pigs. Let your sons be in harms way.
hey BOB read his book he is muslim and a pathetic president. And his news network NBC tells of his strong words toward egypt, "we will have to wait and see how it plays out" Lets make sure we don't piss off anymore muslims that hate us. When iran or russia starts dropping nukes on our shores, who would you want in control, a communist muslim that can't make a decision or someone that can do the job
It beats my imagination when some idiots drool all over the cyberspace in the name of finding fault with President Obama. Egypt was an ally before Hosni Mubarak was ousted in the Spring uprising. With Mohammed Morsi as president now, no one knows what Egypt is because Morsi is a fundamentalist. If you care at all, this is a history lesson for you Obama-haters. For your information, I am a Republican but I won't vote for a pair of lying opportunists in the form of Romney and Ryan.
You're anything but a republican so quit hiding behind that lie! I voted for that lying president oblaaa, blaaa and I'll never make that mistake again. I'm not afraid to admit it! He's a piece of crap!
Obama SUPPORTED the overthrow of Mubarak, and actually had then moronic idiocy to say that the Muslim Brotherhood was "moderate". He even had them at the White House. Not counting the 1.3 BILLION taxpayer dollars they've gotten from us.
You see how far that got us in Egypt, right?
And NO Republican would support this utter FAILURE.
You are just ANOTHER dishonest liberal saying that your are either "independent" or a "Republican".
A Republican should not be a mindless zombie. Perhaps that may be your definition of a Republican. I am a registered Republican and have voted for those I considered true Republicans. Trying to foist a pair of liars on America is a disservice to all of us. I am not apologetic about it - President Obama is 100% better than two men who keep lying and changing their stories all the time. RogerDM, can you tell us here the date the Muslim Brotherhood visited the White House and the statement President Obama made supporting the Egyptian uprising? I will not speak on this matter again.
Good idea, how about you not speak again on the vine!
And this country is worried about a few Mexicans. We better embrace our neighbors to the south. Lord only knows if the middle east has dealings with them to allow entrance into their country the terrorist will be that much closer to possibly strike at us.
ssmithlg -
You are misinformed. The actual quote is as follows and I provided a link for all...
Misleading e-mail: From Audacity of Hope: "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
Actual quote from "The Audacity of Hope" [pg. 261]: Of course, not all my conversations in immigrant communities follow this easy pattern. In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific assurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.
..
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012
Wow! You are blind..... oblaaa, blaaa has you!
Finally someone that can read and understand what they read . @A true American-1318751
What a crock of crap spilling our of the mouth of Obama. Internment camps are being built in this country now for Obama's new Military Police Authority whose powers aren't restricted by Constitutional protections afforded every citizen.
So what do you Obama supporters think about Obama creating a Military Police Authority with all the Federal, State, Country and local police authorities that we pay for now that are in existence. Policing Authorities whose power are restricted by Constitutional protections afforded every citizen.
I bet that you aren't even aware that Obama signed a Bill into law in January 2012 that makes protest, union strikes and political rallies a felony if certain conditions occur during them like standing on a sidewalk, or a street that block said said sidewalk or street.
Have evidence? No, because you're full of @!$%#. There are no internment camps being built and there is no bill signed into law that makes protests illegal. Do you have something that isn't a conspiracy theory from right-wing websites?
another good one from the story, the US won't consider withdrawing aid. What is wrong with this idiot other than he is a muslim and has sympathy for muslim uprising
On the Egyptians failure to protect our Embassy, President Barrack Obama said; "it's going to be a big problem",,,,
I have news for you Mr. President,,,it already is a big problem.
Day late and a Dollar short, sleeping at the wheel and TOTALLY reactionary to foreign policy.
Very Amateur for the Leader of the Free World.
Enough said by this man, he needs to go.
Mr. Obamanation you are the ENEMY. You stupid ass
What a Dumb Ass...What a Dumb Ass!!! I am still looking for one good reason anyone would vote for this MORON. I hope when he gets his ASS Kicked in November he moves out of the US and in with his BROTHERHOOD friends. He is a disgrace and a COMMY fraud!! New slogan...OUT of Money, OUT of Work, Out of Gas...out to play golf.
WE should call him Jimmy Carter JR. Strength through weakness
How about -- Yes we are better off, better off without HIM!!
how can you not find fault with hussein obama. I can't find anything he did for americans
ssmithlg writes:
“I will stand with the Muslims should the
political winds shift in an ugly direction.” quote from page 261
of “The Audacity of Hope” by America’s first (and hopefully last) Muslim POTUS
Barrack Hussain Obama.
Eat it, ssmith. It is not much like what you wrote, he is writing of American citizens. It took me 10 seconds on Google to find this at FactCheck.org:
Actual quote from "The Audacity of Hope" [pg. 261]: Of course, not all my conversations in immigrant communities follow this easy pattern. In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific assurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.
He's an idiot and so is anybody who still believes in this socialist CLOWN. Big ole dumbo earred oblaaa, blaaaa.
THEN WHY has that ASS HOLE given them over 2 BILLION og OUR DOLLARS, Monies that could fee this countries needy, MONEY that if was given to OUR COUNTRY could feed the hungry for years to come.
Cloth the children, and make thoses of us that are past our due, AT LEAST feel like OUR Country cares...
NO Give it to that ASS-HOLES that will take it and then TURN-Around and KILL US with one hand while with the other ask for more,,, And the SADDEST PART of all this is, He Will Give it to them.
Before ANYONE Jumps on this... WHEN WAS the LAST time YOU were ASK what he did with YOU MONEY?
I've seen cow-pies with more brains than this president. Plus he's an amatuer and a wimp. We give $1.5B to the Brotherhood of Muslims and he doesn't know if they are an ally???? What a complete idiot. He has to go.
But,,,I do agree with his escalation of "waterboarding" and torture.
He continues to be judge, jury and executioner and wax them with a Grim Reaper/Predator.
Who will get waxed tomorrow? He needs to act swift.
What don't you understand, Obama? Every Muslim country is our enemy. Every Muslim country is an enemy of non-Muslim countries. Heck, you are our enemy. You are a Muslim sympathizer at best, a Muslim at worst.
if you had hussein obama beside a box of rocks, it would be a tossup on IQ but not on patriotism. The rocks have it. Much more american and they have a more believable birth record.
Free cheese quote of the day!!!
When the vehicle finally stopped about 11:20 a.m., a crowd filled the street and
One of the suspects in a Sept. 12, 2012 bank robbery in Canyon Country who bailed out of the getaway vehicle in Sylmar is in custody. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)
surrounded the suspects' SUV even before sheriff's deputies with guns drawn had approached and arrested two men.
"I heard people say they were hoping there was more money inside of the car, and that they'd be able to get some of that," Cmdr. Andrew Smith, an LAPD spokesman, said later.
Some of those who went for the money even praised the robbers.
"Really, they're heroes to us," 19-year-old Lamar Smith said. "That money was like a gift to us."
Tiana Allen, also 19, said, "I just seen everybody just throwing money and everything, and I just wanted to get me some. I think they helping us out because we poor. We don't have nothing."
He also invited the muslim brotherhood to the white house. Lets invite hussein out
God Bless American, down with Obamanation Regime.
I wonder what America would have done if some hate filled basta$d had made a movie depicting " our " God as a pervert, child abuser, as these azzholes who knew if they made that movie mayhem would start in the arab world, Reminds me of that republican dick head, Bush with his weapons of mass destruction lies to start a war. Not much difference, Huh.
Would agree with the weapons of mass destruction lie, but I saw video where Clinton spoke of it too. Guess the mis-information had been around for a while
we did make one Jesus the super star remember.in the early years
Congratulations for being the biggest sissy apologist on the grapevine. JHASKINS, that is the stupidest logic I've EVER seen on here.
This is America and the last time I checked we have that right. You don't need a movie to see what people think about our God, all you need to do is to those on the left. If you missed it the DNC committed voter fraud when it allowed God back into their convention even though 2/3 loudly said no.
Drew...I got more were that came from. By the way, it was not my thought but a thought from my republican friend.
TC, great post!
TC. I guess the 2/3 don't believe in God, but the republicans do. I will never understand the phase when we go to war and kill everyone we say " In the name of God there we go forth " I sure God does not sanction killing in his name. Maybe if all of us embrace the principles of God, this nation and the world will be far better off, including the Muslims.
jhaskinds, if you've got more of that logic, I feel pity for you!
When did you ever see some crazy fool shoot up a crowd yelling. "In the name of Jesus Christ"? Never, thats what I thought. This is 2012 not 1012 or 1812. We have changed with the times, these animals haven't. Level these places and bring our boys home.
Given that Egypt is not an ally, maybe we should stop funding their military to the tune of 1.3 billion a year. That way they will not be well equipped and trained by us when they do become our enemy. Given the debt the US has right now, maybe we could find a better use for that money, so that it benefits the American people.
We already know that is not Obamas strategy.
NEVER IN MY 50 Plus years of life, Have I ever HATED (I know strong words) a MAN so much. EVEYTHING my fore fathers and brothers, my OWN brothers and father that fought and died for been GIVIEN AWAY.. Not ONLY our money but our RESPECT!
This Creature needs to learn and learn fast this is (well use to be) the USA and as a rule we DO NOT put up with bull@!$%#....
Then vote for Romney and shut up and let's see for your next fifty years if you will hate him too when your voucher runs out and the insurance company does not pay your medical expense and you have to use all your retirement money, Oh, I forgot, that will be lost in the Markets.
Agreed. I wish him and all his leftist followers would go start their own country of left winged socialist nation and let us go about the business of rebuilding America.
Obama/Biden 2012 NO Challenger in the running.
Ok - for those who say we should attack. Just who do we attack? The Libyan government did not carry out this attack (as far as we know currently). They have actually condemned the attack. But, when you want to respond to world events with a knee jerk reaction you can see that fact. Diplomacy is not a black and white situation. Diplomatic relationships are nuanced. We supported Egypt for decades because of the peace negotiated with Israel in 1979. We supported Saddam Hussein in the Iran-Iraq War because we wanted to get even with the Ayatollahs. There are plenty of frenemies to the US we "ally" ourselves with for strategic reasons. And for those who say the Arab Spring is biting President Obama in the arse, there were Republicans who called for more support of the protesters during those times. There were/are Republicans saying we should arm the rebels in Syria. President Obama has refused to do so thus far. Stop creating your own realities.
OK Dexter apologists. Let's just sit back like Clinton did with Bin Laden, do nothing and watch as our embassy's (country) is attacked by your good friends.
You should do more than wag your finger saying bad dog.There's ways to punish instead of attacking like stripping all aid to a country until something changes.This was not just a reporter,some civilian, or service member.He was a diplomat on diplomatic soil.As for Libya you just have hunt them down.