Friday, May 08, 2009

Obama Speaks in Egypt June 4

Obama will make his long-planned speech in a Muslim country in Egypt on June 4. He will also travel to Dresden, Germany, to visit the Buchenwald concentration camp, where his grandmother's brother, Charlie Payne, helped liberate a sub camp after World War II. While he's out and about, he will also commemorate D-Day in Normandy, France on June 6.
The White House announced on Friday that President Obama planned to give a major policy speech on relations with the Muslim world in Egypt on June 4.

Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said the precise city for the speech had not been nailed down, and that Egypt’s President Mabarak had not initiated an invitation for the president to speak there.

At the White House daily briefing, Mr. Gibbs was asked why Egypt was selected. “You know, the country that in many ways represents the heart of the — of the Arab world, and I think it will be a terrific opportunity for the president to address and discuss our relationship with the Muslim world,” he said. Mr. Obama’s father was a Muslim, although Mr. Obama has been a practicing Christian for years. Read rest at NYT