Obama breaks silence on Gaza
2009-01-06 21:47
Washington - US president-elect Barack
Obama, breaking his silence about the Gaza war, expressed deep
concern on Tuesday about civilian deaths in Gaza and in Israel
and vowed to push for Middle East peace when he takes power.
Speaking after Israeli tank shells killed at least 40
Palestinians at a UN school where civilians had taken
shelter, Obama said "the loss of civilian life in Gaza and in
Israel is a source of deep concern for me".
Obama otherwise said he would adhere to his principle that
only US President George W Bush would speak for American
foreign policy at this time, but said he would have plenty more
to say after his January 20 inauguration.
He expressed deep concern about the conflict, but made no
mention of a "durable, sustainable and not time-limited"
ceasefire sought by the Bush administration.
Criticism
Nonetheless, he gave his most extensive comments about the
Gaza conflict, responding to criticism from some commentators
in the region that he had been too quiet about a top foreign
policy challenge that will greet him as soon as he walks into
the White House.
Obama was accused by critics both of siding with Israel
with his silence or of failing to stand with the Jewish state
as it seeks to repel rocket attacks from the Palestinian
militant group Hamas.
Speaking to reporters, Obama pledged to work for a
resolution to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an
issue that has bedevilled several American presidents.
"After January 20 I'm going to have plenty to say about the
issue.
"I am not backing away at all from what I said during
the campaign, that starting at the beginning of our
administration, we are going to be engaged effectively and
consistently in trying to resolve the conflict in the Middle
East," he said.
"That's something I am committed to."
Until then, he said, his job is to monitor the situation,
and his aides are keeping him constantly up to date on
developments.