President Obama’s Visit to Africa Good Beginning for U.S.-African Muslim Relationship, according to U.S. African Chamber of Commerce

President Obama’s Visit to Africa Good Beginning for U.S.-African Muslim Relationship, according to U.S. African Chamber of Commerce

U.S. African Chamber of Commerce advocates investment and trade opportunities in Africa.

Washington, DC (Vocus/PRWEB ) June 4, 2009 – The U.S. African Chamber of Commerce says President Obama’s visit to Africa is the beginning of a new U.S.-African Muslim relationship, however there needs to be more investment in Africa, an increase in trade opportunities and access to market and export. The White House said President Obama’s upcoming speech in Cairo is part of a concerted effort to improve U.S. relations with the Muslim world, but will not magically accomplish that goal by itself.

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This is about resetting our relationship with the Muslim world. We do not expect that everything will change after one speech. It will take a sustained effort, and that is what the president is in for. With anticipation and chatter surrounding President Obama’s Cairo address seemingly building by the day, the White House sought to temper expectations about what the speech can – and cannot – accomplish.

Press Secretary Robert Gibbs noted, “This is about resetting our relationship with the Muslim world. We do not expect that everything will change after one speech. It will take a sustained effort, and that is what the president is in for.” Gibbs spoke hours before the president’s scheduled departure for Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a trip that will take President Obama to Egypt, Germany and France. Thursday, the president will address the global Muslim community from Cairo University.

The press secretary said that, if a single speech could “cure” America’s relationship with the Muslim world, it would have been delivered before June.

Gibbs added that President Obama wants Muslims to hear America’s message: that the United States and the Muslim world share many common hopes and dreams – and that, working together, those hopes and dreams can be fulfilled.

Numerous experts on the Middle East and the greater Muslim world say Mr. Obama’s target audience will be more impressed by deeds than words, especially regarding the ever-present Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In advance of his trip, Mr. Obama has met with several Arab and Israeli leaders, but the White House has given no indication that the president will unveil dramatic new proposals in his Cairo speech.

About the U.S. African Chamber of Commerce (USACC) The USACC is the leading advocacy organization for U.S. African relations and emerging African markets. The USACC is the umbrella organization for African chambers of commerce and professional trade and business associations throughout the United States and abroad.

Contact: U.S. African Chamber of Commerce Martin Mohammed, President 202-465-0778 www.usafricanchamber.com

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