The Straits Times - 9 June 2009
KUALA LUMPUR: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was cautious in assessing the impact of US President Barack Obama's recent speech in Cairo to Muslims, saying 'words do not a change of policy make'.
He was replying to a question on American leadership posed by BBC presenter Nick Gowing, who moderated his dialogue at an air transport summit here.
'I'm wary about passing judgment on the Middle East; words do not a change of policy make.
'But if he's really serious about no more building on the West Bank and funds are cut despite the very strong Jewish lobby in America, then I think Mr Netanyahu will have to think again,' he said.
Mr Lee was referring to President Obama's support of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is opposed by Israel's new government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Mr Lee said that if the Palestinian issue could be solved, it would resolve many other problems in the Middle East, including those of Syria and Lebanon. It would also reduce the threat of terrorism and 'we'll all breathe easier', he added.
Asked for his reflections on Mr Obama, Mr Lee praised his intelligence and thoughtfulness but said he would feel more reassured if the US leader kept his focus on the economy.
Mr Obama had instead gone for a broad approach that ranged from health care to climate change, and was thus having to keep many balls in the air.
He was doing so at a time when 'the economy needs a lot of attention to get back on track', Mr Lee said.
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