Obama pledges emphasis on diplomacy
Barack Obama pledges support to Israel and diplomacy on world stage in first speech since claiming Democrat nomination
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Wednesday, 04, Jun 2008 04:28
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has said diplomacy would be at the forefront of his White House administration.
The Illinois senator attacked president George Bush's foreign policies in his first major speech since declaring himself the winner of his party's nomination contest.
Addressing a pro-Israel lobbying group in Washington he said the United States would enjoy "far greater" support at home and abroad if it only turned to war when all diplomatic efforts had been exhausted.
"[Sometimes] there are no alternatives to confrontation, but that only makes diplomacy more important.
"That is the change we need in our foreign policy."
He also insisted the US would do everything it could to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons.
Mr Obama continued to describe the rising price of oil under Mr Bush's administration as "one of the most dangerous weapons in the world".
"My administration would take real steps to end the United States' addiction to oil," he added.
The 46-year-old used the speech to outline unstinting support to Israel and the preservation of the special bond between the US and the Jewish state.
He pledged an "unshakeable commitment" to Israel's security and a personal commitment to advance and maintain its qualitative military advantage.
Mr Obama expressed his continued objection to including Hamas in any peace talks and condemned extremism and the corrupt use of foreign aid.
He also said that while Palestinians needed a state it should not come at the cost of dividing Jerusalem.
Earlier today Mr Obama proclaimed himself as the winner of the Democratic presidential nomination contest after gaining an unassailable lead over Hillary Clinton in party delegates.
He will now face Republican nominee in-waiting John McCain in a general election later this year.