Exclusive Interview with Obama: “We Need a Strong America for a Global Recovery”

WASHINGTON — “There is no stronger bond than that we Americans have with you Europeans, I’ll say it during the Atlantic Summit in Lisbon. Developing relationships with other global players, as I did on my recent trip to Asia, is not a contradiction: you do it, too; it is in the interest of the world stability. The political economy that we are applying in Washington has only one goal, to boost U.S. growth, and this will also help you Europeans. From the fight against terrorism to Afghanistan, we strengthen this partnership in order to adapt it to the challenges of the 21st century.” A few hours before getting on Air Force One and flying to Lisbon for the NATO summit and, later, the U.S.-European Union summit, Barack Obama grants this exclusive interview to La Repubblica.*

Obama arrives in Europe recovering from an inconclusive G-20 and a return home that proved just as bitter. He encountered numerous barriers, both internally and in his relations with allies. At the G-20 in Seoul, the president was assured by China and Germany that they wanted to help the U.S. economic recovery by increasing their consumption of imports. After the defeat of the Democratic Party in legislative elections, where the House passed to a Republican majority, the president has had, in the last hours spent in Washington, an unpleasant “taste” of the difficulties that the right wants to create for him. On returning from his mission in Asia, he offered an olive branch: A dinner invitation to the Republican leaders to initiate dialogue on economic policy, reducing the deficit and tax cuts. Their answer was “no” — an unprecedented tear in the fabric of institutional etiquette. In foreign policy, Republicans are threatening to blow up the ratification of the START 2 treaty with Russia, the one signed in Prague to cut 1500 nuclear warheads. “The stakes for national security are high,” the president said. “If the treaty is ratified, we will have a verification regime to monitor the strategic arsenals of Russia; if not, we will not be allowed to do inspections. The new START is a cornerstone of our relations with Russia, which go far beyond nuclear safety. Russia has been crucial in our efforts to enact strong penalties to put pressure on Iran over its nuclear program. Russia has been crucial in supporting our troops in Afghanistan through the northern corridor. We can not put all this at risk.”

At the NATO summit Obama will explain his plan to end all combat missions of the allied forces in Afghanistan in 2014, the most concrete and detailed exposition of the way out of a war that has lasted nine years. Obama will also propose to the other 27 NATO allies to make the Alliance assume as a responsibility “territorial missile defense.” For the American president this is an essential step in order to adapt NATO to new threats: the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the diffusion of more and more powerful tools to launch them. The intelligence Obama will share with allies is alarming. While the threat of conventional European war is mostly non-existent, the Old Continent is exposed to new generations of “more flexible, mobile, reliable and accurate missiles, the range of which is increasing, endangering populations and territories in the transatlantic arch.” NATO already has a missile defense program, however. It is centered on the protection of its troops only. The proposal that Obama ventured in Lisbon is to extend this system to make a defense umbrella to protect the civilian population and all of our territories.

Mr. President, we Italians have the perception that you are the first “post-Atlantic” American leader, or even the first president to have a world view centered on Asia and the Pacific. Even judging only by the duration of your visits abroad, you have devoted more attention to Asia than to Europe. Is it a consequence of the decline in importance of the Old Continent, which faces the emergence of new powers in the global economy? In Lisbon will you try to correct the impression that Europe has been downgraded to the status of minor partner?

“First I want to say very emphatically that the partnership between the U.S. and Europe is wide and deep as ever, more important now that we face global challenges together. And there is no more close historical link to what we share with our European allies. Our continued joint work on a broad range of international issues, safety and economy, which is embodied in the NATO summit and the U.S.-EU summit in Lisbon, is important for our nations and the world at large. We are facing this work through an extraordinary and lasting Alliance that is adjusting to the threats of the 21st century, and promoting economic and trade relations that have no equal. Secondly I want to emphasize that developing new relationships with other partners in other regions of the world does not diminish our relationship with Europe. Indeed, it is in our common interest, as it serves to promote global stability. I believe that my European partners can agree: Even the EU develops its links with other global players, as we all do, while still communicating with us.”

Turkey, a NATO member country, saw the road to EU membership blocked. Are you in favor of Turkey’s entry into the EU? What message would this send to Muslim countries and Muslim immigrants in Europe?

“I recognize that this is a decision not for us, but the United States continues to strongly support Turkey’s entrance in the European Union, and spurs Turkey to continue the reforms necessary for its accession, an open process. We believe that a Turkey that can meet the criteria for EU membership would contribute to the Union itself, and on the other hand the effort to achieve these criteria is in the interest of Turkey itself. As I said in Ankara in April last year, the ties that Turkey has with Europe go well beyond the bridges on the Bosphorus. Centuries of shared history, cultural exchanges and trade, urge you to join. Europe gains in ethnic diversity, traditions and faiths. And the Turkish accession would broaden and strengthen even more the foundation of Europe. Now that the negotiations have slowed down, I encourage both sides to redouble their efforts to move forward together.”

Some European governments, led by Germany, have harshly criticized the policy of liquidity creation adopted by the Federal Reserve. A strong euro against the dollar makes our exports less competitive. The Europeans also fear a return to a policy of “easy credit” by the United States, the same laissez-faire policy that was among the causes of the last crisis. How do you respond to our concerns?

“We work closely with Europe and the G-20 members to ensure a strong, balanced and sustainable recovery, one that would not lead back to the excesses of the past. As I said in my press conference in Seoul, the ‘quantitative easing’ (the purchase of government securities by the central bank) is an action of monetary policy conducted by the Federal Reserve. The central bank is independent and I do not control their actions. We are all focused on interventions that can promote recovery and strengthen the American economy. This includes the Federal Reserve. A strong American economy is the most important contribution that the United States can make to global recovery.”

In December, you will take stock of your strategy in Afghanistan, devised one year ago. What are the consequences for the NATO allies participating in the mission? What can we Italians expect of our future role in Afghanistan? Will additional efforts be required?

“The annual review that will be completed in December will be a diagnosis, not a recipe. We will also continue to consult with our allies till the end of this process, as we did at the beginning, and the same will be at the beginning of 2011 if our review leads us to conclusions which may relate to our allies. Our review is consistent with the themes of Lisbon and I imagine that Italy’s commitment in west Afghanistan will remain consistent with our efforts in other areas. The emphasis will be placed on the transition toward greater security in the Afghan leadership, together with our clear and permanent commitment to the stability of that country.”

Several European countries have been the target of terrorist attacks by Al Qaeda. One of the latest cases was the discovery of bombs on a cargo plane in Britain. Cells linked to Al Qaeda have been discovered in Europe. What common strategy can make us less vulnerable?

“We work closlye with our European allies to counter the threat of Al Qaeda and terrorism in general. Over the last four years, several terrorist plots in Europe have been thwarted, and this shows the tenacity of Al Qaeda and its continued ability to attack the West. In addition, we estimate that the top leaders of Al Qaeda based in Pakistan continue their efforts in recruiting, training and use of terrorists to attack targets in the West. At the same time they encourage their neighboring extremists and sympathizers around the world to carry out their plan of violence. Recent events have demonstrated the power of the cooperation in counter-terrorism between the United States and our European allies. There is a constant exchange of information between us, to disrupt terrorist plans, identify and target potential perpetrators, and to strengthen our defenses against threats. We are working with Europeans to increase security in key sectors such as air transport, public transport, and border controls.”

Europe is following closely its peace initiative in the Middle East. Are you confident that Israel will halt new settlements and advance the dialogue with the Palestinian Authority? Will it be possible to involve Hamas in peace negotiations?

“My administration is committed to finding a full peace in the Middle East that would include the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian issue. We believe that direct talks are the only way to achieve this goal. That’s why we are in constant contact with both the Israelis and the Palestinians to find a way to reopen the dialogue. And at the same time we work with our European and Arab partners to see how we can support that process. I hope we can soon make progress. As to Hamas, the position of the international community is clear. To play a role in satisfying the aspirations of the Palestinians and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must end violence and recognize past agreements and recognize Israel’s right to exist.”

*Editor’s note: As President Obama interviewed exclusively with La Repubblica, no independent transcript of his remarks exists. All quotes, therefore, are unverified.