Transatlantic Relations under the Obama Administration

The Institute for Eurodemocracy Glafkos Clerides and the American Embassy jointly organized a lecture entitled “Transatlantic Relations under the Obama Administration”. The event, which took place on 20 November 2008 in Nicosia was attended by the President of the Democratic Rally, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades and numerous Parliamentarians, Ambassadors, and representatives from the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish- Cypriot communities.

The President of the Institute for Eurodemocracy Glafkos Clerides, Mrs Katherine Clerides, introduced the event, saying that the election of Barack Obama had engendered enthusiasm around the world and had energised people of good will around the globe to feel that is possible, together, to tackle the serious political, economic and environmental challenges facing us all. A fact that increases the responsibility of the newly elected president and responsible governments. to work together in a spirit of cooperation.

Mr. Rick Ridder, an expert on U.S Politics and Elections, was the keynote speaker. Mr. Ridder analyzed Barrack Obama’s election campaign pointing out that for the first time in US politics the vote was personal and not directed by union or political party bosses. According to Mr. Ridder, this election campaign changed the nature of American politics and he noted that the Obama election campaign was characterized by a great degree of creativity and innovation which reflects the course of action that Barrack Obama will follow as President of the United States. Significantly, as Mr. Ridder noted the Obama campaign’s use of the internet epitomizes the personalization of politics.

Mr. Ridder noted that the American public have high expectations from Mr. Obama, though the newly elected President could not possibly respond to all of them. However, as noted, the majority of the American public was negatively disposed towards the American current leadership and the political institutions concerning the way they had handled their jobs. Remarkably, in a question whether the public is satisfied or dissatisfied with the things going in the United States, 90% of the respondents were dissatisfied. Generally, American public would like see the next President changing direction from Bush’s policies.

The speaker noted that the new President of the United States will give emphasis to international problems and will adopt a different approach on foreign policy from that of George Bush. Barrack Obama will opt for diplomacy and multilateralism instead of confrontation and unilateralism in managing international problems.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Ridder expressed his conviction that Barrack Obama, will make an effort to face problems that affect third world as particularly human rights issues, poverty, climate changes and the lack of democracy