President Obama Speaks in Turkey, Seeks Partnership With Muslim Nations

“The United States is not and will never be at war with Islam,” Obama said.

Obama did not delve much into the alleged Armenian genocide perpetrated by Turkey in 1915, which he had in the past acknowledged an opposed. He said that Turkey and Armenia should seek to rebuild their ties.

President Obama’s speech focused mainly on improving the relationship between the United States and the Muslim world, a relationship which many feel has been tarnished by the actions of former President George W. Bush.

Obama said that Turkey and the U.S. share many ideas, and should not let their differences hamper efforts to build trust and respect between the two nations.

“We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation,” Obama said. “We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”

The full story is available at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30065504