Senator McCaskill says President Obama is in a position to bring both sides in the Arab-Israeli conflict together.The President landed in Saudi Arabia today and is to give a major speech tomorrow in Egypt. McCaskill says she looks forward to cooperation and support from moderate Arab friends. "I think many people forget how many countries there…that hate terrorism as much as we do, hate extremism as much as we do, look for a more open economy and cooperation on that basis," says tells reporters in today’s conference call.
She sys she is encouraged that Obama is focusing on Middle East peace so early in his administration.
McCaskill knows human rights in the Arab countries are nowhere close to this country’s definition of human rights…But she says they’re not our only allies in that category. She says, "There are many many countries around the world that we will have pointed criticism for and I know human rights issues will be on the table. But those have to be on the table along with the cooperation of those countries in the safety and security of the American people."