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Obama diary: The first 100 days Obama diary: The first 100 days
(about 13 hours later)
Barack Obama was elected on a message of change. Now he is in office, change is expected both in foreign and domestic policy. Here the BBC's team in Washington tracks developments in the first 100 days of the Obama presidency.Barack Obama was elected on a message of change. Now he is in office, change is expected both in foreign and domestic policy. Here the BBC's team in Washington tracks developments in the first 100 days of the Obama presidency.
FRIDAY 13 MARCH - DAY 53
1250 EST Transatlantic split
Kim Ghattas: There's a split between Washington and London over Hezbollah.
The UK decided to restart low-level contact with the political wing of the militant Lebanese group last week, but a senior US official said he was unhappy with the decision and would have liked Britain to explain "the difference between the political, military and social wings of Hezbollah because we don't see a difference between the integrated leadership as they see it."
The US lists Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation and blames it for the 1983 bomb attack on the US Marine barracks in Beirut which killed 241 Marines. Washington believes that Imad Mughinyyeh, a top Hezbollah commander was the mastermind. He was killed last year in Damascus and the US official said life in Lebanon was "marred" by posters "extolling the virtues" of Imad Mughniyyeh all over south Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold.
Asked if they had been informed about the British decision, the official said that "informed under a previous administration" was a more accurate description. This suggests the Obama team had not been given enough notice. A British diplomat told me the decision was driven by the belief that it is possible to encourage Hezbollah to move away from violence and become an integral part of Lebanese politics.
I put it to him that the same argument could be made for engaging Hamas; he said the Palestinian group had to first recognise Israel's right to exist.
But Hezbollah doesn't recognise Israel's right to exist either...
THURSDAY 12 MARCH - DAY 52THURSDAY 12 MARCH - DAY 52
1300 EST Freeman's fall1300 EST Freeman's fall
Richard Lister: The withdrawal of the Obama administration's nominee to Chair the National Intelligence Committee has triggered a debate about the power of the Israeli lobby.Richard Lister: The withdrawal of the Obama administration's nominee to Chair the National Intelligence Committee has triggered a debate about the power of the Israeli lobby.
In a letter explaining his withdrawal from the appointment process, Charles Freeman launched a blistering attack on what he called the "Israel lobby".In a letter explaining his withdrawal from the appointment process, Charles Freeman launched a blistering attack on what he called the "Israel lobby".
He said it had lied about his record, smeared his character and attacked his credibility. Had he become Chair of the National Intelligence Committee, Mr Freeman said, the attacks would have continued and undermined America's intelligence agencies.He said it had lied about his record, smeared his character and attacked his credibility. Had he become Chair of the National Intelligence Committee, Mr Freeman said, the attacks would have continued and undermined America's intelligence agencies.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee - one of Washington's most influential lobby groups - has denied taking a formal position on Mr Freeman. But many other pro-Israeli commentators had strongly attacked the appointment, accusing him of being too close to Saudi Arabia, a country where he was once the US Ambassador.The American Israel Public Affairs Committee - one of Washington's most influential lobby groups - has denied taking a formal position on Mr Freeman. But many other pro-Israeli commentators had strongly attacked the appointment, accusing him of being too close to Saudi Arabia, a country where he was once the US Ambassador.
His criticisms of Israeli government policy and past comments in favour of the Chinese government were also highlighted.His criticisms of Israeli government policy and past comments in favour of the Chinese government were also highlighted.
Mr Freeman had been touted by the Administration as someone who could examine both sides of an argument. Mr Freeman said his treatment raises questions about the Obama team's ability to make independent decisions about Middle East policy.Mr Freeman had been touted by the Administration as someone who could examine both sides of an argument. Mr Freeman said his treatment raises questions about the Obama team's ability to make independent decisions about Middle East policy.
WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH - DAY 51WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH - DAY 51
1738 EST Guantanamo manoeuvres1738 EST Guantanamo manoeuvres
Jonathan Beale: It's slow progress, but Team Obama are inching their way towards the goal of closing down Guantanamo.Jonathan Beale: It's slow progress, but Team Obama are inching their way towards the goal of closing down Guantanamo.
Attorney General Eric Holder has today named two officials to lead a Task Force reviewing interrogation and detention policy.Attorney General Eric Holder has today named two officials to lead a Task Force reviewing interrogation and detention policy.
More announcements could follow - including the possible appointment of a Special Envoy specifically charged with closing down the prison camp.More announcements could follow - including the possible appointment of a Special Envoy specifically charged with closing down the prison camp.
The name in the frame is Dan Fried - currently the senior US diplomat dealing with Europe. The hope is that Mr Fried can utilise his contacts on the continent.The name in the frame is Dan Fried - currently the senior US diplomat dealing with Europe. The hope is that Mr Fried can utilise his contacts on the continent.
But getting European countries to agree to resettle detainees - at least the ones cleared for release - will not prove easy. Mr Fried should know - he was part of the Bush administration that tried and largely failed.But getting European countries to agree to resettle detainees - at least the ones cleared for release - will not prove easy. Mr Fried should know - he was part of the Bush administration that tried and largely failed.
While everyone in Europe thinks it's a smashing idea to close down Guantanamo, they are hardly falling over each other to make it happen.While everyone in Europe thinks it's a smashing idea to close down Guantanamo, they are hardly falling over each other to make it happen.
1236 EST G20 agenda1236 EST G20 agenda
Richard Lister: President Obama has set out his priorities for the forthcoming G20 summit in London.Richard Lister: President Obama has set out his priorities for the forthcoming G20 summit in London.
He described the summit as a critical meeting at a critical time, and said that no matter what reforms the United States puts in place, a continuing deterioration in the global economy would set America back.He described the summit as a critical meeting at a critical time, and said that no matter what reforms the United States puts in place, a continuing deterioration in the global economy would set America back.
With that in mind he said he had two goals for the G20; to press for concerted international action to jumpstart the world economy and overhaul the regulations governing the financial industry.With that in mind he said he had two goals for the G20; to press for concerted international action to jumpstart the world economy and overhaul the regulations governing the financial industry.
Although he didn't criticise other nations directly he made clear he expected them to follow America's lead in putting large-scale fiscal stimulus measures in place. The US Congress has already approved a spending package worth almost eight hundred billion dollars and leading members of the Democratic party have suggested further such measures may yet be required.Although he didn't criticise other nations directly he made clear he expected them to follow America's lead in putting large-scale fiscal stimulus measures in place. The US Congress has already approved a spending package worth almost eight hundred billion dollars and leading members of the Democratic party have suggested further such measures may yet be required.
He also warned against the dangers of protectionism, saying it's important for countries to continue to embrace world trade and ensure that emerging markets remain stable.He also warned against the dangers of protectionism, saying it's important for countries to continue to embrace world trade and ensure that emerging markets remain stable.
0930 EST Doing too much?0930 EST Doing too much?
World News America presenter Matt Frei takes a look at President Obama's ambitious policy agenda and asks - has he bitten off more than he can chew?World News America presenter Matt Frei takes a look at President Obama's ambitious policy agenda and asks - has he bitten off more than he can chew?
Obama diary: Days 1-10Obama diary: Days 11-20Obama diary: Days 21-30Obama diary: Days 31-40Obama diary: Days 41-50Obama diary: ContributorsObama diary: Days 1-10Obama diary: Days 11-20Obama diary: Days 21-30Obama diary: Days 31-40Obama diary: Days 41-50Obama diary: Contributors