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Obama`s Presidency Sets Sail

Posted January. 21, 2009 08:01,   

한국어

“We have a tougher time ahead of us, but we can definitely overcome it. Let us promise a new America by both the government and people doing all their responsibilities.”

When the new chapter of U.S. history began Tuesday in Washington, the first U.S. African-American president emphasized responsibility, optimism and his promise for a new America.

Barack Obama, 48, was sworn in as the 44th U.S. president on Capitol Hill at noon Tuesday. Citing the economic crisis that the United States and the world are facing diplomatic and security challenges such Iraq and Afghanistan, he said, “We have come through tough times and will have tougher challenges, so we can overcome in the end.”

He said the government, institutions, systems and people must assume their responsibilities, urging more responsibility and accountability in ushering in a new America.

“We are the United States of America, not a country torn (by ideology, class and race),” he said, promising to open a new era of integration and harmony transcending partisanship, ideology, race and generation.

Looking back at U.S. diplomacy over the past eight years, which was criticized for unilateralism, Obama said, “I will renew U.S. leadership through integrated power combining close relations with allies and diplomatic and military power.”

He begins work Wednesday morning. On his first day, he will call in his economic, diplomatic and security teams. Through negotiations with the leadership of the majority Democratic Party, he will implement an economic stimulus package worth 850 billion dollars immediately.

Obama will name former Senator George J. Mitchell as his Middle East envoy to handle the Palestinian conflict.

His administration has the highest approval rating in U.S. history of 78 percent.



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