Oct 17 update - Recordings & info on recent API story on Michelle Obama’s call being cleared

API is disturbed by the way many have reacted to the story on Mrs Obama’s call. Many have shown us by the way they have behaved towards API that they only think of their own interests because they have demanded that the audio recordings should be released immediately. We understand that the tapes should be released, but those who have demanded the release of the tapes seem not take into account that API may become a suing target.

The Recordings:

API has recordings of the conversation between API and Mrs Obama (Shocking development: Mrs Obama decides enough is enough: “My husband was born in Hawaii and adopted by his step father, does that make him unpatriotic; she asks”, on a direct telephone to API., and we confirm that the audio will be released to the public. In the last 24 hours, API has been consulting legal advisers on the way forward in order to avoid being sued by the Obama camp. API has realised that the contents of the tapes if made public may change the political atmosphere in America for ever, especially in the next few days.

Due to enormous reactions received, API now understands the impact of the statements made by Mrs Obama. The American people have reacted in a way we in API would never have expected.

Many have question why Mrs Obama would choose a little known online media group instead of the American media. API was chosen because of a Nairobi contact that did not like the way API was covering Barack Obama using information collected from American media outlets. The Nairobi contact prevailed upon Mrs Obama to talk to API.

The only thing API may have done wrong is not informing Mrs Obama that the conversation was being recorded. This is why it is taking time to release the recording while consulting a legal team because API wants to be legally safe from any Obama camp law suit.

The US Media Outlets:

Since the release of Mrs Obama story, many US media outlets have insisted that API should release the recordings made when Mrs Obama spoke with API. We understand the importance of the recordings in our possession and yet the first thing we are thinking of is not simply to make them public because groups are pressurising API to do so. The release of the information will be done, because we know we have Mrs Obama on tape, but API must do it in a way that does not put API in an embarrassing legal situation.

Die-hard Obama supporters:

A number of Americans who are die-hard Obama followers have tried their best to intimidate API using all kinds of threatening methods when they call in and when they email us. They are implying that API is planning to destroy Obama’s chances to become the next US President. API does not have a direct interest in the US Presidential elections and we want Obama supporters to understand that. However, when someone who may become the next first lady makes such comments as in the story we have published, the public have the right to know. Intimidation directed to the publishers of the story is not the answer.

The delay to make public the recordings is expected to give time to Mrs Obama to come clean and tell the American people that her comments were not meant to harm anyone but that she was reacting to the media pressure on her husband. She should also come out and tell the American people that she will not discriminate those who are not Obama fanatics if she becomes the first lady.

Die-hard Mcain supporters:

Those who do not support Obama are actively pushing for the release of the recordings also, and we understand them very well. In many telephone conversations with them we, however, get disturbed when we realise that most of them want the recordings to be released because they want to use it to stop Senator Obama from being elected President. They state clearly that if the story is true and released now, the contents will safe America from a constitutional crisis that may come if things come out after the elections that proves Obama was adopted by a foreigner, thus, disqualifying him from the Presidency.

Some readers:

Some have questioned why API has its base in Norway. Online News Media can be based anywhere in the world. With the Internet age, a news network can have people anywhere in the world. API’s news correspondents - 19 of them are real and based in the African Continent. API is a solid Daily Online News Channel and this Obama story will not change that.

Questioning API on being based in Norway:

There is nothing wrong having African Press International based in Norway and the channel run by Africans from the African Continent. Even Kenya’s present Prime Minister Raila Odinga lived in Norway for some time before joining the Kenya government.

API has also been accused because of the timing to release Mrs Obama story. Some even discus small issues as to why API telephone number starts with 00, and spellings in the article. This to us in API sounds ridiculous.

The important thing to be concerned about is how API obtained the story and how genuine it is. The second thing is to exercise understanding and to respect why there is a delay in releasing the recordings. API is not saying there are no recordings, but it is important to take serious API’s concerns on a possible suit if the tapes are not handled carefully.

API is not out to convince the American public of anything. We do not want to influence the outcome of the US Presidential elections. API got a true story and published it. The fact that the story has caused a stir was unexpected, but that does not mean API must rush in a manner that will cause problems to itself, just to satisfy those who want the audio tapes so badly.

When the legal concerns are cleared, which is happening in a short while, API will make public all the recordings available. This will also include comments, not yet published, which will most certainly put the Obama Campaign spokesperson who had dismissed the story off balance.

Even if our recordings or any other recordings had surfaced after the elections and if the contents were damaging to the elected person that still could have caused any elected president to vacate the White House. We all know that the tapes released in the US in 1974 forced President Richard Nixon out of office. The truth is the truth. The tapes during Nixon time did not lie.

The same here. The recordings that API will release soon will not lie to the American people. Most probably, it will change the political landscape, something the Americans should start getting prepared to face.

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