PRINCE HASSAN HOSTS CONFERENCE OF IRAQI RELIGIOUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 003173

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2013
TAGS: PREL IZ JO
SUBJECT: PRINCE HASSAN HOSTS CONFERENCE OF IRAQI RELIGIOUS
LEADERS IN AMMAN MAY 27-28

Classified By: Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm. Reasons 1.5 (b,d).


1. (U) Former Crown Prince Hassan hosted a conference in
Amman May 27-28 attended by 20 representatives of Iraqi
religious communities and 40 international religious figures.
Organized by the "World Conference on Religion and Peace,"
(WCRP) participants included Iraqi Shi'ite leaders Ayatollah
Muqtada al-Sadr, Sayyid Hussain al-Sadr, Ayatollah Mohammed
al-Sayyid al-Hakim, and individuals associated with Sayyed
Ali al-SISTANI; Sheik Ahmed al-Qubiesy of Iraq's Sunni
community, and Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Baghdad
Emanual Deli. The theme of the gathering was "Rejecting
Violence and Promoting Peace with Justice." Key points
included a call to address the humanitarian situation in
Iraq, mutual acceptance and co-existence among all religious
groups, the role of the UN, and the responsibilities of the
Coalition forces as the occupying power. At the conclusion
of the two-day event, the Conferees issued a joint statement
(for complete text see para 3.)


2. (C) Comment: The sight of Prince Hassan among an assembly
of Iraqi religious leaders has, inevitably, caught the
attention of many in Amman's political salons and, once
again, has brought to the fore the notion of Hashemite
ambitions in Iraq. Whether there is anything to this remains
to be seen, but it only adds to previous speculation that
Prince Hassan is seeking ways to raise his visibility
vis-a-vis Iraq, and is looking for an organizational vehicle
that could carry him to Baghdad. End Comment.


3. (U) Begin text of Joint Statement:

28 May 2003
Amman, Jordan

The World Conference on Religions for Peace (WCRP) convened
an international conference from 27-28 May in the Jordanian
capital, Amman, to discuss the crisis in Iraq, in view of the
devastating and catastrophic consequences and repercussions
resulting from he former regime, the war and the occupation.
WCRP hosted religious leaders representing all of the
religious communities in Iraq, together with international
religious leaders, intellectuals, diplomats and members of
international humanitarian agencies.

The discussions focused on the humanitarian, political and
economic dimensions of the crisis in Iraq. The goals of the
meeting included examining (1) The current humanitarian
crisis and the ways in which multireligious cooperation can
be strengthened as a mode of response. (2) Iraqi religious
traditions of mutual acceptance and co-existence, which can
form a basis of for the building of Iraq's future. (3)
Governance in Iraq under occupation and its impact on the
current realities and future expectations. (4) The role of
the United Nations in a just international order, and its
relationship to current realities in Iraq. And, (5) The need
for cooperation among the religious groups in Iraq in
building a better future in Iraq.

The Iraqi religious leaders were unanimous in expressing
appreciation for the good offices of HRH Prince El-Hassan bin
Talal, the Moderator of WCRP.

The Iraqi religious leaders made the following
recommendations, which were also endorsed by the full
conference.

First, that international institutions and agencies increase
their provision of humanitarian assistance through a greater
cooperation with Iraqi religious and other social
institutions, including representatives of women and youth
groups.

Second, a demand that the Coalition Forces abide by their
full responsibilities as a de facto Occupying Power in
compliance with all relevant international treaties, in
particular the Fourth Geneva Convention and the relevant
Hague Conventions on the protection of civilians and the
provision of the necessary humanitarian requirements for
occupied populations.

Third, that a temporary Iraqi national government be formed
as soon as possible to administer the affairs and achieve the
objectives of the Iraqi people during the transition.

Fourth, that an Iraqi mechanism be formed to provide advice
to the Special Representative of the United Nations.

Fifth, that the permanent Iraqi government be built on the
basis of direct, free, democratic elections, a constitution
and the rule of law that protects equally all religious,
ethnic and national groupings, while maintaining Iraq's
sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Sixth, that WCRP, an international multireligious
organization accredited to the United Nations, be mandated to
follow up the decisions and recommendations of this
conference in partnership with the Iraqi religious leaders.

Seventh, that WCRP be invited to work in partnership with the
Iraqi religious leaders regarding future conferences to be
held in Baghdad and their formation of an Iraqi
multireligious Council.

Thanks be to God.

End Text of Joint Statement.


GNEHM