POSITIVE FIRST MEETING WITH NEW OIC DIRECTOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000474

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHARAN; DEPARTMENT FOR AMBASSADOR
JOHN HANFORD, NEA/ARP AND INR/B; AMMAN FOR WHITTLESEY;
PARIS FOR ZEYA; LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2031
TAGS: KISL PGOV PINR PREL SA SOCI TSPL
SUBJECT: POSITIVE FIRST MEETING WITH NEW OIC DIRECTOR
GENERAL FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS

Classified By: Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC) Director General of Political Affairs held a positive
introductory meeting with ConGenOffs. He outlined the OIC's
10-year action plan that emerged from the organization's
extraordinary summit held in Mecca in December 2005, and
noted that reorganization and the development of new social
action programs are key goals. He also stressed the need for
the OIC to push for moderation within Islam and noted that
although it has had poor public relations in the United
States up to this point, he would like to strengthen contact
with US officials and to explore ways to create joint
projects in science and technological fields. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) Pol/Econ Chief and PolOff held an informative
introductory meeting with Amb. Mahdy Fathallah, who has been
the OIC's Director General of Political Affairs since
February 2006. After noting that he is still learning the
ropes of his position, Fathallah shared an outline of the
10-year program of action that is the centerpiece for OIC
activities. The 10-year plan, which was launched after the
OIC Summit held in Mecca in December 2005, follows a
two-track strategy to restructure the OIC and to place a
higher priority on carrying out a socio-economic agenda that
addresses development issues related to poverty, debt,
diseases, humanitarian crises, and science and technological
advancements.

OIC ACTION PLAN AIMING FOR PRACTICAL RESULTS


3. (U) Fathallah said that while the OIC has credibility on
the international stage, it needs to promote its agenda
within. Internal components, such as the Islamic Development
Bank (IDB),should operate in concert with the larger agenda
and the overall OIC leadership needs to raise awareness of
the organization's goals with member states. He added that
OIC Secretary General Eklemeddin Ihsanoglu is enthusiastic
about the 10-year plan and that the strategy has enabled the
organization to focus on crisis areas in Muslim communities.
Turning to his own efforts, Fathallah said that his goal is
to be more active and involved politically with crisis
regions. He added that he will soon be making his first trip
to Iraq to learn more about the situation on the ground
there. Fathallah also mentioned that the OIC hopes to
mediate in Somalia. He responded enthusiastically to the
suggestion that his office meet with the Department's ESTH
regional officer in Amman to improve relations on science and
technological development.



4. (SBU) Fathallah stressed that a central part of the
OIC's aim is to promote moderation in Islam, adding that a
balanced message is needed because many people are now
"unfortunately linking Islam with terrorism." The Ambassador
said that even though moderation was the central point
emerging from last year's Mecca Summit, it will take time for
a more moderate message to take hold. He then added that his
office is working to raise moderation on a political level
and that he is encouraging OIC member nations to espouse
moderate actions and speech within their Islamic teaching and
communities, rather than just to discuss ways to moderate
Islam as an "academic exercise" during an international
gathering.

WORKING FOR A BETTER VIEW OF ISLAM


5. (C) Fathallah highlighted the battle against
"Islamophobia" as a particular challenge for the OIC. He
said that people with anti-Islam or anti-Islamist views
misperceive the faith, which the Pol/Econ Chief noted also
happens when Muslims fail to understand actions by
Westerners. The two then discussed the unrest earlier this
year that was sparked by the publication of offensive
cartoons in European newspapers. Fathallah stressed that the
violence signaled a strong grassroots response to the

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offensive media, adding that "we were quiet for four months"
and that unrest broke out only after the cartoons were
republished and the disrespect became too great. Pol/Econ
Chief explained that the image of riots and violence had only
served to strengthen Western perceptions of Islam as a
violent religion. The Ambassador grudgingly agreed to that
point but then reiterated that Muslim nations and the West
both hold inaccurate views of the other and that he is trying
to tackle the divide in a "better way."

WEAK PUBLIC RELATIONS IN THE US


6. (SBU) Fathallah admitted that the OIC has not been doing
a good job of public relations in the United States. He said
that he would like to do more outreach on the topic of
moderation and Islam with US audiences, noting that his
office is trying to set up a joint event on that topic with
George Washington University and possibly several US think
tanks and NGOs.

ORGANIZATION OF THE OIC


7. (U) Fathallah said that in addition to the OIC
headquarters in Jeddah, it has an office in Brussels that
covers EU issues, as well as small offices at the UN in New
York and in Geneva. He said the OIC is also planning to open
an office in Vienna sometime in the next two years. The
Ambassador said that the next ordinary OIC summit will be
held in Senegal in 2008 (delayed from the projected 2007
date).



8. (C) COMMENT: Fathallah's ability to share his views and
organizational goals in a balanced, logical manner may give
him a leg up in dealing with both Arab and Western
counterparts on even very touchy subjects. ConGenOffs were
impressed by his polished personal style, which conveyed even
disagreement in a way that informed but did not offend his
audience. His candid assessment of the OIC's strengths and
weaknesses, combined with frank commentary on the problems
faced by Islam are examples of his desire to have more
consistent interaction with US officials. END COMMENT.

BIO NOTE:


9. (U) Fathallah is a career Egyptian diplomat who has
served in Europe, Turkey, Tunisia, and Washington (during
1987-91),and he is also a former Assistant Minister of
Foreign Affairs. He speaks excellent English.
Gfoeller