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 JEDDAH 00000474 002 OF 002 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