LETTER TO SECRETARY RICE FROM ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 JEDDAH 000582 SIPDIS SIPDIS RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP; PARIS FOR WALLER; LONDON FOR TSOU; NSC FOR PANDITH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KISL PREL SA SUBJECT: LETTER TO SECRETARY RICE FROM ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE TRANSMITTING THE PUTRAJAYA DECLARATIONS ON LEBANON AND THE PALESTINAIAN TERRITORIES ¶1. The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) conveyed the following letter and declarations via fax to Consulate General Jeddah for transmission To Secretary Rice. ¶2. The letter to Secretary Rice presents the Declaration on the Situation in Lebanon and the Declaration on the Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories passed by the OIC Emergency Extended Executive Committee Meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia on August 3, 2006. The Declarations follow the letter. Begin text: Organization of the Islamic Conference The Secretary General OIC/SG-01/2006 Jeddah, 6 August 2006 Excellency, I have the honour to inform you that an Emergency Extended Executive Committee Meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Conference was held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on 3 August 2006, at the level of Head of State or Government. I am enclosing herewith the texts of the two documents adopted by the Meeting, the Putrajaya Declaration on the Situation in Lebanon and the Putrajaya Declaration on the Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. I sincerely hope that the Declarations will be given due consideration by the members of the international community. As it will be seen in the mentioned documents, the recent developments in the Middle East caused great frustration and anguish all over the Islamic World. I believe that allowing the continuation of killing of hundreds of civilians and destruction of infrastructure under whatever reasoning will only serve to the vicious aims of terrorists and extremists. Besides the need for an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon, I am afraid that at this juncture, failure of initiatives for a comprehensive peace in the Middle East would endanger not only the peace efforts in the region, but peace and stability in the whole world and provide fertile grounds for extremists to disseminate their evil ideologies and act out their violence. I believe that it is high time now for the international community to focus on and remedy the root causes of the present disaster in the Middle East so that the entrenchment of stability, culture of peace and democracy in the region will be possible. Otherwise, next generations will also be lost in the darkness of hatred. From our part, the General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference will do its utmost to assume an active role to positively contribute to the success of all efforts aiming at a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region. We are calling for an international conference to give a new jump-start and strength to the peace efforts. Arab Peace Imitative of 2002 can serve as a basis for this conference as it provided a viable vision for peace for all. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. [Signed] Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu H.E. Dr. Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State SIPDIS Of the United States of America End text. ¶3. Below, follows the Putrajaya Declaration on the Situation in Lebanon. Begin text: [Page 1] JEDDAH 00000582 002 OF 005 PUTRAJAYA DECLARATION ON THE SITUATION IN LEBANON AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EXTENDED EXECUTIVE COMMTTEE OF THE ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA, 3 AUGUST 2006 We, the Heads of State or Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, People's Republic of Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Republic of Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Turkey, and the Representatives of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Republic of Lebanon, State of Palestine, State of Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Senegal, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Republic of Yemen, met at the Special Meeting of the Extended Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Conference on 3 August 2006 in Putrajaya, Malaysia to discuss the situation in Lebanon. The Meeting was chaired by the Honourable Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia as the Chairman of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference. ¶2. At the invitation of the Chair, we came together to demonstrate our serious concern over the grave crisis in the Middle East arising from the continuing Israeli aggression against Lebanon. We express our full support for and solidarity with the Government and people of Lebanon in their legitimate and heroic resistance against the Israeli aggression. ¶3. We strongly condemn the relentless Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the serious violations of the latter's territorial integrity and sovereignty and in this regard charge Israel with full responsibility for the consequences of its aggression. ¶4. We express our concern at the inability of the United Nations Security Council to take the necessary actions for a ceasefire and demand that the Council fulfill its responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security without any further delay by deciding on and enforcing an immediate and unconditional comprehensive ceasefire. In the event of failure by the United Nations Security Council to act immediately, we call upon all OIC Member States to be united in support of the convening of a meeting of the General Assembly under Uniting for Peace, in cooperation with other Member states of the United Nations. ¶5. We also strongly condemn the indiscriminate and massive Israeli air strikes, in particular on the village of Qana on 30 July 2006, killing more than 60 civilians, mostly children, and the targeting of United Nations peacekeepers at the United Nations Observer post at Khiam in Southern Lebanon on 25 July 2006. In this regard, we strongly urge that a full investigation into these criminal acts perpetrated by Israel be conducted by the United Nations. The attacks and killing of innocent civilians and the destruction of houses, properties and infrastructure are a breach of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law and blatant and flagrant violations of human rights. [Page 2] ¶6. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Lebanese detainees held by Israel. ¶7. We are strongly convinced that there should be no impunity for violations by Israel of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Israel must be held accountable for all its actions. We call for the immediate convening of a special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council as well as a meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the 4th Geneva Convention to address these violations. ¶8. We welcome all efforts towards immediate and unconditional ending of Israeli aggression and fully support the Lebanese Government 7-Point Plan [see Annex] and stress the important role of the United Nations in this regard, underlining also the importance of the consent of all concerned parties in Lebanon on any future settlement, and all other efforts towards ending the violence and to bring about lasting peace in Lebanon. ¶9. We recognize the dire humanitarian situation in Lebanon and the JEDDAH 00000582 003 OF 005 urgent need to expedite the delivery of relief assistance to the Lebanese people, including through the immediate allowing of safe passages inside Lebanon. We demand that Israel provide unimpeded access for the delivery of such assistance. We urge, the international community, especially the Member Countries of the OIC to generously contribute to current humanitarian relief efforts. In this regard, we express our deep appreciation to the countries that have contributed generously to alleviate the suffering of the people in Lebanon. We welcome the role of the UN in the delivery of humanitarian assistance and relief. ¶10. We note with satisfaction the efforts of OIC Member Countries, the General Secretariat and OIC Organs to provide humanitarian assistance to Lebanon and requests the OIC Secretary-General to continue to work closely with OIC Member Countries, regional and international organizations and NGOs in bringing humanitarian relief and assistance to the people affected by the conflict and facilitate the early return of displaced persons. ¶11. We urge the international community to support Lebanon on all levels including through organizing a donor's conference to assist the country in facing the tremendous burden resulting from the human, social and economic tragedy which has afflicted the country in the areas of relief, reconstruction and rebuilding of the national economy. ¶12. We condemn the destruction of religious and historical sites in Lebanon by Israel and demand that Israel immediately stop further destruction of these sites. ¶13. We hold Israel responsible for the loss of lives and suffering as well as the destruction of properties and infrastructure and demand Israel to compensate the Republic of Lebanon and its people for the losses sustained resulting from Israeli aggression. ¶14. We agree to establish a Contact Group on the current situation in Lebanon. The Contact Group will be coordinated by Malaysia and comprise members of the OIC Troika and other interested members. [Page 3] ¶15. We urge all OIC Member States to be united in facing the current crisis in the Middle East. Towards this end, we reaffirm our commitment to Islamic solidarity among OIC Member States, including solidarity and support to Member States who are facing threats, as mandated in the "Ten-Year Programme of Action to Meet the Challenges Facing the Muslim Ummah in the 21st Century" adopted in Makkah in December 2005. Putrajaya, Malaysia 3 August 2006 End text. ¶4. Annex to Declaration. 7-Point Plan by [sic] Lebanon. Begin text: ANNEX 7- POINT PLAN BY LEBANON An immediate and comprehensive cease-fire and a declaration of agreement on the following issues: 1- An undertaking to release the Lebanese and Israeli prisoners and detainees through the ICRC. 2- The withdrawal of the Israeli army behind the Blue Line, and the return of the displaced to their villages. 3- A commitment from the Security Council to place the Shebaa Farms area and the Kfarshouba Hills under UN jurisdiction until border delineation and Lebanese sovereignty over them are fully settled. While in UN custody, the area will be accessible to Lebanese property owners there. Further, Israel surrenders all remaining land mine maps in South Lebanon to the UN. 4- The Lebanese government extends its authority over its territory JEDDAH 00000582 004 OF 005 through its own legitimate armed forces such that there will be no weapons or authority other than that of the Lebanese state as stipulated in the Taef national reconciliation document. 5- The UN international force, operating in South Lebanon, is supplemented and enhanced in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operation, as needed in order to undertake urgent humanitarian and relief work and guarantee stability and security in the south so that those who fled their homes can return. 6- The UN, in cooperation with the relevant parties, undertakes the necessary measures to once again put into effect the Armistice Agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in 1949, and to insure adherence to the provisions of that agreement as well as to explore possible amendments to or development of said provisions, as necessary. 7- The international community commits to support Lebanon on all levels, and to assist it in facing the tremendous burden resulting from the human, social and economic tragedy which has afflicted the country especially in the areas of relief, reconstruction and rebuilding of the national economy. End text. ¶5. Below follows the Putrajaya Declaration on the Situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Begin text: [Page 1] PUTRAJAYA DECLARATION ON THE SITUATION IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EXTENDED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE . PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA. 3 AUGUST 2006 We, the Heads of' State or Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, People's Republic of Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Republic of Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Turkey, and the Representatives of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Republic of Lebanon, State of Palestine, State of Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Senegal, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates, and Republic of Yemen, met at the Special Meeting of the Extended Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Conference on 3 August 2006 in Putrajaya, Malaysia to discuss the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Meeting was chaired by the Honourable Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia as the Chairman of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference. ¶2. At the invitation of the Chair, we came together out of our serious concern over the continuing Israeli occupation of Palestine and aggression in the occupied territories. ¶3. We strongly condemn the Israel occupation of Palestinian lands and for its unrelenting aggression against the Palestinian people, which have caused the loss of lives and destruction of properties and demand the total, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Israel from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, since 1967, including East Jerusalem. ¶4. We further condemn Israel for the abduction and detention of Palestinian Cabinet Ministers, government officials, and other individuals and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all Palestinian detainees held by Israel. ¶5. We call on the United Nations Security Council to assume its responsibilities to compel Israel to respect international law and put an end to Israel's occupation and illegitimate practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including placing collective punishment and unilateral sanctions over the Palestinian people and economy, and the illegal construction of settlements and the separation wall which is aimed at confiscating and annexing Palestinian land and property and altering the demographic and geographic character of the Palestinian territories, including JEDDAH 00000582 005 OF 005 Al-Quds Al-Sharif. ¶6. We commended the free and democratic Palestinian Legislative Council election, which have [sic] demonstrated the free will of the Palestinian people. In this regard, we call upon the international community to respect the outcome of the elections and to be supportive of Palestinians in exercising their rights. ¶7. We recognize the dire humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian Territories and the urgent need for relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation assistance. In this regard, we express our deep appreciation to the countries that have contributed generously to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and urge the international community to continue contributing to Palestine's rehabilitation efforts. [Page 2] ¶8. We reaffirm our commitment and support for all initiatives leading to a peacefully negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the Quartet Performance-Based Roadmap leading to a permanent Two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as outlined in UNSC Resolution 1515 and the Arab Peace Initiative. The solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would constitute the only guarantee for durable peace in this region. ¶9. We strongly urge the United Nations to convene an international conference on the Middle East to deliberate on a comprehensive, just and durable, plan for the region based on the relevant United Nations resolutions with the involvement of the Permanent Members of the Security Council and other interested parties, including OIC Member States. ¶10. We reiterate our commitment and support towards, Palestine in achieving self-determination and establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital and the return of Palestinian refugees, in accordance with General Assembly Resolution 194. ¶11. We urge all OIC Member States to be united in facing the current crisis in the Middle East. Towards this end, we reaffirm our commitment to Islamic solidarity among OIC Member States, including solidarity and support to Member States who are facing threats, as mandated in the "Ten-Year Programme of Action to Meet the Challenges Facing the Muslim Ummah in the 21st Century" adopted in Makkah in December 2005. Putrajaya, Malaysia 3 August 2006 End text. Gfoeller