VISITING DESK OFFICER MET WITH OIC DG OF POLITICAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000658 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2016 TAGS: KISL PINR PREL SA SUBJECT: VISITING DESK OFFICER MET WITH OIC DG OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter, for reasons 1.4 (c) and (d) -------------- OIC seeks greater cooperation with U.S. -------------- ¶1. (C) Poloff and visiting NEA/ARP Desk Officer met with Director General of Political Affairs for the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Mahdy Fathallah, on October 10. Fathallah laid out the reasons why the U.S. would benefit from closer relations with the OIC. He pointed to the potential benefit of bloc voting within multilateral organizations, increased cultural dialogue and understanding; the need to dispel misconceptions, and the benefit of what he termed the most "authentic background information" and advice on specific regional issues. Fathallah said that the OIC can communicate with people "on the ground" and assess situations in ways the U.S. is unable to. He also mentioned cooperation between the U.S. and the OIC on development and relief issues. -------------- OIC to hold Islamic Conference regarding Iraq -------------- ¶2. (C) Fathallah said the OIC is very concerned about the developments in Iraq, describing the current situation as a "civil war." Fathallah visited Baghdad as part of OIC,s efforts to assist and mediate, and the OIC will sponsor a conference between Iraqi Shi,a and Sunnis in Mecca on October 19-20 (NOTE: The Iraqi participants, including head of the Association of Muslim Scholars Harith al-Dhari, are currently in Saudi Arabia and have met with a number of SAG officials (Septel). END NOTE.) According to Fathallah, the conference will be religious in nature and not include politicians or others. Ten clerics from each side are invited to discuss sectarianism and solutions to the conflict in Iraq. Fathallah suggested that the U.S. endorse the conference,s resolution or "indirectly" comment on support for peaceful efforts. Fathallah was highly critical of U.S. policy towards Iraq. He mentioned the failure to plan an effective, post-conflict strategy and accused the U.S. of ignoring the advice of regional allies. He stated that the fundamental problem in Iraq is the "1300 year-old" division between the Shi,a and Sunnis, accusing the U.S. of letting "the genie out of the bottle." This, he said, precipitated the sectarian strife. He did not see an end in sight, nor did he have any suggestions for addressing the violence. -------------- OIC seeking to mediate in Palestine, -------------- ¶3. (C) When asked about recent internal Palestinian strife, Fathallah said the OIC is trying to mediate between Hamas and Fatah. The OIC is seeking a compromise formula on the Quartet principles both that Israel and Hamas can accept. Fathallah informed that the OIC has met with senior Palestinian officials, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar, Nabil Shaath, and Khalid Mesha,al, a Hamas political leader. Fathallah was hopeful about attempts to mediate between rival Palestinian factions, including the attempt this week by Qatari Foreign Minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassem al Thani. -------------- OIC expansion and relevance -------------- ¶4. (C) Fathallah spoke of the changing international context and expressed his concern that the OIC remain relevant. He mentioned the inclusion of Russia as an "observer" to the OIC and mentioned that the OIC plans to open an office in Brussels to facilitate closer relations with the European Union. Fathallah believes that, as the U.S. is "the superpower," it is very important that the OIC and the U.S. cooperate. -------------- Biography of Mahdy Fathallah JEDDAH 00000658 002 OF 002 -------------- ¶5. (C) Amb. Fathallah is a career diplomat in the Egyptian Diplomatic service. He arrived at the OIC in March 2006 and will serve a four year term. Previously, he served as Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. He also served as the Egyptian Ambassador to Turkey and Tunisia. Earlier in his career, he served in Austria, Germany, and the United States. His current position at the OIC will most likely be his last position as an Egyptian diplomat because of age restrictions. OBERWETTER TONEY