Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07HAVANA996
2007-10-16 15:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
US Interests Section Havana
Cable title:  

IF YOU INVITE THEM, THEY WILL COME

Tags:  CU PGOV PHUM PINR PREL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1041
RR RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV
DE RUEHUB #0996 2891548
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 161548Z OCT 07
FM USINT HAVANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2393
INFO RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE
RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
C O N F I D E N T I A L HAVANA 000996 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2017
TAGS: CU PGOV PHUM PINR PREL
SUBJECT: IF YOU INVITE THEM, THEY WILL COME


Classified By: CDA: James L. Williams: For reasons 1.4 b/d

C O N F I D E N T I A L HAVANA 000996

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2017
TAGS: CU PGOV PHUM PINR PREL
SUBJECT: IF YOU INVITE THEM, THEY WILL COME


Classified By: CDA: James L. Williams: For reasons 1.4 b/d


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Charg d'Affaires hosted an Iftar
dinner for the diplomatic community on October 9. The 54
guests in attendance included 11 ambassadors and five charges
from 22 countries, most of them with large Muslim
populations. The event--the first of its kind offered by
USINT--drew favorable responses from all guests and at least
one offer to host or co-host a similar gathering next year.
The lone negative note was the absence of Havana's Imam, with
whom the post had closely coordinated arrangements and who
had supplied a recording of verses from the Qur'an for the
event. Otherwise, this Iftar stood out for its large
attendance and enthusiastic response. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On Tuesday, October 9, the Charg d'Affaires
hosted an Iftar dinner for the diplomatic community at the
COM residence. The 54 guests in attendance included 11
ambassadors and five charges. In total, 22 countries were
represented, most of which have large or majority Muslim
populations. With the exception of Indonesia, all of the 23
diplomatic missions sent representatives. In his short
remarks in Arabic and Spanish of "Ramadan Kareem," the Charg
highlighted the spirit of friendship and religious tolerance
that inspired the event.


3. (SBU) Many guests commented favorably on the Iftar. The
newly-arrived Lebanese ambassador and his wife said they felt
honored to be invited by non-Muslim Americans to an
observance of Ramadan. The Gambian ambassador said he felt
very much at home in such a gathering, and the usually shy
Syrian ambassador relaxed and chatted amiably with the other
guests as the evening wore on. His extroverted Indian
counterpart stated that an Iftar should be an annual event on
Havana's diplomatic calendar and offered to co-host a similar
gathering next Ramadan. Another guest suggested that the
responsibility be rotated among interested missions. All in
all, comments from the guests--many of whom were not Muslims
themselves--were overwhelmingly favorable (although some
wondered innocently at the absence of the Iranian ambassador).


4. (SBU) The lone negative note from USINT's perspective
was the failure of Cuban Islamic League President Imam Yahya
Lazo to attend. The Iftar had been planned in close
consultation with the Imam, who provided guidance on protocol
issues and the menu, and who even lent USINT a recording of
verses from the Qur'an to be played in the background.
Subsequently, in a letter addressed to the Charg, the Imam
explained that his absence was due to the death of the wife
of a friend.


5. C) Post believes that this initial attempt to host an
Iftar was a resounding success. The large turnout, the
universally positive comments from the guests, and the offers
to host or co-host future iterations all lead us to believe
that it was the right gesture at the right time. It was also
ample proof that, despite pressure to do otherwise, our
colleagues in the Diplomatic Corps will attend our events.
By contrast, Cuban invitees may have no choice but to succumb
to such pressures. The Imam's absence may be as innocent as
his explanation, but we suspect he may have been instructed
to find an excuse.

WILLIAMS