SAUDI ARABIA MFA AND OIC OFFICIALS COMMENT ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000449

SIPDIS

RIYADH PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2013
TAGS: PGOV KISL OVIP PREL SA UN XF
SUBJECT: SAUDI ARABIA MFA AND OIC OFFICIALS COMMENT ON
UPCOMING INTER-FAITH DIALOGUE IN NEW YORK

REF: RIYADH 01574

Classified By: ACTING CONSUL GENERAL CB TONEY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (
D).


1. C) SUMMARY. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official
states the significance of a high-level inter-faith dialogue
being planned by Saudi Arabia to take place in New York in
November with a key long-term goal of combating extremism. An
OIC official denies a role in planning the event, but
expresses a willingness to participate in the dialogue if
invited. END SUMMARY.

Saudi Arabia has Major Goals for Potential
--------------
Inter-Faith Dialogue in New York
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2. (C) On October 21, Saudi Arabia Desk Officer and PolOff
met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mecca Branch Director
General Mohamed bin Ahmed Tayeb. The DG offered his comments
on a potential high-level Saudi sponsored inter-faith
dialogue to be held in New York in November. The DG supports
the dialogue as it will, "help very much in bi-lateral
relations".


3. (C) The DG sees inter-faith dialogue as linked to the
fight against terrorism, recognizing that "we (Saudi Arabia)
have extremists" and asking, "How can we deal with people to
convince them that others are not the enemies?" He noted
that, "Jews, Christians, and Muslims are people of the
book(we have shared common values." According to Tayeb, the
dialogue may be part of an inter-faith alliance in the
long-run with an aim of taking on extremists. The DG believes
that the dialogue will lead to progress, reiterating that,
"We expect an action plan(not just a statement." This is not
consistent with what Prince Saud recently said was a hope
only for a statement from the UNGA President. (REFTEL)


4. (C) Tayeb sees Saudi Arabia playing a leading role in
inter-faith dialogue, stating that, "interfaith without Saudi
will not be interfaith." He mentioned the significance of
Saudi Arabia as the protector of the holy sights of Mecca and
Medina. In addition to Saudi Arabia, the DG maintained the
importance of other countries including the OIC, stressing
that, "they will have a role(we want the whole world to work
together."


5. (C) Director General Tayeb indicated that the inter-faith
conference will have high level representation with Prince
Sa'ud being the lowest level dignitary that the Saudi Arabia
will send. When asked about the possibility of King Abdullah
attending, Tayeb replied, "The King might attend this
dialogue(I think that he will attend." He assured that the
King is serious about the initiative, being, "a man of faith,
and not a politician."

OIC Official Comments on the Role in the Dialogue
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6. (C) PolOff and Saudi Arabia Desk Officer met with
Ambassador Mahdy Fathallah, Director of the Political Affairs
Section at the Organization of the Islamic Conference in
Jeddah on October 21. Fathallah stated that the inter-faith
dialogue is a Saudi initiative and not an OIC one. While
Fathallah sees nothing significantly new in this initiative,
he did note the importance of Saudi Arabia leading the event,
noting that as one of the most conservative members of the
OIC, it may be well-positioned to promote inter-faith
internationally. Fathallah claimed that the OIC had not been
asked to participate in the dialogue, but that the Secretary
General would do so if asked.


7. (C) Fathallah remarked that the real interest of the OIC
is addressing Islamophobia. He stated that there is no plan
for the OIC to launch a new anti-defamation resolution at the
UN. Fathallah stated an interest in improving education and
outreach aimed at correcting misperceptions of Islam. He
believes the US role is counter-productive, claiming that
America is trying to Westernize the educational curriculum of
other countries and is trying to impose its own values.


8. (C) COMMENT. The OIC official's comments on the
inter-faith dialogue being a purely Saudi Arabian initiative
may be an attempt to assert the organization's independence
from its most influential member. END COMMENT.

JEDDAH 00000449 002 OF 002


TONEY