INFORMING THE ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS ABOUT THE

UNCLAS STATE 042613 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UN PREL SP TU OIIP SUBJECT: INFORMING THE ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS ABOUT THE CITIZEN DIALOGUE PROGRAM ¶1. This is an action request. USUN, please see para 2 below; Embassies Madrid and Ankara, please see para 3 below. ¶2. Department requests that USUN deliver the message in para 4 below from Acting Assistant Secretary Kurt Volker to the Alliance of Civilizations High Representative Jorge Sampaio. The Department does not intend to release this letter. There will be no signed original. ¶3. Department requests that Embassy Madrid and Embassy Ankara deliver the message in para 4 below to host government's respective Foreign Ministers -- Miguel Angel Moratinos and Ali Babacan. The Department does not intend to release this letter, but has no objection should the GOS and GOT wish to do so. There will be no signed original. ¶4. Begin text. Dear High Representative Sampaio: I am pleased to announce that Secretary Rice has identified the U.S. Department of State,s Citizen Dialogue Program as a program that furthers the objectives of the Alliance of Civilizations. The Citizen Dialogue Program sends smallgroups of American Muslims overseas to share their experiences with a range of audiences in foreign countries. The goals of the program include taking part in an open dialogue about life in America and Islam in America, freedom of faith, pluralism, respect, and mutual understanding of culture and civilizations. This person-to-person program also will develop new bridges among diverse communities. These objectives are compatible with Alliance of Civilization's goals of furthering understanding between cultures, developing links between individuals and groups interested in promoting intercultural understanding, and reaching out to youth. The focus of the Citizen Dialogue Program is primarily on local Muslim communities, religious leaders, government officials, NGOs, business leaders, youth and civil society. Participants share their first-hand experiences of life in the United States and also talk with the media. Particular attention is given to young people in these communities. Under this worldwide program, American Muslim leaders have visited numerous countries in Europe, as well as in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. In our current fiscal year, four Citizen Dialogue teams will visit about a dozen countries in Europe, with additional trips to other regions. The next dialogues will be in Spain and Austria in late April. We look forward to the results of this program. Sincerely, Kurt Volker Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs cc: Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan End text. RICE