SAUDI-PROPOSED UNGA SPECIAL SESSION ON RELIGION

UNCLAS STATE 070306 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA USUN KIRF KISL SP SA SUBJECT: SAUDI-PROPOSED UNGA SPECIAL SESSION ON RELIGION REF: USUN 555 ¶1. (U) Action request: In response to reftel request by the SYG for U.S. views on a possible UNGA Special Session on the political and religious components of interfaith dialogue, USUN should urge the SYG to postpone making a final decision until after the July 16-18 Interfaith Dialogue Conference in Spain and further consultation with the United States and other Member States. USUN should seek additional information on the structure and focus of the Special Session. USUN should draw on the talking points and questions in paragraphs 2 and 3 below. ¶2. (U) Talking Points: -- The United States welcomes interfaith dialogue and generally supports Saudi efforts to acknowledge shared values between Islam and other religions throughout the world. -- We will be watching closely the July 16-18 Interfaith Dialogue Conference in Spain, which is also part of the Saudi effort to promote interfaith dialogue. This conference will provide us with further context for assessing the value of the Saudi proposal for an UNGA Special Session. -- The U.S. has concerns, however, about the extent to which an UNGA Special Session on the "political and religious components of interfaith dialogue" would be constructive at this time. -- Our memory of the Durban Conference is vivid, and we are concerned that without careful planning and consideration a UN-hosted interfaith dialogue conference could degenerate into a similar dynamic, embarrassing the United Nations and individual member states and doing nothing to further mutual respect, tolerance, and understanding. -- For any event to have a positive result, it should be fully inclusive of all faiths. The U.S. is concerned that some may attempt to exclude from the event members of certain religions, including subgroups and offshoots. -- We are concerned, additionally, that the meeting could be used as a platform for promoting the concept of "Defamation of Religions," which the U.S. strongly opposes because of its implications for freedom of religion and expression, as well as for the individual versus collective rights of members of one religious group. ¶3. (U) Questions for use with the SYG or Secretariat staff: -- What are the views of other Member States? Is there sufficient state support for convening such a session? -- What mechanisms and procedures could be used to ensure that the discussion does not advocate for limitations on civil and religious freedom in the name of "defending religion"? -- Would the format of this event be an UNGA Special Session in which all UN Member States and UN Observers would be able to participate, or would there be a different format in which others, such as representatives of religious groups and NGOs, would also speak? -- If the latter, would all faiths be included, including those the Saudi government views as polytheistic (e.g., those other than Islam, Judaism, and Christianity)? Further, within each religion, would all religious groups be welcome, including subgroups and offshoots (e.g. Bahais, Ahmadiyyas, converts to religions irrespective of their original and new faiths)? -- Also, if the format is other than an UNGA Special Session, would the event be sponsored by the UN? What UN resources would be expended on it? Would the Saudis be willing to follow the format of the 2004 Secretary-General Seminars on "Unlearning Intolerance" that focused on anti-Semitism and Islamophobia and were open to the public? -- How would staffing for this work? UN personnel? -- Also, if this is not an UNGA Special Session, who would make the decision on whom to invite? Are there any thoughts at this time about whom to invite? Would the meeting be open strictly to representatives of religions or of governments? -- Are the Saudis open to holding the event after UNGA? Would the Saudis be prepared to allow NGOs or other governments to participate in organizing and planning of the conference? RICE