INTERFAITH DIALOGUE CONFERENCE IN SPAIN

UNCLAS STATE 072693 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA KIRF KISL SP SA SUBJECT: INTERFAITH DIALOGUE CONFERENCE IN SPAIN REF: A. USUN 555 ¶B. STATE 70306 ¶1. Summary and Action Request: Department requests that action addressees report on the Interfaith Dialogue Conference, which will be held in Spain on July 16-18. This conference may serve as the forerunner for a UNGA Special Session this fall on the same topic. The Department would therefore appreciate reporting on all aspects of the July 16-18 conference, including preparations, attendees/sponsors, conference proceedings, and media coverage/final statements. Department would also appreciate reporting on direct consultations with the Saudi and Spanish governments regarding the event. Per ref B, posts should avoid taking any position on the proposed UNGA Special Session itself. End Summary and Action Request. ¶2. (U) Background: The government of Spain has agreed to serve as logistical host for a Muslim World League (MWL) Interfaith Dialogue Conference on July 16-18, 2008. According to a release by the Saudi Press Agency, the purpose of the meeting is for Muslim religious leaders and leaders of other religious faiths to discuss "life in human societies, international cooperation, human rights, and issues of security, peace and living together in the world." Though it is unclear who will be invited to the conference, MWL Secretary-General Dr. Abdullah al-Turki mentioned "dialogue with followers of divine messages, and eastern ideologies," according to the Jeddah Arab News. This will be the second meeting held under the auspices of Saudi King Abdullah, the first occurring earlier this year in Saudi Arabia between Sunni and Shiite religious leaders. ¶3. (U) Background (continued): Per ref A, UN Secretary General Ban told Ambassador Khalilzad on June 20 that Saudi King Abdullah asked for the SYG's help in arranging a Special Session of the upcoming UN General Assembly (fall 2008) on the political and religious components of interfaith dialogue. This Special Session would build on previous Saudi efforts to promote interfaith dialogue, including the June 4 Inter-Muslim conference in Saudi Arabia and the July 16-18 conference in Spain. Ban sought U.S. views. The U.S. will look to the July 16-18 conference in Spain in developing its positions on this proposed Special Session. Specific areas of interest include: -- Involvement of, or reference to, the Alliance of Civilizations organization (AoC) or the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC); -- Reference to the concept of "Defamation of Religions"; -- References to "Zionism as racism"; -- Religious faiths and nationalities invited to attend the conference, particularly moderate Shiite and Sunni Muslims from a range of countries; Sufi Muslims; Christians from predominantly Muslim countries; Jews (please see 7/6/08 article in Gulf News, "Saudi official denies Israeli rabbi invited to forum," mentioning an intention not to invite Israeli Jews); Bahais; non-Abrahamic faiths such as Hindus and Buddhists; and agnostics and atheists; -- Role, if any, of NGOs; -- Political themes, including references to U.S. policies; and -- References to future meetings. ¶4. (U) In light of the imminent approach of the conference, posts should report back initially no later than Thursday, July 10, notifying Department of POC name and contact information. RICE