SAUDI KING ABDULLAH TO ATTEND UN INTERFAITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000966

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM UNGA KISL KIRF SA VT
SUBJECT: SAUDI KING ABDULLAH TO ATTEND UN INTERFAITH
DIALOGUE NOVEMBER 12, 13; STEERING COMMITTEE TO BE
ESTABLISHED.

REF: A. 08USUNNEWYORK898

B. 08VATICAN77

C. 08MADRID799

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Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: Saudi ambassador Al-Jubeir told Ambassador
Khalilzad that King Abdullah will attend the Saudi-backed
UNGA high-level meeting scheduled for November 12 and 13 in
New York, and requested US support for the interfaith
meeting. Al-Jubeir noted that misunderstandings in the
"draft" statement issued by the Saudi sponsored Madrid
Interfaith Dialogue Conference were being clarified with the
Holy See, and said he expected a final version to be agreed
upon shortly. Al-Jubeir introduced Dr. Rayed Krimly, who
will remain in New York to complete preparations for the
conference and work on the UN statement. Al-Jubeir also
appealed for President Bush's attendance at the conference,
emphasizing that his presence would send a strong signal of
support for interfaith understanding. Al-Jubeir proposed the
UN statement and the establishment of a religious steering
committee as conference deliverables. End Summary.

Potential attendees and request for President Bush's
involvement



2. (C) Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Adel Al-Jubeir told
Ambassador Khalilzad October 20 that King Abdullah would
attend the Saudi-backed UN conference on interfaith dialogue
scheduled for November 12 and 13 in New York. Al-Jubeir
noted that Jordan's King Abdullah, and the Presidents of
Finland, Pakistan and the Philippines had agreed to attend.
He added that the Prime Minister of India may attend, and
that he expected two to three heads of state each from Europe
and South America. Any more, he confided, would be too much.
Al-Jubeir requested US support for the conference, and made
a special plea for President Bush to attend, noting his
presence would send a powerful signal to the world.

Conference Deliverables



3. (C) Al-Jubeir outlined plans for the conference to
produce a very general UN statement, not a resolution, that
would take note of and encourage the dialogue initiated by
the Madrid Interfaith Dialogue Conference. The statement
would confirm the value of bringing together different
cultures and faiths, in accordance with the UN Charter.
Al-Jubeir said the conference would send the important
message that all religions are based on shared universal
values. Having the UN call attention to these values would
help drown out religious extremists, he emphasized, given the
great respect many have for the UN as a food security and
education provider. Muslim participation in particular is
important, he added, as participants would return home to
spread a message of tolerance.


4. (C) Al-Jubeir also introduced Special Envoy Dr. Rayed
Krimly, who will remain in New York to work on conference
preparations and to develop the UN statement. Ambassador
Khalilzad welcomed Dr. Krimly, adding that USUN would work
closely with him on drafting the statement. In an aside to
PolOff, Krimly noted only UN member states would be invited
to attend the conference, given how &tricky8 the process of
selecting various religious groups to attend could become.
He also added that the conference was not designed to be a
continuation of the Madrid dialogue, but an opportunity for
an international seal of approval for future talks.


5. (C) Al-Jubeir also described the establishment of an
independent steering committee, not affiliated with the UN,
composed of self-chosen religious representatives. The
committee would be endowed to ensure independence, have a
rotating presidency, and would determine it's own agenda.
It's purpose would be to continue the interfaith dialogue
process, building upon the Madrid Conference.

Madrid Declaration not yet finalized



6. (C) Al-Jubeir said the Madrid Declaration existed only in
draft, due to a misunderstanding with the Holy See on what

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had been agreed upon at the Madrid Conference. He said the
Saudis were continuing the dialogue with the Holy See to
address their concerns and expected a finalized version
shortly. Al-Jubeir said language referring to processes
which adversely affect religious freedom would be removed,
adding that Dr. Krimly would be consulting with Holy See
Permanent Observer Archbishop Migliore for further discussion.
Khalilzad