SADA CUMBER'S FAREWELL CALL ON OIC SECRETARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 GENEVA 000034

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SPECIAL ENVOY SADA CUMBER
STATE PASS TO USAID

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2019
TAGS: PREL KISL EAID OIC SA
SUBJECT: SADA CUMBER'S FAREWELL CALL ON OIC SECRETARY
GENERAL IHSANOGLU

REF: CASSAYRE-MENARD EMAIL 1/11/09

GENEVA 00000034 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: DCM Mark C. Storella, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

Summary
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1. (SBU) Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic
Conference (OIC) Sada Cumber paid a farewell call on OIC
Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu on January 11 in
Geneva. The two agreed to work swiftly on the details of
USG-OIC cooperation on maternal and infant mortality. They
discussed the possibilities for the OIC to obtain a
diplomatic presence in the U.S. Ihsanoglu lamented the
"human tragedy" unfolding in Gaza, expressed concern that
America's image was in decline, and reaffirmed his goal for
the OIC -- "moderation and modernization" -- for which he
sought U.S. support. SE Cumber encouraged a skeptical
Ihsanoglu to present the Vatican with specific ideas on how
they OIC and the Vatican could mend Catholic-Muslim
relations. End Summary.

OIC-USG Cooperation through USAID
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2. (U) Ihsanoglu expressed his keen interest in developing
the details of OIC-USG cooperation through the recently
signed Cooperation Framework with USAID on maternal and
infant mortality. Per reftel, he requested holding the
planned teleconference between USG and OIC officials at the
earliest possible date, and before SE Cumber's departure.


3. (U) Ihsanoglu requested SE Cumber's assistance for the
OIC to build a relationship with the United States Institute
of Peace and confirmed that Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais
Yatim had agreed to this approach.

An OIC Diplomatic Presence in the U.S.?
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4. (SBU) SE Cumber informed Ihsanoglu that two mechanisms
exist for the OIC to establish a diplomatic presence in the
U.S.: an Act of Congress or a Presidential directive. An Act
of Congress was a long and difficult process, explained SE
Cumber; however, a Presidential directive could be delivered
swiftly were the decision made to recognize the OIC. SE
Cumber said he had discussed this idea with the Obama
Transition Team. Separately, SE Cumber encouraged the OIC to
consider using a lobbying firm in the U.S. to help promote
its issues and package its message in the most effective way.
SE Cumber encouraged the OIC to learn from other countries
such as Israel or India, who have been very effective in
making their cases in the U.S.

On Gaza, the U.S., and the OIC
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5. (SBU) Ihsanoglu lamented that there was a "gap in
confidence" between the U.S. and the Muslim world. He said
he hoped the new U.S. Administration would work hard to
repair an image that, in his personal view, had sunk in the
past decade. He suggested that the best way to address those
relations was through senior contacts between the USG and the
OIC, which, he repeated, represented 56 countries. Ihsanoglu
reaffirmed his mission for the OIC was "moderation and
modernization." He recognized that not all OIC members
wanted to move as quickly as he, but stressed that the OIC
needed the United States to help with modernization in
particular. "Without modernization, there will be no
moderation," he concluded. He welcomed the opportunity to
work closely with the new Administration.


6. (SBU) Without a solution of the Palestinian issue, stated
Ihsaoglu, there will always be radicalism. The current
situation in Gaza, he said, "is a human tragedy." You cannot
compare homemade rockets to the Israeli bombings and use of
phosphorous munitions, he argued, but added that "Hamas
started this mess and they are stupid." SE Cumber shared the
view that the situation was tragic and noted that an
increasing number of outlets and editorials in the U.S. were
echoing that point.

OIC Still Skeptical About Relations with the Vatican

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7. (C) Ihsanoglu posited that the one of the major
challenges facing the Muslim world was poor relations between
Catholicism and Islam. He dismissed "interfaith dialogue"
(including the Saudi King's November 2008 dialogue at the
UNGA) as a means of addressing the issue and suggested that
the OIC and the Vatican needed to improve relations at a
senior level. Ihsanoglu "did not take seriously" the recent
Vatican offer for him to meet with a lower level official to
discuss issues. SE Cumber briefed Ihsanoglu on Cumber's
recent meeting with Pope Benedict XVI and encouraged the OIC
to submit a paper to the Vatican charting out a path to
improve Catholicism-Islam relations. A skeptical Ihsanoglu
said he would consider it.


8. (U) Special Envoy Sada Cumber cleared this telegram.
TICHENOR