OIC REQUEST FOR HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION TO VISIT

UNCLAS JEDDAH 000152 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO, NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KISL OPDC OIC SA SUBJECT: OIC REQUEST FOR HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION TO VISIT WASHINGTON REF: RECENT MESSAGES INCLUDING EMAILS 1.(SBU) SUMMARY. Ufuk Gokcen, adviser to OIC Secretary General Ihsanoglu informed poloff on April 22 that the OIC is officially requesting that a high-level delegation visit Washington, DC in order to hold meetings with key USG policy makers and officials in May or June. Gokcen has discussed this idea with the the Secretary General and has gained his full backing for the idea. See action request paragraph 3. END SUMMARY. 2.(SBU) Based on the conversation, the visit specifics are noted as follows: DELEGATION: The OIC proposes to send its highest level officials minus the Secretary General, with whom they hope to eventually schedule a meeting with POTUS. DATES: End of May or June 2009 MEETINGS REQUESTED: Meetings are requested with appropriate State Department officials, the NSC, White House staff, Members of Congress, and others as Department sees fit. OIC PURPOSE: To explain the mission of the OIC, to cultivate relationships with Washington based officials, and to learn more about USG interests vis-a-vis the OIC. FUNDING: OIC will self-fund this trip. No financial assistance is being sought. OTHER POTENTIAL OIC VISITS: High-level delegation is being requested separately from any potential OIC SYG-POTUS meeting in Washington. Active discussion is underway of an IVLP program for mid-level OIC officials from Jeddah. ¶3. ACTION REQUEST: Post requests a response for the OIC including a comment on the feasibility of the suggested meetings and timeline. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: In addition to the above goals, the OIC is likely to use the opportunity of a visit to request the appointment of a Special Envoy. OIC officials now raise this point at most meetings with post. END COMMENT. QUINN