Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JEDDAH17
2009-05-21 15:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:
OIC CAMPAIGNING FOR SYG IHSANOGLU TO ATEND POTUS
how-toVZCZCXRO0199 PP RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHJI #0175/02 1411523 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 211523Z MAY 09 FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1325 INFO RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHIC/OIC COLLECTIVE RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 8346 RUEHDH/AMCONSUL DHAHRAN 0043 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0186 RUCNDTA/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0082
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 JEDDAH 00017
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO, IO/UNP(RMEYER,AMORRISON, NEA/ARP(JHARRIS),
INFO DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2014
TAGS: KISL OFDP OPDC PREL SA OIC
SUBJECT: OIC CAMPAIGNING FOR SYG IHSANOGLU TO ATEND POTUS
SPEECH IN CAIRO AND TO SEND DELEGATIONTO WASHINGTON IN
JUNE; SHARED OIC INTERNAL MEMO ONVEYS POSITIVE REFLECTIONS
ON MAY 11 DEPT/NSC MEETINGS
***********************
* Missing Section 001 *
***********************
JEDDAH 00000017 002.2 OF 002
only in the interest of US-OIC relations but also for a
channel of communication directly with His Excellency the
Secretary General. There is a feeling of a kind of
helplessness as the concerned officials try to devise an
effective enough approach to improve relations and not to be
seen in confrontational mode with the OIC Group at
international fora. Their reliance on the good offices of
His Excellency the Secretary General in this arena is
particularly genuine. END QUOTE.
5. (C) "HIGHLY USEFUL" MEETING WITH IO: UN HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL AND DEFAMATION ISSUE: Abdul Wahab's May 13 fax memo
describes his May 11 meetings in Washington as "highly
useful," adding perspective on the US election to the UN
Human Rights Council and the anti-defamation issue. Abdul
Wahab exerts to characterize the USG position for the benefit
of Cabinet Director General and other senior staff at the OIC
Secretariat in Jeddah:
BEGIN QUOTE. Let me highlight that in view of the
expectations of the United States winning the elections to
the Human Rights Council (the US did win a seat at
yesterday's elections to the HRC),a great deal of the focus
of my interlocutors was on cooperation between the US and the
OIC in the context of issues at the Council. I found them to
be keen on avoiding confrontation with the OIC Group on the
'Defamation of Religions' resolutions though they clearly
stated that the US would not be able to accept any text that
even remotely attempts at placing restrictions on freedom of
expression.
Dr. Brimmer explained that the administration would wish to
work closely with the OIC Group and all members to enable the
HRC to play its due role in accordance with its mandate. A
senior official remarked that the HRC is unfortunately on a
course that appears to be as problematic as was the state of
affairs in the erstwhile Commission on Human Rights. It may
be recalled that the previous administration had 'boycotted'
the HRC; the new administration's policy and yesterday's
election giving the US a seat on the HRC is being treated as
a historic opportunity for the US to play a leadership role
in the Council.
Dr. Brimmer and all her colleagues stressed that (i) the US
would wish to work with the OIC in an effort to resolve
differences on the text; (ii) the US respects the OIC's core
desire of ensuring respect for Islam, the Holy Prophet and
Muslims; (iii) the real problem on this resolution is that no
US authority can violate the Constitution's First
Amendment...and (iv) the US and OIC should work together to
work out a text that would project a 'positive vision' and
'focus on ensuring tolerance and respect.' END QUOTE.
6. (C) Post is providing IO, IO/UNP and NEA/ARP a scan of
the complete May 13 memo/email from Abdul Wahab.
(C) COMMENT: It is clear from the internal communications
shared with post that the OIC eagerly seeks opportunities for
engagement and dialogue with the Obama Administration,
including invitations to Cairo for POTUS speech and to
Washington. Working overtime to present itself as a credible
bloc representing the Islamic World, the OIC perceives the
US-OIC connection as key to elevating its status. The
organization can be expected to continue to push for senior
meetings and to view the appointment of a Special Envoy as an
urgent priority in order to realize its goals. END COMMENT.
QUINN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO, IO/UNP(RMEYER,AMORRISON, NEA/ARP(JHARRIS),
INFO DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2014
TAGS: KISL OFDP OPDC PREL SA OIC
SUBJECT: OIC CAMPAIGNING FOR SYG IHSANOGLU TO ATEND POTUS
SPEECH IN CAIRO AND TO SEND DELEGATIONTO WASHINGTON IN
JUNE; SHARED OIC INTERNAL MEMO ONVEYS POSITIVE REFLECTIONS
ON MAY 11 DEPT/NSC MEETINGS
***********************
* Missing Section 001 *
***********************
JEDDAH 00000017 002.2 OF 002
only in the interest of US-OIC relations but also for a
channel of communication directly with His Excellency the
Secretary General. There is a feeling of a kind of
helplessness as the concerned officials try to devise an
effective enough approach to improve relations and not to be
seen in confrontational mode with the OIC Group at
international fora. Their reliance on the good offices of
His Excellency the Secretary General in this arena is
particularly genuine. END QUOTE.
5. (C) "HIGHLY USEFUL" MEETING WITH IO: UN HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL AND DEFAMATION ISSUE: Abdul Wahab's May 13 fax memo
describes his May 11 meetings in Washington as "highly
useful," adding perspective on the US election to the UN
Human Rights Council and the anti-defamation issue. Abdul
Wahab exerts to characterize the USG position for the benefit
of Cabinet Director General and other senior staff at the OIC
Secretariat in Jeddah:
BEGIN QUOTE. Let me highlight that in view of the
expectations of the United States winning the elections to
the Human Rights Council (the US did win a seat at
yesterday's elections to the HRC),a great deal of the focus
of my interlocutors was on cooperation between the US and the
OIC in the context of issues at the Council. I found them to
be keen on avoiding confrontation with the OIC Group on the
'Defamation of Religions' resolutions though they clearly
stated that the US would not be able to accept any text that
even remotely attempts at placing restrictions on freedom of
expression.
Dr. Brimmer explained that the administration would wish to
work closely with the OIC Group and all members to enable the
HRC to play its due role in accordance with its mandate. A
senior official remarked that the HRC is unfortunately on a
course that appears to be as problematic as was the state of
affairs in the erstwhile Commission on Human Rights. It may
be recalled that the previous administration had 'boycotted'
the HRC; the new administration's policy and yesterday's
election giving the US a seat on the HRC is being treated as
a historic opportunity for the US to play a leadership role
in the Council.
Dr. Brimmer and all her colleagues stressed that (i) the US
would wish to work with the OIC in an effort to resolve
differences on the text; (ii) the US respects the OIC's core
desire of ensuring respect for Islam, the Holy Prophet and
Muslims; (iii) the real problem on this resolution is that no
US authority can violate the Constitution's First
Amendment...and (iv) the US and OIC should work together to
work out a text that would project a 'positive vision' and
'focus on ensuring tolerance and respect.' END QUOTE.
6. (C) Post is providing IO, IO/UNP and NEA/ARP a scan of
the complete May 13 memo/email from Abdul Wahab.
(C) COMMENT: It is clear from the internal communications
shared with post that the OIC eagerly seeks opportunities for
engagement and dialogue with the Obama Administration,
including invitations to Cairo for POTUS speech and to
Washington. Working overtime to present itself as a credible
bloc representing the Islamic World, the OIC perceives the
US-OIC connection as key to elevating its status. The
organization can be expected to continue to push for senior
meetings and to view the appointment of a Special Envoy as an
urgent priority in order to realize its goals. END COMMENT.
QUINN