OIC EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER VIOLENCE AGAINST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000257 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ARP, IO, DRL, EUR E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2014 TAGS: KISL PGOV PREL PHUM CH SA SUBJECT: OIC EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER VIOLENCE AGAINST UIGHURS IN CHINA Classified By: ACTING CONSUL GENERAL CBTONEY FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On July 7, 2009, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) issued a statement decrying the violence against Uighurs in Xinxiang, China, referring to the violence as "disproportionate" and expressing "deep concern". An OIC advisor noted that the statement came at the bequest of the OIC Secretary General and that the Organization is addressing the matter seriously, the matter having been raised in a call between Secretary Ihsanoglu and the Turkish Foreign Minister. The OIC's Department of Muslim Minorities and Islamic Affairs is actively following the situation. END SUMMARY. PRESS RELEASE -------------- ¶2. (U) The OIC released a statement on July 7 on the evolving violence in Xinjiang. Key Points: The Spokesperson of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC),expressed on behalf of the OIC Secretary General, his deep concern regarding the recent incident and use of disproportionate force that caused the deaths of 140 people and more than 800 injured civilian casualties. The Secretary General (SYG) called upon the Government of China to carry out a prompt, effective and transparent investigation of this grave incident and to bring those responsible to quick justice. The Islamic world expects China, a major and responsible power in the world arena with historically friendly relations with the Muslim world, to deal with the problem of the Muslim Minority in China with a broad world view that tackles the root causes of the problem. The OIC is ready to extend assistance and to consult with the Chinese Government about efforts to create a climate of peace and stability in the region. (Full text at http://www.oic-oci.org/topic detail.asp?t id=2568) TURKEY GREATLY INTERESTED FOLLOWING -------------- PRESIDENT'S VISIT TO XINJIAN -------------- ¶3. (C) Ufuk Gokcen, Advisor to the Secretary General of the OIC, informed poloff in a 7/8 telcon that the Turkish leadership is greatly interested in what is taking place in Xinjiang, particularly given that the violence erupted shortly after the Turkish President had been on an official visit to that part of China. OIC Secretary General Ihsanoglu held a phone conversation with the Turkish Foreign Minister to address the issue and potential response. POTENTIAL ACTION BY THE OIC -------------- ¶4. (C) Gokcen noted that this issue is of great importance to the OIC and that he has been in discussion with the SYG. According to Gokcen, the SYG personally instructed that the above press release be issued. Gokcen claims the OIC will be addressing this issue in Geneva. A committee of OIC member-state representatives in Geneva has been instructed to pursue this matter with necessary institutions there. Gokcen was not aware of any member-states other than Turkey that have been consulted on this matter. Gokcen did not draw any connection between their response to this situation and the established intent of the Organization to establish a Human Rights Commission in the coming years. Lastly, while the matter may be raised at the UN General Assembly, Gokcen was not aware of any plans to do so at this time, and noted that such a decision depends largely on what occurs in Geneva. ¶5. (C) The Director of the Office, Talal Daous, spoke with poloff in a 7/9 telcon and discussed action planned on the issue. He noted that the OIC has contacted many Ambassadors of both member and non-member countries in Riyadh in the hopes of convening a meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday 7/13 to discuss the issue. The OIC has contacted the Ambassador of China in Riyadh, but so far has not received any response. Daous complained that China will come to the OIC when it needs help with something, but ignores the organization when the OIC approaches them. Daous expects that those countries with Uighur populations are the ones most likely to support this Muslim minority in China. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: The OIC's interest in the Uighur case is a good test of the organization's ability to rally support for a group of minority Muslims in a non-member and non-observer JEDDAH 00000257 002 OF 002 state. While the Turkish leadership is expressing sympathy and concern about this population, it is unclear whether this push from the Secretariat will resonate within the membership, which includes a number of states where Uighurs are discriminated against. Post will continue to monitor OIC activity on this issue, particularly noting any steps taken by the Department of Muslim Minorities. END COMMENT. TONEY