Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JEDDAH257
2009-07-10 06:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:  

OIC EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN OVER VIOLENCE AGAINST

Tags:  KISL PGOV PREL PHUM CH SA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHJI #0257/01 1910612
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 100612Z JUL 09
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1416
INFO RUEHIC/OIC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 0059
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0231
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 8413
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
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)

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