Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LIBREVILLE269
2009-06-08 17:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Libreville
Cable title:
EMBASSY GABON'S OUTREACH FOR THE PRESIDENT'S
how-toVZCZCXRO3412 PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHLC #0269 1591737 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 081737Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1210 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000269
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM KPAO PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: EMBASSY GABON'S OUTREACH FOR THE PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE TO THE MUSLIM WORLD
REF: SECSTATE 055334
UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000269
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM KPAO PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: EMBASSY GABON'S OUTREACH FOR THE PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE TO THE MUSLIM WORLD
REF: SECSTATE 055334
1. (U) In response to REFTEL, post hosted twelve local
religious leaders at the Ambassador,s residence to watch the
speech delivered at Cairo University on June 4. Reactions to
the speech were uniformly positive. Post specifically
targeted religious leaders, with the majority being
influential Muslim leaders. Additionally, a Catholic priest
and a Protestant minister attended the viewing. After the
speech the Ambassador welcomed comments. The most senior
Imam (a former participant in the international visitor
program) led the discussion by noting how &effective8 the
President was in emphasizing the commonalities among Islam,
Christianity, and Judaism. The priest in attendance echoed
those thoughts, noting that &President Obama is unifying
people across countries and faiths.8 Other comments by
Muslim attendees focused on their respect for the
President,s use of text from the Qu,ran and his frankness
in discussing the challenges that face Israel and the
Palestinians.
2. (U) Embassy Gabon presented French and Arabic translations
of the speech to local Mosques and Muslim leaders in advance
of Friday prayers. Some of the attendees of the viewing told
the Ambassador that they were eager to use the speech in
their discussions with the local Muslim community.
Translations were also sent to other embassies in Libreville
and governmental leaders. The Embassy released a press
statement notifying the Gabonese of the speech and its
importance, and publicized the link on the internet site with
the speech in French.
--------------
Comment
--------------
3. (SBU) Gabon is predominantly a Catholic country. While
President Bongo is Muslim (as is his son, the defense
minister),Gabon,s Muslim population is less than 12%, and
much of that population is expatriate West Africans working
in Gabon. With Islam being a small minority of the Gabonese
population, it is not surprising that attendees of the
viewing focused on the President,s messages of cooperation,
peace and commonality between faiths. President Obama is
very popular in Gabon, and reactions to his speech suggest
his popularity remains high.
REDDICK
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM KPAO PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: EMBASSY GABON'S OUTREACH FOR THE PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE TO THE MUSLIM WORLD
REF: SECSTATE 055334
1. (U) In response to REFTEL, post hosted twelve local
religious leaders at the Ambassador,s residence to watch the
speech delivered at Cairo University on June 4. Reactions to
the speech were uniformly positive. Post specifically
targeted religious leaders, with the majority being
influential Muslim leaders. Additionally, a Catholic priest
and a Protestant minister attended the viewing. After the
speech the Ambassador welcomed comments. The most senior
Imam (a former participant in the international visitor
program) led the discussion by noting how &effective8 the
President was in emphasizing the commonalities among Islam,
Christianity, and Judaism. The priest in attendance echoed
those thoughts, noting that &President Obama is unifying
people across countries and faiths.8 Other comments by
Muslim attendees focused on their respect for the
President,s use of text from the Qu,ran and his frankness
in discussing the challenges that face Israel and the
Palestinians.
2. (U) Embassy Gabon presented French and Arabic translations
of the speech to local Mosques and Muslim leaders in advance
of Friday prayers. Some of the attendees of the viewing told
the Ambassador that they were eager to use the speech in
their discussions with the local Muslim community.
Translations were also sent to other embassies in Libreville
and governmental leaders. The Embassy released a press
statement notifying the Gabonese of the speech and its
importance, and publicized the link on the internet site with
the speech in French.
--------------
Comment
--------------
3. (SBU) Gabon is predominantly a Catholic country. While
President Bongo is Muslim (as is his son, the defense
minister),Gabon,s Muslim population is less than 12%, and
much of that population is expatriate West Africans working
in Gabon. With Islam being a small minority of the Gabonese
population, it is not surprising that attendees of the
viewing focused on the President,s messages of cooperation,
peace and commonality between faiths. President Obama is
very popular in Gabon, and reactions to his speech suggest
his popularity remains high.
REDDICK