Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
10BRUSSELS121 | 2010-02-01 06:15:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | USEU Brussels |
VZCZCXRO2699 RR RUEHIK DE RUEHBS #0121/01 0320615 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 010615Z FEB 10 FM USEU BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC INFO RUCNMUC/EU CANDIDATE STATES COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRUSSELS 000121 |
1. (U) SUMMARY: USEU Muslim outreach efforts have two objectives: U.S-EU cooperation on countering radicalization in Europe and globally, and sharing of best practices in integrating minorities into our societies. The latter cooperation on broader integration of minorities particularly reinforces an image of transatlantic common interests and shared values. USEU Public Affairs (PA) and the political section (POL) conduct regular consultation with EU officials at the Council, Commission, and Parliament to make our Muslim outreach both in and beyond Europe complementary and reinforcing. USEU PA program partners include Brussels think tanks, NGOs, and American NGOs with whom we bring international experts to Brussels for public discussions. END SUMMARY. EU CONTEXT 2. (U) USEU focuses its programs and messages on the policymakers and opinion leaders in the EU institutions as well as think tanks and NGO's that influence EU leaders. For the EU, programs that aim to counter the radicalization of Muslim communities encompass both domestic and foreign policy. The issue is addressed by the Council, the Commission, and the European Parliament, cutting across various Commission and Parliamentary committees. In each case, our EU counterparts have been open to U.S. collaboration and exchange of best practices. 3. (SBU) The EU is increasingly engaged in both areas of Muslim outreach (Ref B). While domestic Muslim outreach is largely an issue of individual EU member states, the European Commission and Council coordinate and disseminate information to the 27 member states. The Commission has a "Plan of Action on Combating Terrorism," updated recently on the basis of four academic studies on radicalization trends commissioned by the EU. The Commission also established a European Network of Experts (which includes some U.S. participation). Given the diversity of Muslim populations in EU member states and varying approaches to their integration, there is some division of labor in addressing radicalization and general minority integration. The UK specializes in communication, for example, France in countering radicalization in prisons, Spain in imam training, The Netherlands in community programs, Germany in surveillance of the Internet, etc. The Spanish EU rotating presidency hosted a conference in Madrid January 13-14 on terrorist recruitment and radicalization attended by experts from all 27 member states. The U.S. was invited to the first session at which the U.S. experts made two well-received presentations. STRATEGY AND NEXT STEPS: 4. (SBU) Through visits of Washington officials, American and European experts, we now frequently share ideas and best practices on issues, such as countering radicalization in youth-at-risk, women's empowerment, and minority integration. DRL Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner engaged NGOs during a recent visit to Brussels on how the U.S. deals with the problem of defamation of religions and Islamaphobia, with examples of how other countries do so. The U.S. and EU are also discussing plans for future specific cooperation in countering radicalization. 5. (SBU) Our EU partners agree with us that we should continue to broaden the discussion beyond "Muslim outreach" to integrating minorities in general. U.S. efforts to bring other practitioners into the public debate, such as our program with an African-French community activist now deputy-mayor in Paris' 18th arrondissement, have been greeted with enthusiasm. A recent session addressed minority empowerment through entrepreneurship, which we will follow with a transatlantic meeting on educational policies. Also planned is possible cooperation on EU efforts to look at media training to counter stereotypes of minority groups in Europe and beyond. 6. (SBU) Finally, the USEU policy dialogue with the EU also relates to democratic, economic and educational reform in Muslim-majority countries, including promoting interfaith dialogue through the work of international non-profit actors and organizations. 7. (U) USEU PA has a close working relationship with the other sections and agencies at the Mission. PA works with the Senior Consular Officer and PRM Officer in the Political Section and the DHS Attache who together recently launched a BRUSSELS 00000121 002.2 OF 002 Migration Dialogue with the EU, the long-term focus of which includes integration and concrete steps for countering radicalization and promoting human rights. 8. (U) Comment: Official and non-official Europeans welcomed President Obama's overture to the Muslim world as promising further action. Our cooperation with the EU should continue to build upon sharing relevant U.S. and European experience in integrating minorities and countering extremism leading to practical results and possible joint programs. End comment. KENNARD . |