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AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE SECTOR SECURITY SEMAAN GABY EID SEN SENC SENG SENS SENU SENV SENVQGR SENVSPL SENVSXE SEP SERBIA SERZH SETTLEMENTS SEVN SEXP SF SFNV SG SGNV SGWI SH SHANNON SHI SHUM SI SILVASANDE SIMS SIPDI SIPDIS SIPR SIPRNET SIPRS SIUK SK SKCA SKEP SKI SKSAF SL SLM SLOVAK SM SMAR SMI SMIG SMIL SMIT SMITH SMRT SN SNA SNAP SNAR SNUC SO SOC SOCI SOCIA SOCIETY SOCIO SOCIS SOCISZX SOCR SOCY SOE SOFA SOI SOIC SOLI SOLIC SOM SOMALIA SOPN SORT SOSI SOVIET SOWGC SP SPAS SPC SPCE SPCVIS SPECI SPECIALIST SPILL SPP SPSTATE SR SREF SRIT SRS SRYI SSA SSH ST STAG START STATE STC STEINBERG STEPHEN HADLEY STET STP STR STUDENT SU SUCCESSION SUFFRAGE SULLIVAN SUMMIT SUR SUSAN SV SW SWHO SWMN SX SXG SY SYAI SYMBOL SYR SYRIA SYSI SYTH SZ TA TAGS TALAL TAUSCHER TAX TB TBI TBID TBIO TBIOZK TBKIO TBO TC TCOR TCSENV TD TDA TE TECH TECHNOLOGY TER TERAA TERFIN TERR TERROR TERRORISM TF TFIN TG TGRY TH THANH THE THERESE THIRDTERM THKSJA THOMAS THOMAS THOMMA THPY TI TIA TIBO TIFA TINT TIO TIP TITI TIUZ TJ TK TL TM TN TNDG TNGD TO TOPEC TORRIJOS TOURISM TP TPHY TPKO TPP TPSA TPSL TR TRAD TRADE TRAFFICKING TRBIO TRBY TRD TREAS TREASURY TREATY TREL TRG TRGV TRGY TRIO TRSY TRT TRV TRY TRYG TRYS TS TSA TSLP TSPA TSPL TSRL TSRY TSY TT TTFN TU TURKEY TV TVBIO TW TWRO TX TY TZ TZBY UA UAE UAID UAM UB UDEM UE UEU UG UGA UK UKR UKRAINE UM UMIK UN UNA UNAF UNAIDS UNAMA UNAMSIL UNAORC UNAUS UNBRO UNC UNCC UNCDF UNCDN UNCHC UNCHR UNCHS UNCITRAL UNCND UNCOPUOS UNCRED UNCRIME UNCSD UNCSW UNCTAD UNDC UNDEF UNDOF UNDP UNECE UNEF UNEP UNESCO UNFA UNFC UNFCYP UNFF UNFICYP UNFIYCP UNFPA UNGA UNGAPL UNGO UNHCR UNHRC UNICEF UNIDCP UNIDO UNIDROIT UNIFEM UNIFIL UNION UNKIK UNM UNMEE UNMIC UNMIK UNMIKI UNMIKV UNMIL UNMIN UNMOVIC UNO UNODC UNOMIG UNOPS UNP UNPAR UNPUOS UNRCCA UNRCR UNREST UNRWA UNSC UNSCAPU UNSCD UNSCE UNSCER UNSCR UNSCS UNSD UNSE UNTAC UNTERR UNTZ UNUS UNVIE UNYI UP UPU UPUO UR US USAID USAU USCC USCG USDA USDELFESTTWO USEU USG USGS USMS USNC USOAS USOP USPS USPTO USSC USTA USTDA USTR USTRD USTRIT USTRPS USTRUWR USUN UUNR UV UX UY UZ VA VANESSA VANG VAT VC VE VELS VEN VENZ VETTING VI VINICIO VIP VIS VISAS VISIT VM VN VO VOA VT VTEG VTFR VTIS VTPREL VTTBIO VTWCAR VXY VY VZ WA WAEMU WAKI WAR WARD WB WBEG WBG WCAR WCI WCL WCO WE WEBG WEBZ WEET WEF WEOG WET WEU WFA WFP WFPAORC WFPO WGC WGG WHA WHITMER WHO WHTI WI WILCOX WILLIAM WIPO WIR WITH WJRO WM WMD WMDT WMN WMO WOMEN WPO WRTO WS WSIS WTO WTRD WTRO WTRQ WW WWARD WWBG WWT WZ XA XAAF XB XC XD XE XF XFNEA XG XH XI XJ XK XL XLUM XM XO XP XQ XR XS XT XTAG XU XV XW XX XXX XY XZ YE YEH YI YL YM YMCS YS YU YURIY ZA ZANU ZB ZC ZCTU ZEALAND ZF ZFR ZH ZI ZIM ZJ ZK ZKGM ZL ZM ZN ZO ZOELLICK ZP ZR ZS ZT ZU ZW ZXA
AA AADP AALC ABDALLAH FETHI ABDULHADI ABDULRAHMEN ABER ABLD ABLDG ABLG ABMC ABT ABUD AC ACABQ ACAO ACBAQ ACCELERATED ACCOUNT ACDA ACEC ACKM ACOA ACOTA ACS ACTION ADANA ADB ADCO ADCP ADEL ADEP ADIP ADM ADMIRAL ADPM ADRC AE AEC AECL AEGR AEIR AEM AEMED AEMR AER AESC AF AFAF AL HOURANI AFARI AFDB AFDIN AFFAIRS AFGHAN AFGHANISTAN AFIN AFL AFLU AFOR AFR AFSA AFSI AFSN AFU AFZAL AG AGAO AGENDA AGENGA AGIT AGMT AGOA AGR AGRI AGRIC AGRICULTURE AGS AGUILAR AGUIRRE AHMED AI AIAG AID AIDAC AIDS AIEA AIHRC AIN AINF AINFCY AINR AINT AISG AIT AJ AK AL ALAB ALAMI ALANAZI ALBE ALEXANDER ALI ALIREZA ALJAZEERA ALL ALNEA ALOUNI ALOW ALOWAR ALVAREZ AM AMAT AMB AMBASSADOR AMCHAM AMCHAMS AMCT AME AMED AMEDI AMEMR AMER AMERICAS AMEX AMG AMGE AMGMT AMGT AMIA AMLB AMPR AMT AMTC AMTG AN ANARCHISTS ANC AND ANDREW LEE WATKINS ANET ANTITERRORISM ANTOINE GHONDA ANTONIO ANTXON AO AOCR AODE AOIC AOMS AOPR AORC AORD AOREC AORG AORL AOWC AP APCS APDC APEC APECO APER APR APRC APRM AQ AR ARAB ARABBL ARABL ARABLEAGUE ARAS ARC ARCH ARENA AREP ARF ARG ARM ARMITAGE ARMS ARNOLD FREDERICK MORRIS AROC ARR ARRMZY ARSO AS ASA ASAC ASC ASCC ASCE ASCEC ASCH ASE ASEAN ASEC ASECARP ASECE ASECM ASECSI ASECVE ASED ASEDC ASEG ASEK ASES ASEX ASFC ASIC ASIG ASIR ASJA ASO ASOC ASPA ASR ASSEMBLY ASSK ASSSEMBLY ASUP AT ATFN ATPDEA ATRA ATRD ATRN AU AU-1 AUC AUNR AUSGR AUSTRALIAGROUP AV AVERY AVIAN AVIANFLU AVIATION AW AX AY AZ AZE B. BA BAGHDAD BAIO BAKOYANNIS BALKANS BAPOL BARACK BASHAR BATA BAYS BB BBG BBSR BC BCW BCXP BD BE BEAN BELLVIEW BEN BERARDUCCI BESP BEXB BEXP BEXPC BEXPPLM BEXT BF BFIF BFIN BFIO BG BGD BGMT BH BHUM BI BIC BIDOON BIH BILAT BIMSTEC BINR BIO BIOS BIOTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY BIT BITO BK BL BLR BLUE BLUNT BM BMENA BMGT BMOT BN BNUC BO BOIKO BOL BOND BOQ BORDER BOSNIA BOU BOUCHAIB KAKA BOUTERSE BP BPIS BPTS BR BRIAN BRITNEY BRITNY BRPA BRUSSELS BS BSSR BT BTA BTC BTIO BTIU BTRA BTT BU BUD BULGARIA BURMA BURNS BUSH BUY AMERICA BV BW BWC BX BXEP BY BZ CA CAC CACM CACS CAFTA CAIO CAJC CAMBODIA CAN CAPC CARC CARE CARIB CARICOM CARSON CAS CASA CASC CASCC CASCR CASE CASTILLO CAVO CB CBC CBD CBE CBG CBIS CBM CBSA CBTH CBW CCSR CCY CD CDB CDC CDCC CDCE CDG CDI CE CEA CEC CEDAW CEN CENSUS CENTCOM CENTRIC CEUDA CF CFE CFED CFG CFIS CFSP CG CGEN CGOPRC CH CHAD CHALLENGE CHAO CHAVEZ CHELIDZE CHENEY CHERTOFF CHG CHIEF CHN CHR CHR-1 CHRISTIAN CHRISTOF CHRISTOPHER CI CIA CIAT CIC CICTE CIDA CIO CIP CIS CITEL CITES CITIBANK CITT CIVAIR CIVS CJ CJAN CJUS CK CKGR CKOR CL CLEARANCE CLINTON CLMT CLO CLOK CM CMAE CMFT CMGT CMP CMT CN CNAR CNARC CNC CNO CO CODEL COE COL COLIN COLLECTIVE COLOMBO COM COMESA COMMERCE CON CONAWAY CONDOLEEZZA CONDOLEEZZA RICE CONEAZ CONG CONGO CONGRINT CONS CONSULAR CONTROL CONTROLS CORRUPTION COSI COUNTER COUNTER TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORISM COUNTRY COUNTRYCLEARANCE CP CPA CPAS CPC CPCTC CPPT CPUOS CQ CR CRIM CRIME CRIMES CRISTINA CRM CROATIA CROS CRS CRUZ CS CSCE CSEP CSIS CSW CT CTBT CTER CTERR CTM CTR CTRYCLR CU CUCO CUIS CUL CUSTODIO CV CVIA CVIC CVIS CVISU CVPR CVR CW CWC CWCM CWG CX CY CYNTHIA CYP CYPRUSARMS CZ DA DAC DAFR DAN DANFUNG DANIEL DAO DARFR DARFUR DAVID DAVID LEE HOWES DAVID WELCH DAVID WILLIAM RAY DB DC DCDG DCG DCHA DCI DCM DCOM DCRM DE DEA DEAX DEFENSE DEFENSEREFORM DELTAVIOLENCE DEM DEMARCHE DEMARCHES DEMETRIOS DEMOCRATIC DENNIS DEOC DEPORTATION DEPT DEPT FOR DS COMMAND CENTER DESI DHA DHLAKAMA DHLS DHRF DHS DHSX DIEZ DIPLOMACY DISENGAGEMENT DJ DK DKEM DMIN DMINE DO DOC DOD DOE DOJ DOMC DOMESTIC DOMESTICPOLITICS DONALD RUMSFELD DOT DPAO DPKO DPM DPOL DPRK DR DRC DRIP DRL DS DSR DSS DTFN DTRA DTRO DU DUNCAN CAMERON DVC DY EAC EAD EADI EADM EAG EAGER EAGR EAI EAIC EAID EAIDB EAIDCIN EAIDEGZ EAIDMG EAIDNI EAIF EAIG EAIO EAIR EAIS EAIT EAOD EAP EAPC EAR EARI EASS EATO EAUD EAVI EB EBEXP EBRD EBUD EC ECA ECCP ECCT ECE ECHEVARRIA ECIN ECIP ECLAC ECN ECOIN ECOM ECON ECONCS ECONEGE ECONOMIC ECONOMICS ECONOMY ECONOMY AND FINANCE ECOR ECOS ECOSOC ECOWAS ECPC ECPN ECPO ECPS ECPSN ECRM ECTRD ECUN ED EDA EDEV EDRC EDU EDUARDO EDUC EE EEB EEC EENG EENV EEOC EET EETC EFI EFIC EFIM EFIN EFIS EFLU EFN EFND EFNI EFQ EFTA EG EGAD EGAR EGEN EGHG EGOV EGOVSY EH EI EIAD EIAID EIAR EIB EICN EID EIDE EIDN EIFN EIN EIND EINDIR EINF EING EINN EINO EINR EINT EINV EINZ EIPR EIQ EISL EISNLN EITC EITI EIVN EK EL ELA ELAB ELAD ELAINE ELAM ELAN ELAP ELB ELBA ELBR ELEC ELECTIONS ELF ELIN ELN ELND ELNT ELTD ELTM ELTN ELTRN EMAIL EMED EMI EMIN EMN EMS EMW EN END ENDURING ENEG ENER ENERG ENERGY ENFR ENG ENGR ENGRD ENGRG ENGY ENIV ENLT ENNP ENR ENRC ENRG ENRL ENTG ENV ENVI ENVIRONMENT ENVR ENVT EON EOXC EP EPA EPAT EPCS EPE EPEC EPECO EPET EPIN EPIT EPPD EPRT EPSC EPTE EPTED EPWR EQ EQRD ER ERA ERD EREL ERGR ERICKSON ERIN ERTD ES ESA ESCAP ESCI ESDP ESENV ESF ESLCO ESOC ESOCI ESPS ESS ESSO ESTH ESTN ESTRADA ET ETA ETAD ETC ETCC ETD ETDR ETEL ETER ETEX ETFN ETIC ETIO ETLN ETMIN ETR ETRA ETRAD ETRB ETRC ETRD ETRDECD ETRG ETRK ETRN ETRO ETRP ETT ETTC ETTD ETTF ETTN ETTR ETTRD ETTW ETZ EU EUC EUCOM EUE EUEAID EUFOR EUM EUMEM EUN EUR EUREM EURM EURN EV EVENTS EVN EWRG EWT EWTR EWWT EX EXBS EXEC EXIM EXO EXPORT EXTERNAL EZ FA FAA FAC FAGR FAO FARC FARM FAS FATAH FBI FCC FCS FCSC FCSCEG FCUL FDA FDIC FEDULOV FEMA FERNANDO FGM FI FIGUEROA FIN FINANCE FINE FINR FINREF FINV FIR FISO FJ FK FKFLO FKLU FLU FM FMC FMGT FMLN FMS FO FOI FOOKS FOR FORCE FORCES FOREIGN FORWHA FP FPC FR FRA FRANCIS FRANCISCO RODENAS RUIZ FRANCISCO VILLA URBALEJO FRAZER FRB FREDOM FREEDOM FRELIMO FRIED FRN FRU FSC FSI FT FTA FTAA FWS GA GAERC GAMES GANGS GAO GARCIA GASPAR GATES GATT GAZA GAZPROM GB GBSLE GC GCC GCCC GE GEF GEORGE GERARD GESKE GF GG GH GI GIPNC GIWI GJ GKGIC GL GLOBAL GM GN GO GOG GOI GOMEZ GON GOVPOI GPGOV GPI GPOI GPOV GR GREGG RENE WALTER GRQ GS GT GTIP GTMO GTREFTEL GU GUAM GUANTANAMO GUIDANCE GUILLERMO GUTIERREZ GV GWI GY GZ GZIS HA HAMID KARZAI HARRIET HARRY HAWZ HCOPIL HDP HE HEAVEN HEBRON HECTOR HELGERSON HERCEGOVINA HG HHS HI HIGHLIGHTS HIJAZI HILARY HILLARY HILLEN HIPC HIV HIZ HK HKSX HL HLSX HN HNCHR HO HOA HOSTAGES HPKO HR HRC HRCS HRICTY HRIGHTS HRKSTC HSI HSTC HSWG HT HTCG HTSC HU HUD HUM HUMAN HUMANITARIAN HUMANR HUMANRIGHTS HUMOR HUMRIT HUNRC HURI HURRICANE HYDE HYLAND HYMPSK HZ IA IACHR IACI IACO IACW IADB IAEA IAES IAHRC IAIE IAII IASA IATTC IAZ IBB IBD IBET IBPCA IBRB IBRD IC ICAC ICAO ICC ICCAT ICCROM ICES ICJ ICRC ICRS ICSCA ICTR ICTY ID IDA IDB IDLI IDLO IDP IDR IE IEA IEAB IEF IF IFAD IFC IFIN IFM IFO IFR IFRC IG IGAD IGF IHO IICA IINS IIP IK IL ILAB ILC ILEA ILO IMC IMET IMF IMMIGRATION IMO IMSO IMTS IN INAUGURATION INCB IND INDO INF INFLUENZA INL INMARSAT INNP INPFC INR INRA INRB INRD INRO INRPAZ INS INSC INT INTEL INTELLECTUAL INTELSAT INTERNAL INTERPOL INV INVI IO IOC IOM IP IPET IPGRI IPK IPPC IPR IPROP IQ IQNV IR IRAN IRAQ IRAQI IRAQI FREEDOM IRC IRCE IRDB IRE IRL IRLE IRM IRMO IRNB IRPE IRQEGION IRS IS ISA ISAAC ISAF ISCA ISCON ISLAMISTS ISLE ISN ISNV ISO ISPA ISPL ISRAEL ISRAEL RELATIONS ISRAELI ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS ISSUES ISTC IT ITA ITALIAN ITALY ITECIP ITEIND ITELTN ITER ITF ITIA ITRA ITRD ITU IUCN IV IVIANNA IWC IWI IX IZ IZAORC JA JABER JAM JAMES JAPAN JAT JAWAD JCIC JE JEAN-PIERRE BEMBA JEFFERY JEFFREY JENDAYI JHR JI JIMENEZ JIMENEZ CHILDREN JK JKUS JM JN JO JOHANNS JOHN JOHN BOEHNER JOHNNIE JONATHAN CHAMAN JOSE ANGEL ALZUGUREN PERURENA JOSE NEY MILA ESPINOSA JOSE RAMOS HORTA JOSEPH BIDEN JP JS JSRP JUAN JULIAN RENE KIRCHOFF JUS JY KA KACP KACT KACW KADM KAID KALM KALR KANSOU KAPO KARIM WADE KATRINA KAUST KAWC KAWK KAWL KAWS KAWX KAYLA KBCT KBDS KBEM KBIO KBNC KBTC KBTR KBTS KBWG KCCP KCEM KCERS KCFC KCFE KCGC KCHG KCIP KCIS KCM KCMA KCMR KCOG KCOM KCOR KCPS KCRCM KCRI KCRIM KCRM KCRN KCRO KCROM KCROR KCRP KCRS KCRT KCSA KCSI KCSY KCUL KCUM KCVM KCWI KDCM KDDEM KDDG KDE KDEM KDEN KDET KDEV KDGOV KDGR KDHS KDM KDMR KDP KDRG KDRL KDTB KDUM KE KEAI KEANE KEBG KECF KEDEM KEDM KEDU KEIM KEM KEMPI KEMR KEMS KEN KENV KERF KERG KESO KESP KESS KEVIN KFAM KFCE KFE KFEM KFGM KFIN KFIU KFLD KFLO KFLU KFOR KFPC KFRD KFRP KFSC KFTFN KFTN KG KGCC KGCN KGHA KGHG KGIC KGICKS KGIT KGIV KGKG KGLB KGOR KGOV KH KHDP KHGH KHIB KHIV KHJUS KHLS KHMN KHOURY KHPD KHSA KHSL KHUM KI KIBL KICA KICC KICCPUR KICR KICT KID KIDE KIF KIFR KIIC KIIP KIL KILS KIMMITT KIMT KIND KINF KINL KINP KINR KINT KIPR KIPT KIRC KIRD KIRF KIRL KIRP KIS KISC KISK KISL KISM KISR KITA KIVP KIVR KJAN KJRE KJU KJUS KJUST KJWC KK KKIV KKNP KKOR KKPO KLAB KLAP KLBO KLEG KLFLO KLFU KLHS KLIG KLIP KLPM KLSO KLTN KM KMAC KMAR KMCA KMCC KMCR KMDR KMEPI KMFO KMGT KMIG KMNP KMOC KMPF KMPI KMPIO KMPL KMPP KMPT KMRD KMRS KMSG KMVP KMWN KN KNAO KNAP KNAR KNDP KNEI KNEP KNET KNMP KNN KNNA KNNB KNNC KNNF KNNO KNNP KNNR KNOP KNP KNPP KNPPIS KNPR KNPT KNRG KNRV KNSD KNUC KNUP KO KOC KOCI KOCM KOEM KOGL KOLY KOM KOMC KOMCCO KOMCSG KOMH KOMO KOMS KOR KOSOVO KOUYATE KPA KPAD KPAI KPAK KPAL KPALAOIS KPAM KPAO KPAS KPBT KPDD KPEM KPEO KPER KPET KPIN KPIR KPKO KPKP KPLS KPMI KPMO KPO KPOA KPOKO KPOL KPOP KPOV KPOW KPPAO KPPD KPRD KPRM KPRO KPROG KPRP KPRV KPSC KPTD KPTS KPWG KPWR KQ KQM KQRDQ KR KRAD KRAL KRCIM KRCM KRCS KRD KRDP KREC KREF KREISLER KREL KRF KRFD KRFR KRG KRGY KRIC KRIF KRIM KRKO KRM KRMS KRV KRVC KS KSA KSAC KSAF KSCA KSCI KSCS KSCT KSEAO KSEC KSEI KSEO KSEP KSI KSIA KSKN KSLG KSMT KSOC KSOCI KSPA KSPR KSRE KSTC KSTCC KSTCPL KSTH KSTS KSTT KSUM KSUP KT KTAO KTBD KTBT KTCRE KTDB KTDD KTDM KTER KTEX KTFIN KTFM KTFN KTFR KTFS KTIA KTIP KTLA KTNBT KTNF KTPN KTRD KTRF KTSC KTSD KTTB KTTC KTTP KU KUAE KUIR KUM KUNA KUNC KUNH KUNP KUNR KUS KUWAIT KV KVBL KVIP KVIR KVIS KVPR KVRC KVRP KW KWAC KWAK KWAWC KWBC KWBG KWBW KWCI KWCR KWGB KWHG KWIC KWIM KWIR KWKN KWM KWMJN KWMM KWMN KWN KWNM KWNN KWOMN KWPA KWPB KWPG KWPR KWRC KWRF KWRG KWUN KWWT KWWW KX KY KZ LA LAB LABOR LANSANA LANTERN LARREA LARS LAS LAURA LAVIN LAW LB LBAR LBY LE LEAGUE LEB LEBIK LEGAT LEGATT LEIS LEON LEVINE LEW LG LGAT LH LI LIB LICC LIMA LINE LK LMS LN LO LOG LOPEZ LORAN LOTT LOVE LR LS LT LTG LTTE LU LV LVPR LY LZ MA MAAR MACEDONIA MACP MANUEL MANUEL SERGIO GONZALEZ MAP MAPP MAPS MAR MARAD MARANTIS MARIA MARIE MARINO MARITIME MARK MARQUEZ MARR MARS MARTIN MARV MAS MASC MASS MATT MAYA MB MBM MC MCA MCAP MCAPARR MCAPN MCAPP MCAPS MCAT MCC MCCAIN MCCONNELL MCCP MCGRAW MCRM MCTRE MD MDA MDC MDO ME MEA MED MEDIA MEETINGS MENDIETA MEP MEPI MEPN MEPP MERCOSUR MESUR MEX MF MFA MFO MG MGL MGMT MGOV MGT MGTA MH MHUC MI MIAH MIC MICHAEL MICHEL MIGUEL FELIPE CANAHUATI YACAMAN MIGUEL VARGAS MALDONADO MIK MIKE MIL MILI MILITANTS MILITARY MILLENNIUM MINURSO MINUSTAH MITCHELL MJ MK ML MLS MMAR MMED MN MNLF MNNC MNNUC MNU MNUC MNUCH MNUCWA MNUM MNUN MNUR MNUS MNVC MO MOHAMAD MOHAMED HESHAM ELDIN YOUSSEF MOHAMMAD MOLINA MONTENEGRO MONUC MONY MOOPS MOP MOPP MOPPS MOPS MORALES MORG MOROCCO MORS MOS MOTO MOTT MP MPOL MPOS MPP MPS MQADHAFI MR MRCRE MRRR MRS MRSEC MS MSG MSIG MT MTAA MTAG MTCAE MTCR MTCRA MTCRE MTRCE MTRE MTRRE MTS MU MUC MUCN MUKASEY MULLEN MUNC MURAD MURRAY MV MW MX MY MZ NA NAC NACB NADIA NAFTA NAM NAMSA NANCY NAR NARC NARCOTICS NARR NAS NASA NAT NATEU NATGAS NATIONAL NATO NATOAFGHAN NATOBALKANS NATOIRAQ NATOOPS NATOPOLICY NATSIOS NAVO NB NBTS NBU NC NCCC NCD NCT NCTC NDI NDP NE NEA NEC NEGROPONTE NEI NELSON NEPAD NERG NET NEW NFATC NFMS NFSO NG NGO NGUYEN NH NI NICHOLAS NICOLE NIH NIPP NK NKWG NL NLD NLIAEA NLO NMFS NMNUC NMUC NNPT NO NOAA NOI NOK NON NONE NORAD NOTAG NOVO NP NPA NPG NPT NR NRC NRG NRR NRRC NS NSC NSF NSFO NSG NSSP NT NTDB NTSB NTTC NU NUC NUIN NV NW NZ NZUS OA OAO OARC OAS OASC OASCC OASS OAU OBAMA OBS OBSP OCBD OCEA OCED OCHA OCII OCRA OCS OCSE ODAG ODC ODIP ODPC OECD OECS OECV OES OESC OEXC OEXP OF OFDA OFDC OFDP OFDPQIS OFFICIALS OFPD OFSO OGAC OGIV OHCHR OHI OHIP OI OIC OICCO OIE OIF OIG OIIP OIL OIM OLY OLYAIR OLYMPICS OM OMAR OMB OMIG OMS ON ONA OPAD OPBAT OPC OPCD OPCR OPCW OPDAT OPDC OPDP OPEC OPET OPIC OPID OPOC OPPC OPRC OPREC OPREP OPS OPSC OPVIP ORA ORC ORCA ORECD ORED OREG OREP ORGANIZED ORP ORTA ORUE OSAC OSCE OSCI OSD OSEC OSHA OSIC OSTA OSTRA OTA OTAR OTHERSASNEEDED OTP OTR OTRA OTRABL OTRAO OTRAZ OTRC OTRD OUALI OVIP OVP OXEC OXEM OZ PA PAARM PAC PACE PAGE PAGR PAHO PAIGH PAK PAL PALESTINIAN PAMQ PAN PANAM PAO PAR PARALYMPIC PARCA PAREL PARK PARLIAMENT PARM PARMS PARN PARP PARR PARTIES PARTM PARTY PAS PASS PATRICK WARREN MAHURIN PATTY PAUL PAUM PB PBGT PBIO PBK PBOV PBPTS PBS PBST PBT PBTS PCI PCON PCOR PCRM PCUL PD PDA PDD PDEM PDIP PDOV PDRG PE PEACE PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEDRO PEL PELOSI PEMEX PENA PENV PEPFAR PEPR PER PEREZ PERL PERM PERSONS PET PETER PETERS PETR PETRAEUS PETROL PF PFIN PFLP PFOR PFOV PG PGGOC PGIC PGIV PGKV PGO PGOC PGOF PGOG PGON PGOR PGOT PGOV PGOVE PGOVQL PGPV PGREL PGREV PGV PH PHALANAGE PHARM PHAS PHEM PHIM PHM PHSA PHU PHUH PHUM PHUMHUPPS PHUN PHUS PHYTRP PI PIA PICES PIF PIN PINB PIND PINER PINF PING PINL PINO PINOCHET PINR PINS PINT PINV PIR PIRF PIRN PJUS PK PKAO PKBL PKFK PKISL PKK PKMN PKNP PKO PKPA PKPAL PKPO PKPRP PKST PL PLAB PLAN PLEC PLN PLO PLUM PM PMAR PMAT PMDL PMIG PMIL PMIN PMR PMUC PN PNAT PNET PNG PNIR PNNL PNR PNRG PNS PNUC PNUK PNUM PO PODC POG POGV POINS POL POLG POLI POLICY POLINT POLITICAL POLITICS POLM POLMIL POLS POLUN POREL PORG POSTS POTUS POUS POV POWELL PP PPA PPAO PPD PPEF PPEL PPKO PPOL PQL PQM PRC PRE PREC PRED PREF PREG PREJ PREK PREL PRELEVU PRELM PRELPLS PRELTBIOBA PREM PREO PREP PRER PRES PRESIDENT PRESL PREV PREZ PRF PRFE PRFL PRGO PRGOV PRIL PRIVATIZATION PRL PRLE PRM PRO PROB PROCESS PROG PROL PROLIFERATION PROP PROPERTY PROTECTION PROTESTS PROV PROVE PRT PRTER PRWL PS PSA PSCE PSEC PSEPC PSHA PSI PSNR PSO PSOC PSOCI PSOE PT PTBS PTE PTEL PTEP PTER PTGOV PTIA PTR PTRD PU PUAS PUBLIC PUNE PUNR PUOS PV PVIP PVOV PVPR PVTS PWBG PWMN PY QA QADRI QEL QI QIZ QM QT QU QUAN QUOC RA RAED RAFAEL RAID RAMON RAMONTEIJELO RAS RATIFICATION RAY GUEVARA MILTON RBI RCA RCMP RE REA REACTION REALTIONS RECIN REF REFORM REFPAN REFUGEE REFUGEES REGION REGIONAL REID REIN REINEMEYER REL RELAM RELATIONS RELFREE RELIGIOUS REMON RENAMO RENE PREVAL REO REPORT REUBEN RF RFE RFIN RFREEDOM RGOV RGY RHUM RI RICE RICHARD RIGHTS RIGHTSPOLMIL RIMC RIVERA RL RLA RM RMA RO ROBERT ROBERT JOSEPH RODHAM RODRIGUEZ ROK ROME ROOD ROSS ROW ROY RP RPEL RPTS RQ RR RRB RREL RS RSO RSOX RSP RSZ RTT RU RUEHZO RV RW RWANDA SA SAAD SAARC SABAH SACU SADC SAFE SAIR SAIS SALOPEK SAMA SAN SANC SANR SAO SARB SARGSIAN SARS SASC SASEC SASIAIN SB SBA SC SCA SCCC SCE SCENESETTER SCHUL SCI SCIENCE SCNV SCOI SCOL SCOM SCPR SCRM SCRS SCRSERD SCUL SCVL SD SE SEC SECDEF SECI SECRET SECRETARY SECSTATE 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Identifier | Subject | Date | Office | Classification | Tags |
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07ASMARA490 | ERITREAN ORTHODOX CHURCH CONSECRATES NEW PATRIARCH [...] On Sunday May 27, the Eritrean Orthodox Tewhado Church consecrated Abune Dioskoros in Asmara as the church's fourth patriarch. Present at the ceremony were representatives from the Evangelical Lutheran church and the Eritrean mufti, and representatives of the Government of the State of Eritrea [...] | 2007-06-05 10:17:00 | Embassy Asmara | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KIRF ER |
07ASMARA540 | PRESBYTERIANS RELEASED, TELL A STRANGE TALE [...] (C) Summary: During the week of May 28, the Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) released on bail the last seven church members of the Mehrete Yesus Evangelical Presbyterian church. The members had been detained since their arrest on April 29 (reftel). During a meeting with Poloff on June [...] | 2007-06-25 07:20:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGO ER |
07ASMARA620 | PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR PROVIDES INSIGHT INTO GSE VIEWS ON [...] (U) In an interview posted on www.shaebia.org on July 9, Yemane Ghebremeskel, Director of the Office of President, offered the position of the Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) on a wide range of topics -- from religious freedom and human rights to international relations and Somalia. ( [...] | 2007-07-16 10:36:00 | Embassy Asmara | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF ER |
07ASMARA699 | GSE STILL THREATENING CATHOLIC CHURCH'S AUTONOMY [...] (C) The Catholic Church continues to endure harassment and pressure from the Government of Eritrea (GSE) as the GSE threatens to repossess Church property used for social and educational programs and insist that priests and seminarians participate in military training. In an August 14 meeting, [...] | 2007-08-24 08:39:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV SOCI ER |
07ASMARA748 | IMPRISONED CHRISTIAN DIES IN DETENTION [...] (C) Following up on reports from various human rights websites, post has confirmed the death of Nigisti Haile at the Wi'a Military Training Center, located south of the city of Massawa. Emboff spoke with a family member on September 18. Her family member confirmed that an official from the [...] | 2007-09-21 05:18:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL SOCI KIRF ER |
07ASMARA800 | LGF MEMBER ARRESTED DURING ORTHODOX SERVICE [...] (C) SUMMARY: A local guard force (LGF) employee and a priest were picked up by the Eritrean Intelligence Service (ANS) during an Eritrean Orthodox church service on 10/07/07. The priest was released the same day but the LGF employee continues to be held in jail incommunicado. While the Gove [...] | 2007-10-11 12:30:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF ASEC PGOV SOCI ER |
07ASMARA857 | RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION CONTINUES: OVER 45 ERITREANS [...] (C) In an October 29 meeting with Poloff, Reverend Zecharias Abraham(strictly protect) relayed the story of an attempted escape by Mussie Issa, founder of the evangelical group, Youth for Christ, and the subsequent arrests of 45 of his supporters. According to Rev. Zecharias, officials from t [...] | 2007-10-31 12:53:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF ER |
07ASMARA871 | GSE ORDERS CATHOLIC CHURCH FOREIGN STAFF TO LEAVE [...] (C) On October 31, the Immigration Office of the Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) delivered a letter to the Catholic Secretariat of Eritrea, informing them that the office would no longer extend the residency and work permits of foreign sisters and priests working in Eritrea under expi [...] | 2007-11-08 08:03:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SOCI KIRF PHUM ER |
07ASMARA902 | RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION VICTIM STILL HARASSED BY GSE [...] (C) An Embassy locally employed staff member (LES) continues to be harassed by officials of the Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE),following his July arrest on religious grounds and release a month later. A member of the unregistered Full Gospel Pentecostal Church, the GSE informed the [...] | 2007-11-27 04:20:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SOCI KIRF ER |
07ASMARA917 | ANTI-AMERICAN PFDJ RALLIES IN ASMARA [...] (C/NF) SUMMARY: The People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ),Eritrea's regime-affiliated and sole political party, has been holding a series of mandatory mass meetings for all party members in Asmara. An Eritrean who attended one of these meetings relayed to the RSO that the PFDJ tol [...] | 2007-12-04 10:59:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL ASEC KIRF ER |
07ATHENS1022 | GREECE REQUESTS U.S. INTERVENTION IN JERUSALEM [...] (U) This is an action request for Department. See paragraph 8. 2. (C) SUMMARY: On May 18, MFA Secretary General Charalambos Rocanas requested U.S. assistance in defusing the leadership crisis in the Jerusalem Patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church following the May 12 decision of the Jo [...] | 2007-05-21 04:59:00 | Embassy Athens | SECRET | GR KIRF PHUM PREL |
07BAGHDAD1425 | BAGHDAD CHRISTIANS SAY INSURGENTS DISPLACING [...] (C) SUMMARY: During separate meetings with PolOff, three Christian contacts since April 16 have verified April 17 Assyrian International News Agency (AINA) on-line news reports that Sunni insurgents have begun a new campaign to displace Christian residents of Baghdad's Doura district. Having a [...] | 2007-04-26 12:02:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET//NOFORN | PHUM MOPS KIRF PGOV IZ |
07BAGHDAD1607 | CHALDEAN PATRIARCH AGREES TO EXTEND COMBAT OUTPOST [...] (S) SUMMARY: During a May 14 meeting with MNF-I and Embassy representatives, Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly and Vice Patriarch Bishop Shlemoon Wardoni requested that Coalition Forces (CF) continue to maintain Combat Outpost (COP) Amanche at the Chaldean Church's Babel College of Philos [...] | 2007-05-17 02:06:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | MOPS PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF IZ VT |
07BAGHDAD2010 | PROTESTANT CHURCH LEADERS SAY CHRISTIANS NEED [...] (C) SUMMARY: Pastor Estawri Haritounian and Pastor Bardilyan Yousif Aziz Hanna, representing the National Protestant Evangelical Church in Iraq, informed PolOff on May 10 that due to increased targeting of Christians in Iraq, they were seeking protection and resettlement for members of their [...] | 2007-06-18 16:05:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL KDEM KIRF IZ |
07BAGHDAD2371 | SOME BAHA'I RECEIVE IDENTITY CARDS, MOST MUST [...] (C) Summary: On July 12, President of the Bahai National Spiritual Assembly in Iraq, Abdul Razaq Abaychi and assembly- member Sermid Moqbel said that since May 15, the Iraqi government has issued national identification cards or "jensiyya" to four members of the Baha'i faith. The jensiyya ca [...] | 2007-07-16 15:12:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KDEM KIRF IZ |
07BAGHDAD2682 | THE NINE JEWS OF BAGHDAD [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: One of Baghdad's last remaining Jews, Khalida Kouada Liahu Moualim, described to poloff August 11 the continuing hardships faced by Iraq's now tiny Jewish community. She said that she is one of only nine Jews still living in Baghdad, and that she believes Jews do not live any [...] | 2007-08-13 03:34:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET//NOFORN | PHUM KIRF PREF PGOV IS NL UK IZ |
07BAGHDAD2922 | DCM'S AUGUST 28 MEETING WITH HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: Human Rights Minister Wijdan Salim told the DCM on August 28 that she will remain in the Maliki government as an independent, despite Iraqiyya bloc leader Ayad Allawi's reported plan to return to Baghdad. The Minister noted she has not yet received a pre-publication copy of th [...] | 2007-08-31 12:38:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET//NOFORN | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF KJUS IZ |
07BAGHDAD3694 | MALIKI ADVISOR SAYS CHRISTIAN LEADERS ACCEPT PM'S [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to PM's advisor George Bakoos, Chaldean Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly on October 27 accepted assistance to the Iraqi Christian community that Maliki had offered when they met three months earlier. Bakoos said the offer consisted of hiring Christian security personnel th [...] | 2007-11-08 06:35:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF IZ VT |
07BAKU1276 | AZERBAIJANI PROTESTANTS SAY RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS [...] (C) Summary: The Ambassador met with three local Protestant pastors on October 18 to hear their views on religious freedom. The pastors agreed that while religious freedom generally has increased since 1991, conditions have become worse for evangelical Christians in the last several years. [...] | 2007-10-23 13:10:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ |
07BAKU1309 | IRAN AND ARMENIA PURSUE STRONGER TRADE TIES, WHILE [...] (U) This message has been cleared by Embassy Yerevan. 2. (C) Summary: During an October 1-5 visit to Armenia, Baku-based Iran Watcher met with foreign policy analysts, religious leaders, academics, and bankers to further explore Iranian-Armenian relations. Armenian analysts believe Iran' [...] | 2007-11-01 07:10:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON PBTS PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF IR AJ AM |
07BAKU1356 | AZERBAIJAN: EUR A/S FRIED REVIEWS DEMOCRACY AND [...] (C) Summary: EUR A/S Fried and the Ambassador reviewed democracy and human right issues with Foreign Minister Mammadyarov in a November 5 meeting, as part of our ongoing high-level dialogue (ref a). Fried emphasized that free and fair presidential elections in 2008 would strengthen Azerbaij [...] | 2007-11-13 09:49:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF PBTS AM AJ |
07BAKU1412 | JEWISH LEADER CONFIRMS CEMETERY DESTRUCTION NOT TARGETED [...] (U) Since August, the Azerbaijani press has carried periodic reports on the Baku municipality's plans to destroy a cemetery in the city's Narimanov district, as part of a new road construction project. The GOAJ is engaged in a massive road and infrastructure construction effort, and has been [...] | 2007-11-28 08:27:00 | Embassy Baku | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF AJ |
07BAKU1463 | BAKU POLICE BREAK-UP SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST WORSHIP [...] (SBU) According to Seventh Day Adventist Pastor Ivan Zavrichko, five to six police officers broke up a gathering of approximately twenty Seventh Day Adventists on December 8. Zavrichko said the group was conducting a religious service in a personal apartment near the Gara Garayev metro statio [...] | 2007-12-11 06:03:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF AJ |
07BAKU794 | PROTESTANTS COMPLAIN OF RELIGIOUS HARASSMENT [...] (C) Summary: Police in the small northwestern village of Aliabad detained and arrested Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev on May 20. Representatives from the local Baptist community claim authorities violated their religious freedoms and that they are being singled out for persecution. The State C [...] | 2007-06-25 12:28:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF AJ |
07BANGKOK2364 | THAI PRO-BUDDHISM PROTEST WILTS IN THE HEAT [...] (SBU) Approximately 2,000 monks and laypersons demanding the constitutional designation of Buddhism as Thailand's state religion protested peacefully on April 25 and 26 in front of parliament. The fact that the protests did not draw as large a crowd as expected indicates that, at least so far, [...] | 2007-04-26 09:19:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF TH |
07BANGKOK3238 | THAILAND'S DRAFT CONSTITUTION NEARS COMPLETION [...] (C) Thailand took one step closer to finalizing its new constitution on June 11 when the Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) submitted their final revisions to the Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA). Although the CDA can still make several changes prior to voting in early July on whe [...] | 2007-06-12 09:58:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KIRF TH |
07BANGKOK4323 | THAI CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM APPROACHES [...] (SBU) On July 6, Thailand's Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA) voted to approve a slightly modified version of the new constitution which expanded the size of the House of Representatives, endorsed improved civil rights protections, imposed additional penalties for political fraud, and dec [...] | 2007-08-09 07:15:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KIRF TH |
07BEIJING1065 | REINCARNATE LAMA DISCUSSES GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR [...] (C) Summary: According to a well-respected reincarnate lama from Gansu Province, the Chinese government has a secret plan to select the next reincarnation of the Dalai SIPDIS Lama, but cautioned that people would not respect a Government choice. The Rinpoche said the Chinese Government a [...] | 2007-02-14 23:03:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF CH |
07BEIJING2517 | STAFFDEL MIXTER'S VISIT TO INNER MONGOLIAN [...] (SBU) Officials of China's Shenhua Company told Staffdel Mixter that their factory for direct coal liquefaction could begin producing diesel fuel from coal with minimal environmental impact by the end of this year. During an April 6 tour of Shenhua's eighty percent-complete facility in Erdos, [...] | 2007-04-17 01:28:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ENRG KIRF CH |
07BEIJING2599 | BEIJING HUMAN RIGHTS WATCHERS DISCUSS DIALOGUES, [...] (C) Beijing-based human rights watchers reported that: -- Chinese officials referred to the Nangpa La Pass shooting incident on the Nepal border as "an accident" during the recent UK-China human rights dialogue. -- Germany will host the 23rd round of the China-EU human rights dialogue in mid-May in [...] | 2007-04-18 11:35:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV CH |
07BEIJING413 | JANUARY 18 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: A/S HILL'S DPRK [...] Key points made at the January 18 MFA press conference were: -- China welcomes the meeting between Assistant Secretary Hill and DPRK nuclear envoy Kim Kye-Gwan in Berlin and supports direct contact between the sides. -- The MFA confirmed A/S Hill's planned visit to Beijing "in the coming [...] | 2007-01-18 23:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KIRF CH XA KN JA |
07BEIJING4237 | AMERICANS EXPELLED FROM XINJIANG FOR RELIGIOUS [...] (C) A number of American citizens either resident in or visiting Xinjiang were expelled from China between February and June 2007, apparently because of their involvement in Christian religious activities. Xinjiang security officials reportedly questioned these persons about their religious a [...] | 2007-06-22 12:35:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM CASC PREL KIRF OLY CH |
07BEIJING483 | U/S HUGHES URGES INCREASED EXCHANGES, MEDIA [...] (SBU) During a packed two-day visit to Beijing, Undersecretary Karen Hughes in concert with Public Diplomacy Envoy Michelle Kwan visited a middle school classroom, Beijing University's Women's Legal Aid Center, a Special Olympics training facility, attended a church service and met with State [...] | 2007-01-22 12:09:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL SCUL PHUM KOLY KPAO KIRF CH |
07BEIJING499 | JANUARY 23 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: ANTI-SATELLITE [...] Key points made at the January 23 MFA press conference were: -- The MFA Spokesman confirmed the test of an anti- satellite missile earlier this month, said the test did not target any country and reaffirmed that China opposes the weaponization of space and will not participate in a space ar [...] | 2007-01-23 11:38:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL KIRF PREF CH KN JA XA LE PK |
07BEIJING5655 | CODEL SKELTON ADDRESSES MILITARY TRANSPARENCY, [...] (SBU) The United States and China share a long history and have many common interests that will only grow deeper and more plentiful, National People's Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo told CODEL Skelton August 27. The delegation raised tough questions concerning military exchan [...] | 2007-08-29 04:16:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KIRF ETRD PARM CH |
07BEIJING6733 | FM YANG "STRONGLY PROTESTS" DALAI LAMA'S U.S. [...] (C) Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi expressed China's "strong opposition and indignation" to October 17 activities in connection with awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama. FM Yang said that the United States' actions will have "severe adverse consequences for bilateral relatio [...] | 2007-10-18 10:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF CH IN |
07BEIJING7173 | XINJIANG: CONTACT SAYS DEMONSTRATION, ARRESTS [...] (C) Summary: A three-day protest in Xinjiang in September highlighted the presence in China of Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami (the Islamic Party of Liberation),according to a well-connected Muslim contact. The protest was especially significant because it occurred in the more ethnically Han northe [...] | 2007-11-20 09:50:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER OREP CASC PGOV KIRF PK KG AF KZ CH TI |
07BEIJING723 | CPA'S LIU BAINIAN SAYS CHINA HAS TRIED TO EASE [...] (C) Vice-Chairman of the Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA) Liu Bainian said China sought to ease tensions with the Vatican in the lead-up to Gan Junqiu's ordination as bishop of Guangzhou Diocese. Liu says China informed the Vatican of the pending nomination and has postponed appointment of [...] | 2007-01-30 12:22:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV CH VT |
07BEIJING7550 | XINJIANG AUTHORITIES BLOCK UNSANCTIONED HAJJ [...] (C) Summary: A well-placed contact told Poloff December 3 that Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) officials seek to eliminate all Hajj pilgrimages other than those arranged by the Islamic Association of China (IAC). The contact said that Saudi Arabia requested China to prohibit Chinese M [...] | 2007-12-19 09:30:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF TI PK KG AF KZ CH |
07BEIJING7576 | LANZHOU: ISLAMIC LINKS, UNDERDEVELOPMENT KEEP [...] (C) SUMMARY: Contacts in Lanzhou, capital of Gansu Province in western China, told EmbOffs that Gansu sees things differently from Beijing on a range of issues. They stressed that western provinces now believe it is their turn to enjoy the fruits of China's rapid economic development and exp [...] | 2007-12-20 11:18:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF EINV CH TW |
07BEIJING7591 | SURPRISINGLY SMALL INCREASE IN CHINESE HAJJ [...] (C) Summary: Saudi Arabian Consul Majed Alshammary (protect) told Poloff December 13 that Saudi Arabia would admit 20,000 Chinese Hajj pilgrims annually if China permitted it, although China has stated it will allow 10,700 Hajj pilgrims in 2007. Alshammary said he is surprised that China did [...] | 2007-12-21 06:02:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF TI PK MY SA CH |
07BELGRADE288 | POWER STRUGGLE DEEPENS BETWEEN SERBIAN MUSLIMS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Serbia's new Law on Religion has brought to the fore long-simmering tensions within Serbia's Islamic community (IC). Serbian Islamic leaders are deep into negotiations over unification, but with separate ideas about where the centralized administrative authority should be based, [...] | 2007-03-02 15:22:00 | Embassy Belgrade | CONFIDENTIAL | KISL KPAO KIRF PGOV PREL SR |
07BELGRADE532 | POLICE RAID WAHABBIST SHELTER, ONE KILLED [...] (U) Serbia's special Anti-terrorist unit and Gendarmerie cracked down on a group of Islamic extremists ("Wahabbies") in the village of Donja Trnava, 10 kilometers outside Novi Pazar, in the early morning of April 20. According to local media, police initiated a search of a house in a remote r [...] | 2007-04-20 16:17:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED | KISL PTER KIRF PREL PHUM SR |
07BERLIN1841 | IFTAR DIPLOMACY [...] (U) Summary: For the third year, Ambassador and Mrs. Timken led senior Mission Germany staff in hosting Iftar dinners and events, a major element in the Mission's Muslim Engagement activities. This year, the venues were Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Munich. Muslim guests uniformly praise [...] | 2007-10-04 15:19:00 | Embassy Berlin | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | GM KIRF KISL PGOV PREL |
07BISHKEK1168 | 2007 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT [...] (U) On September 17, poloff delivered the 2007 International Religious Freedom report for the Kyrgyz Republic to Erkin Atabekov, human rights officer in the International Organizations and Security Department of the MFA. Poloff also informed Atabekov that a Russian translation of the report w [...] | 2007-09-19 10:14:00 | Embassy Bishkek | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KIRF KDEM KG |
07BISHKEK24 | BUS COLLISION AND MUFTI ALLEGATIONS TOP KYRGYZ [...] (C) Summary: A tragic bus accident, which claimed the lives of twenty-two Kyrgyz Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, clouded the conclusion of what many Kyrgyz had considered to be a successful year for the Hajj. Kyrgyz Muftiate and State Agency for Religious Affairs representatives consoled relat [...] | 2007-01-16 13:30:00 | Embassy Bishkek | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF KISL PHUM SOCI KG |
07BISHKEK946 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN KYRGYZSTAN: CLAMPING DOWN OR [...] (C) Summary: Chairman of the State Agency for Religious Affairs (SARA),Toigonbek Kalmatov, told the press July 12 that Kyrgyzstan needed "tougher" legislation to combat religious extremism, and SARA was working on "five draft laws." Kalmatov claimed that over 400 religious organizations, in [...] | 2007-07-20 11:35:00 | Embassy Bishkek | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KDEM KIRF KG |
07BRATISLAVA100 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FACES SETBACK IN SLOVAKIA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Slovakia, which has the strictest requirements in the OSCE for registration of a religious organization, plans to tighten those requirements. Parliament is set to pass an amendment to the religious registration law changing the necessary 20,000 petition signatures from those of [...] | 2007-02-16 17:21:00 | Embassy Bratislava | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI LO |
07BRATISLAVA21 | ARCHBISHOP PRAISES FASCIST WHILE NATIONAL MEMORY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The Slovak Prime Minister and President publicly refuted the statements (although not the person) of Slovak Archbishop Jan Sokol in praise of a WWII era fascist leader which had outraged local minority groups and received international media attention. Despite the PM's repudia [...] | 2007-01-11 17:34:00 | Embassy Bratislava | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF LO |
07BRATISLAVA256 | SLOVAKIA RELIGIOUS ROUND UP APRIL 27, 2007 [...] (U) On April 19, the Ministry of Culture registered the Bahai Community as the 18th recognized religion in Slovakia. The Bahais are the last faith to receive recognition under the existing law, which requires a petition of 20,000 signatures of resident supporters (though not necessarily member [...] | 2007-04-27 15:41:00 | Embassy Bratislava | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PGOV PHUM LO |
07BRATISLAVA320 | SLOVAKIA POLITICAL ROUND UP: MAY 30, 2007 [...] (SBU) In a recent conversation with the Ambassador, President Ivan Gasparovic, whose role is largely ceremonial, shared his opinions on a variety of topics. 2. (C) ON MEETING WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT TADIC: Gasparovic said he explained Slovakia's economic success as a result of joining the EU [...] | 2007-05-30 16:01:00 | Embassy Bratislava | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF PHUM SOCI LO |
07BRATISLAVA57 | SLOVAKIA POLITICAL ROUNDUP JANUARY 26, 2007 [...] (C) Over dinner with the Ambassador and their wives on January 23, Foreign Minister Jan Kubis acknowledged that Prime Minister Robert Fico will likely continue to infuriate international partners as he did, for example, with his attendance at the Cuban national day reception on January 11 and [...] | 2007-01-26 16:41:00 | Embassy Bratislava | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF PINR LO |
07BUCHAREST245 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON RELIGION LAW [...] (C) Human Rights Officer delivered reftel demarche 2/15 to MFA Director for OSCE, COE, and Human Rights Issues, Brandusa Predescu. Predescu took the points on board with little comment, evincing the hope that the USG would not tie its reaction to the new religion law to the OSCE and other is [...] | 2007-03-02 16:20:00 | Embassy Bucharest | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV DRL PREL PHUM RO |
07BUENOSAIRES1884 | ARGENTINA REQUESTS ADVANCE NOTICE OF FUTURE [...] (U) This is an action request. See para 7. 2. (C) Summary. On September 18, CDA was called in by the MFA's Under Secretary for Bilateral Relations Vicente Espeche Gil to discuss the Department's 2007 International Religious Freedom Report. Espeche Gil reiterated GOA concerns that it [...] | 2007-09-20 20:42:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV OPRC KIRF KPAO CASC AR |
07CAIRO1420 | EGYPT: SECTARIAN CLASHES NEAR CAIRO [...] (SBU) A MAY 11 CLASH BETWEEN MUSLIM AND CHRISTIAN VILLAGERS SOUTH OF CAIRO OVER A CHURCH CONSTRUCTION CONTROVERSY -- WHICH NOW APPEARS TO BE CONTAINED BY A PROMPT SECURITY SERVICE REACTION -- SERVES AS A REMINDER OF THE UNDERCURRENTS OF SECTARIAN TENSION THAT EXIST IN EGYPT. WITH MANY HOUSES [...] | 2007-05-14 15:42:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV KIRF EG |
07CAIRO1427 | CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY REMAINS PROBLEMATIC IN [...] (C) Conversion to Christianity, or any faith other than Islam, remains an intensely problematic issue in Egypt, despite constitutional protection of the principle of freedom of religion. An April 24 court decision against the right of 45 Muslim citizens (who were born Christians) to re-conve [...] | 2007-05-15 14:49:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF EG |
07CAIRO1602 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH MINISTER OF INTERIOR ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN A WIDE-RANGING MAY 29 MEETING WITH MINISTER OF INTERIOR HABIB EL ADLY, THE AMBASSADOR AGAIN PUSHED THE GOE TO CHANGE ITS POLICY OF LISTING ONLY THREE RELIGIONS ON NATIONAL ID CARDS, AND ASKED THAT THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR (MOI) ENSURE THE SAFETY OF RECENTLY RELEASED CONVERT TO [...] | 2007-05-30 17:58:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KIRF KDEM KWMN KCRM EG |
07CAIRO1603 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH MINISTER OF INTERIOR ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: IN A WIDE-RANGING MAY 29 MEETING WITH MINISTER OF INTERIOR HABIB EL ADLY, THE AMBASSADOR AGAIN PUSHED THE GOE TO CHANGE ITS POLICY OF LISTING ONLY THREE RELIGIONS ON NATIONAL ID CARDS, AND ASKED THAT THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR (MOI) ENSURE THE SAFETY OF RECENTLY RELEASED CONVERT TO [...] | 2007-05-30 18:05:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KIRF KDEM KWMN KCRM EG |
07CAIRO1775 | NEW OUTBREAK OF CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM FIGHTING IN ALEXANDRIA [...] (SBU) CLASHES BROKE OUT OVER THE WEEKEND BETWEEN COPTIC CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS IN THE VILLAGE OF ABDEL QADER, WEST OF ALEXANDRIA, AFTER A PERSONAL DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO VILLAGERS ERUPTED INTO A WIDER CONFLICT. THE SITUATION REMAINED TENSE THE MORNING OF JUNE 11, ACCORDING TO CHURCH OFFICIALS, WI [...] | 2007-06-11 14:22:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV EG |
07CAIRO1816 | BACKGROUND ON SAMEL SAMI KHOUZAM EXTRADITION [...] (SBU) Recent press reports have focused on the possible extradition of Egyptian citizen Sameh Sami Khouzam from the United States to Egypt; some of these reports have been inaccurate. The purpose of this cable is to describe the history of the case itself. Khouzam is an Egyptian citizen who f [...] | 2007-06-14 04:08:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL EG |
07CAIRO1938 | QURANISTS CHARGED WITH "RELIGIOUS DEFAMATION" [...] (SBU) On June 21, the Supreme State Security Court announced that it will charge five detainees with "religious defamation" following a series of arrests in late May. Amr Tharwat, a member of the "Quranist" movement and an employee of the USG-supported civil society organization, Ibn Khaldun [...] | 2007-06-25 13:09:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF KISL PHUM EG |
07CAIRO198 | ALEXANDRIAN BLOGGER AT RISK OF JAIL TIME [...] (U) THIS IS AN APP ALEXANDRIA MESSAGE. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: EGYPTIAN BLOGGER ABDEL KARIM NABIL SOLIMAN FACES A FINAL HEARING AND SENTENCING IN AN EGYPTIAN COURT ON JANUARY 25 ON CHARGES THAT INCLUDE "INCITING HATRED OF ISLAM AND INSULTING THE PROPHET MOHAMED," "DEFAMING THE PRESIDENT OF THE R [...] | 2007-01-24 17:07:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF EG |
07CAIRO2008 | AMBASSADOR PRESSES PRIME MINISTER ON ARREST OF [...] (C) In a meeting June 28 with Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, the Ambassador emphasized USG concerns that Amr Tharwat's imprisonment was inconsistent with the Egyptian constitutional guarantee of free worship and could pose difficulties for bilateral relations. Ambassador noted that Tharwat, a m [...] | 2007-07-02 07:26:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KIRF PINR EG |
07CAIRO2292 | STATE SECURITY RESPONDS TO REPORTED MISTREATMENT [...] (C) Summary: State Security Investigations Service (SSIS) Brigadier General Mohamed Youssef told A/Polcouns that Egyptian security personnel had not/not mistreated Muslim-born convert to Christianity Shaymaa Mohamed El-Sayed during her July 16-23 detention and that, upon her release from po [...] | 2007-07-25 16:27:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF EG |
07CAIRO2332 | POPE SHENOUDA III ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, RELATIONS [...] (C) The Ambassador raised religious freedom issues with the Coptic Orthodox Pope, Shenouda III, on July 26. In an extended and unusually substantive response, Shenouda addressed his concerns about some "critical" matters, including controversies over conversion as well as what he alleged wa [...] | 2007-07-30 10:15:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF KISL EG |
07CAIRO2459 | NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VP ON HUMAN [...] (C) The Ambassador raised a range of human rights and religious freedom issues with National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) Vice President Ahmad Kamal Aboul Magd. In addition to reviewing recent religious conversion controversies, Ayman Nour, military tribunals against the Muslim Brotherho [...] | 2007-08-08 16:15:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF EG |
07CAIRO2520 | MUSLIM-BORN CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY DESCRIBES [...] (C) Marian Elly Salib Abdel Masih, a Muslim-born convert to Christianity formerly known as Shaymaa Mohamed El-Sayed, met with poloff on August 12 to discuss her July detention by the police in Alexandria (reftel). Marian provided details about her conversion to Christianity, her resultant a [...] | 2007-08-14 11:05:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF EG |
07CAIRO2622 | (U) EGYPT: CHRISTIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER [...] (C) Summary: Yousef Sidhom, a Christian publisher and chief editor of Watany newspaper, told the Ambassador that recent public debates in Egypt over conversion away from Islam are a "healthy" development. Sidhom opined that any direct public intervention by the USG in this complex and sens [...] | 2007-08-23 11:20:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR KIRF EG |
07CAIRO2654 | EGYPT'S MUFTI ON U.S. VISIT, IRAQ, REFORMING [...] (C) Summary: In a 90-minute meeting on August 26, the Ambassador and the Mufti of the Republic, Dr. Ali Goma'a, discussed the Mufti's possible travel to the U.S. and Canada in December, and a mid-August meeting in Cairo of Iraqi Sunni and Shi'a leaders with Egyptian Muslim leaders, orchestrated [...] | 2007-08-28 14:01:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KISL PTER KIRF IZ EG |
07CAIRO2697 | COOPERATION MINISTER ABUL NAGA ON FY 09 ESF; [...] (SBU) On September 2, Ambassador met with Minister for International Cooperation Fayza Abul Naga , accompanied by Acting USAID Mission Director John Groarke and Econcouns (notetaker). The meeting was at Abul Naga's request, and focused on the recent notification by the USG to the GOE of the [...] | 2007-09-03 15:13:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | EAID PREL PGOV KIRF EG |
07CAIRO3334 | RELIGIOUS IDENTITY CONVICTION AND PRISON SENTENCE [...] (SBU) Summary: On November 21, a Cairo criminal court sentenced an Egyptian Christian woman, Shadia Nagui Ibrahim, to three years in prison for fraud regarding her religious identity. The conviction stems from Ibrahim's father's brief conversion to Islam in 1962 and Ibrahim's subsequent decla [...] | 2007-11-26 16:13:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV EG |
07CAIRO3398 | AMBASSADOR RAISES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CASES WITH FM [...] (SBU) Among the issues the Ambassador raised in a December 3 meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit (see septel) were two recent religious freedom cases: the November 10 arrest of three members of the Middle East Christians Association (MECA) (refs A and B); and the fraud con [...] | 2007-12-04 15:32:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL EG |
07CAIRO3449 | HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH MEETS WITH EGYPT'S STATE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-10 14:45:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV KIRF EG |
07CAIRO3537 | MECA DETAINEES RELEASED [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-27 08:00:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV EG |
07CAIRO3558 | CONTROVERSY OVER AL-AZHAR ENGLISH LANGUAGE RESEARCH CENTER [...] (SBU) Summary: The recent opening of the English Language Research Center (ELRC) at the premier Islamic studies university in the Middle East (Al-Azhar University in Cairo) was a key milestone in U.S. public diplomacy efforts in Egypt. There have been ten articles on the new center, three of [...] | 2007-12-31 14:00:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KPAO KIRF KDEM SCUL SOCI EG |
07CAIRO489 | ALEXANDRIAN BLOGGER SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS [...] (SBU) Egyptian blogger Abdel Karim Nabil Soliman was found guilty and sentenced to a total of four years in prison on February 22 at an Alexandria court hearing. He received a 3-year sentence for "inciting hatred of Islam and insulting the Prophet Mohamed," and 1-year sentence for "defaming th [...] | 2007-02-22 14:06:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF EG |
07CHENGDU100 | LOCAL RELIGIOUS FIGURES ON ISLAMIC RESURGENCE IN CHINA'S [...] (C) Summary: During a series of informal discussions in southern Yunnan Province along China's borders with Vietnam and Laos, local Muslim leaders described with pride the resurgence of Islam in their communities. A recently-completed mosque and religious training school in Najiaying has attr [...] | 2007-04-12 06:00:00 | Consulate Chengdu | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SOCI PHUM KIRF CH |
07CHENGDU126 | YUNNAN HOUSE CHURCH CHRISTIANS LEFT ALONE BY GOVERNMENT WHEN [...] (C) Summary: According to two foreign missionaries and a Chinese Christian, the atmosphere for Yunnan house church Christians has improved in recent years and believers are able to worship with little government interference compared to other areas of China, if they are careful to maintain a d [...] | 2007-05-18 06:15:00 | Consulate Chengdu | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SOCI SCUL KIRF CH |
07CHENGDU161 | CHENGDU PATRIOTIC CHURCH LEADER COOPERATING WITH AMERICAN [...] (C) Summary. A local leader of China's officially-sanctioned Three Selves Patriotic Movement (TSPM) Christian Church and two local American English teachers discussed their cooperation in using expatriate-taught "English camps" and similar programs as a means to introduce local residents to Ch [...] | 2007-06-28 08:58:00 | Consulate Chengdu | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SCUL SOCI KIRF CH |
07CHENGDU272 | GUIDE TO OFFICIAL RELIGIOUS RESTRICTIONS IN SOUTHWEST [...] (SBU) Summary: The religious activities of the official 350,000 Muslims - , Protestants, Buddhists and Catholics in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in Southwest China, are organized according to both national and local religious affairs regulations. While the 2004 State Council regul [...] | 2007-11-27 11:23:00 | Consulate Chengdu | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI CH |
07CHENGDU274 | KUNMING CHURCH FLOURISHES DESPITE RESTRICTIONS [...] (C) Summary: According to the co-pastors of an officially-registered church in southwest China, while person-to-person proselytizing remains severely restricted, the number of Protestants in the city is growing rapidly. The city of Kunming, including subordinate adjacent counties, has 360 a [...] | 2007-11-30 06:43:00 | Consulate Chengdu | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF SOCI CH |
07CHENGDU286 | KUNMING CATHOLIC NUNS TRY TO REBUILD [...] (C) Summary: According to a nun presiding over a group of ten sisters at the Kunming Sacred Heart Church in southwest China's Yunnan Province, local religious affairs authorities are in general more difficult to work with than their counterparts to the north in Sichuan. The church was able, [...] | 2007-12-07 09:57:00 | Consulate Chengdu | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF CH |
07CHENGDU289 | REINCARNATION BEFORE DEATH: MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK [...] (C) Summary: The Dalai Lama's recent statement that he may choose a successor before his death drew accusations from self-styled protectors of religious orthodoxy in the Chinese Communist Party that the Dalai Lama was breaking with Tibetan tradition. According to Congen's Tibetan Buddhist relig [...] | 2007-12-12 03:39:00 | Consulate Chengdu | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF SOCI CH |
07CHENGDU34 | SOUTHWEST CHINA MUSLIM POPULATION GROWING [...] (SBU) Summary: Poor environmental and living conditions where many Muslims live in China's northwest have contributed to the expansion the Muslim population in the country's southwest provinces. Almost all of Sichuan Province's 200 Imams receive both religious and Arabic language training fro [...] | 2007-02-02 07:04:00 | Consulate Chengdu | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF CH |
07CHENGDU43 | SICHUAN SCHOLARS ON HARMONIOUS SOCIETY'S ROLE IN POLITICS, [...] (C) Summary: Scholars from the Sichuan Academy of Social Science described to a visiting EAP Desk Officer how the Harmonious Society "guiding philosophy" is being implemented at the provincial level. The policy plays an important role in democratic experiments at the local level, including r [...] | 2007-02-08 09:04:00 | Consulate Chengdu | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SOCI PHUM KIRF CH |
07CHIANGMAI116 | CHIANG MAI SERVES AS BASE FOR CHINA-FOCUSED CHRISTIAN GROUP [...] (C) Summary. Chiang Mai's large foreign Christian community provides a safe base for religious groups engaged in quiet work elsewhere in the region. While most do not identify their activities to the Consulate, our presence and American citizen services contribute to Chiang Mai's appeal for t [...] | 2007-06-26 06:58:00 | Consulate Chiang Mai | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM CASC PREL KIRF SOCI OEXC TH CH |
07CHIANGMAI139 | CHINA-FOCUSED CHRISTIAN GROUP SAYS GOING GETTING TOUGHER IN [...] (C) It is getting tougher to operate in western China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, according to the head of the "Friends of China" (FOC) Christian group's Chiang Mai office. Although FOC - which has been placing teachers and developmental workers in China for 20 years - has never had a [...] | 2007-08-27 08:21:00 | Consulate Chiang Mai | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KIRF SOCI CASC TH CH |
07DAKAR314 | BISHOPS, MARABOUTS, BUSINESSMEN AND STONE-THROWING [...] (C) The election campaign has begun, marked by President Abdoulaye Wade's reaffirmation of the importance to him of religion, and by the first acts of violence against major presidential candidates. Days before, the country's most activist and outspoken religious leader told visiting AF/W De [...] | 2007-02-07 15:41:00 | Embassy Dakar | CONFIDENTIAL | PINS PHUM PGOV PINR KDEM KIRF SG |
07DOHA1052 | QATAR FORGES ITS OWN "WAHABI" PATH [...] (C) Summary: Qatar's brand of Islam, according to three sources, is both traditional and progressive. It is traditional in that it is based on scripture and standing interpretations, but progressive in its tolerance for various Islamic schools of thought and moderate social strictures. Even [...] | 2007-11-08 13:51:00 | Embassy Doha | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF KISL QA |
07DUBLIN737 | IRISH RESPONSE TO THE 2007 IRFR AND OTHER [...] (SBU) POLOFFS delivered the 2007 International Religious Freedom Report (IRFR) to John Kennedy, Principal Officer, Office of the Secretary General, Department of the Taoiseach on September 18. Kennedy expressed concern regarding the focus on anti-Semitism in the 2007 IRFR. He said that many of [...] | 2007-09-20 16:16:00 | Embassy Dublin | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF KPAO OPRC PGOV PHUM EI |
07DUSHANBE1056 | JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES FIGHTING TO IMPORT LITERATURE UNDER [...] (SBU) Summary: Jehovah's Witness Associate Counsel Gregory Olds expressed concern that that Customs officials' recent seizure of a shipment of his organization's religious literature represents a worrying shift in the Tajik government's attitude towards religious freedom and censorship. Durin [...] | 2007-07-11 10:47:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF TI |
07DUSHANBE1077 | JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES FIGHTING TO IMPORT LITERATURE UNDER [...] (SBU) Summary: Jehovah's Witness Associate Counsel Gregory Olds expressed concern that that Customs officials' recent seizure of a shipment of his organization's religious literature represents a worrying shift in the Tajik government's attitude towards religious freedom and censorship. Durin [...] | 2007-07-17 13:10:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF TI |
07DUSHANBE1078 | TAJIK OFFICIALS ATTEMPT TO ARREST AND DEPORT AMERICAN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: The government of Tajikistan continues to squeeze nongovernmental organizations and religious groups, its latest target being the Jehovah's Witnesses. On July 13, two men identifying themselves as officers of the State Committee on National Security detained an Am [...] | 2007-07-17 13:16:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | CASC PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF TI |
07DUSHANBE1088 | JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES CONTINUE TO DEFY SOVIET-ERA RELIGIOUS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Following a scheduled court hearing, Greg Olds, Jehovah's Witnesses Associate General Counsel and Vladimir Voyevodin, a Jehovah's Witnesses lawyer from Almaty, Kazakhstan met with PolOff July 20 to update the Embassy on the legal case pertaining to the group's confiscated reli [...] | 2007-07-23 05:45:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF TI |
07DUSHANBE1090 | JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES CONTINUE TO DEFY SOVIET-ERA RELIGIOUS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Following a scheduled court hearing, Greg Olds, Jehovah's Witnesses Associate General Counsel and Vladimir Voyevodin, a Jehovah's Witnesses lawyer from Almaty, Kazakhstan met with PolOff July 20 to update the Embassy on the legal case pertaining to the group's confiscated reli [...] | 2007-07-24 12:23:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF TI |
07DUSHANBE1111 | TAJIK GOVT CLOSES UNREGISTERED MOSQUES [...] (U) Local police closed down an unregistered mosque in Zarafshon neighborhood in Dushanbe July 26. Embassy staff witnessed the closure of one mosque as authorities locked the mosque's doors, prohibiting people from worshipping and angering the local community. Police continued to patrol the [...] | 2007-07-30 13:58:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF KDEM TI |
07DUSHANBE1117 | TAJIKISTAN'S SALAFI MUSLIMS GROWING IN NUMBERS [...] (C) SUMMARY: In Tajikistan, despite the government's fear of religious extremism which has led it to close down mosques, forbid girls from wearing hijabs in schools, and propose a new law on religion that could curtail practice of all faiths, the Salafi school of Islam is growing in size. I [...] | 2007-08-01 12:23:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF TI |
07DUSHANBE1136 | TAJIK IMAMS DEFY LOCAL AUTHORITIES [...] (U) Following a campaign to shutter - and in some cases bulldoze - unregistered mosques in Dushanbe last month, indications that the scope for freedom of religion in Tajikistan is dwindling continue to surface. However, some members of the country's religious leadership are resisting governm [...] | 2007-08-08 10:12:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF TI |
07DUSHANBE1531 | GOVERNMENT OF TAJIKISTAN OUTLAWS JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES [...] (SBU) Summary: In line with its increasingly restrictive controls on religious practice, the Government of Tajikistan has banned the Jehovah's Witnesses from activities in the country. Representatives of the organization have told us that they will appeal the government's decision, and that the [...] | 2007-10-26 05:43:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL TI KIRF |
07DUSHANBE790 | JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES' LITERATURE SEIZED, MEMBER INTERROGATED [...] (C) Tajikistan's Jehovah's Witnesses face increased pressure from the Tajik government and fear their recent problems may signal the government's move to shut down the religious group entirely (reftel). On April 26, State Committee on National Security officials prohibited customs authorities [...] | 2007-06-04 10:55:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF TI |
07DUSHANBE796 | TAJIKISTAN: FEMALE STUDENT CHALLENGES BAN ON HIJAB IN [...] SUMMARY: In an unprecedented case, a young female university student, Davlatmoh Ismailova, is suing the Tajik Institute of Languages and the Ministry of Education for expelling her for wearing a hijab to school. This is the first time a student has brought a case against a university and the [...] | 2007-06-05 10:18:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KWMN KIRF TI |
07FRANKFURT782 | LEADING GERMAN HUMAN RIGHTS NGO SEEKING USG [...] (U) This is an action cable (action request in paragraph 9). 2. (C) SUMMARY: Conservative German human rights NGO "International Society for Human Rights" (IGFM/ISHR) would like to partner informally with the USG and U.S. organizations on Iran, North Korea, and persecuted Christians. The [...] | 2007-02-16 13:57:00 | Consulate Frankfurt | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PREL GM IR KN CU CH |
07GENEVA2421 | DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON FORCIBLE RETURN OF CHINESE [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-26 13:58:00 | US Mission Geneva | SECRET | KIRF KISL PHUM PREF PREL |
07GENEVA2431 | SECOND DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON FORCIBLE RETURN OF [...] (S) Per ref a, PolCouns demarched Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) Secretariat staffers Safir Syed (assistant to Special Rapporteur on Torture Manfred Nowak) and Michael Wiener (assistant to Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion/Belief Asma Jahangir) on October 30. Syed and Weiner, [...] | 2007-10-30 16:46:00 | US Mission Geneva | SECRET | KIRF KISL PREF PREL PHUM |
07GUANGZHOU1301 | Making Themselves Heard: South China Christians in [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a few exceptions to the general rule of silence, especially in instances where Christian government and media officials help facilitate access, Christians in south China have recently enjoyed opportunities to talk (openly or obliquely) about their faith, according to Guangdong s [...] | 2007-12-27 05:48:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI CH |
07GUANGZHOU1303 | Religious Freedom Varies for South China Expats [...] (C) SUMMARY: Control over expatriate churches in south China -- ranging from heavy-handed to laissez-faire -- suggests that local governments have considerable latitude in how to interpret regulations on the practice of religion. Expatriate church members in Guangzhou report strict Religious A [...] | 2007-12-28 08:20:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI CH |
07GUANGZHOU449 | Fuzhou Church Thrives inside its Doors [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Senior members of the Christian Association in Fuzhou are positive about local church development and expansion of community outreach despite limits on promoting religious activities outside of the church. END SUMMARY 2. (U) On March 28, the Consul General and Consulate staff [...] | 2007-04-10 08:29:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PGOV SOCI PHUM CH |
07GUANGZHOU458 | Guangzhou International Christian Church Faces RAB [...] (C) SUMMARY: Guangzhou International Christian Fellowship (GICF) faces renewed pressure to move its location, but the Religious Authorities Bureau (RAB) has told prospective landlords that the fellowship is composed of troublemakers and advised them not to rent to them. The RAB appears concer [...] | 2007-04-13 04:02:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI CH |
07GUANGZHOU460 | Seminary Lecturer Discusses Protestantism in Guangdong, [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: A lecturer at the Guangdong Union Theological Seminary provided an overview of the small but active provincial Protestant community. It has ties with U.S. and Hong Kong religious institutions and seeks to maintain good relations with the government. Local governments have encou [...] | 2007-04-13 08:49:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV SOCI CH |
07GUANGZHOU505 | Guangzhou Police Raid Underground Church, Seek [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to a leader of the local Li Jiang Fellowship church, the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau (PSB) raided her underground church on April 22. PSB officials disrupted the gathering of 100 churchgoers gathering in a local restaurant and warned church leaders to cease holding [...] | 2007-04-27 09:31:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV SOCI PHUM CH |
07GUATEMALA1911 | RELEASE OF 2007 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM [...] Poloff hand-delivered a copy of the 2007 Guatemala Report on International Religious Freedom (IRF) to Ambassador Julio Martini, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, per reftel. Amb. Martini expressed his appreciation and announced that it was "good news" that there were no rep [...] | 2007-09-20 21:50:00 | Embassy Guatemala | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV OPRC KIRF KPAO KDEM SOCI GT |
07HANOI100 | VIETNAM'S CHRISTIANS REPORT MERRY CHRISTMAS, OTHER POSITIVE [...] (SBU) We are encouraged by initial enthusiastic reports from northern Protestants and Catholics that Christmas 2006 was celebrated with incident. There have been no reports of official harassment of registered or unregistered Protestants anywhere in the north, and most house churches were allo [...] | 2007-01-18 06:57:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM |
07HANOI1085 | HANOI-BASED CHIEFS OF MISSION DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (SBU) On June 5, the Australian Ambassador hosted the fourth Hanoi-based Chiefs of Mission human rights discussion. Participants included Chiefs of Mission (COM) or their designates from the United States, European Commission, United Kingdom, Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany and Australia. [...] | 2007-06-11 08:47:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF HUMANR PGOV PHUM VM |
07HANOI1109 | HANOI ARCHBISHOP PAINTS MIXED PICTURE ON GVN-CATHOLIC [...] (SBU) On June 13, Poloff met Hanoi Archbishop Ngo Quang Kiet to discuss GVN-Church relations. Unprompted, the Archbishop began by noting the GVN's arrests and trials of scores of political activists. He told Poloff it is hard to describe how his followers feel about this matter. On a positiv [...] | 2007-06-14 08:02:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HANOI1128 | CRA EXPLAINS DELAYS IN IMPLEMENTING RELIGION LAW IN THE [...] (SBU) On June 14, Poloff met with the GVN Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA) and discussed delays in the registration of religious congregations in the North and Northwest Highlands and aspects of the spread of Protestantism among ethnic minority communities. CRA, which has operational respo [...] | 2007-06-18 08:19:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM |
07HANOI1144 | LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM WIFE OF JAILED DISSIDENT [...] (SBU) Summary and Background. On June 20, Post received a letter addressed to President Bush from Vu Minh Khanh, wife of jailed dissident Nguyen Van Dai. In the letter, Khanh asks the President to intervene on her husband's behalf during his June 22 meeting with Vietnamese President Nguyen Mi [...] | 2007-06-22 03:58:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF HUMANR PGOV PREL VM |
07HANOI129 | NORTHWEST DAM PROJECT "ON TRACK," WITH SOME FINE TUNING OF [...] (SBU) According to local media reports and Post contacts, the Son La Province hydropower dam project is on schedule, together with the resettlement of the 100,000 ethnic minorities whose villages are located behind the dam. The GVN denies that some resettled villagers have returned home, asser [...] | 2007-01-23 07:55:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF ENRG ECON VM |
07HANOI1300 | DISSIDENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS REMAIN UNDER PRESSURE [...] (C) Since May 2007, the GVN has released four high-profile political prisoners on our lists; nevertheless, many more remain sentenced to prison, detained without charges, missing, in exile in Cambodia, or under house arrest. Family members of some released or detained activists often live wit [...] | 2007-07-24 17:28:00 | Embassy Hanoi | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL VM |
07HANOI1301 | HFAC STAFFDEL MIXTER DISCUSSES HUMAN RIGHTS DEVELOPMENT [...] (SBU) Summary: Visiting Professional Staff Member Jonathan Cobb Mixter told GVN officials in Hanoi the recent wave of arrests and crackdown on political dissidents was causing serious concern on Capitol Hill and could make it harder to facilitate deeper USG engagement with Vietnam; some members [...] | 2007-07-24 17:53:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF OTRA ECON BM VM |
07HANOI1311 | CORRECTED COPY: HFAC STAFFDEL MIXTER DISCUSSES HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (U) This cable is a corrected copy of Hanoi 1301 of July 24, 2007. 2. (SBU) Summary: Visiting Professional Staff Member Jonathan Cobb Mixter told GVN officials in Hanoi the recent wave of arrests and crackdown on political dissidents was causing serious concern on Capitol Hill and could ma [...] | 2007-07-25 16:45:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF OTRA ECON BM VM |
07HANOI1340 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH COMMITTEE ON RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS ON [...] (SBU) Summary: Vietnam's point person on religion underscored progress in improving religious freedom, but also admitted that there is still work to be done. Vietnam plans to recognize a number of additional religious groups, including the Baha'i Faith while Protestant congregations in the Cen [...] | 2007-07-30 15:10:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF OTRA ECON VM |
07HANOI1352 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRIET FOCUSES ON [...] (SBU) Summary: In his July 31 farewell call on Vietnam's President Nguyen Minh Triet, the Ambassador noted the significant progress in bilateral economic and commercial ties as well as increased USG support for the GVN's reform efforts, while cautioning that important human rights concerns rema [...] | 2007-08-01 14:08:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF ECON VM |
07HANOI1381 | AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL CALL ON PRIME MINISTER DZUNG [...] (SBU) Summary. In a cordial August 3 farewell call on Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung, the Ambassador and the Prime Minister reflected positively on the progress in bilateral relations over the past three years, including growing trade ties and increased cooperation in areas such as [...] | 2007-08-04 12:12:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED | ECON ETRD PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF EAID EAIR KHIV VM |
07HANOI1382 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER/FOREIGN [...] (SBU) Summary: During the August 2 farewell lunch he hosted for Ambassador and Mrs. Marine, Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem noted the many achievements in U.S.-Vietnam relations during the Ambassador's tenure. The Ambassador agreed that improvements had been [...] | 2007-08-06 07:54:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF ETRD ECON VM |
07HANOI1385 | AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL DINNER WITH VICE FOREIGN MINISTER LE [...] (SBU) Summary: Vice Foreign Minister Le Van Bang and the Ambassador discussed a wide range of issues during a cordial August 3 dinner. The Ambassador used the occasion to underscore U.S. concerns concerned over governance and human rights, and raised the cases of imprisoned individuals eligibl [...] | 2007-08-06 11:55:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV CONS KIRF ECON VM |
07HANOI1390 | TOP SECURITY OFFICIAL DISCUSSES DISSIDENTS, CHINA [...] (C) In a long, wide-ranging discussion August 2, Vice Minister of Public Security (MPS) Nguyen Van Huong, Vietnam's head of "general security" and intelligence gave his frank views on a broad range of key bilateral issues including political dissidents, prisoners and detainees, religious freed [...] | 2007-08-06 15:43:00 | Embassy Hanoi | CONFIDENTIAL | ASEC BM CM KIRF PGOV PHUM PINR PREL VM |
07HANOI1461 | HANOI ARCHBISHOP DISCUSSES CHURCH ISSUES WITH AMBASSADOR [...] (SBU) In an August 13 farewell call by the Ambassador, Hanoi Archbishop Ngo Quang Kiet praised the Ambassador's contribution to international religious freedom, noting in particular recent progress in northern Ha Giang Province. The Archbishop agreed with the Ambassador's assessment that much [...] | 2007-08-14 16:32:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VM |
07HANOI150 | PROTESTANTISM INCREASINGLY AN ETHNIC MINORITY RELIGION IN [...] (SBU) Historically, although most of northern Vietnam's small population of Protestants were made up of ethnic Vietnamese (Kinh) people, Protestant growth amongst remote ethnic minority populations over the past 20 years has changed the demographics of the northern church. Today, the vast majo [...] | 2007-01-25 09:26:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF VM |
07HANOI1501 | AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH PRESIDENT TRIET SETS [...] No summary [...] | 2007-08-21 17:15:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF ECON VM |
07HANOI1637 | MEETING WITH DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST - TRUTH BEHIND INTERNET [...] (SBU) Summary: In contrast to an internet report posted on a Vietnamese-American human rights website alleging that the police broke up an August 30 meeting between Poloff and eight pro-democracy activists in Hanoi, the meeting with only one dissident - Mr. Nguyen Phuong Anh - was held at Mr. A [...] | 2007-09-12 17:01:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF VM |
07HANOI1642 | FOLLOW UP ON USCIRF VISIT DATES [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-13 17:00:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF PHUM VM |
07HANOI1682 | AMBASSADOR'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH VFM LE VAN BANG [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-20 14:05:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ABLD AMGT PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF ECON VM |
07HANOI1693 | VIETNAM REACTION TO IRF REPORT: INACCURATE BUT POSITIVE [...] (SBU) Vietnamese media coverage on the release of the 2007 International Religious Freedom (IRF) report was widespread, accurate and uniformly more positive than in previous years. Following a Mission press release alerting journalists to the report's release, initial stories were straightforwa [...] | 2007-09-24 10:26:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF OPRC KPAO VM |
07HANOI1746 | AMBASSADOR PITCHES PRISONER AMNESTY, GOOD [...] (C) Meeting with the GVN's leading security official, the Ambassador raised a range of human rights issues, flagged the upcoming United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) visit, and discussed a number of key security and property issues involving the Mission. In the [...] | 2007-10-04 11:51:00 | Embassy Hanoi | CONFIDENTIAL | ABLD AMGT ASEC KIRF PGOV PHUM PINR PREL VM |
07HANOI1748 | VIETNAM AND VATICAN PROMOTE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS [...] (SBU) The Government of Vietnam (GVN) has agreed to the establishment of a long-awaited Joint Working Group (JWG) to develop official diplomatic relations with the Holy See. At an October 3 introductory call at the Ministry of Home Affairs' Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA),CRA Chairman Ng [...] | 2007-10-04 15:21:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VT VM |
07HANOI1848 | USCIRF MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER NGUYEN TAN DZUNG [...] (SBU) On October 23, five commissioners from the United States Commission on Religious Freedom (USCIRF) discussed human rights and Vietnam's prisoners of concern with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung. USCIRF members said that Vietnam will not enjoy full religious freedom until its citizens can [...] | 2007-10-29 08:17:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HANOI1849 | USCIRF MEETING WITH VIETNAMESE VICE FOREIGN MINISTER [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-29 08:19:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HANOI1850 | USCIRF MEETINGS WITH HANOI ARCHBISHOP AND ECVN PRESIDENT [...] No summary [...] | 2007-10-29 08:20:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HANOI1852 | USCIRF MEETING WITH VICE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SECURITY NGUYEN [...] (SBU) Summary: On October 23, members of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) met with GVN Vice Minister of Public Security (MPS) Nguyen Van Huong. Members asked Huong about the registration of Protestant organizations, establishing independent Buddhist reli [...] | 2007-10-29 09:07:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF PINR VM |
07HANOI1935 | HANOI REACTION TO USCIRF VISIT [...] (C) The recent visit to Vietnam by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has generated strong negative reactions within certain circles of the GVN. GVN criticism has centered primarily on what was widely considered inappropriate behavior by USCIRF members in [...] | 2007-11-14 10:07:00 | Embassy Hanoi | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PINR PREL VM |
07HANOI1975 | AMBASSADOR VISITS HAIPHONG ON THE OCCASION OF HISTORIC U.S. [...] (SBU) Summary: The Ambassador made his first visit to Haiphong City, in part to participate in activities related to an historic port call by two U.S. Navy warships. The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chairman of the Haiphong City People's Committee and expressed concern over an i [...] | 2007-11-21 09:29:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL ECON KIRF TBIO KHIV PINS OEXC CVIS PGOV PHUM |
07HANOI2029 | USCIRF MEETS WITH DISSIDENTS IN HANOI [...] (C) A delegation from the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) met with Hanoi-based political dissidents, attorney Le Quoc Quan and Dr. Pham Hong Son, on October 22 and 23, respectively. According to both, all un-sanctioned political and religious organizations [...] | 2007-12-03 09:45:00 | Embassy Hanoi | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PINR PREL VM |
07HANOI2033 | USCIRF MEETS WITH GVN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY [...] (SBU) On October 22, a delegation of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) met with Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Nguyen Van Son and deputies of the National Assembly (NA - Vietnam's parliament) to discuss the NA's oversight and legislative role in prot [...] | 2007-12-04 05:50:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PREL PGOV ASEC VM |
07HANOI2038 | USCIRF VISITS HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS NGUYEN VAN DAI AND LE [...] (SBU) On October 22, 2007 a visiting United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) delegation met with the wife of imprisoned political dissident Nguyen Van Dai, Vu Minh Khanh and the mother of imprisoned political dissident Le Thi Cong Nhan, Tran Thi Le, at a Hanoi resta [...] | 2007-12-04 09:11:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PREL PGOV ASEC VM |
07HANOI2040 | USCIRF MEETING WITH VIETNAM'S COMMITTEE ON RELIGIOUS [...] No summary [...] | 2007-12-05 01:59:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HANOI209 | HANOI ARCHBISHOP NOTES PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS FOR VIETNAM'S [...] (SBU) On January 29, Hanoi Archbishop Ngo Quang Kiet told the Ambassador that conditions for Catholics in northern Vietnam are steadily improving. Christmas 2006 was festive, and the Church was able to send priests to celebrate Christmas in one previously problematic northern province. That s [...] | 2007-01-31 09:41:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV HUMANR VM |
07HANOI234 | DPM KHIEM'S VISIT TO UNITED STATES: MARCH DATES ACCEPTED [...] (SBU) On February 5, the DCM met with the MFA America's Desk Acting DG Pham Van Que. Que confirmed that DPM/FM Pham Gia Khiem would like to visit Washington DC, March 15-16 (text of diplomatic note at para 6). The main purpose of the DPM's visit is to prepare for President Nguyen Minh Triet's [...] | 2007-02-05 10:16:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV ECON VM |
07HANOI256 | HANOI CHIEFS OF MISSION DISCUSS HUMAN RIGHTS, [...] (SBU) On January 31, EC Ambassador Markus Cornaro hosted the third in a series of Hanoi Ambassadors' human rights discussions. Among the issues discussed were: -- The overall human rights situation in Vietnam: Most COMs noted progress, but expressed some concerns regarding Protestants in the [...] | 2007-02-09 07:45:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF HUMANR PGOV PHUM VM |
07HANOI275 | PM'S VATICAN VISIT TO BE FOLLOWED BY PAPAL VISIT TO [...] (SBU) Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung's January 25 visit to the Vatican has elicited guarded optimism from Catholics and GVN officials alike that both sides are moving closer to normalizing diplomatic relations. Recent efforts by the GVN to upgrade an important shrine in southern Vietnam may i [...] | 2007-02-13 08:09:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV HUMANR VM |
07HANOI675 | CODEL ORTIZ DISCUSSES GROWING U.S.-VIETNAM TIES, EMR [...] (SBU) On April 6, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Yeu separately told Codel Ortiz that U.S.-Vietnam relations are growing across the board and are bound to expand more in the coming years. Both leaders cited recent landmar [...] | 2007-04-11 07:49:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF OTRA ECON VM |
07HANOI898 | AMBASSADOR AND VFM BANG DISCUSS TRIET VISIT, HUMAN [...] (C) Summary: At a May 15 dinner with Vice Foreign Minister (VFM) Le Van Bang and other MFA officials, the Ambassador stressed that time is short for the two sides to reach agreements on potential deliverables to ensure a successful visit by President Nguyen Minh Triet. The two sides discusse [...] | 2007-05-16 11:26:00 | Embassy Hanoi | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON ETRD KIRF OVIP PGOV PHUM PREL VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1015 | VIETNAM IN-COUNTRY PRIORITY ONE REFERRAL [...] (C/NF) Summary: Mission's P-1 Referral Committee has completed consideration of five possible Priority One (P-1) applicants and is referring two to PRM for consideration. Truong Van Duc is a long-time Hoa Hao leader and has spent much of his life in detention. His outspoken, but non- violent, [...] | 2007-10-02 08:44:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREF PHUM SOCI KIRF PGOV PREL VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1021 | BAPTISTS, MENNONITES RECEIVE OFFICIAL GVN RECOGNITION [...] (SBU) Summary: Approximately three weeks before the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is scheduled to arrive in Vietnam, the government of Vietnam has granted national recognition to two more Protestant denominations: the Mennonite Vietnam Church and the Vietnam Bapt [...] | 2007-10-03 10:57:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY103 | ACTIVIST BUI KIM THANH REMAINS INVOLUNTARILY IN MENTAL [...] (SBU) On January 25, we met separately with two colleagues of Bui Kim Thanh, the HCMC land rights activist who was involuntarily committed to a mental institution in November 2006 (refs A and C). We questioned both intensively. Both appeared credible. They said that they had known and worke [...] | 2007-01-30 11:30:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1145 | TIM SAKHORN SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR IN PRISON [...] (SBU) On November 8, 2007, defrocked Khmer Krom monk Tim Sakhorn was sentenced to one year in prison by the An Giang Provincial People's Court for "sabotaging national unity," as defined by Article 87 of the GVN criminal code. The one-year sentence includes time already served in detention, wh [...] | 2007-11-13 10:29:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI PREF KIRF PREL PGOV PHUM CB VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1192 | USCIRF MEETS HCMC GVN: CITY COUNCIL CHAIR MADAME THAO [...] (SBU) During the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (CIRF) delegation's meeting with HCMC People's Council Chairwoman Pham Phuong Thao on October 25, Commissioners cited outstanding issues that marred the GVN's record of progress on religious freedom, including limitations with th [...] | 2007-12-04 10:46:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1193 | USCIRF MEETS HCMC GVN: DEPUTY PARTY SECRETARY DUA [...] (SBU) The USCIRF's meeting with Deputy Party Secretary Nguyen Van Dua on October 25 explored the reasons for implementing a legal framework on religion in Vietnam, with the CIRF questioning whether the law is a tool for freedom or control, and the Secretary justifying the need to protect Vietna [...] | 2007-12-04 11:12:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1219 | AMBASSADOR MICHALAK'S MEETING WITH CARDINAL MAN [...] (SBU) In Ambassador Michalak's December 3 courtesy call on HCMC's Cardinal Pham Min Man, Man described religious freedom in Vietnam as a kind of "controlled freedom," acknowledging that the situation for the Catholic Church has improved in general. The Cardinal outlined ongoing issues the Chur [...] | 2007-12-12 15:16:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1221 | AMBASSADOR MICHALAK'S MEETING WITH CARDINAL MAN [...] (SBU) In Ambassador Michalak's December 3 courtesy call on HCMC's Cardinal Pham Min Man, Man described religious freedom in Vietnam as a kind of "controlled freedom," acknowledging that the situation for the Catholic Church has improved in general. The Cardinal outlined ongoing issues the Churc [...] | 2007-12-12 15:17:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1229 | USCIRF IN HCMC: MEETING THE DISSIDENTS [...] (SBU) The USCIRF delegation met with Do Nam Hai and Dr. Nguyen Dan Que to discuss the human rights situation in Vietnam. Both discussed the state of the democracy movement in Vietnam, the challenges facing democracy activists today (e.g., surveillance, harassment and arrest),and their belief [...] | 2007-12-14 02:33:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1231 | USCIRF IN HCMC: MEETING THE CAO DAI [...] (SBU) Commissioners Cromartie, Bansal, Argue, Gaer and Eid met with Cao Dai Bishop Thuong Minh Thanh, Bishop & Deputy Director Thuong Be Thanh and Archivist Le Quang Tan on October 25, 2007. Bishop Minh presented a positive view of Cao Dai-GVN relations, citing several examples of improving co [...] | 2007-12-14 03:33:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1232 | USCIRF IN HCMC: MEETING THE SECV [...] (SBU) USCIRF Commissioners Cromartie, Bansal, Argue, Gaer and Eid and staffers Dettoni and Flipse met with the Southern Evangelical Church of Vietnam (SECV) leaders Pastor Ngo Van Buu (Vice President),Pastor Phan Quang Thieu (Senior Pastor) and Pastor Nguyen Vinh Cu (Treasurer General) on Octo [...] | 2007-12-14 03:38:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1233 | USCIRF IN HCMC: PROTESTANT HOUSE CHURCH LEADERS [...] (SBU) The USCIRF delegation kicked off their visit to Ho Chi Minh City on October 24 with a house church roundtable of Protestant leaders from the Assembly of God, United Baptist Church, United Gospel Outreach Church and Baptist Alliance Church congregations in Vietnam. The pastors were unifie [...] | 2007-12-14 03:50:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1236 | USCIRF URGES GVN TO EASE ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS TENSIONS IN [...] (SBU) The USCIRF delegation, on the final leg of their 12-day long assessment of religious freedom in Vietnam, visited Soc Trang to examine issues pertaining to the Mekong Delta province's significant Khmer Buddhist population. The delegation, which included Commissioner Leonard Leo and two s [...] | 2007-12-14 09:54:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF SOCI PINR VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1239 | USCIRF IN HCMC: MEETING THE HOA HAO [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The meeting between members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) and a group of Hoa Hao followers revealed the group's deep suspicions of the GVN and its policies on religion -- suspicions that have been fueled by the appointment of an official, GVN- [...] | 2007-12-14 10:59:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY1279 | CHANGES IN THE FORTUNES OF ONE CHURCH REFLECT CHANGES IN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The story of the United World Mission Church (UWMC) is a microcosm the changes that have gripped Vietnam in the more than 32 years since the end of the war. The church went underground but survived as the direct persecution and police scare campaigns of the late 1970's progresse [...] | 2007-12-28 05:31:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KIRF PHUM PREL VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY134 | PRM A/S SAUERBREY MEETS ETHNIC MINORITY RETURNEES FROM [...] (SBU) Summary: During a visit to the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai February 1-2, PRM Assistant Secretary Sauerbrey toured a village near the Cambodian border to meet with six ethnic Jarai returnees and their families. The interviews were conducted in the presence of ethnic village eld [...] | 2007-02-07 10:28:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREF PGOV SOCI PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY175 | PRM A/S SAUERBREY MEETS ETHNIC MINORITY PASTOR [...] (C) Summary: On February 1, PRM Assistant Secretary Ellen Sauerbrey during a visit to Gia Lai Province called on Southern Evangelical Church of Vietnam (SECV) Pastor Siu Y Kim at his house church in Pleiku and later had a private conversation with the pastor. The pastor named FULRO as the sou [...] | 2007-02-26 10:07:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PHUM PREL KIRF SOCI VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY224 | DO NAM HAI: LAST OF THE 8406 BLOC DISSIDENTS? [...] Summary: Do Nam Hai, co-founder of the dissident 8406 Bloc (which calls for peaceful political change in Vietnam),told us that he has been under de facto house arrest since about the time police intensified their actions against 8406 co-leader Father Nguyen Van Ly in Hue. Hai has no intentio [...] | 2007-03-09 12:26:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY232 | AUTHORITIES DENY ACCESS TO ACTIVIST BUI KIM THANH [...] (SBU) On March 14, the HCMC External Relations Office (ERO) responded in the negative to a ConGen diplomatic note informing the GVN of our plan to visit Bui Kim Thanh, the HCMC land rights activist who was involuntarily committed to a mental institution in November 2006. In our dipnote to the [...] | 2007-03-15 11:08:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY234 | THE AMBASSADOR IN THE CENTRAL MEKONG: FOCUS ON ETHNIC KHMER, [...] (SBU) Summary: Discussions on economic development, trafficking in persons, religious freedom and NGO activities headlined the agenda during the Ambassador's March 4-7 visit to the Mekong Delta provinces of Soc Trang, Vinh Long and Dong Thap. Vinh Long's more favorable geographic locale and [...] | 2007-03-15 14:32:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY248 | FATHER LY INDICTED; DO NAM HAI QUITS [...] (SBU) Summary: Hue-based dissident Father Phan Van Loi confirmed as authentic Internet reports that Hue authorities have indicted Father Nguyen Van Ly and four others for "propagandizing against the government." In HCMC, political activist Do Nam Hai told us he has ended his pro-democracy ac [...] | 2007-03-19 10:42:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY26 | UBCV PATRIARCH "PREVENTED" FROM TRAVELING TO HCMC [...] (U) On January 4, the International Buddhist Information Bureau (IBIB),the Paris-based mouthpiece for the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) announced that UBCV Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang was prevented from returning to HCMC for a medical check up. Thich Huyen Quang returned to Binh [...] | 2007-01-08 10:02:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY261 | THE "RECONCILER" RETURNS: THICH NHAT HANH VISITS VIETNAM [...] (SBU) Summary: Visiting Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh and his aides told us that he found the GVN tougher and more assertive in 2007 than in 2005 when he first returned from exile (reftel). However, by developing the trust of the CPV and GVN, he has been able to expand his activities [...] | 2007-03-21 11:05:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY266 | CG VISITS DETAINED UBCV PATRIARCH THICH HUYEN QUANG [...] (SBU) The Consul General paid a 30-minute courtesy call on UBCV Patriarch Thich Huyen Quang at his Monastery in Binh Dinh province on March 14. Thich Huyen Quang acknowledged that his health was failing, but, with a sense of humor noted that he was over 90 after all. He said that he has been [...] | 2007-03-23 03:34:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY270 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CONDITIONS IN HUE [...] (SBU) Summary: Religious freedom conditions in Central Vietnam's Thua Thien Hue conditions continue to gradually improve for the Catholic archdiocese and the small Protestant community. The decision of a house church group in the province to apply for registration under Vietnam's legal frame [...] | 2007-03-26 08:43:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY333 | ANOTHER HCMC ACTIVIST ARRESTED; BUI KIM THANH UPDATE [...] (SBU) On April 3 we met with the sister of lawyer Tran Thi Thuy Trang to confirm ref A reports that Ms. Trang was arrested in HCMC on March 7. Trang is an associate of Le Quoc Quan, a National Endowment for Democracy fellow, who was arrested on March 8 in northern Vietnam shortly after his re [...] | 2007-04-04 06:40:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY35 | TEST OF EACT PSEUDO-HEADER [...] this is a test. l;kjasdhfl;akjdf;askldfjasdkl;fj 888888888888888888888888888888888888888888. 9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999. WINNICK [...] | 2007-01-10 09:41:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PHUM SOCI KIRF PGOV PREL VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY36 | TEST OF EACT PSEUDO-HEADER 2 [...] this is a test. l;kjasdhfl;akjdf;askldfjasdkl;fj 888888888888888888888888888888888888888888. 9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999. WINNICK [...] | 2007-01-10 09:42:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PHUM SOCI KIRF PGOV PREL VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY402 | HAPPY EASTER: SOUTHERN VIETNAM RELIGIOUS FREEDOM UPDATE [...] (SBU) Religious leaders from the Protestant community in southern Vietnam told us that successful Easter celebrations were another sign of continuing progress on religious freedom. The President of the GVN-recognized Southern Evangelical Church of Vietnam (SECV) said that he has not received [...] | 2007-04-10 02:54:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY407 | EAP DAS JOHN MEETS HCMC DISSIDENT LEADERS [...] (SBU) GVN officials in Hanoi and HCMC protested but did not prevent EAP DAS Eric John from holding meetings on April 9 with dissident leaders Thich Quang Do and Tran Khue. Meeting in his pagoda where he has been under house arrest since October 2003, Thich Quang Do, General Secretary of the [...] | 2007-04-11 02:03:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL SOCI PHUM KIRF PGOV OVIP PINR VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY461 | DISTORTIONS IN ABUSE CASE OF CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ETHNIC [...] (SBU) Summary: A number of U.S. groups, including the Montagnard Foundation, published reports on the Internet claiming that an ethnic minority woman in the province of Dak Lak named H'Hlung Nie was badly beaten by police during interrogation, following the flight of a sister to Cambodia. Th [...] | 2007-04-23 08:14:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY489 | ARREST AND DEFROCKING OF ETHNIC KHMER BUDDHIST MONKS IN THE [...] (C) Post has confirmed recent incidents of detention and/or defrocking of ethnic Khmer Buddhist monks in two Mekong Delta provinces, despite official denials (Ref B). Venerable Tang No, head monk of Kleang pagoda in Soc Trang (strictly protect),confirmed to us in early May that three monks -- [...] | 2007-05-08 07:56:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF SOCI PINR VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY510 | FOUR MORE HOA HAO DISSIDENTS IMPRISONED [...] (SBU) On May 4, a contact in the Hoa Hao community told us that the provincial court in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap sentenced four Hoa Hao dissidents to prison terms ranging from four to six years on charges of "creating public disorder," under Article 245 of the 1999 Criminal Code. [...] | 2007-05-09 09:12:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF SOCI PINR VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY520 | FIVE ETHNIC KHMER MONKS IMPRISONED IN THE MEKONG DELTA [...] (SBU) Five ethnic Khmer monks from the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang were sentenced by the local provincial court on May 10 to between two and four years imprisonment for "disturbing public order." The five allegedly were organizers of protests in Soc Trang on February 8. The incident r [...] | 2007-05-11 10:14:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF SOCI PINR VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY523 | GVN STEPS UP DIVIDE AND CONQUER ATTACKS ON UBCV [...] (SBU) Summary: Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security-affiliated newspaper covered prominently its Vice Minister's April 30 meeting with Thich Huyen Quang, the ailing 90-year old Patriarch of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV),as a gesture of GVN goodwill and reconciliation. The a [...] | 2007-05-14 09:13:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF SOCI PINR VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY609 | THE GVN, UBCV AND BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY [...] (SBU) The GVN went to great lengths to highlight its support for the GVN-recognized Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) commemoration of the annual Buddha's Birthday ("Vesak") celebrations on May 31. The VBS events were well covered by HCMC media, which reported extensively on President Nguyen Minh [...] | 2007-06-08 09:22:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF PINR VM SOCI |
07HOCHIMINHCITY623 | ALLEGATION OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM VIOLATION IN ARREST OF [...] (SBU) On March 4, the South Carolina-based Montagnard Foundation (MF) issued a press release asserting that on February 17, Vietnamese troops in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak arrested Y-Ja Nie and T-Tuc Buonya "because they are Christians who refused to join the government-recognize [...] | 2007-06-13 10:45:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PINR PREF KIRF SOCI VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY643 | EXPERIENCES OF A HARDLINE HOUSE CHURCH IN VIETNAM [...] (SBU) Summary: Leaders of the Inter-Evangelical Church of Vietnam, a large Protestant house church organization based in HCMC, told us that, with the exception of a recent incident in Binh Phuoc province, their operations in Southern and Central Vietnam are stable. Conditions for the IEM in t [...] | 2007-06-19 09:22:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PINR SOCI KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY689 | AMBASSADOR TACKLES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ISSUES IN THE FOOTHILLS [...] (SBU) Summary: On a June 6-8 trip to Dak Nong, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh provinces, leaders from the GVN-recognized and house church communities told the Ambassador that church members were free to worship and practice their faith. However, the GVN-recognized Southern Evangelical Church of Viet [...] | 2007-06-28 10:12:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF PREF PINR VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY732 | STATUS OF CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ETHINIC MINORITIES: DEBRIEFING [...] (SBU) In late May and June, we interviewed five VISAS-93 (family reunification) ethnic minority beneficiaries and their families from the Central Highlands provinces of Gia Lai and Dak Lak. The meetings were conducted in private, in the offices of post's Humanitarian Resettlement Section (HRS) [...] | 2007-07-09 08:22:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PREF KIRF SOCI VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY733 | EXPULSION OF ETHNIC KHMER MONK FROM CAMBODIA [...] (SBU) Post has been seeking to confirm Ref A reporting that an ethnic Khmer monk, Tim Sakhorn, was allegedly forcibly deported from Cambodia to Vietnam. ConGen contacts in An Giang and Soc Trang provinces confirmed that Sakhorn is from Tinh Bien district in An Giang province. Chief Monk Chau [...] | 2007-07-09 08:41:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREF PREL KIRF SOCI CB VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY746 | RELEASE OF ACTIVIST BUI KIM THANH [...] (SBU) Summary: Land rights activist Bui Kim Thanh was released from a Dong Nai mental hospital on July 11 after receiving a clean bill of mental health. Thanh had been held for ten months for her involvement in the land rights movement and for her links with the dissident Democratic Party of V [...] | 2007-07-12 10:45:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY75 | DANANG: WANNABE NUMBER ONE IN CENTRAL VIETNAM [...] (C) Summary: Danang, a deep-water seaport and largest city in central Vietnam, has nonetheless failed to become the acknowledged leader in that region. In discussing Danang's status with the DCM during his recent visit, People's Committee Chairman Tran Van Minh apparently criticized the appr [...] | 2007-01-22 10:06:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM SOCI PREL KIRF ECON KIPR ETRD VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY80 | CENTRAL HIGHLANDS SCENE SETTER FOR VISIT OF PRM ASSISTANT [...] (SBU) HCMC looks forward to welcoming you and your team to southern Vietnam and the Central Highlands. Humanitarian Resettlement Section (HRS) Chief Tim Swanson will present you with a comprehensive picture of HRS activities here, including the bilateral Humanitarian Resettlement process, VISA [...] | 2007-01-24 02:38:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OVIP PHUM PREF PGOV SOCI PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY81 | CENTRAL HIGHLANDS SCENE SETTER FOR VISIT OF PRM ASSISTANT [...] (SBU) HCMC looks forward to welcoming you and your team to southern Vietnam and the Central Highlands. Humanitarian Resettlement Section (HRS) Chief Tim Swanson will present you with a comprehensive picture of HRS activities here, including the bilateral Humanitarian Resettlement process, VISA [...] | 2007-01-24 02:59:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OVIP PHUM PREF PGOV SOCI PREL KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY811 | ONE YEAR AFTER NATIONAL REGISTRATION, UNITED WORLD MISSION [...] Summary: On July 24, 2007, the Consul General met with Pastor Nguyen Toi, Chairman of the United World Mission Church of Vietnam (UWMC),one of Vietnam's larger Protestant denominations with approximately 22,000 adherents, largely from ethnic minority areas. Toi was generally upbeat about his [...] | 2007-08-01 01:35:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY817 | AMBASSADOR AND USS PELELIU BID FAREWELL TO CENTRAL VIETNAM [...] (U) Summary: Ambassador Marine traveled to Danang on July 24-25 to attend closing activities related to the USS Peleliu's ten-day Pacific Partnership humanitarian mission to Vietnam. On the same visit, the Ambassador paid farewell calls on Tran Van Minh, Chairman of the Danang City People's C [...] | 2007-08-03 06:58:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY836 | KHMER KROM MONK TIM SAKHORN RESURFACES IN VIETNAM COURTS [...] (SBU) On August 2, Vietnamese newspaper Thanh Nien reported that Tim Sakhorn, the Khmer Krom monk believed to have been defrocked and deported by Cambodian officials (Refs A and B),is now being held in the southern Vietnam province of An Giang for "sabotaging the solidarity policy." In the re [...] | 2007-08-10 07:07:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI PREF KIRF PREL PGOV PHUM CB VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY841 | AMBASSADOR'S FAREWELL VISIT TO HO CHI MINH CITY [...] (U) Summary: On August 5-8, Ambassador Marine paid farewell calls on Ho Chi Minh City's political, economic and religious leaders, noting significant progress in the U.S.-Vietnam relationship and highlighting possible areas for improvement. During his visit, the Ambassador met with HCMC Peopl [...] | 2007-08-14 21:07:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF ECON VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY844 | RELIGIOUS LEADERS NOTE POSITIVE TRENDS, ONGOING ISSUES [...] (U) Summary. During his farewell trip to Ho Chi Minh City August 5-8, Ambassador Marine had a series of meetings with religious leaders, including Catholic Cardinal Pham Minh Man, the leaders of the Southern Evangelical Church of Vietnam (SECV),and leaders of several house church groups, to [...] | 2007-08-14 21:11:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY951 | CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN CENTRAL [...] (SBU) Summary: Despite considerable progress in religious freedom in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai and genuinely supportive provincial-level authorities, implementation of Vietnam's legal framework on religion remains quite uneven at the community and village level. While the pro [...] | 2007-09-14 06:10:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM SOCI PREL PGOV KIRF PREF VM |
07HOCHIMINHCITY960 | CENTRAL HIGHLANDS ETHNIC MINORITY PASTOR FREE BUT RATTLED [...] (SBU) Summary: Y Ja Nie, a Central Highlands ethnic minority Protestant pastor arrested on February 12, 2007 (reftel),was released on August 31. ConGenOffs met privately with Nie and separately with local officials in M'Drak district, Dak Lak province, on September 6. According to local gov [...] | 2007-09-18 09:46:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREF VM |
07IRANRPODUBAI20 | RELIGIOSITY CONTINUES AMONG IRANIANS -- MODERN IRANIANS [...] No summary [...] | 2007-04-05 14:10:00 | Iran RPO Dubai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV IR PHUM SOCI SCUL KISL KIRF |
07IRANRPODUBAI58 | CATHOLIC NUNS IN IRAN REPORT DIFFICULTIES [...] No summary [...] | 2007-08-30 14:36:00 | Iran RPO Dubai | SECRET//NOFORN | IR KIRF SOCI PGOV |
07JAKARTA268 | HINDUS LAMENT "ISLAMIZATION" OF INDONESIA [...] (C) Summary: Several prominent Hindu leaders of the Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) told us the Hindu community faced increasing discrimination at the hands of a rapidly Islamizing Indonesian Muslim community and government. In a January 24 discussion, they claimed that the "Islamizati [...] | 2007-02-01 02:23:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF ID |
07JAKARTA2878 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- POLICE, MUSLIM GROUPS [...] (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate Medan. 2. (C) SUMMARY: The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)--an important national group of Muslim religious leaders--last week urged the government to ban a little-known Islamic sect. Past edicts against groups labeled deviant have prompted [...] | 2007-10-11 10:20:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL PHUM ID |
07JEDDAH396 | SAUDI FOREIGN MINISTER ON: AMCIT DEPENDENT, FUTURE [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY. During a September 12 discussion with Ambassador Ford Fraker and Jeddah Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller, Foreign Minister Prince Saud al Faisal summarized the SAG position on a variety of issues. The Prince stated the importance of working in partnership with the U.S. to addr [...] | 2007-09-13 12:35:00 | Consulate Jeddah | SECRET//NOFORN | CVIS ETTC EFIN PGOV PREL PTER KIRF KTFN SA |
07JERUSALEM1491 | VATICAN NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE ON JERUSALEM [...] (C) Summary. Chief Vatican negotiator Fr. David Jaeger told PolOff July 12 that his team had just wrapped up a "positive but incomplete" negotiating session with the GoI on a general legal/fiscal agreement and made some progress on tax exemptions, judicial remedies and property claims. Jaege [...] | 2007-07-19 10:18:00 | Consulate Jerusalem | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF IS PBTS VT KWBG |
07JERUSALEM1570 | NEW MUGHRABI GATE RAMP ROUTE STILL UNDEFINED [...] (C) Summary. Ir Amim founder Danny Seidemann told ConGen and Embassy PolOffs July 23-24 that Mughrabi Gate ramp plans are far from settled, contrary to Israel press reports claiming a new design has been adopted. Seidemann commented that PM Olmert is under pressure from religious-nationalist [...] | 2007-07-27 16:49:00 | Consulate Jerusalem | CONFIDENTIAL | KWBG PBTS IS KISL KIRF |
07JERUSALEM1720 | GRAND MUFTI CONDEMNS REP. TANCREDO COMMENTS, SAYS [...] (C) Summary. At an August 14 meeting with PolOffs in Jerusalem, Grand Mufti Muhammad Hussayn (with Supreme Islamic Council member Adnan Hussayni) said Rep. Tom Tancredo's remarks (rebroadcast on al-Arabiya television) about possible retaliation against Mecca and Medina were hurtful to Muslims [...] | 2007-08-17 08:10:00 | Consulate Jerusalem | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KISL KIRF PGOV KWBG IS |
07KABUL3210 | KABUL'S PLANS TO USE 2007 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS [...] (U) Per Reftel, Embassy Kabul confirms that the 2007 International Religious Freedom (IRF) Report has been posted on Post,s website in English. Copies of the report are being circulated to key contacts in the Afghan government, to other international actors, and to religious contacts. 2. [...] | 2007-09-22 12:33:00 | Embassy Kabul | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV OPRC KIRF KPAO AF |
07KABUL3602 | WORKING TO ACCOMODATE RELIGIOUS MINORITIES [...] (SBU) Summary: Hindu and Sikh leaders recently contacted Human Rights Officer to register a complaint that local Afghan residents had restricted ritual cremation rites. The Afghan Ministry of Hajj and Islamic affairs assured us that it will work with this small religious minority to balance [...] | 2007-10-23 12:50:00 | Embassy Kabul | UNCLASSIFIED | KPOL KIRF PREL PHUM AF |
07KHARTOUM218 | Presidency Appoints Chair of Commission on Rights of [...] (U) On February 8, President al-Bashir issued a presidential decree, with the approval of First Vice President Salva Kiir, appointing Joshua Dao as Chair of the Commission on the Rights of Non-Muslims in the National Capital. The membership of the Commission will be announced later by the Pres [...] | 2007-02-14 03:56:00 | Embassy Khartoum | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV KDEM SCUL KIRF SU |
07KHARTOUM34 | POLICE RAID KHARTOUM EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL [...] (U) Police raided All Saints Cathedral in Khartoum early on the morning of January 1, injuring six worshippers, one of them seriously. Some 500 people had gathered in the cathedral -- seat of the Episcopal Church of Sudan Diocese of Khartoum -- late on New Year's Eve for an annual prayer servi [...] | 2007-01-09 10:59:00 | Embassy Khartoum | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF SOCI SU |
07KOLKATA126 | KOLKATA PUBLIC AFFAIRS REACHES OUT TO EASTERN INDIA'S MUSLIM [...] (SBU) Summary. Students and faculty at Muslim schools (madrassas) in West Bengal are enthusiastic to interact with U.S. government officials generally and have been appreciative in particular with the outreach by the Kolkata American Center through participation in MicroAccess English-languag [...] | 2007-04-18 06:30:00 | Consulate Kolkata | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPAO KIRF KISL PHUM SOCI SA IN |
07KUWAIT146 | KUWAITI SHIA MARK ASHOURA PEACEFULLY THOUGH [...] (SBU) Kuwaiti Shia celebrated Ashoura on January 30 and 31 in Shia neighborhoods and at husseiniyas (Shia diwaniyyas) around Kuwait City. The celebrations included chanting and self-flagellation and gatherings at husseiniyas where clerics gave sermons focusing on the martyrdom of Imam Hussein [...] | 2007-01-31 14:28:00 | Embassy Kuwait | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KISL KIRF KU |
07LAGOS337 | SOUTHERN NIGERIA HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE THROUGH MARCH [...] This is a roundup of recent incidents representative of the human rights situation in southern Nigeria. This summary is organized according to the sections of the annual Human Right Report. These incidents have not been reported in other cables. --------------------------- Section 1 - Re [...] | 2007-05-14 12:56:00 | Consulate Lagos | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL ELAB KIRF NI |
07LAGOS482 | SOUTHERN NIGERIA HUMAN RIGHTS UPDATE THROUGH JUNE [...] (U) This is a roundup of recent incidents representative of the human rights situation in southern Nigeria. This summary is organized according to the sections of the annual Human Right Report. --------------------------- Section 1 - Respect for the Integrity of the Person ---------------- [...] | 2007-06-28 15:00:00 | Consulate Lagos | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM ELAB KIRF NI |
07LJUBLJANA121 | SLOVENIA: HOLOCAUST ISSUES SPECIAL ENVOY VISIT [...] (C) SUMMARY. Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues J. Christian Kennedy held meetings with Slovene officials and research institute, diplomatic and Jewish community representatives February 19 and 20 to press for a fair and timely resolution of long-standing Jewish communal property restitution [...] | 2007-03-02 14:27:00 | Embassy Ljubljana | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KIRF SI |
07LJUBLJANA283 | SLOVENIA: MUFTI GIVES MUSLIM ISSUES UPDATE AT [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The leader of the Slovenian Islamic community, Mufti Nedzad Grabus, told COM that the Slovenian Islamic community is finding its way through past troubles with leadership, on course to resolve the long-standing struggle to build a mosque in Ljubljana, and firmly anchored in the [...] | 2007-05-04 09:30:00 | Embassy Ljubljana | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PINR PGOV OEXC KIRF SI |
07MADRID2029 | SPAIN: FM MORATINOS ON EQUAL TREATMENT FOR [...] (SBU) Per refs, Ambassador Aguirre discussed GOS action on the official status of certain religions with Foreign Minister Moratinos on October 24. Ambassador Aguirre stressed that it was important to the USG and the U.S. Senate that the GOS provide equal treatment for all religions with "not [...] | 2007-10-24 16:05:00 | Embassy Madrid | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV KIRF SP |
07MADRID2238 | SPAIN/ISLAM: GOS SURVEY FINDS MUSLIM IMMIGRANTS [...] (U) SUMMARY: The Government of Spain released its second annual survey of first generation immigrants of Muslim faith on December 11. The results, which generally described a tolerant and fairly content Muslim population in Spain, closely corresponded with those of the 2006 survey. Eighty-t [...] | 2007-12-14 12:39:00 | Embassy Madrid | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KISL KIRF KPLS SP |
07MADRID2241 | SPAIN WILL NOT RESOLVE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ISSUE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: After high-level engagement with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Economy and Finance, it is clear that Spain will not act to extend full benefits and privileges to the Church of Latter Day Saints, the Buddhists, and the Jehovah's witnesses prior to the March 20 [...] | 2007-12-14 12:44:00 | Embassy Madrid | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV KIRF SP |
07MANAGUA385 | MISKITO COMMUNITY COMMITTED BUT FRACTURED [...] (C) SUMMARY: Poloff talked with political and civil society leaders in Puerto Cabezas, Northern Autonomous Region (RAAN) about the situation there and their views on the Ortega Administration. Leaders of the Moravian church, the historical bedrock of the indigenous Miskito community, admitte [...] | 2007-02-09 21:30:00 | Embassy Managua | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | KDEM KIRF PGOV PINS PREL PHUM SOCI EAID NU |
07MANAMA93 | SHIA COMMEMORATE ASHURA WITH LARGE, ORDERLY CROWDS [...] (C) An estimated 100-150,000 people crowded into downtown Manama the evening of January 29 to participate in or observe processions commemorating the Shia holiday of Ashura. By all accounts, events were peaceful and orderly. Sermons and speakers in the run-up to the holiday called for the un [...] | 2007-02-01 16:17:00 | Embassy Manama | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL PHUM KIRF BA POL |
07MINSK106 | BELARUS, PROTESTANTS CONSOLIDATE EFFORTS TO [...] (C) During a recent meeting with Ambassador, several Belarusian Pentecostal pastors laid out their plans to encourage Christian churches' participation in political and social activities to promote change in Belarus. These pastors, who represented several small, yet committed and energetic re [...] | 2007-02-05 06:29:00 | Embassy Minsk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF BO |
07MINSK179 | RESOLUTION OF NEW LIFE CHURCH POSTPONED AGAIN [...] (U) On February 26, members of the Protestant-based New Life Church (NLC) began a week-long hunger strike following another postponement of its appeal to overturn a lower court's decision to strip the church of its property (ref A). (Note: In October 2006, more than 100 NLC members went on h [...] | 2007-03-01 12:06:00 | Embassy Minsk | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF BO |
07MINSK327 | NEW OPPOSITION PARTY SEEKS TO UNITE CHRISTIAN [...] (C) Belarus Christian Democracy (BCD),a newly emerged opposition party, seeks to create a democratic Belarus based on Christian principles and Belarusian patriotism. Pursuant to those goals, the unregistered BCD is cooperating with Christian leaders and religious NGOs to launch a signature c [...] | 2007-04-23 10:45:00 | Embassy Minsk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF BO |
07MINSK484 | GOB RATCHETS UP HARASSMENT OF PROTESTANTS [...] (C) The GOB recently increased its harassment of Protestants. On June 3, Protestant Pastor Bokun, who had been arrested two times in eight days, was sentenced to three days in jail for organizing an unauthorized religious service in his home. Bokun's co-pastor, Polish citizen Yaroslav Lukasi [...] | 2007-06-07 14:26:00 | Embassy Minsk | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF BO |
07MOSCOW1079 | RUSSIAN IMPLEMENTATION OF ECHR JUDGMENTS ON [...] (U) SUMMARY. In early March, Russia notified the Salvation Army that it accepts the ECHR judgment and will pay the monetary damages awarded. The GOR remains within the 90-day appeal period of the ECHR ruling in favor of the Jehovah's Witnesses, and will likely adhere to its practice of accept [...] | 2007-03-14 07:00:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KJUS KIRF PGOV RS |
07MOSCOW1339 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN RUSSIA [...] (C) SUMMARY. According to religious freedom advocates, human rights experts, and religious leaders, overall religious freedom in Russia continues to improve, despite continued individual violations documented in our annual Report on Religious Freedom. More than 22,000 religious organizations [...] | 2007-03-27 14:27:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV RS |
07MOSCOW1780 | CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY IN RUSSIA [...] (C) SUMMARY. The Church of Scientology is growing in Russia, and has established a nationwide network even though it lacks status as a registered religion. The Moscow branch recently won a landmark decision against the GOR at the European Court of Human Rights. The decision should help the M [...] | 2007-04-18 14:58:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV RS |
07MOSCOW3775 | ANDREY FURSENKO: THE PHYSICIST TURNED MINISTER [...] (C) SUMMARY. As Minister of Science and Education since 2004, Andrey Fursenko has evoked a storm of controversy with his efforts to reform Russia's tradition-bound science and education establishments. Fursenko is passionate about modernizing Russian science to make it more competitive and m [...] | 2007-08-01 13:39:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF KPAO PGOV PINR RS SCUL SOCI TSPL |
07MOSCOW3971 | RUSSIANS DEBATE ROLE OF THE CHURCH [...] (SBU) The dog days of August have seen a protracted debate here about the proper role of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in a country in which church and state are officially separated. The debate was triggered by the near simultaneous expressions of unease by a member of the Public Chamber [...] | 2007-08-14 12:28:00 | Embassy Moscow | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KDEM KIRF PHUM SOCI RS |
07MOSCOW3995 | RUSSIA: POLITICS IN VORONEZH MIRRORS NATIONAL SITUATION [...] (SBU) During an August 6-8 visit to Voronezh oblast, we found a political situation very similar to the national condition. The United Russia and For a Just Russia parties dominate the political scene, opposition forces are ardent but weak, the Russian Orthodox Church plays an influential role [...] | 2007-08-15 10:43:00 | Embassy Moscow | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF SOCI RS |
07MUSCAT948 | 2007 RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS REPORT ELICITS POSITIVE [...] (SBU) Officials at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MERA) characterized the 2007 International Religious Freedoms Report (IRFR) as a fair assessment of religious freedom in Oman and welcomed continued dialogue with the USG on this issue. Post has identified a number of opport [...] | 2007-10-10 10:23:00 | Embassy Muscat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL OPRC KIRF KPAO MU |
07NDJAMENA506 | ISLAM IN SOUTHERN CHAD [...] (SBU) Summary: What is the status of Islam in southern Chad, a relatively densely populated area but traditionally largely Christian or animist? Embassy NQDjamena PAO and Arabic/Muslim Outreach Specialist set out to answer this question, at least anecdotally, during two trips over a three- [...] | 2007-06-19 16:13:00 | Embassy Ndjamena | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL OIIP KPAO KIRF PHUM CD |
07NDJAMENA507 | CHAD: TOWARD FREER RADIO AND [...] (U) Summary: There are some potentially significant changes underway in ChadQs media environment, and, with the apparent end of the State of Emergency, censorship of the independent press has virtually ceased. First, ChadQs government-controlled national radio and television are moving tow [...] | 2007-06-19 16:16:00 | Embassy Ndjamena | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL OIIP KPAO KIRF PHUM CD |
07NDJAMENA508 | CORRECTED VERSION: ISLAM IN SOUTHERN CHAD [...] (SBU) Summary: What is the status of Islam in southern Chad, a relatively densely populated area but traditionally largely Christian or animist? Embassy N'Djamena PAO and Arabic/Muslim Outreach Specialist set out to answer this question, at least anecdotally, during two trips over a three- [...] | 2007-06-20 06:43:00 | Embassy Ndjamena | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL OIIP KPAO KIRF PHUM CD |
07NDJAMENA509 | CORRECTED VERSION; CHAD: TOWARD FREER RADIO AND [...] (U) Summary: There are some potentially significant changes underway in Chad's media environment, and, with the apparent end of the State of Emergency, censorship of the independent press has virtually ceased. First, Chad's government-controlled national radio and television are moving tow [...] | 2007-06-20 06:44:00 | Embassy Ndjamena | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL OIIP KPAO KIRF PHUM CD |
07NEWDELHI1509 | DELHI DIARY, MARCH 8-29 [...] (U) Below is a compilation of Political highlights from Embassy New Delhi for March 8-29, 2007 that did not feature in our other reporting. Former Iranian President Gets a Warm Reception in India ------ 2. (SBU) The mostly Indian audience at the India Today annual "conclave" March 23 h [...] | 2007-03-29 14:34:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF KNNP IR BT KZ |
07NEWDELHI2070 | RAJASTHAN STRUGGLES TO ESCAPE FROM THE HINDI BELT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Rajasthan, located in North India and bordering Pakistan, is the country's largest state and embodies numerous contradictions. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister (CM) Vasundhara Raje (ref A),although extremely popular, is heavily criticized and not expected to win the [...] | 2007-05-01 06:26:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM PREL PINR SOCI ECON KWMN KIRF |
07NEWDELHI2805 | INDIA ON THE THRESHOLD OF ELECTING ITS FIRST WOMAN [...] (SBU) Summary: On June 14, after what threatened to become an insurmountable impasse, Congress and Left Party leaders agreed on current Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Devisingh Patil as the UPA/Left nominee for President of India. A longtime Gandhi/Nehru family loyalist, Patil would be the first [...] | 2007-06-15 09:54:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PINR KIRF IN |
07NEWDELHI3529 | DELHI DIARY, JULY 26-AUGUST 3 [...] (U) Below is a compilation of political highlights from Embassy New Delhi for July 26-August 3, 2007 that did not feature in our other reporting, including: -- India "Looks East" and Discusses Bus Links with Burma -- NHCR Releases Guidelines for Child Rape Cases -- Five Arrested in Child La [...] | 2007-08-03 12:38:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM PINR KIRF KCRM ELTN BM IN |
07NEWDELHI4088 | DELHI DIARY, AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 7 [...] No summary [...] | 2007-09-07 09:17:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF KISL PHUM ENRG IN |
07NEWDELHI4095 | DEHI DIARY, AUGUST 31-SEPTEMBER 7 [...] (U) Below is a compilation of political highlights from Embassy New Delhi for August 31-September 7, 2007 that did not feature in our other reporting, including: -- Chennai Yawns through New President's First Visit -- Playing the Muslim Card: Congress Prepares for Possible Mid-term Electio [...] | 2007-09-07 10:43:00 | Embassy New Delhi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KIRF KISL PHUM ENRG IN |
07NEWDELHI4253 | INDIA AND BHUTAN IRF REPORT: DELIVERY, POSTING AND [...] (U) Per Reftel, Post is pleased to report that the International Religious Freedom Report's Introduction, Executive Summary and individual country reports for India and Bhutan were posted in English on the Embassy's website immediately upon release and clearance from the Department. PolOff als [...] | 2007-09-17 12:22:00 | Embassy New Delhi | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KDEM PGOV KIRF IN |
07NEWDELHI5239 | A/S SAUERBREY BRIEFED ON CHINA-TIBET NEGOTIATIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a November 9-11 visit to Dharmasala, Population, Refugee, and Migration (PRM) Assistant Secretary Ellen Sauerbrey met the Kashag (Tibetan Executive Cabinet) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) Professor Samdhong Rinpoche told A/S S [...] | 2007-12-07 13:36:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREF PREL PHUM KIRF IN |
07NEWDELHI5240 | A/S SAUERBREY MEETS THE DALAI LAMA [...] Summary: On November 10, Population, Refugee, and Migration Assistant Secretary Ellen Sauerbrey met His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. The Dalai Lama shared his favorable views on resettling Tibetan refugees in Western countries, which differs from those of some members of the Tibetan [...] | 2007-12-07 13:50:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM KIRF PINR IN |
07NEWDELHI535 | BJP LEADERSHIP SHUFFLE COMPOUNDS CONFUSION [...] (U) On January 29, BJP Party President Rajnath Singh announced a shake-up in the party leadership. He moved Arun Jaitley, considered by many to be the most articulate and perhaps the sharpest of the party's Generation Next leadership, from "Party Spokesman" to "Secretary of the Parliamentary [...] | 2007-02-02 12:30:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR KDEM KIRF IN |
07NEWDELHI5380 | DELHI DIARY, DEC 17-21 [...] (U) Below is a compilation of political highlights from Embassy New Delhi for Decemebr 17-21, 2007, that did not feature in our other reporting, including: -- Court Orders Reopening Riots Case Against Congress Leader Jagdish Tytler -- Rajasthan Gujjars Threaten Warpath Again -- India-China [...] | 2007-12-20 12:39:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF CVIS PREL PGOV KJUS PHUM SOCI NP VM CH |
07NEWDELHI80 | CONGRESS GOVERNMENT IN HIMACHAL PRADESH PASSES A [...] (U): On December 29, 2006, the legislature of the Congress run Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh (HP) passed an anti-conversion bill during its truncated four day session. Under the provisions of the bill, any person convicted of engaging in "forced" conversion will face a two year jail s [...] | 2007-01-08 10:48:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM SCUL KDEM IN |
07NIAMEY80 | NIGER: TOLERANCE FOR EVANGELIST DR. RICHARD ROBERTS' [...] Summary. The Republic of Niger laid out the welcome mat for the January 24-27 visit of Oral Roberts University (ORU) President and Evangelist Dr. Richard Roberts and his delegation. Print and broadcast media, notably "Le Sahel" (government newspaper) and "Tele-Sahel" (the national news stati [...] | 2007-01-26 11:17:00 | Embassy Niamey | UNCLASSIFIED | SCUL KIRF PHUM KISL KWMN NG |
07PARIS2971 | DEMARCHE DELIVED: REVEREND MOON'S REQUEST TO VISIT [...] (SBU) Poloff on July 5 conveyed USG request that France consider lifting the Schengen ban on Unification Church leader Sun Myung Moon and his wife to Denis Fromaget, Deputy Councelor for Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Fromaget responded that he saw no immediate other r [...] | 2007-07-10 14:30:00 | Embassy Paris | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM FR GM PINS PROP SCUL SOCI KIRF |
07RIGA812 | Old Believers in Latvia [...] Summary: Latvia is well-known for its large Russian community, mainly the large number of non-citizens and claims that they are discriminated against, especially on language. However, it would be a big mistake to perceive Russians in Latvia as a homogenous religious community. While the majorit [...] | 2007-10-30 05:13:00 | Embassy Riga | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV KIRF LG |
07RIYADH1481 | NO LASHES FOR QATEEF RAPE VICTIM; CASE DROPPED [...] (S) Post reported in reftel the case of Qateef resident Aqilah bint Eisa al-Dhamin, who, along with her ex-boyfriend, was raped by seven men in January 2006. Following the investigation and trial, the perpetrators were sentenced to between eight months and five years in prison and between 80- [...] | 2007-07-11 15:48:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PHUM PGOV KWMN SOCI KIRF SA |
07RIYADH1767 | U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM [...] (C) SUMMARY: Members and staff of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) met with representatives of Saudi Arabia,s Human Rights Commission (HRC) and the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) during their May 27-June 5, 2007 visit to the Kingdom. HRC President Tur [...] | 2007-08-25 10:49:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINR KIRF KISL SA |
07RIYADH1776 | AT LAST -- EGYPTIAN COPTIC CHRISTIAN DEPARTS [...] (S) SUMMARY: After repeated attempts to leave Saudi Arabia, Egyptian Coptic Christian Dr. Mamdouh Full Fahmy flew home to Cairo on August 15. Fahmy claims that Egyptian Muslim co-workers harassed him from 2004-2006 and tried unsuccessfully to convert him to Islam. After his co-workers accused [...] | 2007-08-25 14:40:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | PREL PHUM KIRF EG SA |
07RIYADH1787 | MAY 27 - JUNE 5, 2007 VISIT BY U.S. COMMISSION ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: Members and staff of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) visited the Kingdom from May 27 to June 5, 2007, traveling to Jeddah (Ref A),Dhahran, and Riyadh. Describing itself as independent -- but part of the USG, the Commission met with SAG ministries [...] | 2007-08-26 13:52:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF KISL PGOV PINR PTER SA |
07RIYADH1821 | SAUDI SHI'A CELEBRATIONS A SUCCESS IN THE EP [...] (C) SUMMARY: Two Consulate staff members traveled to the Saudi Shi'a stronghold of Qateef to observe local celebrations of the birthday of Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi, the twelfth or so-called "hidden Imam." (NOTE: Virtually all Saudi Shi'a in the Eastern Province are so called "Twelvers." END NO [...] | 2007-08-29 12:43:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PA PGOV PREL SA |
07RIYADH2356 | THE "SAUDIZATION" OF SERMONS IN THE EP [...] (C) SUMMARY: According to conversations with worshippers at various Eastern Province mosques, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs (MOIA) began a policy of "Saudizing" the delivery of the Friday sermon during the late summer of 2007. The alleged policy allows only Saudi citizens licensed by the [...] | 2007-11-27 09:16:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF KISL PGOV PREL PTER SOCI SA |
07RIYADH2531 | ISMAILI SHI'A ACTIVISTS THREATEN TO "UNLEASH HELL" [...] (C) SUMMARY: PolOff met with five Ismaili Shi'a activists recently to discuss the latest efforts to free Hadi al-Mutif, an Ismaili Shi'a who has been in prison for the past 15 years for uttering a profanity against the Prophet. (reftel A) Shi'a and human rights activists maintain that al-Mutif' [...] | 2007-12-20 12:39:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM SA |
07RIYADH373 | U.S.-SAUDI ARABIA STRATEGIC DIALOGUE HUMAN [...] (C) SUMMARY. The U.S. delegation to the U.S. - Saudi Arabia Strategic Dialogue's Human Development Working Group (HDWG),led by Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS),Near East Affairs (NEA),Scott Carpenter, met with representatives of the Majlis Al Shoura on December 4, 2006. Secretary General [...] | 2007-02-24 14:49:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL PINR KIRF KDEM SA |
07SANJOSE1829 | RELEASE OF 2007 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM [...] PolOff hand delivered a copy of the 2007 Costa Rica Report on International Religious Freedom (IRF) to Alejandro Solano Ortiz, Deputy Director of Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and to Viviana Tinoco, Human Rights Director of the Multilateral Policy Section of the MFA, [...] | 2007-10-10 22:11:00 | Embassy San Jose | UNCLASSIFIED | CS KDEM KIRF KPAO OPRC PGOV PHUM SOCI |
07SAOPAULO855 | SAO PAULO'S ARCHBISHOP ON SOCIAL ISSUES [...] (U) In a recent courtesy call, Consul General (CG) sought the views of Dom Odilo Pedro Scherer, Archbishop of Sao Paulo, on a range of issues in Brazil's political life and on the role of the Church in Brazil and Latin America. Dom Odilo, who replaced Cardinal Claudio Hummes in late April, an [...] | 2007-10-24 09:54:00 | Consulate Sao Paulo | UNCLASSIFIED | SCUL PINR KIRF ECON BR |
07SARAJEVO2270 | BOSNIA - STALEMATE OVER CATHOLIC CHURCH PERMIT [...] (C) SUMMARY: During recent visits to Sarajevo, prominent Catholic Church (hereinafter "Church") officials have highlighted their concerns over a seven-year wait for permission to build a new church in the Sarajevo neighborhood of Grbavica. Although the Church has made several requests for a b [...] | 2007-10-25 08:29:00 | Embassy Sarajevo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF BK |
07SECTION02OF03EIJING483 | U/S HUGHES URGES INCREASED EXCHANGES, MEDIA [...] No summary [...] | 2007-01-22 12:09:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL SCUL PHUM KOLY KPAO KIRF CH |
07SEOUL2044 | DPRK DEFECTOR FILES: THE UNTAPPED SOURCE [...] (S) The USG possesses an enormous trove of information about the DPRK that has been almost entirely untapped. The files contain over 9,180 Korean-language debriefs, spanning 1997 to the present, of North Korean citizens who escaped from the DPRK and were accepted by the ROKG for resettlement [...] | 2007-07-09 07:53:00 | Embassy Seoul | SECRET | CH ECON ELAB KDEM KIRF KN KS KWMN PGOV PHUM |
07SHANGHAI105 | CAN 300 MILLION CHINESE BELIEVERS BE WRONG? [...] (C) Summary: One of the authors of a new government-sponsored survey on spirituality in China downplayed the reported findings that the number of religious believers in China could be as high as 300 million. Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS) Vice President Tong Shijun told Poloff in [...] | 2007-02-15 04:13:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF CH |
07SHANGHAI166 | SHANGHAI RELIGIOUS CONTACTS DISCUSS NGOS, THEOLOGICAL [...] (C) Summary: During her February 26-27 visit to Shanghai, DRL/IRF Officer Emilie Kao explored ways to expand religious freedom in China with academics, officials from the Communist Party-approved China Christian Council/Three Self Patriotic Movement (CCC/TSPM),Shanghai YMCA leaders, a represe [...] | 2007-03-26 03:31:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KIRF CH |
07SHANGHAI214 | SHANGHAI BISHOP JIN ON CHINA-VATICAN TIES [...] (C) Summary: During a Consul General hosted lunch on April 13, Shanghai Bishop Jin said that Catholics in China were anxiously awaiting the Pope's letter (ref A). He hoped that the letter would not be too strident as this would lead to a strong reaction from Beijing and push the Vatican-China [...] | 2007-04-16 07:48:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KIRF CH VT |
07SHANGHAI22 | HANGZHOU HOUSE CHURCH CHRISTIANS [...] (C) Poloff met with Hangzhou-based human rights activist Zan Aizong and house church member Lin Tongqiang on January 8 to discuss the situation of house churches in Hangzhou. Zan confirmed reports that eight house church Christians were convicted for inciting protests against the government o [...] | 2007-01-10 08:29:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV CH |
07SHANGHAI229 | CHINA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT CAO MEETING [...] (C) Summary: In an April 18 luncheon hosted by the Consul General, China Christian Council (CCC) President Cao Shengjie confirmed that all Protestant churches must go through the China Christian Council/Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC/TSPM) in order to register, although these churches did n [...] | 2007-04-19 08:16:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PINR CH |
07SHANGHAI24 | HANGZHOU HOUSE CHURCH CHRISTIANS [...] (C) Poloff met with Hangzhou-based human rights activist Zan Aizong and house church member Lin Tongqiang on January 8 to discuss the situation of house churches in Hangzhou. Zan confirmed reports that eight house church Christians were convicted for inciting protests against the government o [...] | 2007-01-11 03:37:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV CH |
07SHANGHAI268 | WORLD'S TALLEST PAGODA IN CHANGZHOU [...] (U) With great pageantry, Tianning Temple opened its newly refurbished pagoda in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, at the auspicious time of 9:08 AM on April 30. The pagoda is reported to be the tallest pagoda in the world and stands at 153.79 meters (505 feet). According to press reports, the te [...] | 2007-05-07 03:18:00 | Consulate Shanghai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV CH |
07SHANGHAI412 | SHANGHAI BISHOP JIN ON PAPAL LETTER [...] (C) During a conversation with Poloff during Consulate's Independence Day reception on July 3, Shanghai Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian said he was pleased by Pope Benedict XVI's June 30 letter to Chinese Catholics, which he said was the Pope's way of "extending his hand" to the Chinese government. [...] | 2007-07-05 04:47:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV CH VT |
07SHANGHAI458 | AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO CHINA'S FIRST MEGACHURCH [...] (SBU) Summary: During a July 9-13 visit to Hangzhou, Ambassador Randt discussed religion and religious freedom with the leadership of China's only Protestant "megachurch". During the church visit, church leaders discussed the growth of Protestantism in China and Zhejiang, noting that there ar [...] | 2007-07-20 08:20:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR EINV ECON KIRF CH |
07SHANGHAI459 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH ZHEJIANG PARTY SECRETARY ZHAO [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador Randt met with Zhejiang's new Party Secretary, Zhao Hongzhu, in Hangzhou on July 9 and was hosted by SIPDIS Zhao for dinner on July 13. Zhao noted that, while relatively small in size and population, Zhejiang contributes more than its fair share to national GDP grow [...] | 2007-07-20 08:27:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR EINV ECON KIRF CH |
07SHANGHAI47 | WENZHOU: CHINA'S "JERUSALEUM" [...] (C) Summary: During a December 14-15 visit to the coastal city of Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province, Congenoffs visited three official churches in the city and discussed religious issues with a few local citizens. Congenoff also discussed Wenzhou's religious situation with a researcher in Shanghai [...] | 2007-01-23 08:57:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF CH |
07SHANGHAI474 | EAST CHINA'S SOUTH KOREAN COMMUNITY [...] (SBU) Summary: Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in August 1992, South Koreans have flocked to Shanghai in search of economic and educational opportunities. More than 110,000 South Koreans live in east China (Anhui, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and Shanghai),with some 70,000 [...] | 2007-07-30 06:46:00 | Consulate Shanghai | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL ETRD EINV KIRF CH KS KN |
07SHANGHAI575 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH SHANGHAI BISHOP JIN [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting with the Ambassador on September 5, Shanghai Bishop Aloysius Luxian Jin was pessimistic about the prospects of reconciliation between the Vatican and Beijing. Talks were moving at a "marathon" pace and reconciliation would likely not occur in time for the 2008 Olympics [...] | 2007-09-06 06:55:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KIRF CH VT |
07SHANGHAI586 | BUILDING VALUES IN BACKWATER SCHOOLS--ONE NGO'S APPROACH [...] (C) Summary: The Changjiang Civilian Education Foundation (CCEF) is a homegrown NGO that is trying to build values and teach self-sufficiency to poor students in backwater towns in Anhui Province. CCEF runs two schools aimed at poor deserving students. The first is an elementary school and th [...] | 2007-09-10 03:28:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PGOV KIRF CH |
07SKOPJE290 | MACEDONIA: CONTROVERSIAL ORTHODOX CHURCH FIGURE TO [...] (U) Zoran Vraniskovski, the defrocked Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC) bishop recognized by the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) as Archbishop Jovan of Ohrid, likely will be released from prison on May 1, after serving nine months of a one-year sentence for an embezzlement conviction (reftel). Vr [...] | 2007-04-17 08:49:00 | Embassy Skopje | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF MK |
07SKOPJE412 | MACEDONIAN ISLAMIC LEADERS ON WAHHABISM, [...] (SBU) Key Islamic leaders in Macedonia report a slight decline in the influence of Wahhabists in their muftiates. The leaders are focused on denationalization of land that formerly belonged to them, and blame their current financial challenges on the slow pace of denationalization. Sustained [...] | 2007-05-23 17:08:00 | Embassy Skopje | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF MK |
07SKOPJE970 | MACEDONIA: RELIGION LAW MEETS INTERNATIONAL [...] (SBU) The Macedonian parliament adopted a new Law on Religious Communities and Groups in September that significantly strengthens religious freedom provisions, generally meets OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission standards, and supports Macedonia's NATO membership bid. Due to take effect in May 2 [...] | 2007-12-13 16:01:00 | Embassy Skopje | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF MK |
07STATE144035 | VIETNAM IN-COUNTRY PRIORITY ONE REFERRAL [...] The Department appreciates and accepts Mission's P-1 referral of Truong Van Duc and Nguyen Thanh Minh Tri and their dependents for refugee resettlement consideration. 2. Truong Van Duc: Cable states there is an older child not included in the case. If this adult child is unmarried and the [...] | 2007-10-15 13:46:00 | Secretary of State | CONFIDENTIAL | VM KIRF PGOV PHUM PREF PREL SOCI |
07STATE149413 | TAJIKISTAN: DEMARCHE ON REGISTRATION OF THE [...] (SBU) This is an action message. Please see para 2. 2. (SBU) Post is instructed to deliver the demarches in paras three and four to the appropriate presidential or government official to strongly voice U.S. concern about the ongoing failure to register the National Democratic Institute a [...] | 2007-10-26 16:11:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM EAID KIRF TI |
07STATE97360 | GOI PLAN TO BUILD WALKWAY AROUND SEA OF GALILEE, [...] (C) This is an action request. After consulting appropriate offices in EUR, NEA approves Embassy,s proposed course of action in reftel. Per reftel, Department requests that Embassy Tel Aviv approach GOI at the appropriate level to recommend the planned pathway be constructed so as to bypass [...] | 2007-07-12 20:22:00 | Secretary of State | CONFIDENTIAL | IS KIRF PGOV PREL VT |
07TASHKENT1197 | JEHOVAH'S WITNESS SAMARKAND CONVICTION UPHELD ON [...] (C) Summary: A Jehovah's Witness in Samarkand was convicted on May 14 of illegally teaching religion and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. His associates claimed he had never committed the act of which he was accused, and that testimony favorable to his case had been erased from trial rec [...] | 2007-06-25 11:19:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF UZ |
07TASHKENT1300 | UZBEK OFFICIALS SHOW A HINT OF FLEXIBILITY IN [...] (C) Summary: Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford met with four key Uzbek Government interlocutors during his five-day visit to Tashkent. All fiercely defended Uzbekistan's record on religious freedom and suggested that the country's designation as a Country of [...] | 2007-07-16 14:09:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF UZ |
07TASHKENT1301 | AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE HANFORD MEETS WITH [...] (C) Summary: During a five-day visit to Uzbekistan from June 25 to June 30, Ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford met several of Uzbekistan's religious leaders, including the Mufti and the head Imam of Tashkent, the Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church, th [...] | 2007-07-16 14:09:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF UZ TX TI |
07TASHKENT1354 | EIGHT WOMEN SENTENCED FOR EXTREMISM; ANDIJON [...] (C) Summary: On July 9, the Tashkent City Court convicted eight women of membership in the banned religious extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT). Seven of the women received three-year suspended sentences, while an eighth was sentenced to three years in prison. Human Rights Watch, which monito [...] | 2007-07-24 01:18:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF UZ |
07TASHKENT1370 | ANDIJON EYEWITNESS REAPPEARS [...] (C) Mahbuba Zakirova, an Andijon-eyewitness who was reported to have disappeared in May, reappeared two days ago in Andijon province. According to Elena Urlayeva of the Human Rights Alliance, Zakirova was seen on July 23 by her nephew. She has been staying in the village of Hakan in Andijon [...] | 2007-07-25 11:32:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF UZ |
07TASHKENT1414 | NO BIBLES IN TASHKENT BOOKSTORES [...] (C) Summary: On July 20, Poloff met with the Executive Director of the Uzbekistan Bible Society, who explained that his organization currently faces its most difficult environment since opening in 1993. Since July 2006, the Bible Society has only been able to officially import 500 books in [...] | 2007-08-02 11:22:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF UZ TX |
07TASHKENT1546 | LAST REGISTERED JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES CONGREGATION [...] (C) Summary: The Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) AmCit General Counsel told poloff on August 17 that authorities may be planning to deregister the congregation in Chirchik, the last remaining legal JW congregation in Uzbekistan. The Chirchik congregation recently received a second warning letter fro [...] | 2007-08-28 10:54:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF UZ |
07TASHKENT1561 | TORTURED OVER A SHEEP [...] (C) Summary: On August 14, Mashrab Jumaev, the son of dissident poet Yusup Jumaev, was fined 62,000 soum (50 dollars) by the Karakol District Criminal Court (Bukhara province) for stealing a neighbor's sheep. Jumaev was then released from pre-trial detention, where he was allegedly tortured [...] | 2007-08-30 10:45:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF UZ |
07TASHKENT1605 | PENTECOSTAL PASTOR FLEES TO KIEV; SEEKS ASYLUM [...] (C) On September 7, poloff received an email from Pentecostal Pastor Bakhtiyor Tuychiev, an Embassy contact from Andijon, explaining that he had left Uzbekistan and is currently seeking political refugee status from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Kiev, Ukra [...] | 2007-09-12 10:44:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV UZ |
07TASHKENT1680 | YOUTH REPORTEDLY DISCOURAGED FROM MOSQUE ATTENDANCE [...] (C) Summary: During a September 5 meeting at Namangan's Mahdum Ishon Mosque, Namangan province Head Imam Tursunov allegedly ordered imams to bar schoolchildren from attending nightly readings of the Qur'an during Ramadan. Word of the reported incident has spread in the community, causing res [...] | 2007-09-24 09:29:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF KISL UZ |
07TASHKENT1739 | MFA ON CANCELLED DRL/IRF VISIT [...] (C) Summary: MFA U.S. Affairs Section Chief Ismat Faizullaev met October 4 with poloff to cover several matters. On religious freedom, Faizullaev explained that the decision to cancel the trip next week of DRL/IRF's Barbara Cates was influenced in part by the GOU's frustration with not having [...] | 2007-10-05 10:14:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF UZ |
07TASHKENT1764 | JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES REPORT POSITIVE MEETING WITH [...] (C) Summary: During a conversation with the Ambassador on September 28, Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) AmCit General Counsel noted having a "constructive" meeting that week with Acting Religious Affairs Committee Chairman Ortiq Yusupov, who reportedly assured him that deregistration for the last re [...] | 2007-10-12 08:43:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF UZ TI |
07TASHKENT1817 | GOU PROVIDES WRITTEN REBUTTAL TO EU ON HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) Summary: During an Embassy event on October 9, MFA U.S. Affairs Chief Ismat Fayzullaev provided, at Deputy Foreign Minister Nematov's request, the Ambassador with a written GOU rebuttal to recent public statements made by EU officials criticizing human rights abuses in Uzbekistan. The re [...] | 2007-10-22 08:22:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM EUN KIRF PGOV PREL SOCI UZ |
07TASHKENT1888 | ERK PARTY TALKS WITH HIZB UT-TAHRIR LEADERS [...] (C) Summary: On October 26, poloff met with Erk political opposition party leader Atanazar Arif, who claimed that Erk was to hold a meeting in Istanbul on October 27 with leaders of Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) and other religious extremist factions on coordinating their opposition to President Karimov [...] | 2007-10-30 14:41:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM KIRF KISL PGOV PINR RS TU UZ |
07TASHKENT1937 | AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE [...] (C) Summary: On November 5, Forum 18 News Service reported that Uzbekistan's Religion Law is currently being discussed in the Religious Affairs Committee (RAC) and speculated that restrictions on religious organizations could be made harsher. During an introductory courtesy call by the Ambas [...] | 2007-11-07 10:37:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV UZ |
07TASHKENT2083 | THIRD INMATE DIES IN ANDIJON PRISON [...] (C) Summary: On December 3, BBC News reported that a third inmate at a prison in Andijon had died, which follows reports that two other inmates had died at the same prison earlier in November (reftel). Surat Ikramov, the source of the BBC report, told poloff that the third inmate's family wa [...] | 2007-12-05 13:05:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
07TASHKENT2183 | GOVERNMENT RELEASES 2007 AND 2006 AMNESTY DETAILS [...] (C) Summary: Independent and state-controlled media reported that President Karimov has approved plans for the implementation of the December 2007 amnesty, according to which approximately 3,500 prisoners who fall within specific categories will be released. On December 27, poloff met with N [...] | 2007-12-29 06:19:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV SOCI UZ |
07TASHKENT709 | FEW ABUSES AT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES MEMORIALS [...] (C) Summary: On April 2, Jehovah's Witnesses throughout Uzbekistan encountered far less harassment than in the past two years in the course of their annual memorial services commemorating Jesus' death. American representatives who attended services at the organization's sole registered local [...] | 2007-04-05 08:05:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF UZ |
07TASHKENT717 | UZBEKISTAN'S EVOLVING RESPONSE TO CPC DESIGNATION [...] (SBU) Summary: Reflecting its disappointment at being designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom, last December the government issued a line-by-line rebuttal to the 2006 International Religious Freedom Report. Officials have made limited efforts to engage in dialog [...] | 2007-04-05 12:03:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF UZ |
07TELAVIV2087 | CHRISTIAN INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED ABOUT ISRAELI [...] (U) SUMMARY. (Note: See action request para 7.) Christian leaders representing the holy sites on the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret) are concerned about a GOI plan to construct a pedestrian pathway around the lake. They argue the planned walkway would bisect their properties and destroy the a [...] | 2007-07-06 14:33:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF VT IS |
07TELAVIV2326 | IAA DIRECTOR DESCRIBES NEW PLAN FOR MUGHRABI GATE, [...] (C) SUMMARY. Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) Director General Yehoshua (Shuka) Dorfman told Embassy and ConGen poloffs July 24 that the IAA was proposing a new design for an access ramp at the Mughrabi Gate that would follow the same path as the earlier, collapsed ramp, and that the ruins [...] | 2007-07-27 13:51:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF KPAL IS |
07TELAVIV2746 | GOI PROMISES NO PATHWAY AROUND SEA OF GALILEE [...] (C) MFA Bureau of World Jewish and Inter-Religious Affairs Head Shmuel Ben-Shmuel and MFA Director for Religious Affairs Bahij Mansour assured poloff September 6 that the planned construction of a pedestrian pathway around the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) would not traverse or otherwise infringe [...] | 2007-09-12 04:07:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF VT IS |
07TELAVIV2800 | GOI POSITIVE FOLLOWING SEPTEMBER 3 TALKS WITH [...] (C) SUMMARY. GOI officials described the latest (September 3) round of negotiations with the Vatican on outstanding issues as "positive." GOI negotiator Shmuel Ben-Shmuel said the sides were "on the verge of a major breakthrough," and noted that the GOI tabled a new proposal on the taxation [...] | 2007-09-19 12:20:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF VT IS |
07TELAVIV3487 | GOI PREPARING FOR DECEMBER 12-13 TALKS WITH [...] (C) (Note comment para 4.) MFA Director for Inter- Religious Affairs Bahij Mansour told Poloff December 3 that the GOI hopes to make significant progress during the next round of talks (December 12-13) with the Vatican over outstanding issues related to the Fundamental Agreement. The talks ar [...] | 2007-12-10 14:54:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF VT IS |
07TELAVIV3593 | GOI SENDING MIXED MESSAGES ON MUGHRABI GATE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Following press reports this week that on November 29 the GOI ordered the resumption of excavation work at the Mughrabi Gate access point for the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, Poloff contacted PMO Deputy Foreign Policy Advisor Ari Varon and the chief archeologist at the site, John [...] | 2007-12-21 10:43:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF KISL KPAL JO IS |
07TELAVIV736 | ISRAEL MFA INFORMED OF USG INTEREST IN AMIA CASE [...] (C) Responding to reftel demarche, Israeli MFA Nonproliferation and Counterterrorism Department Director Yehuda Yaakov expressed appreciation for the update on the USG interest in the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) bombing case, calling it a "front and center" issue for the MFA. [...] | 2007-03-08 13:25:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PGOV PREL FBI KJUS ASEC KTFN KISL KIRF |
07USUNNEWYORK851 | UNGA HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUE ON INTERRELIGIOUS AND [...] (U) Summary: Speakers at a UN General Assembly High-Level Dialogue on Interreligious and Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace, Oct. 4-8, stressed the value of dialogue and education in overcoming misunderstanding and the importance of respecting basic freedoms, particularly fr [...] | 2007-10-11 13:39:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KIRF AORC UNGA XF XC XD NU CU |
07USUNNEWYORK936 | UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS ON [...] (U) On October 26, the Third Committee of the General Assembly heard reports from the Special Rapporteurs on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions; Freedom of Religion or Belief; the Human Rights of Migrants; and the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK, Burundi and the DRC. The U.S. [...] | 2007-10-31 17:47:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREF UNGA KIRF |
07VATICAN102 | VATICAN: FORMER FOREIGN MINSITER TO BE ISLAM CZAR [...] (C) Pope Benedict XVI has appointed former FM Jean Louis Tauran as President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, the lead Vatican department for relations with non-Christian faiths, including Islam. The move restores the autonomy of a Council that Benedict had placed und [...] | 2007-06-28 14:37:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM SOCI KIRF PTER LE VT |
07VATICAN103 | VATICAN APPOINTS IRAQ, CHINA EXPERT TO KEY SLOT [...] (C) Pope Benedict has named Archbishop Fernando Filoni the Holy See's "Sostituto" or "Substitute", the number three position at the Vatican. Filoni will have regular access to the pope and will communicate closely with many of the Roman Curia offices. Filoni has extensive diplomatic experienc [...] | 2007-07-03 12:34:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM SOCI KIRF IZ CH VT |
07VATICAN104 | IRAQ: CHALDEAN PATRIARCH SUPPORTS CHRISTIAN AREAS [...] (C) Summary: Monsignor Philip Najim, Representative of the Chaldean Catholic Church to the Holy See and the Chaldeans' European representative, told us June 25 that the Patriarch supports the idea of a revitalization plan for tradition Christian areas in northern Iraq. The Chaldeans, who rem [...] | 2007-07-03 13:21:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PGOV KIRF PHUM IZ VT |
07VATICAN106 | HOLY SEE FEARS ISRAEL BACKING OFF COMMITMENTS [...] (C) Holy See officials say that Israel is backing off commitments it made during a May plenary session on the Fundamental Agreement between the two sides. Vatican sources told us the Israelis had promised to set dates immediately for a strict schedule of ongoing negotiations, but have now re [...] | 2007-07-09 15:07:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM SOCI IS VT |
07VATICAN111 | VATICAN EXPECTS STRONG REACTION TO POPE'S LETTER TO CHINESE [...] (C) Summary: According to Holy See MFA Country Director for PRC Rota Graziosi, the Pope's China Letter has undercut the standing of the Government of China in "administering" the Catholic Church in China and as a result, the Holy See expects a strong, but perhaps, moderated reaction sometime [...] | 2007-07-12 16:10:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF SOCI PREL PGOV CH VT |
07VATICAN12 | AFRICA ON FRONT BURNER AS POPE ADDRESSES DIP CORPS [...] (SBU) Pope Benedict placed particular emphasis on challenges facing Africa in his second annual address to the diplomatic corps. He called attention to Darfur and Somalia, and criticized an attempt "to trivialize abortion" in Africa. Benedict decried the uselessness of "armed solutions" to [...] | 2007-01-10 15:43:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM KIRF KISL KPAL KNNP VT |
07VATICAN150 | VATICAN SECRETARY OF STATE TO VISIT CUBA [...] (U) Summary: Secretary of State Bertone is likely to visit Cuba in January of 2008. Bertone's visit would coincide with the 10th anniversary of John Paul II's historic visit, and is intended to assess social and religious developments since then. The Vatican continues to favor dialogue as a [...] | 2007-10-17 07:31:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM SOCI KIRF CU VE VT |
07VATICAN157 | VATICAN EXPECTS REACTION TO POPE'S LETTER TO CHINESE [...] (C) Summary: According to Holy See MFA Country Director for PRC Rota Graziosi, the Holy See still anticipates a reaction to the Pope's June 2007 letter to the Chinese faithful and will watch upcoming bishop ordinations for a sign of the GOC's mind-set. The Holy See does not expect the undergr [...] | 2007-11-06 10:46:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KIRF SOCI CH VT |
07VATICAN161 | RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL LEADERS GATHER TO ADVANCE WORLD [...] (U) Religious and political leaders from around the world convened in Naples under the auspices of a Catholic non-governmental organization for three days of dialogue and debate on a broad range of issues under the overall theme of "A World without Violence". Among the participants were heads [...] | 2007-11-07 10:16:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KIRF EC IS VT |
07VATICAN165 | CORRECTED COPY: VATICAN-AFFILIATED INSTITUTE HAILS LETTER [...] (C) Summary: The president of the Vatican-affiliated Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies has hailed "A Common Word", the letter that 138 Muslim scholars have recently addressed to the Pope and other prominent Christian leaders inviting them to a theological dialogue, as an unprecedented an [...] | 2007-11-09 08:49:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM SOCI KIRF VT |
07VATICAN172 | HOLY SEE UPSET ABOUT ISRAELI SINGLE-ENTRY VISA POLICY FOR [...] (U) Summary: The Holy See is upset about new Israeli visa policies that effectively limit the ability of the Church to serve the needs of Catholics in the Holy Land. The new Israeli visa policy comes at a time when Vatican diplomats are already expressing frustration over the lack of progress [...] | 2007-11-21 10:02:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KIRF IS VT |
07VATICAN177 | VENEZUELA DEMARCHE DELIVERED: HOLY SEE SHARES USG CONCERNS [...] (C) Summary: The Holy See shares USG concerns about the proposed constitutional reforms in Venezuela and supports statements made by the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference and by the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM). As CELAM speaks for all of Latin America bishops' conferences, the Hol [...] | 2007-11-28 08:55:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF VE VT |
07VATICAN178 | CORRECTED COPY: VENEZUELA DEMARCHE DELIVERED: HOLY SEE [...] (C) Summary: The Holy See shares USG concerns about the proposed constitutional reforms in Venezuela and supports statements made by the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference and by the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM). As CELAM speaks for all of Latin America bishops' conferences, the Hol [...] | 2007-11-28 09:19:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF VE VT |
07VATICAN180 | HOLY SEE PLEASED ABOUT SAUDI KING MEETING WITH POPE, [...] (C) Summary: a Vatican official with first-hand knowledge of the recent meeting between the Pope and King Abdallah characterized the Saudi monarch's visit as an important step in the development of Saudi-Holy See relations. The Holy See continues to press for greater religious freedom in Sau [...] | 2007-11-30 09:17:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF SA VT |
07VATICAN181 | HOLY SEE REPLIES TO LETTER FROM MUSLIM SCHOLARS [...] (U) The Holy See has replied to the "A Common Word" letter from 138 Muslim scholars (reftel A) inviting Pope Benedict XVI and other Christian leaders to interreligious dialogue. Released by the Vatican's Press Office November 29, the response is signed by the Holy See's Secretary of State, Car [...] | 2007-11-30 16:22:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VT |
07VATICAN183 | HOLY SEE FRUSTRATED OVER NEGOTIATIONS WITH ISRAEL [...] (C) Summary: The Holy See is frustrated over lack of progress in reaching agreements with Israel regarding property and other rights of the Church in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. The Holy See blames the Government of Israel for the negotiations' impasse, and is now allowing Vatican officials [...] | 2007-12-03 17:33:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF IS VT |
07VATICAN193 | CHINA - HOLY SEE: NO AGREEMENT ON CATHOLIC BISHOP [...] (C) Summary: According to Holy See MFA Country Director for China Rota-Graziosi, the Holy See and the Government of China did not reach an agreement on episcopal ordinations, nor on the normalization of relations, during their November 2007 talks in Beijing. Rota-Graziosi is pessimistic about [...] | 2007-12-21 15:41:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KIRF SOCI CH VT |
07VATICAN46 | HOLY SEE - VIETNAM: DELEGATION'S VISIT ANOTHER STEP FORWARD [...] (S) Holy See Deputy FM Parolin told us February 26 that a Vatican delegation's trip to Vietnam next week would offer a good opportunity for progress in relations between the two sides following January's historic visit by PM Dzung to Pope Benedict. Officials told us the recent detention of d [...] | 2007-02-28 15:07:00 | Embassy Vatican | SECRET | PHUM SOCI KIRF PGOV PREL VM VT |
07VATICAN51 | VATICAN: PUTIN'S VISIT MAINLY CEREMONIAL [...] (C) Vatican officials told us March 1 that President Putin's March 13 visit to Pope Benedict XVI (ref a) would be a short "get-acquainted" session, as it would be the first meeting between the two men. No meeting had yet been scheduled for Putin with Cardinal Secretary of State Bertone. Off [...] | 2007-03-05 16:02:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM SOCI RS VT |
07VATICAN54 | CARITAS IN CHINA: QUIETLY GROWING [...] (C) Summary: A March 6-7 Vatican-hosted Caritas Internationalis meeting on China revealed that Caritas is making small but significant strides in providing support to the Chinese poor with the tacit approval of some local Chinese officials. While there will be no immediate move to establish a [...] | 2007-03-12 18:48:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF SOCI PREL PGOV CH VT |
07VATICAN55 | CARITAS COMMITTED TO DPRK OPERATIONS [...] (C) The Holy See's aid and development agency, Caritas International, is committed to its programs in North Korea. Caritas South Korea has assumed control of the program from Caritas Hong Kong and is slowly overcoming transition problems. Since 1995, some US$33 million has been spent on Caritas [...] | 2007-03-15 14:12:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI KN KS XB PHUM KIRF VT |
07VATICAN58 | ZIMBABWE: HOLY SEE TO SPEAK OUT? [...] (U) This telegram contains a recommendation and action request below. --------------- Background -------------- 2. (C) Post noted in early February that the Holy See was considering speaking out on Zimbabwe (reftel). The issue is now on the front burner. A senior cardi [...] | 2007-03-20 10:17:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM SOCI ZI ZU SF UK VT |
07VATICAN61 | CHINA: POPE'S EASTER LETTER ON HOLD? [...] (C) Summary: According to Holy See MFA Country Director for PRC Rota-Graziosi, the Vatican will not release its much-anticipated Papal letter to Chinese Catholics at Easter time, as was expected. Rota-Graziosi could not say when it would be released. The letter will purportedly address the [...] | 2007-03-21 18:18:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF SOCI PREL PGOV CH VT |
07VATICAN64 | ZIMBABWE: HOLY SEE WAITING FOR OK FROM BISHOPS [...] (C) In response to ref (b) points, Holy See deputy foreign minister equivalent Pietro Parolin told the Charge March 23 that the Holy See was considering speaking out further on Zimbabwe, but felt compelled to wait until it got the "green light" from the Zimbabwe bishops to do so. He noted t [...] | 2007-03-23 15:41:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM SOCI KIRF PGOV PREL ZI VT |
07VATICAN76 | POPE BEMOANS SITUATION IN IRAQ; SPEAKS OUT ON ZIMBABWE [...] (C) Pope Benedict claimed "nothing positive" was coming from an Iraq "torn apart by continual slaughter" in his widely-publicized Easter address April 8. Following intensive lobbying by Post, the pontiff broke the Holy See's silence on Zimbabwe, decrying the "grievous crisis" in that country [...] | 2007-04-10 16:05:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM SOCI KIRF IZ ZI LE SU VT |
07VATICAN85 | PAPAL VISIT TO BRAZIL: A PREVIEW [...] (SBU) Pope Benedict XVI travels to Brazil May 9-13 to open a plenary session of the council of Latin American and Caribbean bishops conferences (CELAM). The three most recent continental meetings (Colombia 1968, Mexico 1979, and Dominican Republic 1992) provided direction for the Catholic Chur [...] | 2007-05-06 13:05:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF ECON SCUL SOCI BR VT XM |
07VATICAN89 | DAS MADISON ENGAGES VATICAN ON CUBA [...] (C) WHA DAS Kirsten Madison described the worsening human rights situation in Cuba to the new XXXXXXXXXXXX, and appealed to the Vatican on the issue of the Catholic magazine Vitral. XXXXXXXXXXXX repeated general Vatican support for Vitral and promised to look into the matter further. Monsig [...] | 2007-05-14 10:42:00 | Embassy Vatican | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF CU VT |
07VATICAN90 | HOLY SEE GEARS UP FOR ISRAELIS [...] (C) The Holy See will host a May 21 plenary session addressing issues related to the 1993 Fundamental Agreement with Israel. The Vatican still hopes for a breakthrough in the stalemated negotiations, but negotiator Fr. David Jaeger told us he feared that the Israelis would not bend on proper [...] | 2007-05-18 14:42:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM SOCI KIRF IS VT |
07VATICAN93 | HOLY SEE ENCOURAGED BY TALKS WITH ISRAEL [...] (C) Vatican officials were encouraged by the May 21 plenary session with Israel on the Fundamental Agreement (FA) between the Holy See and Israel. While there were no major breakthroughs, officials told us that the Israelis engaged on the issues in a way they had not done before. One import [...] | 2007-05-24 15:56:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI KIRF PHUM IS VT |
07VATICAN98 | VATICAN-AFFILIATED NGO ADDRESSES RELIGIOUS FREEDOM [...] (U) This cable is being resent due to an error found with EACT MailReader. ------- Summary ------- 2. (U) The U.S.-based Acton Institute, an NGO with significant ties to the Vatican, explored issues related to religious freedom during a March conference in Rome (for informat [...] | 2007-06-20 15:59:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KIRF VT |
07VATICAN99 | IRAQ: CHRISTIANS FLEEING FORCED CONVERSIONS [...] (C) Summary: Monsignor Philip Najim, Representative of the Chaldean Catholic Church to the Holy See and the Chaldeans' European representative, told us in a May meeting that Christians were continuing to flee Iraq in large numbers due to an active campaign of forced conversions to Islam and t [...] | 2007-06-21 19:21:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MOPS PGOV KIRF PHUM IZ SW VT |
07VIENTIANE300 | INTOLERANCE FOR CHRISTIANS PERSISTS IN LAOS [...] (SBU) Summary: Christians in Bolikhamsay Province's Nakun Village have faced pressure from local officials and have been "reeducated" numerous times as a result of their religious activities. Christians in Xunya Village, Luang Namtha Province, have reportedly been prevented from practicin [...] | 2007-04-10 09:59:00 | Embassy Vientiane | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM SCUL SOCI EINV CASC PREL LA |
07VIENTIANE341 | LAO SENIOR OFFICIAL DISCUSSES RELIGIOUS ISSUES [...] (SBU) Summary: Following up on the Ambassador's recent meeting with the Lao Front for National Construction (reftel),Poloffs met with recently-appointed Religous Affairs Khaophone Vannabout to seek updates on several outstanding cases. Khaophone provided an update on 12 detained Khmu who may [...] | 2007-04-26 10:01:00 | Embassy Vientiane | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM SOCI PREL LA |
07VIENTIANE383 | SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS LOOKING TO EXPAND IN LAOS [...] (C) Summary: The Seventh Day Adventists have had an active church in Laos since 1974. There are approximately 1,250 Adventists country-wide, with the largest concentration in Vientiane Municipality. With only one church structure, most Adventists in Laos meet in house churches. While the [...] | 2007-05-11 03:08:00 | Embassy Vientiane | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM SCUL SOCI PREL LA |
07VIENTIANE454 | UPDATE ON PROTESTANTS IN BOLIKHAMSAI AND VIENTIANE [...] (C) Summary: There have been reports indicating that several ethnic Khmu Christians in Bolikhamsai Province's Nakun Village were forcibly moved May 15 to another village in the same district. The Lao Evangelical Church (LEC) has indicated that five heads of households were forced by local [...] | 2007-05-30 10:23:00 | Embassy Vientiane | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM SCUL SOCI PREL LA |
07YEREVAN1197 | CDA FINDS CATHOLICOS A CONSTRUCTIVE VOICE ON TOUGH [...] (C) SUMMARY: CDA called on Armenian Catholicos Karekin II September 27 to discuss the church leader's five-week visit to the United States, which begins September 30. CDA conveyed that at the moment a meeting with President Bush appeared unlikely. The Catholicos expressed disappointment, rem [...] | 2007-09-28 12:23:00 | Embassy Yerevan | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KIRF OVIP AM |
07YEREVAN1259 | SANCTUARY AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP FOR ARMENIA'S [...] (SBU) Numbering 40,000, the Yezidi minority in Armenia has found sanctuary as well as economic hardship since taking refuge in Russian Armenia in the 1830s. Based on fieldwork by Dr. Mark Yoffe, a George Washington University researcher participating in the U.S. Embassy Policy Specialist Progr [...] | 2007-10-17 13:11:00 | Embassy Yerevan | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PHUM ASEC PTER PREF SMIG SOCI KWMN KIRF KFRD |
08ABUJA1839 | NIGERIA: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] (U) SUMMARY: During the course of a September 8 meeting with Foreign Minister Ojo Maduekwe, Assistant Secretary David Kramer delivered reftel demarche. The FonMin seemed amenable to coordination with the USG on both country specific and thematic resolutions, and provided responses on the issue [...] | 2008-09-10 16:40:00 | Embassy Abuja | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KIRF KNNP AF UN IR ZI NI |
08ABUJA1953 | NIGERIA: OFFICERS TRAVEL NORTH TO HOST IFTARS [...] (U) Summary: The Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, two Poloffs, Econoff, and two PolFSNs traveled to Kano and Kaduna on September 3 and 4 to host Iftar dinners for members of each community. Approximately 50 guests from the government, business sector, academia, and civil society were invited to [...] | 2008-10-06 07:05:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL KPAO SCUL NI |
08ABUJA2148 | NORTHERN NIGERIA EXPERIENCES A RELATIVE REPRIEVE [...] (C) Summary: Over the last several months there has been relative calm in Northern Nigeria; there have been few religious conflicts and no indications of extremist activity. Several factors have contributed to this reduction in activity, including: a settling of reactions to Sharia law imple [...] | 2008-10-30 14:12:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF KISL PGOV NI |
08ABUJA2328 | NIGERIA: POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN PLATEAU STATE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Violence erupted in Plateau State on November 27 and 28 following the long awaited Local Government Area (LGA) elections. Riots broke out resulting in numerous homes, businesses, and churches being torched and mob violence caused several deaths. Reports allege that the ruling [...] | 2008-11-28 15:20:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF ASEC NI |
08ABUJA2345 | NIGERIA: VIOLENCE SUBSIDES IN PLATEAU STATE; BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: After three days of political-turned-ethnoreligious violence, a forced calm was restored to Plateau State's capital of Jos when the Nigerian military occupied the city and imposed a curfew on November 30. The violence that erupted on November 27 due to alleged vote rigging in t [...] | 2008-12-01 17:50:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF ASEC NI |
08ABUJA2346 | NIGERIA: VIOLENCE SUBSIDES IN PLATEAU STATE; BUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: After three days of political-turned-ethnoreligious violence, a forced calm was restored to Plateau State's capital of Jos when the Nigerian military occupied the city and imposed a curfew on November 30. The violence that erupted on November 27 due to alleged vote rigging in t [...] | 2008-12-02 07:05:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF ASEC NI |
08ABUJA2358 | NIGERIA: SOME NORMALITY RETURNS TO PLATEAU STATE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Normality started to return to Plateau State's capital of Jos on December 2 as the military remained in control of the city. People were able to move about more freely; however, movement was still restricted in certain areas of the city. American citizen and Missionary contacts [...] | 2008-12-02 18:50:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF ASEC NI |
08ABUJA2363 | NIGERIA: UNEASY CALM REMAINED IN JOS [...] (C) SUMMARY: An "uneasy calm" remained in the Plateau State capital of Jos on December 3, according to Mission contacts and Locally Engaged Staff (LES) family members. Missionary contacts reported occasional gunfire but no widespread violence. The military retained control and continued to e [...] | 2008-12-03 17:05:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF ASEC NI |
08ABUJA2366 | NIGERIA: JOS APPARENTLY CALM; OFFICIAL IDP NUMBER [...] (C) SUMMARY: Another day of calm passed in the Plateau State capital Jos as there were no reports of violence. Samaila Mohammed, Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Party for the Jos North Local Government Area (LGA),told Poloff that peace would remain as long as the state gover [...] | 2008-12-04 12:05:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF ASEC NI |
08ABUJA2377 | NIGERIA: AMBASSADOR AND PLATEAU GOVERNOR DISCUSS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador (with Poloff and USAIDoff as notetakers) met with Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),his Chief Economic Advisor JG Buba, and Chief Security Advisor Nuhu Musa at her residence on December 4 to discuss the recent violence in Jos as wel [...] | 2008-12-05 18:09:00 | Embassy Abuja | SECRET | PGOV PHUM KIRF ASEC NI |
08ABUJA2433 | NIGERIA: ICRC DISCUSSES JOS AND VOLUNTARY [...] (C) SUMMARY: On December 11, Jacques Villettaz, Regional Delegate for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called on the DCM to discuss voluntary principles as they relate to the extractive industries, particularly the oil companies in the Niger Delta. DCM used the opportunity [...] | 2008-12-15 16:39:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF ECON ASEC NI |
08ABUJA286 | NIGERIA: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH KWARA GOVERNOR [...] (C) Summary: On February 4, the Ambassador and DCM had dinner with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insider and member of President Yar'Adua's inner circle, Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State. Saraki discussed his views on the current political climate in Nigeria, the internal politics of the [...] | 2008-02-13 07:28:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KDEM KFRD KIRF NI |
08ABUJA408 | NIGERIA: POL/ECON UPDATES FOR FEB 15-29, 2008 [...] (U) Following is a joint Embassy Abuja-ConGen Lagos compilation of February 15-29, 2008 political/economic highlights, which did not feature in our other reporting, covering: -- Elections: Tribunals, Reforms, Party Politics -- Niger Delta -- Human Rights, Labor, TIP -- Economic News -- Oil [...] | 2008-03-03 09:59:00 | Embassy Abuja | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV ECON PHUM EPET ETRD KDEM ELAB KIRF NI |
08ABUJA449 | NIGERIA NOT PREPARED TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO AT OIC [...] (U) PolOff delivered Ref A demarche to Bernard Shabu, Assistant Director of Intra-Regional and Inter-Regional Affairs and Desk Officer for Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 7. Shabu informed PolOff that President Umaru Yar'Adua, accompan [...] | 2008-03-07 13:45:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL KISL UNSC UNMIK KIRF EU KV YI NI |
08ABUJA536 | NIGERIA: BIWEEKLY POL/ECON UPDATES MARCH 1-16, 2008 [...] (U) Following is a joint Embassy Abuja-ConGen Lagos compilation of March 1-16, 2008 political/economic highlights, which did not feature in our other reporting, covering: -- Elections: Tribunals, Reforms, Party Politics -- Corruption -- Niger Delta -- National Assembly -- Human Rights, Migr [...] | 2008-03-20 16:20:00 | Embassy Abuja | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM ECON EPET ETRD KIRF NI |
08ABUJA694 | NIGERIA: NORTHERN ROUNDUP FOR JAN-APR 2008 [...] (U) This cable is a roundup of recent socio-political developments across northern Nigeria, including: -- Adamawa Guber Candidate Uses "Jihad" to Rally Support -- Kano Hisbah Attempts to Enforce Sharia in Non-Muslim Areas -- Christian-Muslim Violence in Kano -- One Killed, Five Churches Burnt [...] | 2008-04-15 15:17:00 | Embassy Abuja | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PINR KISL KIRF NI |
08ABUJA701 | (C/NF) NIGERIA: AL-AZHAR PREACHERS DEPLOYED TO [...] (C//NF) Egyptian Embassy First Secretary told PolOff April 7 that the Government of Egypt (GOE) has recently begun deploying preachers from Cairo,s renowned Islamic seminary al-Azhar University to serve as instructors in private Islamic secondary schools throughout central and southern Nigeria [...] | 2008-04-15 16:10:00 | Embassy Abuja | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PREL PINR KISL SOCI KIRF NI EG |
08ABUJA734 | NIGERIA: REACTION TO ANTI-ISLAM VIDEO (C-D18-00223) [...] (S) Following is Post's keyed-in responses to reftel request for Government of Nigeria (GON) preparations for, public reactions to, and related responses to the release of Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders' film, which is allegedly critical of Islam. A. (S//NF) IDENTIFY HOST NATION SECURI [...] | 2008-04-18 13:54:00 | Embassy Abuja | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PINR KISL KIRF NI |
08ABUJA901 | WHY THERE IS NO NIGERIAN CHRISTIAN SOCIO-POLITICAL [...] No summary [...] | 2008-05-19 09:32:00 | Embassy Abuja | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV SOCI KIRF NI |
08ABUJA970 | (C/NF) NIGERIA: IMN GROWTH THOUGH LIMITED, [...] (S//NF) SUMMARY: Intra-religious strife among Muslims in Nigeria is growing, as evidenced by several recent assassinations of Sunni imams, who have been critical of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN),which is thought to be responsible for these murders. The perceived "Shi'ite" orientation [...] | 2008-05-30 14:45:00 | Embassy Abuja | SECRET//NOFORN | PGOV PINR KISL KIRF SOCI NI |
08ACCRA530 | GHANA POLITICAL ROUNDUP [...] SUMMARY: On April 17, former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate Alan Kyerematen delivered a resignation letter to his party amidst speculation that he will launch an independent bid for the presidency. Following weeks of intense media speculation, NDC presidential candidate John [...] | 2008-04-21 07:44:00 | Embassy Accra | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF GH |
08ADDISABABA3424 | ETHIOPIA: THE VIEW FROM HARAR AND DIRE DAWA (PART [...] (C) The Harar regional state faces an acute water shortage and receives ninety percent of its budget from a federal subsidy, severely constraining development, the Harar Regional President told PolOff during PolOff's December 10-12 visit to Harar and Dire Dawa to assess political and economic [...] | 2008-12-23 12:33:00 | Embassy Addis Ababa | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ECON PREL KIRF ET |
08ADDISABABA3425 | ETHIOPIA: THE VIEW FROM HARAR AND DIRE DAWA (PART [...] (C) Harar and Dire Dawa based contacts, including religious leaders, told PolOff on a December 10-12 trip to the two cities (reftel) the mixed Christian and Muslim regions of Harar and Dire Dawa are a model for religious tolerance and the religious community in both places vigilantly guards ag [...] | 2008-12-23 12:41:00 | Embassy Addis Ababa | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM ECON PREL KIRF ET |
08ADDISABABA656 | Post Report of Visit of IIP Speaker Elbert "Bert" Ransom to [...] SUMMARY: IIP Speaker Rev. Dr. Elbert "Bert" Ransom completed a highly-successful, twelve-day visit to Ethiopia on the topic of "The Role of Faith Communities in Social Change: Contributions of Christians, Jews, and Muslims to the American Civil Rights Movement," as the main focus of post's Blac [...] | 2008-03-06 13:41:00 | Embassy Addis Ababa | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO KIRF ET |
08ALGIERS1024 | INITIAL ALGERIAN REACTION TO IRFR MOSTLY NEGATIVE [...] (C) We delivered the 2008 International Religious Freedom Country Report (IRFR) on September 23 during a meeting with MFA North America Deputy Director Rachid Ouali. Ouali gave no substantive comment on the IRFR, despite numerous critical official statements in the Algerian press in reaction t [...] | 2008-09-24 15:13:00 | Embassy Algiers | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV OPRC KIRF KPAO AG |
08ALGIERS1052 | ALGERIAN MFA OFFERS MEASURED CRITICISM OF 2008 IRFR [...] (C) MFA Director General for the Americas (A/S equivalent) Fatiha Selmane called in the Ambassador on September 28 to deliver an official reaction to the 2008 International Religious Freedom Report (IRFR) (ref A). Selmane asserted that the IRFR's conclusions did not match Algerian reality. Sh [...] | 2008-09-30 14:36:00 | Embassy Algiers | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV OPRC KIRF KPAO AG |
08ALGIERS133 | PROSELYTIZING IN ALGERIA: ONWARD CHRISTIAN [...] (C) SUMMARY: From June to December 2007, a steady trickle of reports surfaced in the Algerian press about Christians and alleged Christian proselytizing in Algeria. Since January 2008, the frequency and length of the reports have increased markedly, and parliamentarians from the Islamist pol [...] | 2008-02-04 16:33:00 | Embassy Algiers | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF AG |
08ALGIERS333 | JUST IN TIME FOR EASTER: TROUBLE WITH CHRISTIANS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The controversy surrounding Christians and alleged Evangelical Christian proselytizing in Algeria continues (refs A, B). In late February Hugh Johnson, a retired American Methodist minister who has lived and worked in Algeria for 45 years, was suddenly ordered to leave the count [...] | 2008-03-20 09:35:00 | Embassy Algiers | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF CASC AG |
08ALGIERS420 | CHRISTIAN CHURCHES WRESTLE WITH GOVERNMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Using a 2006 law, the Algerian government closed some Protestant churches in March amidst constant reporting by Algerian Arabic-language papers that was intensely hostile towards the Christian community in general and towards alleged Protestant proselytizing in particular. Our co [...] | 2008-04-14 14:23:00 | Embassy Algiers | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF CASC AG |
08ALGIERS427 | CHRISTIAN CHURCHES WRESTLE WITH GOVERNMENT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Using a 2006 law, the Algerian government closed some Protestant churches in March amidst constant reporting by Algerian Arabic-language papers that was intensely hostile towards the Christian community in general and towards alleged Protestant proselytizing in particular. The Al [...] | 2008-04-15 15:57:00 | Embassy Algiers | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF CASC AG |
08ALGIERS625 | JUDGE DEFERS DECISION IN HIGH-PROFILE RELIGIOUS [...] (C) SUMMARY: On March 30 Habiba Kouider, an Algerian who converted to Christianity approximately four years ago, was charged in the western Algerian town of Tiaret with illegally practicing a non-Muslim religion. On May 27 the Tiaret court delayed giving a final verdict in the case, choosing [...] | 2008-05-30 17:49:00 | Embassy Algiers | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF KDEM PGOV AG |
08ALGIERS76 | CHRISTIAN LEADERS CONCERNED ABOUT RELIGIOUS CLIMATE [...] (C) SUMMARY: One month after a December 11 suicide bomb destroyed UN offices in Algiers, Christian leaders in the country told us that they had experienced no difficulties directly attributable to the attacks. They did express concern, however, that an intolerant climate against Christians i [...] | 2008-01-22 17:22:00 | Embassy Algiers | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF AG |
08ALGIERS780 | EVANGELICAL CONVERTS RECEIVE FINES, SUSPENDED [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Two Algerian Christians, Rachid Seghir and Djammal Dahmani, were convicted on July 2 of proselytizing and illegally practicing a non-Muslim religion. The Algerian court fined the defendants 100,000 dinars (1,540 USD) and handed out six-month suspended prison sentences. Non-Mus [...] | 2008-07-09 17:11:00 | Embassy Algiers | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF AG |
08AMMAN104 | JORDANIAN GID DIRECTOR RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS OF [...] (C) Summary: Following reports of deportations and residency refusals of foreign missionaries, the Ambassador asked Jordan's Intelligence Director in early January for an explanation. Dahabi replied in writing on January 7 affirming Jordan's commitment to hosting minority religious sects and [...] | 2008-01-13 10:33:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOF KIRF JO |
08AMMAN1104 | EVANGELICALS DISCUSS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM [...] (C) The Ambassador met April 7 with two long-time American evangelical leaders whose residencies had been revoked and then reinstated over the preceding six months (ref A). Bob Robertson, a 33-year resident of Jordan and member of the Evangelical Free Church, and Charles Kohl, a nearly 20-ye [...] | 2008-04-15 07:48:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF CASC JO |
08AMMAN1394 | JORDANIAN CONVERT CHARGED WITH APOSTASY, FLEES TO [...] (C) Summary: Mohammad Abbad Abdel-Qader Abbad, brought before the Suweileh Shari,a Court on charges of apostasy on March 24, 2008 for his conversion to Christianity, has subsequently fled Jordan with his wife, Muna Khader Naseef Al-Habash, and two children to Cyprus, where he is seeking asylu [...] | 2008-05-08 09:21:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF JO CY |
08AMMAN1666 | STAFFDEL DISCUSSES PEACE PROCESS, REGIONAL EVENTS, [...] (C) Summary: During a week-long visit to Jordan organized by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a ten-member U.S. congressional staffdel met with a variety of senior figures, including Prime Minister Nader Al-Dahabi, Royal Court Chief Bassem Awadallah, Advisor to the Chief of Defense [...] | 2008-06-03 15:00:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON KIRF KPAL IS SY IZ IR LE JO |
08AMMAN1989 | IRAQI RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN JORDAN FACE SIMILAR [...] (SBU) Summary: Iraqis residing in Jordan representing the Chaldean, Assyrian, Sabean, and Yezidi communities claim to be targets of discrimination and attacks in Iraq and do not envision ever being able to return safely to Iraq. They report financial and personal difficulties while residing i [...] | 2008-07-06 08:29:00 | Embassy Amman | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF KIRF PHUM SOCI JO IZ |
08AMMAN2051 | A TWELVE YEAR OLD'S INDISCRETION LEADS TO MINOR [...] (SBU) Limited violence, probably sectarian in nature, flared in Irbid on July 6 after some Muslims' religious sensibilities were apparently offended by a local boy. Coverage of the event, especially in the print press, has been spotty, and the Jordanian daily al-Ghad was careful to avoid ment [...] | 2008-07-10 08:28:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL JO |
08AMMAN2973 | JORDANIAN POET ON TRIAL FOR BLASPHEMY [...] (SBU) Charges against a Jordanian poet, Islam Samhan, for allegedly defaming and insulting religion through Quranic verses and prophets in his book of poetry, "Grace Like a Shadow," has pitted religious leaders against public calls for greater freedom of expression. Eight months after the book [...] | 2008-10-29 10:54:00 | Embassy Amman | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KIRF SOCI JO |
08AMMAN612 | EVANGELIZING, PROSELYTIZING, AND SHEEP-STEALING IN [...] (C) Summary: The GOJ's recent expulsion of a number of missionaries (reftel) has provoked a media and political firestorm, exposing major rifts between the Christian communities in Jordan and generating a highly defensive tone on the part of the government. The "traditional" churches of Jorda [...] | 2008-02-26 16:12:00 | Embassy Amman | SECRET | PHUM KIRF PGOV SOCI JO |
08AMMAN802 | JORDAN REVERSES DEPORTATION DECISIONS FOR THREE [...] (C) Jordan's General Intelligence Director Lt. General Mohammad Dahabi agreed to reverse deportation orders for three American Evangelical missionaries (reported ref B) during a March 9 meeting with the Ambassador. Dahabi told the Ambassador that these individuals, if outside Jordan, would be [...] | 2008-03-13 07:35:00 | Embassy Amman | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV SOCI CASC JO |
08ANKARA326 | TURKISH PARLIAMENT PASSES FOUNDATIONS LAW [...] (U) This is a joint Embassy Ankara - Consulate General Istanbul cable. 2. (C) Summary and comment: Turkey's parliament passed the long-delayed Foundations Law to expand non-Muslim religious property rights February 20, despite vocal condemnation from opposition parties and subdued criticis [...] | 2008-02-21 13:41:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PREL PGOV OSCE TU |
08ANKARA448 | TURKEY'S COMPULSORY RELIGION COURSES ILLEGAL, TOP [...] (SBU) Summary: Turkey's highest administrative court ruled March 3 that students may be exempted from mandatory religious education classes. Alevis welcomed the ruling as a major victory, urging its immediate implementation. The EU called it a landmark decision, noting the court relied not [...] | 2008-03-07 09:09:00 | Embassy Ankara | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PREL OSCE TU |
08ANKARA537 | TURKEY: ALEVIS DETERMINED TO END MANADATORY [...] (C) Summary and comment: Alevi groups are committed to ensuring the GOT implements the Council of State's (Danistay's) March 3 ruling allowing students to be excused from Turkey's mandatory religious courses (ref A). These groups believe the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP's) cri [...] | 2008-03-20 08:51:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PREL OSCE TU |
08ANKARA639 | TURKEY: OPPOSITION PARTY CHALLENGES FOUNDATIONS [...] (C) Summary and Comment: The opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) applied to the Constitutional Court on March 23 to annul nine articles of the recently adopted Foundations Law on the ground that they violate Turkey's Constitution, laws, and the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne. The nine articl [...] | 2008-04-04 11:29:00 | Embassy Ankara | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE TU |
08ASHGABAT1098 | TURKMENISTAN: TOUCHING BASE WITH RELIGIOUS [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a routine embassy religious roundtable meeting on August 19, members of seven minority religious groups in Turkmenistan -- representing both registered and unregistered religious groups -- generally noted that their situation is improving, even though a number of complai [...] | 2008-08-21 10:55:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KDEM TX |
08ASHGABAT1197 | TURKMENISTAN: UN RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS SPECIAL [...] (C) SUMMARY: At the conclusion of her week-long mission to Turkmenistan, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief told Charge that she has seen major improvements since 2007 in the country's attitude towards religious freedoms, but is still very concerned about the treatment [...] | 2008-09-10 16:35:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL EAID SOCI KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT1250 | TURKMENISTAN: UN PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY CENTER [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The September 12-13 shootout has captured the attention of UN representatives and staff at the UN Center for Preventive Diplomacy, as the Center continues to seek to define its role and activities in the region. [...] | 2008-09-19 05:33:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF TX UN |
08ASHGABAT1509 | TURKMENISTAN: CATHOLIC PRIESTS' VILLAGE VISITS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Father Andrzej Madej, Charg at the Vatican Embassy and head of the local unregistered parish that operates under the auspices of the Embassy, asked a group of missionary friends in the U.S., Germany, and Slovakia to assist him during the absence of his assistant priest. The Amc [...] | 2008-11-21 13:21:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM SCUL SOCI KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT171 | TURKMENISTAN: SELF-FINANCING TURKMEN ABLE TO [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public internet. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Post attempted to verify a December 2007 Forum18 news article (reported in ref by Turkmen opposition website "Gundogar") about the restrictions the government allegedly imposed on those wishing to go on the Hajj [...] | 2008-02-04 12:14:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF KISL SA TX |
08ASHGABAT200 | TURKMENISTAN: "NEW REVIVAL" COVERAGE REPLACES [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (U) Throughout former President Niyazov's tenure, Turkmenistan television's Altyn Asyr channel nighly broadcast a reading of Niyazov's "Ruhnama" before the 9:00 pm news. Two or three presenters would read from the "Ruhnama" (and, [...] | 2008-02-08 09:59:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV SCUL SOCI KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT244 | TURKMENISTAN: RUHNAMA - GOING, GOING... [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. LESS EMPHASIS ON READING RUHNAMA AND MORE ON WRITING AND ARITHMETIC 2. (SBU) Since Berdimuhamedov became president in February 2007, former President Niyazov's "Book of the Soul," has become increasingly irrelevant. While still [...] | 2008-02-15 11:48:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM SOCI KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT289 | TURKMENISTAN: CENTRAL ASIAN CATHOLIC LEADERS [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Catholic Church leaders from all over Central Asia were in Ashgabat for a week, sharing and comparing their experiences, successes and challenges in legalizing and expanding their activities in this Muslim-domi [...] | 2008-03-01 07:49:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT369 | TURKMENISTAN: PRESIDENT SIGNS NEW LAW ON FOREIGN [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on March 17 unveiled a new government program to promote domestic entrepreneural development and foreign investment, including substantial changes to Turkmenistan [...] | 2008-03-24 13:06:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV EINV BTIO KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT373 | TURKMENISTAN: AMCIT EVANGELICAL GROUP BRINGS [...] (C) The AmCit Evangelical group, Friends of the Turkmen, has returned to Ashgabat for its semi-annual visit. This time the group included one of the officials from the International Foundation, the DC-area organization that does the administrative work for the 2009 National Prayer Breakfast [...] | 2008-03-25 12:02:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT408 | TURKMENISTAN: LEADER OF UNREGISTERED RELIGIOUS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The leader of an unregistered evangelical religious group in the city of Mary has been banned from traveling outside of Turkmenistan, and his home raided -- and religious material seized -- by security authorities in the middle of a religious meeting. Meanwhile, the Council of [...] | 2008-04-01 11:17:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM SOCI KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT421 | TURKMENISTAN: TURKMENABAT CHRISTIAN CHURCH FACES [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public internet. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Registration in 2007 appears to have given a small minority Christian church in Turkmenabat some taste of normalcy, but it appears that members of this church will still face an uphill battle with cultural biase [...] | 2008-04-03 12:41:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT433 | TURKMENISTAN: UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RELIGION [...] (C) SUMMARY: The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion will visit Turkmenistan in mid-September, according to OHCHR Regional Representative Matilda Bogner. The current revision of the law by a U.S. expert, funded by USAID, may provide an opportunity to bring the law up to internationa [...] | 2008-04-07 11:30:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT492 | TURKMENISTAN: AHAL PROVINCE PASTOR OPTIMISTIC AS CHURCH [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) During a visit to cities in Ahal province to the west of Ashgabat, PAO met with the pastor of the Light of Life Christian Church's branch in Abadan city. The Abadan branch of the church applied for registration as a religi [...] | 2008-04-18 12:07:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF SOCI TX |
08ASHGABAT496 | TURKMENISTAN: MUSLIM TOUR GUIDE AT GYPJAK MOSQUE [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: A visit to the Gypjak Mosque revealed that at least one of the Muslim religious students charged by the government to show visitors around such official government mosques may be showing signs of a more fervent [...] | 2008-04-22 05:06:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM SOCI KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT499 | TURKMENISTAN: INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY SEES ICNL AND USAID [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Following an April 4 conference on NGO legislation jointly hosted by the International Center for Not-for-profit-Law (ICNL) and Turkmenistan's Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR),the Institute's direc [...] | 2008-04-22 07:49:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM EAID KDEM KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT521 | TURKMENISTAN: CHRISTIAN PASTOR DETAINED FOR [...] No summary [...] | 2008-04-25 10:38:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT532 | TURKMENISTAN: CHRISTIAN PASTOR DETAINED FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: Local police in Turkmenbashi raided a religious gathering April 23 and detained a registered church's pastor and two foreign visitors. The threats to plant false evidence on the pastor and the intense interrogation demonstrate how local security structures can still abuse thei [...] | 2008-04-28 14:02:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT559 | TURKMENISTAN: REGISTRATION WOES FOR BAPTIST CHURCH IN [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) Turkmen Baptist Church of Dashoguz pastor Begjan Shirmedov says it is no easier trying to register his church under President Berdimuhamedov than former President Niyazov. More than two years ago, Shirmedov submitted paper [...] | 2008-05-02 12:54:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV SCUL SOCI KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT560 | TURKMENISTAN: REGISTRATION WOES FOR BAPTIST CHURCH IN [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) Turkmen Baptist Church of Dashoguz pastor Begjan Shirmedov says it is no easier trying to register his church under President Berdimuhamedov than former President Niyazov. More than two years ago, Shirmedov submitted paper [...] | 2008-05-02 12:54:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV SCUL SOCI KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT565 | TURKMENISTAN: RESPONSE ON OUTREACH TO ACTIVISTS AND [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) Turkmenistan is a tightly-controlled dictatorship where citizens are not permitted to engage in direct human rights advocacy work. There are no international human rights organizations present, including from United Natio [...] | 2008-05-05 12:19:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT617 | TURKMENISTAN: MOSQUE-HOPPING IN ASHGABAT FINDS NO TRACE [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: PolOff's visit to various Ashgabat mosques revealed the conspicuous absence of the Ruhnama, former President Niyazov's required "spiritual guide," underscoring the book's decline in influence in post-Niyazov Turkmeni [...] | 2008-05-14 09:48:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM SOCI KIRF KISL TX |
08ASHGABAT637 | TURKMENISTAN: COUNCIL ON RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS A [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: A meeting with Council on Religious Affairs Deputy Chairman and two junior functionaries revealed that there has been little progress on several issues that have dogged minority religious groups' capacity to eng [...] | 2008-05-16 10:01:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT651 | TURKMENISTAN: SAUDI AMBASSADOR SAYS OVER 1,000 [...] (C) On May 19, Saudi Arabian Ambassador Abdel Aziz Al-Ghadeer told Charge that in 2007 1,100 Turkmen had received special Saudi hajj visas, in addition to the planeload of 188 pilgrims officially sponsored and funded by Turkmenistan's government (reftel). The ambassador somewhat reluctantly [...] | 2008-05-21 07:18:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF TU SA TX |
08ASHGABAT866 | TURKMENISTAN: DASHOGUZ RELIGIOUS GROUP TWO STEPS [...] (C) Shokhrat Shirmedov, a leader of the Turkmen Baptist Church in Dashoguz, told EmbOff on July 10 that both the local provincial Council on Religious Affairs (CRA) office and the central CRA office in Ashgabat had informed him about two and a half months ago that they had approved the church' [...] | 2008-07-10 12:26:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF TX |
08ASHGABAT993 | TURKMENISTAN: FOUR JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES ADHERENTS [...] (C) Senior Jehovah's Witness representative Andrei Zhbanov confirmed to poloff July 30 that a police raid on the apartment of a Jehovah's Witness adherent in Balkanabat had taken place on May 6. As also reported in a press release issued by the religious organization's headquarters in New Y [...] | 2008-07-30 13:36:00 | Embassy Ashgabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF TX |
08ASMARA205 | CATHOLIC CHURCH WINS A ROUND [...] (C) A Catholic priest at Asmara's Cathedral told PolOff April 8 that the GSE has issued seminary students identification cards exempting them from national service. This recent policy represents an about-face by the Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE),who months earlier threatened to sei [...] | 2008-04-10 06:31:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM SOCI PGOV ER |
08ASMARA212 | 3,225 CHRISTIANS IN PRISON (AND COUNTING) [...] (C) SUMMARY: Reverend Zecharias Abraham (strictly protect) of the Mehrete Yesus Evangelical Presbyterian Church met with PolOff on April 10 to discuss the status of the Christian churches in Eritrea. Rev. Zecharias provided updated numbers on imprisoned Christians, and his views on the new G [...] | 2008-04-15 12:50:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV ER |
08ASMARA304 | THE ROUNDABOUT METHOD OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM [...] (C) Reverend Zecharias Abraham (strictly protect) of the Mehrete Yesus Evangelical Presbyterian Church informed PolOff during a late May meeting of the manner in which information from Compass Direct is verified. (Note: Compass Direct is a Christian nongovernmental organization (NGO) that docu [...] | 2008-06-10 10:49:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF SF ER |
08ASMARA320 | GSE'S LATEST HARASSMENT OF RELIGIOUS GROUPS [...] (C) The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) continues to harass both approved and compliant (registered, but not yet approved),religious groups. On June 5, the Eritrean military expropriated property of the Catholic Church near the Expo circle in Asmara. The Church was reportedly given [...] | 2008-06-13 09:09:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF ER |
08ASMARA349 | IMPRISONED FSN RELEASED [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador met with former local guard Aklilu Yohannes (strictly protect) on July 9, who was imprisoned underground for nearly a year without charge. Aklilu was additionally imprisoned for 12 days in 2005 for belonging to an unregistered church. While in prison, Aklilu reports b [...] | 2008-07-11 06:53:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV APER KIRF SOCI ASEC ER |
08ASMARA369 | ANOTHER RELIGIOUS PRISONER DIES [...] (C) Deaths reportedly continue in the Wi'a military camp as religious, political, and other prisoners are either beaten, starved, or denied medical treatment. Reverend Zecharias Abreham (strictly protect) of the Mehrete Yesus Evangelical Church informed PolOff July 23 that an imprisoned woman [...] | 2008-07-23 14:16:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV KIRF ER |
08ASMARA371 | THE SAD STORY OF FORMER EMBASSY ASMARA LES DANIEL [...] (C) Summary: In May, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ, the ruling political party of Eritrea) called the Embassy to request the dismissal of its employee, Daniel Haile. The Embassy refused to accede to the request and protested the action to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs [...] | 2008-07-25 07:18:00 | Embassy Asmara | SECRET | PHUM PGOV APER KSOCI KIRF ASEC ER |
08ASMARA412 | GSE ARRESTS EMBASSY LOCAL GUARD AT HIS RESIDENCE [...] (C) Embassy Local Guard Force (LGF) Commander Mehari Zemhret was arrested at his residence on 08/18/08 at approximately 1300 hrs while on his lunch break by members of the Eritrean National Security Agency (ENSA). An unidentified Eritrean male asked if "Mehari" was in the residence. Since m [...] | 2008-08-19 14:45:00 | Embassy Asmara | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC PHUM PGOV APER AMGT KSOCI KIRF ER |
08ASMARA441 | GSE ARRESTS 38TH CHRISTIAN LEADER [...] No summary [...] | 2008-09-05 07:41:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV ER |
08ASMARA492 | GSE GOES ALL OUT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST CHRISTIAN [...] (C) SUMMARY: PolOff met with Reverend Zecharias Abraham (protect) of the Mehrete Yesus Evangelical Presbyterian Church Sept 26 to discuss religious freedom violations perpetrated by the Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE). Zecharias reported three recent developments in the GSE's efforts [...] | 2008-10-07 14:30:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF KE ER |
08ASMARA509 | ERITREA RELEASES THREE IMPRISONED FSNS [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: Three FSN employees, one held for five days and two held for two months, were released over an eight day period. Two of these employees are senior members of our local guard force and the other is our human resources specialist. Two of the individuals were targeted directly [...] | 2008-10-21 12:00:00 | Embassy Asmara | SECRET//NOFORN | AMGT APER ASEC PHUM KIRF ER |
08ASMARA526 | ERITREAN AMBASSADOR IN KENYA COMPLICIT IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Former Eritrean Orthodox Bishop Hadgu Gebrehimanot (protect) gave visiting Embassy Asmara PolOff a detailed description of his harassment and assault by Eritrean embassy officials in Nairobi, including reported threats from Eritrean Ambassador Saleh Umar. According to Bishop Hagd [...] | 2008-10-30 11:19:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PREL PROP PHUM PGOV KE ER |
08ASMARA546 | ARREST, INTERROGATION, AND TORTURE OF [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: On XXXXXXXXXXXX was released after five months in jail. XXXXXXXXXXXX emotionally recounted his experience to the RSO, including his interrogation, deplorable prison conditions, beatings, and witnessing the torture of other prisoners being held at the XXXXXXXXXXXX facility. XXXX [...] | 2008-11-12 11:46:00 | Embassy Asmara | SECRET//NOFORN | ASEC ER PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF |
08ASMARA605 | GSE ARRESTS EVANGELICALS AND JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES [...] (C) The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE) strengthened its efforts to clamp down on banned religious groups during the month of December. For the past two weeks, the GSE has rounded up leaders of evangelical churches, including a prominent doctor closely associated with the American-b [...] | 2008-12-24 11:55:00 | Embassy Asmara | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV ER |
08ASTANA1107 | KAZAKHSTAN - CHANGES MADE TO RELIGION LAW [...] (C) The Mazhilis passed on first reading a revised text of amendments to Kazakhstan's religion law. Some of the most problematic provisions were removed from this latest version, though at the same time, new provisions were added which raise concerns. The amendments must go through a second [...] | 2008-06-12 11:44:00 | Embassy Astana | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF KDEM KZ |
08ASTANA1711 | KAZAKHSTAN - COURTS SUSPEND JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES [...] (C) In recent months, courts in southern Kazakhstan have ordered three chapters of Jehovah's Witnesses to suspend their activities for six months for holding meetings at venues other than their registered addresses. Similar cases heard by courts in other regions of the country have been dism [...] | 2008-09-10 06:41:00 | Embassy Astana | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF KDEM PGOV KZ |
08ASTANA1849 | KAZAKHSTAN - RELIGION LAW AMENDMENTS HEADED TOWARD [...] No summary [...] | 2008-09-22 11:38:00 | Embassy Astana | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV KZ |
08ASTANA1850 | KAZAKHSTAN - RELIGION LAW AMENDMENTS HEADED TOWARD [...] (C) The Mazhilis will hold its second reading on a package of amendments to Kazakhstan's religion law on September 24. The latest text is an improvement over the June version that was passed at the first reading, although it still includes several problematic provisions. Civil society and r [...] | 2008-09-22 12:33:00 | Embassy Astana | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV KZ |
08ASTANA1863 | KAZAKHSTAN - CHARGE'S VISIT TO HARE KRISHNA SITE ATTRACTS [...] (SBU) The Charge visited the Hare Krishna community 20 kilometers outside of Almaty on September 17. The Krisha community's property at this site has been the subject of a long-running dispute with local authorities, who have tried to force the Krishnas off of their valuable land plot. The he [...] | 2008-09-24 11:12:00 | Embassy Astana | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV KZ |
08ASTANA1873 | KAZAKHSTAN - RELIGION LAW AMENDMENTS PASS [...] (U) On September 24, the Mazhilis -- the lower house of parliament -- passed at a second reading a package of amendments to Kazakhstan's religion law. There were no significant changes made to the legislation during the reading. The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration, althou [...] | 2008-09-25 11:50:00 | Embassy Astana | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KIRF PGOV KZ |
08ASTANA2019 | KAZAKHSTAN: HARE KRISHNAS TAKEN TO COURT OVER LEGALITY OF [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) The Almaty Hare Krishna Society will head to court again on October 13 over the plot of land that has been the subject of a long-standing dispute with local authorities. The Karasai District Court will decide whether the [...] | 2008-10-10 11:30:00 | Embassy Astana | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF KZ |
08ASTANA2092 | KAZAKHSTAN: COMMON WORLD FORUM MINISTERIAL BRINGS [...] (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. 2. (SBU) SUMMARY: U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad led the U.S. delegation to the October 17 Common World Forum ministerial meeting in Astana. Aimed at promoting understanding between the Muslim world and the [...] | 2008-10-22 10:49:00 | Embassy Astana | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KISL KIRF KZ |
08ASTANA2178 | KAZAKHSTAN: CIVIL SOCIETY EXPRESSES CONCERNS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On October 30, civil society leaders briefed several Astana-based diplomatic missions on Kazakhstan's progress on its Madrid commitments on democratic reform and on religion legislation pending in parliament. In their view, the government is not going far enough in fulfilling [...] | 2008-11-04 11:38:00 | Embassy Astana | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF KZ |
08ASTANA2255 | KAZAKHSTAN: ISRAELI AMBASSADOR SAYS ELITE [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Israeli Ambassador in Astana asserts many in the elite are dissatisfied about President Nazarbayev,s alleged isolation and lack of a plan of succession. The Israeli Embassy,s main functional interest is trade, with &modest military sales8 that include unmanned aerial vehicl [...] | 2008-11-14 09:59:00 | Embassy Astana | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINR ETRD MASS KIRF UZ TI IS KZ |
08ASTANA2450 | KAZAKHSTAN: PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION HEAD [...] (S) SUMMARY: President Administration head Aslan Musin called in the Ambassador on December 10 to discuss Rakhat Aliyev, expressing concerns about international press reporting on the Aliyev case and explaining he had information that Aliyev might be seeking American citizenship or U.S. polit [...] | 2008-12-11 11:24:00 | Embassy Astana | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM KCRM KDEM KIRF KNNP KZ |
08ASTANA2452 | KAZAKHSTAN: ALMATY NOTES, NOVEMBER 24-DECEMBER 5 [...] The "Almaty Notes" series from U.S. Office Almaty focuses on developments in civil society, the media, and the opposition in Kazakhstan's "southern capital." OPPOSITION LEADERS CHARGED WITH CRIME 2. On December 1, the Interior Ministry charged Azat party leader Bulat Abilov with "concea [...] | 2008-12-12 05:47:00 | Embassy Astana | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM ECON SOCI KDEM KIRF KZ |
08ASTANA2492 | KAZAKHSTAN: FOREIGN MINISTER TAZHIN [...] (C) In an alleged internal government memo, a copy of which we received from a contact at the NGO Freedom House, Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin wrote to Prime Minister Karim Masimov that the government should postpone adopting amendments to Kazakhstan's religion legislation until after its 20 [...] | 2008-12-19 09:04:00 | Embassy Astana | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF KZ |
08ASTANA357 | KAZAKHSTAN: KNB INTENSIFIES INVESTIGATION OF GRACE [...] (C) Summary: On January 25, Committee for National Security (KNB) agents raided yet another Grace Presbyterian Church, this time in Almaty. The raid is the latest step in an ongoing KNB investigation of the denomination, which began with August 2007 raids on two churches and several church-re [...] | 2008-02-21 09:14:00 | Embassy Astana | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF KDEM KZ |
08ASTANA411 | KAZAKHSTAN: UPSURGE IN NEGATIVE MEDIA COVERAGE OF [...] (SBU) Summary: Several media outlets in the last month have published or broadcast stories critical of religious groups not traditional to Kazakhstan, such as evangelical Protestant Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientologists, and Hare Krishnas, depicting them as dangerous sects harmful to [...] | 2008-03-03 11:21:00 | Embassy Astana | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KIRF KZ |
08ASTANA611 | KAZAKHSTAN - SHYMKENT IS YOUNG, MUSLIM, AND GROWING FAST [...] (SBU) South Kazakhstan oblast and its capital, Shymkent, are experiencing rapid population growth due to high birth rates, an influx of ethnic Kazakhs from abroad, and labor migration from Uzbekistan. While local officials claim local media is largely independent, civil society representatives [...] | 2008-03-21 05:37:00 | Embassy Astana | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF PREL KZ |
08ASTANA767 | KAZAKHSTAN: NEW LEGISLATION THREATENS RELIGIOUS [...] (SBU) On April 2, a group of parliamentarians introduced draft amendments to Kazakhstan's laws governing religious organizations. Among other things, the amendments would require all religious groups in the country to re-register under more restrictive procedures; limit the activities of smal [...] | 2008-04-18 11:52:00 | Embassy Astana | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF KDEM PREL KZ |
08ASTANA867 | KAZAKHSTAN: OUTREACH ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND [...] (SBU) In response to reftel, there are no high profile dissidents from un-free nations living in exile or seeking asylum in Kazakhstan. 2. (SBU) In the course of my work, I do, however, regularly meet with leading Kazakhstani democracy and human rights activists, including Yevgeniy Zhovtis, [...] | 2008-05-06 03:36:00 | Embassy Astana | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF PREL KZ |
08ASTANA870 | KAZAKHSTAN - ALL IS CALM IN ALMATY OBLAST, AND THAT'S HOW [...] (SBU) All is calm in Almaty Oblast and its capital, Taldykorgan, and residents are enjoying a steadily improving quality of life, at least according to oblast officials. The urban population is growing, though the oblast remains largely rural and agricultural. Taldykorgan itself has experience [...] | 2008-05-06 07:32:00 | Embassy Astana | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF PREL KZ |
08ATHENS124 | DEATH OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF ATHENS AND ALL GREECE [...] (SBU) The Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Christodoulos, passed away at 0515 local time on Monday, January 28. His funeral is expected to take place on Thursday, January 31 -- or possibly Friday, February 1. The Archbishop played a social and political role, and his successor is expecte [...] | 2008-01-28 12:38:00 | Embassy Athens | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KREL PHUM KIRF GR |
08ATHENS147 | GREECE MOURNS ARCHBISHOP'S DEATH [...] On January 31, Greece paid its final respects to Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos in a funeral service at Athens' Metropolitan Cathedral. The service, lasting two hours and broadcast live on several television channels, was attended by a who's-who of Greek society, as well a [...] | 2008-01-31 12:59:00 | Embassy Athens | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KIRF SOCI GR |
08ATHENS148 | GREECE/TURKEY: MFA TERMS KARAMANLIS VISIT [...] (C) MFA officials termed PM Karamanlis' January 23 - 25 trip to Turkey "positive but not concrete." They were pleased by statements by PM Erdogan that "could be seen as positive openings" on the status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, on the Aegean "casus belli," and on broader Ae [...] | 2008-01-31 14:20:00 | Embassy Athens | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF PHUM SOCI TU GR |
08ATHENS152 | NO INVITATION FOR MACEDONIAN CHURCH LEADERS TO [...] (U) This message has been cleared by Embassy Skopje. 2. (C) After news emerged Wednesday that leaders of the Macedonian Orthodox Church intended to attend the funeral liturgy of Greek Archbishop Christodoulos in Athens on Thursday, Greek Church authorities declared that the Macedonians were [...] | 2008-02-01 15:28:00 | Embassy Athens | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF MK GR |
08ATHENS179 | GREECE ELECTS NEW ARCHBISHOP -- SAME LINE, LOWER [...] (U) Ieronymos, Archbishop of Thebes, was elected February 7, 2008 as the new Archbishop of Athens and all Greece by the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church. Signaling election of a new Archbishop with illumination of the exterior lights of Athens' Metropolitan Cathedral -- a new procedure [...] | 2008-02-07 14:56:00 | Embassy Athens | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KIRF KREL SOCI GR |
08ATHENS271 | AMBASSADOR MEETS NEW GREEK ARCHBISHOP [...] (C) On February 25, Ambassador Speckhard met with newly elected Greek Orthodox Archbishop Ieronymos II. The Archbishop told the Ambassador that coordinated efforts, discipline, and the absence of fanaticism were all necessary to achieve advances in human dignity. The Archbishop pledged his b [...] | 2008-02-26 16:07:00 | Embassy Athens | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KIRF SOCI PINR GR |
08ATHENS273 | CONSTRUCTION BEGINS IN ANCIENT JEWISH CEMETERY [...] (C) Notwithstanding our long-standing advice to the contrary and assurances from the GOG to consult with us and the Thessaloniki Jewish Community, Greece has begun construction for a metro station in Thessaloniki in an area that falls within the ancient Jewish Cemetery. Ambassador Speckhard [...] | 2008-02-26 16:40:00 | Embassy Athens | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL SOCI KIRF GR |
08ATHENS494 | HUMAN RIGHTS COURT SIDES WITH TURKISH MINORITY IN [...] (U) Two important human rights issues related to the Turkish minority in Thrace were recently addressed by court decisions: the first, by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the second, by a local court in Rodopi. The ECHR decision indirectly confirms the right of Thrace Muslims to [...] | 2008-04-03 09:10:00 | Embassy Athens | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV SOCI KIRF PHUM GR |
08ATHENS495 | HUMAN RIGHTS COURT SIDES WITH TURKISH MINORITY IN [...] No summary [...] | 2008-04-03 09:23:00 | Embassy Athens | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV SOCI KIRF PHUM GR |
08BAGHDAD135 | NINEWA CHRISTIANS DISCUSS NINEVEH PLAIN GOALS WITH [...] (C) At the Ninewa PRT, Christian leaders representing parties including the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM) and the Assyrian Patriotic Party (APP) expressed general consensus to CODEL Wolf (Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA)) January 3 on forming a Christian, self-governed [...] | 2008-01-19 08:37:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV EAID KIRF IZ |
08BAGHDAD1454 | WHY THE NINE JEWS OF BAGHDAD STAY IN BAGHDAD [...] (S) SUMMARY: Despite the insecurity they face, and the necessity of hiding their identity, the nine Jews living in Baghdad appear set to stay here. Several are simply too old to leave, while others fear the unknown challenges of a new land more than they fear the more familiar, if deadly, pe [...] | 2008-05-10 12:29:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | PHUM KIRF PREF PGOV IS NL UK IZ |
08BAGHDAD1564 | RRT ERBIL: INFLUENTIAL KRG MINISTER EYES [...] (C) Summary: In a meeting May 6 with the Ambassador,s Senior Advisor and RRTOffs, KRG Minister of Finance Sarkis Aghajan (Sarkis) provided maps outlining the proposed zone, and said a decision must be made &now8 to save Iraq,s Christians. Since 2003, up to 40,000 Iraqi Christians have fled [...] | 2008-05-20 15:35:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER KIRF VT IZ |
08BAGHDAD1575 | MALIKI VOICES SUPPORT FOR RELIGIOUS MINORITIES [...] (SBU) Prime Minister Maliki received a delegation of mostly Christian representatives and spoke out in support of Iraq's religious minorities during his May 16 visit to Mosul to inspect the ongoing Umm-al-Rabe'ayn operation to root out al-Qaida elements. His unprecedented statements were hig [...] | 2008-05-21 14:47:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | IZ KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL |
08BAGHDAD1830 | RRT ERBIL: NEA-I DIRECTOR DISCUSSES MINORITY [...] (C) Special Representative on Minorities in Iraq, NEA-I Director Richard Schmierer met June 11 and 12 Iraq with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials, Christian leaders, and other minority communities that have taken refuge in the KRG. Clear themes emerged, demonstrating the opportun [...] | 2008-06-17 13:16:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PTER PINR KIRF VT IZ |
08BAGHDAD1848 | WAY AHEAD ON ASSISTANCE TO RELIGIOUS MINORITIES [...] (S) Post is actively engaged in efforts to address the plight of vulnerable religious minority populations in Iraq, in particular in the areas of jobs and security. The USG already provides significant assistance to regions of Iraq with large religious minority populations, particularly in the [...] | 2008-06-18 16:24:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | PGOV KIRF PHUM IZ |
08BAGHDAD1953 | PRIME MINISTER MOVES TO ADDRESS CHRISTIAN NEEDS [...] (C) George Bakoos, an Iraqi-Christian political advisor to Prime Minister (PM) Maliki, reported to Emboff June 25 that he has been tapped by the PM to serve on a new GOI committee tasked with "determining and following-up on all the needs of the Christian community in Iraq." The committee is [...] | 2008-06-25 15:15:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD1962 | NON-MUSLIM ENDOWMENTS DIRECTOR PLEADS FOR ACCESS [...] (C) During a meeting with Poloff, Abdullah Alnoufali, Director of the Iraqi Non-Muslim Endowments Office, said he was satisfied with the size of his budget which is dedicated primarily towards restoring and maintaining Christian worship sites; what is hampering the Endowment's work is that t [...] | 2008-06-26 15:30:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD1968 | KIRKUKI GROUPS WEIGH IN ON PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS, [...] (C) Summary. Senior Advisor for Northern Iraq Tom Krajeski visited Kirkuk with United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) Political Director Andrew Gilmour to gauge reactions to recent debates over Kirkuk,s provincial elections and UNAMI,s work on disputed internal boundaries. Turkome [...] | 2008-06-27 13:10:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF IZ |
08BAGHDAD2096 | PRACTICAL RESPONSES TO URGENT MINORITY CONCERNS [...] (C) Post is stepping up efforts to galvanize Government of Iraq (GOI) attention on the needs and vulnerabilities of non-Muslim minorities as part of a longer-term effort to ensure their secure and prosperous future in Iraq. While USG economic assistance has long benefited minority communities [...] | 2008-07-07 06:48:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD2148 | AMBASSADOR'S JULY 7 MEETING WITH PAPAL NUNCIO [...] (C) Archbishop Chullikatt, papal nuncio to Iraq, acknowledged that the Iraqi Christian community faced many challenges, but believes that these could be overcome with the right kind of support and assistance. According to Chullikatt, Iraqi Christians' number one concern is security, followed [...] | 2008-07-10 11:19:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD2175 | AMBASSADOR'S JULY 9 MEETING WITH CHALDEAN [...] (C) Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Emmanuel Karim Delly thanked the Ambassador for all he has done for Iraqis of all religions. He noted the security situation had perceptibly improved for minorities over the past months, although fear remained pervasive. Delly emphasized the need to focus on t [...] | 2008-07-13 09:21:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD2216 | PRT WASIT: PC MEMBERS ATTEMPT TO REMOVE IP CHIEF [...] (S//REL TO USA, ACGU) Summary: During a July 11 meeting at the PRT, Wasit Provincial Council (PC) member Saa'd Sharhan and Wasit Chief of Police General Abdul Haneen (both political independents) discussed an ongoing attempt by religious parties to appeal to Prime Minister Maliki to remove G [...] | 2008-07-17 03:12:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | PGOV PREL KIRF IZ |
08BAGHDAD2221 | NINEWA: KURDS USE SERVICES, SECURITY, AND [...] (C) Kurds make up 15 to 40 percent of Ninewa,s population, yet dominate much of the political and security apparatus across the province. Their influence benefits many areas, particularly in northern and eastern Ninewa, which have better security, economic development, and service delivery th [...] | 2008-07-17 08:47:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PTER KIRF PINR IZ |
08BAGHDAD2241 | NINEWA: KRG-AFFILIATED ASSYRIAN LEADERS, SHABAK [...] (C) As part of an ongoing outreach effort to minority communities in Ninewah Province, PRT leader met separately with two prominent Assyrian Christians and four Shabak political activists. All were concerned about threats to their communities and sought continued USG engagement on the way fo [...] | 2008-07-19 10:45:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF ECON EPET ENRG PTER IZ |
08BAGHDAD2242 | BASRAH'S RELIGIOUS MINORITY LEADERS HOPE FOR [...] (C) Summary: Senior Advisor for Southern Affairs Gordon Gray and REO incoming and outgoing directors met on July 15 and 16 with Father Emad and Abdel Kareem al-Khazraji, the leaders of Basrah's minority Christian and Sunni communities. Both leaders expressed dismay over the widespread emigrat [...] | 2008-07-19 11:52:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV IZ |
08BAGHDAD2326 | PAPAL NUNCIO ASSESSES FEASIBILITY OF RESTORING [...] (C) Embassy and 1BCT (Brigade Combat Team)/4ID - ePRT Baghdad-1 facilitated a joint visit with Papal Nuncio Archbishop Francis Chullikatt on July 22 to explore the condition of Chaldean and other Church facilities in Baghdad's Doura neighborhood. The Nuncio's primary purpose was to assess t [...] | 2008-07-26 11:23:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD2398 | CARDINAL DELLY MEETING WITH PM VERY POSITIVE [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with Cardinal Delly on July 30, Prime Minister Maliki said the GOI would offer protection for Iraqi Christians and would ensure that they live in a stable and secure environment. According to a GOI press statement released after the meeting, the GOI will provide ne [...] | 2008-07-31 14:27:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD2539 | PAPAL NUNCIO CLAIMS DECREASING SUPPORT FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with Special Advisor Krajeski and PolOffs on August 7, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Chullikatt claimed that there is decreasing support within the Christian community in northern Iraq for an autonomous zone as the solution to problems of security and marginalization. Fr [...] | 2008-08-12 06:48:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF KREF IZ |
08BAGHDAD2607 | NINEWA: SOME HAMDANIYA CHRISTIANS ARGUE FOR LOCAL [...] (C) Summary: During meetings in Mosul with Senior Advisor for Northern Iraq Tom Krajeski, Iraqi Assyrian groups from Hamdaniya District in Ninewa Province expressed varying views on the desirability of an autonomous Christian region and affiliation with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). [...] | 2008-08-17 07:42:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF KDEM IZ |
08BAGHDAD2666 | NINEWA: ASSYRIAN MAYOR SAYS QARA QOSH IS SAFE AND [...] (C) Summary: Nisan Yousif, the Assyrian Christian mayor of Qara Qosh, in Hamdaniya district, described his town as safe and secure, yet also apathetic about upcoming provincial elections. With regard to the Article 140 process, Yousif expressed a personal preference that Qara Qosh remain part [...] | 2008-08-20 13:25:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PHUM KDEM IZ |
08BAGHDAD2738 | CHRISTIAN ACTIVIST: GRATIFIED THE "U.S. IS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Asserting that intra-Iraqi Christian discord is the result of political competition between church leaders, CoR Speaker Mashadani's human rights advisor urged the USG to engage with nonpolitical lay people. She complained that the government was not providing adequate assistan [...] | 2008-08-26 06:20:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM SOCI IZ |
08BAGHDAD2751 | NINEWA: A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CONSIDERS ITS FUTURE [...] (C) Summary: Two prominent Assyrian Christian leaders in Tel Kaif district told the PRT they want to remain a part of Ninewa Province, believing that the KRG is increasingly authoritarian, likely to split on tribal lines, and more prone to Islamic extremism than is currently apparent. By cha [...] | 2008-08-27 07:27:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM KDEM IZ |
08BAGHDAD2829 | MINORITIES COMMITTEE ON CONFERENCE PLANNING, WHAT [...] (C) Summary: While there is general consensus among Iraq's Christians on economic and cultural issues requiring ameliorative GoI action (e.g., de-Islamicising the national educational curriculum and removing religious identification from national ID cards),the community is divided on polit [...] | 2008-09-03 06:06:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3006 | UNPRECEDENTED BILL AIMS TO ADDRESS CHRISTIAN [...] (C) Non-Muslim Endowments Office Director Abdullah Al-Naufali and associates are drafting a new law that will aim to protect the personal status rights of Christians. According to one of the drafting committee lawyers, the nearly completed draft will be submitted to the Shura Council by the e [...] | 2008-09-18 10:01:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3041 | CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE PLANNING MOVING FORWARD [...] (C) Summary: The senior officials responsible for organizing the MFA,s Christian Conference are confident that the Prime Minister,s Office will soon approve their proposed list of planning committee members. In the meantime, they are moving forward with drafting the conference,s agenda, wh [...] | 2008-09-22 07:55:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3160 | NEXT STEPS FOR MINORITIES IN PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS [...] (C) Summary: The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) has agreed to assist parliament with resolving the issue of minority representation for the upcoming provincial council elections. UNAMI is hoping that this can be achieved through a political agreement and an election commi [...] | 2008-10-01 07:52:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF IZ |
08BAGHDAD3219 | AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES WAY FORWARD ON MINORITIES [...] (C) Summary: According to the Papal Nuncio to Iraq, Iraq's Christian religious leadership is stunned and distressed over the exclusion of Article 50 from the Provincial Elections Law (PEL),which would have guaranteed minority quotas in provincial councils (Ref A). He noted that Christian l [...] | 2008-10-05 15:41:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3244 | DWINDLING SABAEAN-MANDAEAN COMMUNITY VICTIMIZED BY [...] (C) Zahroon Toma, Sabaean-Mandaean Representative in the Non-Muslim Endowments Office, told Poloff on October 5 that he holds out no hope that the killers of several members of a Mandaean family will ever be caught, much less brought to justice. The Ministry of the Interior (MoI) is investig [...] | 2008-10-07 14:13:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3258 | NINEWA: MINORITY COMMUNITIES OPPOSE DELETION OF [...] (C) Summary: Shaikhan Christians aligned with the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM) are angry over the omission of minority set-asides in the recently-adopted provincial election law. In a September 30 meeting in Tel Keif, they said that, although they prefer a form of &virtual autonomy,8 [...] | 2008-10-09 06:13:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KIRF IZ |
08BAGHDAD3353 | CHRISTIAN POLITICIANS COOPERATE ON ARTICLE 50 [...] No summary [...] | 2008-10-19 09:53:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3357 | CHRISTIAN POLITICIANS COOPERATE ON ARTICLE 50 [...] (C) Summary: Iraq's two Christian parliamentarians, political bloc leaders, and other minority representatives are redrafting Article 50, which was excluded from the Provincial Elections Law (PEL) parliament passed on September 24 (reftel). (Note: Article 50 would have established set-aside [...] | 2008-10-19 15:42:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3365 | GOI ACTS DECISIVELY TO PROTECT DISPLACED [...] (S) Summary: At the October 19 Iraqi National Security Council meeting, Prime Minister Maliki demanded quick action to end the intimidation and fear that had driven thousands of Christians from their homes in Ninewa and said he wanted measures taken to ensure that this would not happen again [...] | 2008-10-20 12:04:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | KIRF PGOV PHUM PTER PREF IZ |
08BAGHDAD3373 | NINEWA: CHRISTIAN IDPS FLEE MOSUL FOR SAFER [...] (C) Summary: Christian IDPs who fled Mosul in the last two weeks are currently out of grave danger and there is currently no humanitarian crisis. It appears that local authorities in the safe-haven communities, with assistance from UNHCR and NGOs, have the capacity to supply food, water, an [...] | 2008-10-21 13:13:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF MOPS PTER KDEM IZ |
08BAGHDAD3383 | PM DEMANDS ACTION TO PROTECT CHRISTIANS IN MOSUL [...] (S) Summary. In an uncharacteristically short meeting of the Iraqi National Security Council (I-NSC),Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki demanded quick action by the Government of Iraq (GOI) to end the intimidation and fear that had driven thousands of Christians from their homes in Ninawa Provinc [...] | 2008-10-22 08:23:00 | Embassy Baghdad | SECRET | IZ KIRF MARR MASS MOPS PREL PTER SY |
08BAGHDAD3424 | NINEWA: SMALL-SCALE RETURNS TO MOSUL OF CHRISTIAN [...] (C) Summary: The commander of Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) in Ninewa, LTG Riyad, told us October 26 that 130 displaced Christians have returned to the city. Ninewa governor Kashmoula said all Christian civil servants who work in Provincial Hall are back on the job. One of his deputies told u [...] | 2008-10-27 13:55:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF PTER IZ |
08BAGHDAD3425 | PM'S COMMISSIONS TO INVESTIGATE ATTACKS ON [...] (C) In an October 27 meeting with poloffs, Gorges Bakoos, Political Advisor for Christian Affairs to Prime Minister Maliki, intimated that Kurdish politics lay behind the attacks on Christians in Mosul earlier this month. He provided no specific evidence, but cited the interest of "political [...] | 2008-10-27 14:42:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KIRF IZ |
08BAGHDAD3489 | COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES MINORITY QUOTAS [...] (U) On November 2, the Council of Representatives (CoR) passed an amendment to Article 50 of the Provincial Elections Law. The amendment specifies quotas for seats in the Provincial Councils of three provinces for several minority groups. The vote came after lengthy committee deliberations [...] | 2008-11-03 12:29:00 | Embassy Baghdad | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF IZ |
08BAGHDAD3506 | CHRISTIAN LEADERS DISAPPOINTED IN QUOTAS OUTCOME; [...] (C) Several prominent Christian leaders expressed bitter disappointment over the single-seat minority quotas in the Provincial Elections Law (PEL) passed on November 3 (reftel),and several minority groups issued a joint protest statement on November 4. While all were frustrated, views on [...] | 2008-11-05 11:24:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3538 | AMBASSADOR PRESSES CHRISTIAN LEADERS TO [...] (C) During a November 5 meeting, the Ambassador pressed four Christian leaders to consolidate the gains from the November 3 Article 50 vote and avoid the Sunni disaster of 2005 by not boycotting the upcoming provincial elections. The Ambassador acknowledged that the paucity of seats allocated [...] | 2008-11-09 10:56:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3590 | NINEWA CHRISTIANS SLOWLY RETURN [...] (C) Estimates of the number of Mosul Christians killed in early-October attacks range between eight and 15, with military sources (ISF and CF) giving lower figures than the Christian IDPs who fled the city. Since then, a well-coordinated humanitarian assistance effort has provided for appro [...] | 2008-11-12 13:52:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3600 | CHRISTIAN ELECTION BOYCOTT THREATS: A ROAD TO [...] (C) Christian religious and political leaders continue to sound off against the paucity of guaranteed seats -- one each for Baghdad, Basrah, and Ninewa -- allocated to them following the Council of Representatives' November 3 vote on Article 50. The threat of a boycott of the provincial elec [...] | 2008-11-13 14:44:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3601 | CHRISTIAN ELECTION BOYCOTT THREATS: A ROAD TO [...] (C) Christian religious and political leaders continue to sound off against the paucity of guaranteed seats -- one each for Baghdad, Basrah, and Ninewa -- allocated to them following the Council of Representatives' November 3 vote on Article 50. The threat of a boycott of the provincial elec [...] | 2008-11-14 03:18:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL IZ |
08BAGHDAD3922 | BASRA RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC MINORITIES SHARE COMMON [...] No summary [...] | 2008-12-15 11:35:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV KDEM IZ |
08BAGHDAD3926 | HJC REJECTS EFFORT TO REFORM PERSONAL STATUS LAW [...] (C) Summary: The Higher Judicial Council (HJC) has rejected a Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR)-drafted amendment that would have abrogated a provision in the 1972 Personal Status Law that requires minors to convert to Islam if one of their parents converts to Islam. The MoHR had sought the [...] | 2008-12-15 16:52:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV KJUS IZ |
08BAGHDAD3929 | BASRA RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC MINORITIES SHARE COMMON [...] (C) Senior Advisor Gordon Gray and REO Director met with leaders of Basra's minority Christian, Sunni, and ethnic African communities during three separate meetings November 30 to December 2. Leaders of all three communities called for job creation, expressed caution toward regionalism, and [...] | 2008-12-16 12:19:00 | Embassy Baghdad | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV KDEM PHUM IZ |
08BAKU1029 | POPULAR AZERBAIJANI MOSQUE MAY REOPEN [...] (C) On October 27, a Baku municipal court ruled in favor of the Abu Bakr Mosque in its case against the local Narimanov police station, which sought to keep the mosque closed. The decision may allow the mosque's religious leaders to re-open. Per reftels, local authorities closed the popular [...] | 2008-10-28 10:31:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ |
08BAKU1131 | SPECIAL ENVOY CUMBER'S MEETING WITH THE LEADERSHIP [...] (C) Summary: On 22 November, U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Sada Cumber met with Gamet Suleymanov, head imam of the Abu Bakr mosque, and the lawyer representing the mosque, Javanshir Suleymanov. The participants outlined the long and short range history [...] | 2008-11-28 12:26:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KISL KIRF IR AJ |
08BAKU195 | PROFILE OF IRANIAN-EDUCATED AZERBAIJANI SHIA [...] (C) Summary: While most Azerbaijani clerics espouse moderate religious and political views, the Embassy has been developing a relationship with one Shia cleric trained in Qom, Iran who espouses anti-Israeli and pro-Hezbollah rhetoric. Haji Namik Babahanov was the head imam at a local Baku m [...] | 2008-03-05 12:33:00 | Embassy Baku | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM KISL KPAO KIRF IR AJ |
08BAKU241 | AZERBAIJANI JEWISH LEADERS PUSHING REPEAL OF [...] (C) Summary: Several local Azerbaijani Jewish activists are seeking to lobby the U.S. Government to annul the Jackson-Vanik amendment of the 1974 Trade Act of the United States. There appears to be some level of coordination between the Jewish activists and the GOAJ in this effort, which tr [...] | 2008-03-13 06:09:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM ETRD KIRF AJ |
08BAKU252 | AZERBAIJANI RELIGIOUS OFFICIAL DISCOUNTS RELIGIOUS [...] (C) Summary: Pol/Econ Chief met with State Committee on Work with Religious Associations (SCWRA) Chief Hidayat Orujov on March 3 to raise concern with the GOAJ's selective harassment of several religious groups. Orujov sought to rebut our concerns by pointing to the groups' lack of registra [...] | 2008-03-14 08:29:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ |
08BAKU281 | DAS BRYZA'S MEETINGS WITH POLITICAL PARTIES, CIVIL [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a March 4-5 visit to Baku, EUR/DAS Bryza met separately with a group of Islamic commentators, members of the Karabakh Forum (an informal association of prominent commentators),and leaders of many of Azerbaijan's prominent political parties. The Islamic commentators agreed [...] | 2008-03-26 06:10:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL PBTS KDEM KIRF KISL AJ |
08BAKU283 | HEADSCARVES IN AZERBAIJAN [...] (C) Summary: A small but growing segment of Azerbaijani women wear an Islamic headscarf (hijab). While there is no ban against women wearing the hijab at government offices or universities, there are regular instances of local officials harassing women who choose to wear a headscarf; several [...] | 2008-03-26 08:31:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PBTS PHUM KIRF AJ |
08BAKU284 | AZERBAIJANI MUSLIM IVP'ER CAUGHT UP IN MNS [...] (C) Azerbaijani Islamic commentator Elshad Miri told the Embassy that Ministry of National Security (MNS) officers raided his office on February 27, shortly after he returned from the U.S., where he participated in an International Visitors Program (IVP) for Azerbaijani Muslim believers. Miri [...] | 2008-03-26 11:07:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF KISL KPAO AJ |
08BAKU290 | IMPRISONED AZERBAIJANI BAPTIST PASTOR IS PARDONED [...] (C) President Aliyev pardoned Baptist pastor Zaur Balaev on March 18, as part of a broader presidential pardon timed to the start of Novruz (ref a). Balaev was arrested on May 20, 2007 on charges of resisting and attacking police in the northwestern village of Aliabad (ref b). Since Balaev's [...] | 2008-03-27 12:58:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ |
08BAKU302 | U.S.-AZERBAIJAN DEMOCRACY DIALOGUE [...] (C) David, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment and invite you to Azerbaijan at your earliest convenience to continue the bilateral dialogue on democracy and human rights that Barry Lowenkron initiated in December 2006 at President Aliyev's suggestions. This forum, led on the [...] | 2008-03-31 11:33:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KIRF AJ |
08BAKU310 | A LOOK AT AZERBAIJAN,S SECRETIVE, SHI,A VILLAGE OF [...] (C) Summary: Nardaran, a conservative village of 7,000 residents on Azerbaijan,s Absheron peninsula is routinely cited as a restive, Shi,a hotbed of Iranian influence. Yet according to a Nardaran resident, village elders are the center of authority within Nardaran, not Tehran. The resident [...] | 2008-04-02 13:03:00 | Embassy Baku | SECRET//NOFORN | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF KISL ASEC IR AJ |
08BAKU591 | AZERBAIJANI POLICE DISRUPT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES' [...] (C) On June 11, police reportedly broke up a Jehovah's Witnesses' service in Lokbatan, a Baku suburb. Baku-based Jehovah's Witnesses representative Leonid Moroz told us approximately 15-20 uniformed and non-uniformed police officers raided the service, which was being held in a private apart [...] | 2008-06-23 10:34:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ |
08BAKU603 | AZERBAIJANI POLICE IMPRISON BAPTIST PASTOR [...] (C) Baku-based Baptist representative Ilya Zenchenko told the Embassy that Baptist pastor Hamid Shabanov has been detained by police in the northwestern village of Aliabad. Police arrested Shabanov on June 20 after searching his residence and finding a handgun. Shabanov, Shabanov's family me [...] | 2008-06-26 09:07:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ |
08BAKU658 | DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE [...] (C) Summary: DRL A/S Kramer and Foreign Minister Mammadaryov conducted the fourth round of the DRL-led U.S.-Azerbaijan Democracy and Human Rights Dialogue on June 27 in Baku. Mammadyarov defended Azerbaijan's recent electoral changes as in keeping with European standards and agreed that imp [...] | 2008-07-09 07:01:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM KJUS KIRF PBTS AJ |
08BAKU692 | AZERBAIJAN: PRO-IRANIAN SHIA NETWORKS TARRING [...] (C) Summary: U.S. exchange participant and graduate of an Iranian theological institute Muslim Elshan Mustafayev told the Embassy that pro-Iranian Shia networks in Azerbaijan have stepped up their criticism of Azerbaijani Shias who travel to the U.S. or maintain contact with Western embassie [...] | 2008-07-21 09:21:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ |
08BAKU731 | TURKISH FETULLAH GULEN NETWORK'S PRESENCE IN [...] (C) Summary: The Fetullah Gulen network is one component of Azerbaijan's Islamic scene. The network's Turkish orientation and emphasis on establishing quality educational institutions has enabled it to establish a presence in Azerbaijan. "Chag Oyretim" ("Modern Education") -- a private Tur [...] | 2008-08-05 10:29:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF AJ |
08BAKU764 | PRESIDENT ALIYEV MAKES POSITIVE ELECTION [...] (SBU) During an August 5 Cabinet of Ministers' meeting, President Aliyev made several election-related comments, ranging from monitoring to candidates' meetings with voters to the media environment. The meeting's primary purpose was the semiannual review of the economy (January - June 2008),[...] | 2008-08-12 12:32:00 | Embassy Baku | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ENRG KIRF AJ |
08BAKU779 | AZERBAIJANI SUNNI MOSQUE BOMBED [...] (C) Summary: An unknown assailant(s) attacked the most popular Sunni mosque in Baku on August 17 during prayers, killing three and wounding approximately eight individuals at the Abu Bakr mosque. The assailant used two grenades, according to local press. This level of attack against a mosq [...] | 2008-08-18 12:11:00 | Embassy Baku | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF ASAC AJ |
08BAKU833 | AZERBAIJAN: VICE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE WELL [...] (SBU) Summary: Vice President Richard Cheney's September 3-4 visit to Baku was widely seen as significant and timely given concerns about energy and security in the wake of the Russian invasion of Georgia. Azerbaijan's media gave extensive and decidedly positive coverage to VP Cheney's visit [...] | 2008-09-05 13:38:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PBTS PHUM ENRG KIRF AJ |
08BAKU836 | AZERBAIJAN'S 2008 ELECTION: ISLAM UNLIKELY TO [...] (C) Summary: According to local contacts, Islam is unlikely to be a significant political factor during the October 15 presidential election. Our contacts told us that while Islam is growing as a religious, cultural, and social phenomenon, there is little political space for appeals to reli [...] | 2008-09-08 10:54:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ |
08BAKU912 | AZERBAIJAN: WORSHIPERS FRUSTRATED WITH CLOSURE OF [...] (C) Summary: The Abu Bakr mosque, which is an important symbolic mosque in Azerbaijan's Islamic landscape and was attacked on August 17, is closed for prayers. On August 17, an unknown attacker threw a grenade into the mosque during prayers, killing three worshipers. The mosque ostensibly w [...] | 2008-09-25 11:07:00 | Embassy Baku | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ |
08BAKU94 | PROFILE OF A POPULAR AZERBAIJANI SHIA CLERIC [...] (C) Summary: Many young and devout Azerbaijani Shias have identified Haji Shahin Hasanov, the imam at Baku's Dadash mosque, as a well respected Shia cleric. A soft-spoken, intelligent imam with a history degree, Hasanov says there is a Shia renaissance occurring in Azerbaijan, which paralle [...] | 2008-02-04 12:13:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KISL KPAO KIRF IR AJ |
08BAKU968 | AZERBAIJAN'S 2008 ELECTION: LIMITED JUDICIARY [...] (C) Summary: Local legal experts state the Azerbaijani judiciary has little independence in cases touching on the GOAJ or Azerbaijani elites' financial and political interests. In a political culture that favors personal relations and closed-door meetings over transparent processes and unif [...] | 2008-10-10 13:08:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PBTS PHUM ENRG KIRF AJ |
08BAKU97 | AZERBAIJANI POLICE DISRUPT JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES' [...] (C) On January 30, approximately 30 police reportedly disrupted a Jehovah's Witnesses' worship service around noon in the central Azerbaijani town of Barda. There were 16 members attending the service, which was held in the home of Barda resident Nasiba Guliyeva. Guliyeva refused to allow t [...] | 2008-02-05 12:40:00 | Embassy Baku | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF AJ |
08BANGKOK2269 | FALUN GONG IN THAILAND [...] (C) Falun Gong (FLG) practitioners in Bangkok are a small mix of mainland Chinese seeking refugee status and resettlement to third countries, alongside a smattering of high-society Thais. Thai immigration authorities are strictly applying immigration law in cases involving FLG practitioners, [...] | 2008-07-25 09:19:00 | Embassy Bangkok | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF PREL PGOV TH CH KIRF |
08BEIJING1022 | TIBET: RESTORING ORDER IS PRC'S PRIMARY FOCUS; [...] (C) Summary: China's leadership is focused on restoring order and preventing the Tibet-related unrest of the last week from spreading nationwide, a well-connected scholar told PolOff March 18. Although international reaction to Beijing's response is a consideration for China's rulers, partic [...] | 2008-03-18 10:48:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SOCI PREL PHUM KIRF CH |
08BEIJING1039 | CHINESE PRESS COVERAGE OF TIBET PROTESTS [...] (C) China's media strategy in covering the Tibet protests appears aimed at offering a coordinated "official" version of events for domestic and international audiences. On the evening of March 15, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi provided a propaganda-heavy description of the protests to [...] | 2008-03-19 10:59:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF ASEC CH |
08BEIJING1210 | TIBET: MFA ORGANIZES TIGHTLY CONTROLLED TRIP TO [...] (C) With less than 24-hours notice to participating Embassies, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) Government, organized an overnight trip to Lhasa March 28 to 29. Fifteen Beijing-based diplomats, including PolOff, participated. Diplomats we [...] | 2008-03-31 13:03:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF NP IN JA BR GM CA IT |
08BEIJING1291 | FM YANG DEFENDS CHINA'S ACTIONS IN TIBET [...] (C) China's actions in Tibet were prompted by violent crimes instigated by the Dalai Lama "clique," Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told Treasury Secretary Paulson April 2. Diplomats and journalists have been given access to Tibet, and China's actions have garnered broad international support, [...] | 2008-04-07 11:09:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF CH TW |
08BEIJING1351 | SEARCHING FOR THE DALAI LAMA IN QINGHAI PROVINCE [...] (C) During a February 24-25 trip taken prior to the Tibet-related unrest that began in mid-March, PolOff observed ethnic Tibetans in Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province, displaying their reverence for the Dalai Lama in low-key, sometimes clandestine, ways to avoid confrontation with public [...] | 2008-04-10 09:29:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF SCUL CH |
08BEIJING1462 | AFM LIU JIEYI EXPRESSES PRC OPPOSITION TO APRIL 21 [...] (C) In an April 16 conversation with the Ambassador, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi expressed China's "strong opposition" to an April 21 meeting between Under Secretary Dobriansky and the Dalai Lama. AFM Liu said the SIPDIS Dalai Lama was responsible for the recent "beating, smashing, [...] | 2008-04-16 11:34:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF CH |
08BEIJING1511 | CONTACTS REPORT CONTINUED MONASTERY PROTESTS, [...] (C) Summary: Demonstrations and arrests are continuing in Tibetan regions, according to Tibetan poet and blogger Wei Se (aka "Oser", strictly protect). Wei Se told PolOff she had learned of a recent demonstration at Lhasa's Drepung Monastery by monks protesting the lack of adequate food. Sh [...] | 2008-04-18 11:54:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF CH |
08BEIJING1513 | OUTSIDERS BANNED FROM TIBETAN AREAS OF GANSU AND [...] (C) Summary: During a March 16-21 trip to Gansu and Qinghai Provinces to investigate Tibetan area unrest reports, EmbOffs encountered well-coordinated government efforts to prevent foreigners from traveling to Tibetan regions of both provinces. In Lanzhou, capital of Gansu, EmbOffs saw a hea [...] | 2008-04-18 12:23:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF CH |
08BEIJING1643 | HIZB UT-TAHRIR, MUSLIM MISSIONARIES AND ISLAMIC [...] (C) Counterterrorism experts at the Ministry of State Security-affiliated China Institutes for Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) described to PolOffs on April 15 an ongoing Islamic "resurgence" in western China, encouraged by rising wealth among Chinese Muslims and increasing contac [...] | 2008-04-28 09:09:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF TI PK KG AF KZ CH |
08BEIJING1661 | XINJIANG: LACK OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, [...] (C) Job discrimination continues to fuel ethnic tension in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR),according to academics and Beijing-based Uighurs. Well-known Xinjiang scholar Yang Shengmin (strictly protect) of Beijing's Central University for Nationalities also acknowledged that unem [...] | 2008-04-29 09:44:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF TI PK KG AF KZ |
08BEIJING1691 | NINGXIA MUSLIMS, PART 1: GOVERNMENT CONTROLS LIMIT [...] (C) Ningxia is not fertile ground for the further spread of Islam, despite the substantial ethnic Muslim concentrations that live there. Government controls on religious education, the freedom of worship among Muslim CCP members and other aspects of religious life, as well as echoes of the de [...] | 2008-04-30 09:25:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV PTER KIRF PK CH SA EG |
08BEIJING1698 | NINGXIA MUSLIMS, PART 2: BUDDING FUNDAMENTALISM [...] (C) The Salafiyya movement, a Saudi Wahhabist import which promotes a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam, has established a small but significant presence in Ningxia in recent years, according to scholars and imams in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Surprisingly, the Gove [...] | 2008-05-01 05:28:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV PTER KIRF PK CH SA EG |
08BEIJING1699 | Ningxia Muslims, Part 3: The Sufi King of Tongxin County: [...] (C) Hong Yang, a Peking University-educated imam in Ningxia's Tongxin County, heads a Sufi order which he says has over 2,000 imams, serving at 1,500 mosques with a total population of over one million Hui followers. An entourage of imams surrounded Hong as he entertained PolOff on an April vi [...] | 2008-05-02 01:38:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV PTER KIRF PK EG CH SA |
08BEIJING1715 | TIBET: MFA SAYS TALKS WITH DALAI LAMA [...] (C) The meeting between CCP Central Committee United Front Work Department Deputy Directors (Vice Minister equivalent) Zhu Weiqun and Sitar ("Si Ta" in Mandarin) and personal representatives of the Dalai Lama Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen "marks a new beginning," said Director General of the [...] | 2008-05-05 08:24:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF CH |
08BEIJING1718 | AMBASSADOR AND PRC EVFM WANG DISCUSS TIBET, [...] (C) Summary: In a wide-ranging discussion during a lunch hosted by the Ambassador May 5, PRC Executive Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed that China is willing to continue talks with the Dalai Lama's representatives but that the success of the talks hinge on the Dalai Lama's "sincerity." [...] | 2008-05-05 11:01:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KOLY KIRF ASEC PTER CH |
08BEIJING1728 | SCENESETTER FOR THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MAY 11-12 [...] (C) China's leaders are preoccupied with managing the domestic dimensions of and international fallout from the Tibet crisis, determining how to deal with the new leadership in Taiwan and ensuring that nothing mars a successful Olympic Games. Despite seemingly strong domestic popular approval [...] | 2008-05-06 10:45:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PREL PGOV PHUM ABLD KIRF KOLY MASS PARM ECON |
08BEIJING2220 | A/S KRAMER DISCUSSES TIBETAN AND UIGHUR ISSUES [...] (C) In a May 27 meeting with State Ethnic Affairs Commission Vice Minister Wu Shiming, DRL A/S Kramer urged China to seize the opportunity to seek "real results" in the dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives. Vice Minister Wu replied that progress does not depend on the Chinese side a [...] | 2008-06-06 10:05:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF SOCI CH |
08BEIJING2300 | NORWEGIANS SAY TIBET DIALOGUE MAY BE IN JULY [...] (C) Press reports of a "secret Norwegian communication channel" with representatives of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government are significantly overstated, Norwegian First Secretary Jo-Inge Bekkevold told PolOff June 12. The Norwegian Government has relatively good contacts with the Dalai [...] | 2008-06-12 08:19:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KIRF NW CH |
08BEIJING2392 | Liu Jieyi Expresses PRC Opposition to Possible Inclusion of [...] (C) In a June 18 conversation with the Charge, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi expressed China's "grave concern and clear opposition" to the inclusion of any reference to Tibet in the agendas, discussions or outcome documents of any upcoming G-8 meetings. AFM Liu said China has informatio [...] | 2008-06-18 10:08:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF CH |
08BEIJING2414 | XINJIANG: OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY BRINGS TIGHT [...] (C) Summary: One government contact in Xinjiang described Urumqi as a city paralyzed by inconvenient security measures, while Urumqi netizens on a Xinjiang Government-run news portal complained of minor hassles. Local media were more upbeat; they took the arrival of the Olympic torch relay to [...] | 2008-06-19 09:48:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER PREL PGOV KIRF KOLY PK KZ CH |
08BEIJING2666 | JULY 8 MFA PRESS BRIEFING: SIX-PARTY TALKS, DALAI LAMA [...] Key points at the July 8 MFA press briefing were: -- A Six Party Talks Heads of Delegation meeting will convene on July 10, as will both the Denuclearization and the Energy and Economic Cooperation Working Groups. -- China protects human rights and freedom because that commitment is enshr [...] | 2008-07-08 10:29:00 | Embassy Beijing | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV KOLY PHUM KIRF KS KN JP SU CH |
08BEIJING2679 | TIBET: TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND TIGHT SECURITY IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Despite pronouncements from authorities in Beijing that life has returned to normal in ethnic Tibetan areas of China, travel restrictions for foreigners persist in and around a center of Tibetan culture in Gansu Province. While roads into Tibetan areas of Qinghai Province are open [...] | 2008-07-09 09:47:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF KOLY IN CH |
08BEIJING2827 | THE U.S.)CHINA HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE, AFTERNOON [...] (U) May 26, 2008; 3:00 p.m.; Beijing, Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. 2. (U) Participants: U.S. David J. Kramer, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor John V. Hanford, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Thomas Christensen, Deputy Assistant [...] | 2008-07-21 09:13:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KIRF KOLY CH UN |
08BEIJING2864 | XINJIANG RESIDENTS CONFIRM PRE-OLYMPICS RAIDS, [...] (C) Summary: Xinjiang residents confirmed Western press reports of a public execution of three alleged separatists in a closed city near Kashgar July 9. Posters announcing the executions in both Uighur and Mandarin were posted in multiple locations in Kashgar, as well as in two other cities [...] | 2008-07-23 10:14:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER PREL PGOV KIRF KOLY CH |
08BEIJING3006 | TIBET: DUTCH DIPLOMAT REPORTS TENSION, HEAVY [...] (C) Summary: A Beijing-based Dutch diplomat (protect) who traveled to Lhasa and Shigatse July 21- 25 told PolOff August 1 that tensions remain very high between Han Chinese and Tibetans, noting that working- level Han and Tibetan government officials he met with were openly contemptuous of on [...] | 2008-08-04 10:29:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF KOLY CH NE EU |
08BEIJING3119 | SHI WEIHAN UPDATE: FAMILY REQUESTS MEDICAL EXAM, [...] (C) PolOff spoke August 13 with Zhang Jing, wife of detained Bible printer Shi Weihan. Zhang said she is concerned about her husband's health and noted that he has lost 30 lbs. since his detention March 19. Zhang said Shi, who is in Beijing's main municipal jail, is receiving medicine to con [...] | 2008-08-14 09:03:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF CASC CH |
08BEIJING3176 | CHINA OPPOSES TAIWAN ARMS SALES, DALAI LAMA VISIT; [...] (C) Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi requested a meeting with the Ambassador August 19 to warn of damage to bilateral relations and cross-Strait stability if the United States announces new advanced weapons sales to Taiwan. Liu expressed concern that Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou discusse [...] | 2008-08-19 10:44:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL MASS PHUM KIRF KOLY CH TW |
08BEIJING3426 | TENSION AND VIOLENCE IN WESTERN XINJIANG [...] (C) Summary: New security measures were evident during PolOffs' August 25-29 trip to southwestern Xinjiang, the site of at least four incidents of ethnic violence in August, but the overall security environment during the first days of PolOffs' trip appeared more lax than on a July 17-21 trip [...] | 2008-09-04 09:24:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER PREL KIRF CH |
08BEIJING36 | SARA VM WANG DISCUSSES PARTY VIEW ON RELIGION, [...] (C) The Ambassador hosted State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) Vice Minister Wang Zuoan for a January 3 lunch. VM Wang said experts briefed Politburo members about trends in religious development at a December 18 "collective study" session. President Hu also spoke at the Decembe [...] | 2008-01-04 09:00:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF CH TW |
08BEIJING4020 | SALE OF CHRISTIAN LITERATURE EXPANDING IN CHINA, [...] (C) The sale of Christian literature by private firms in China continues to expand, and rapidly so, according to Embassy contacts in the religious literature industry. Despite having first appeared only in 2002, Christian-themed bookstores now number 100 to 200 nationwide; one distributor has [...] | 2008-10-22 08:56:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | CH KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL |
08BEIJING4022 | HUMAN RIGHTS: EMBASSY URGES CHINA TO RELEASE ZHANG [...] (C) The U.S. Government is deeply concerned about reports that PRC authorities have detained prominent house church Pastor Zhang Mingxuan (aka "Pastor Bike"),and beaten and harassed his family members, PolOff told MFA Human Rights official Zhu Yanwei on October 22, urging Zhang's immediate re [...] | 2008-10-22 09:31:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF CH |
08BEIJING4061 | HUMAN RIGHTS: AMBASSADOR URGES CHINA TO RELEASE [...] (C) The U.S. Government is deeply concerned about reports that PRC authorities detained China House Church Alliance President Pastor Zhang Mingxuan (aka "Pastor Bike") and prevented one of Pastor Zhang's sons from receiving medical treatment after severely beating him and harassing Pastor Zhan [...] | 2008-10-27 10:58:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF CH |
08BEIJING4063 | CHINESE URGED TO MAKE PROGRESS IN TIBET TALKS [...] (C) Summary: In an October 27 meeting with Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei, the Ambassador urged China to make concrete progress in its upcoming talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama. VFM He responded with standard points that the Dalai Lama's side must stop inciting violence, end supp [...] | 2008-10-27 12:22:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF CH IN |
08BEIJING413 | SARA MINISTER APOLOGIZES FOR CRITICAL IRAQ [...] (C) State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) Minister Ye Xiaowen twice apologized for a February 1, 2007 People's Daily website article, "Bush Should Reflect Deeply," in which he criticized the President's handling of the Iraq war. Minister Ye told the Ambassador that the Communist P [...] | 2008-02-04 12:43:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM PGOV KIRF CH |
08BEIJING4196 | TIBET: DCM URGES CHINESE FLEXIBILITY [...] (C) The United States is concerned by the lack of progress in talks between the Dalai Lama's representatives and Chinese authorities and urges China to take a more flexible approach to achieve concrete results, DCM told United Front Work Department (UFWD) Vice Minister Si Ta on November 12. S [...] | 2008-11-12 10:03:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF CH IN |
08BEIJING4231 | TIBET COMMUNIST PARTY FOUNDER DECRIES REJECTION OF [...] (C) Phuntsok Wangyal (protect),the founder of the Tibetan Communist Party, decried the lack of progress in talks between Chinese officials and envoys of the Dalai Lama in a November 7 meeting with PolOff. The Chinese government, he argued, should not be so quick to denounce Tibetan proposals [...] | 2008-11-14 10:55:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF CH IN |
08BEIJING4372 | CHINA POSTPONES SUMMIT WITH EU OVER DALAI LAMA [...] (C) China has postponed the EU-China Summit slated for December 1 in Lyon, France indefinitely, the EU announced November 27. An EU spokesman said that China blames European heads of state meetings with the Dalai Lama for the decision, while the Chinese specifically blame the French leadership [...] | 2008-12-01 09:54:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV ECON KIRF FR XG CH |
08BEIJING4493 | HUMAN RIGHTS DAY DINNER: "08 CHARTER" SIGNATORIES [...] (C) To commemorate Human Rights Day and the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),the Charge hosted a December 9 dinner for four leading Chinese human rights lawyers and activists. Two of the guests were signatories to the "08 Charter," a manifesto calling for [...] | 2008-12-10 11:15:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF CH |
08BEIJING4501 | HUMAN RIGHTS DAY DINNER, PART TWO: ACTIVISTS [...] (C) At a December 9 dinner in commemoration of Human Rights Day and the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),four leading Chinese human rights lawyers and activists discussed China's human rights situation, identifying the lack of an independent judiciary, the [...] | 2008-12-11 07:48:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF PINR CH |
08BEIJING4554 | HUMAN RIGHTS: PASTOR ZHANG MINGXUAN'S NOVEMBER 28 [...] (C) The head of the Chinese House Church Alliance (CHCA),Pastor Zhang Mingxuan, told PolOff that authorities in his hometown of Nanyang City, Henan Province, detained him for several hours on November 28 for questioning and to inform him that CHCA had been "abolished." Zhang said he did not [...] | 2008-12-16 11:16:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF CH |
08BEIJING4593 | XINJIANG'S PARAMILITARY AGRICULTURALISTS: A VISIT [...] (SBU) Summary: The Xinjiang Construction and Production Corps (XJCPC) is a massive industrial and agricultural conglomerate operation in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The XJCPC, divided into state-run farming and industrial units, employs over 10 percent of Xinjiang's populat [...] | 2008-12-18 10:01:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER PREL PGOV KIRF ECON EAGR CH |
08BEIJING4646 | A LIVING BUDDHA SPEAKS: LIFE DIFFICULT AFTER LHASA [...] (C) Life remains very difficult for Tibetans even as the March unrest fades into memory, according to a living Buddha at Lucang Monastery in Guinan, Qinghai Province (strictly protect). Although PRC authorities accused 128 Lucang monks of taking part in the March unrest, this living Buddha re [...] | 2008-12-23 10:26:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF CH |
08BEIJING973 | AMBASSADOR EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT VIOLENCE IN [...] (C) In a March 14 meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui, the Ambassador expressed concern about unconfirmed but numerous reports of violence in Lhasa, Tibet (septel),including shootings, or at least gunshots. He urged the PRC Government to exercise restraint in dealing with the situ [...] | 2008-03-14 11:26:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF PREL CH |
08BEIJING975 | REPORTS OF VIOLENCE, RIOTING IN LHASA, TIBET [...] (C) ConGen Chengdu and Embassy Beijing have received numerous accounts of serious violence and rioting in Lhasa March 14. The Ambassador raised USG concerns over these reports with Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui on March 14 and urged the Government to exercise restraint (reftel). Riots re [...] | 2008-03-14 12:13:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF NP IN CH |
08BEIJING980 | TIBET: MARCH 15 UPDATE ON SITUATION IN LHASA [...] (C) The situation in Lhasa, Tibet on March 15 remains fluid, with reports that the city had calmed after a night of explosions and gunfire later giving way to reports of increased violence and the arrival of more military (or possibly paramilitary) personnel during the afternoon. The U.S. Mis [...] | 2008-03-15 13:33:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF CH |
08BEIJING981 | TIBET: MFA TELLS AMBASSADOR PROTESTERS ARE [...] (C) Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jieyi provided a propaganda-heavy description of the current unrest in Lhasa to the Ambassador the evening of March 15. Liu described incidents of "beating, burning and looting" and said the unrest was the coordinated effort of the "Dalai Lama clique" aimed [...] | 2008-03-15 16:23:00 | Embassy Beijing | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF CH |
08BEIJING983 | ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF RISING TENSIONS, VIOLENCE IN [...] (C) ConGen Chengdu continues to receive reports from sources on the ground in Lhasa indicating rising tensions, increasing violence and the presence of tanks as nightfall descends on the city. The city has apparently been sealed off. Meanwhile, sources say protests in Gansu Province have tur [...] | 2008-03-15 17:12:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET//NOFORN | PHUM PGOV KIRF PREL CH |
08BEIJING999 | TIBET: MARCH 17 UPDATE ON PROTESTS [...] (C) This cable draws heavily on sources and information obtained by officers and staff at Consulate General Chengdu, and has been coordinated with the Consul General in Chengdu. Summary ------- 2. (S) Summary: Contacts of Embassy Beijing and ConGen Chengdu report that the situation in Lh [...] | 2008-03-17 14:34:00 | Embassy Beijing | SECRET | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF ASEC CH |
08BEIRUT1228 | LEBANON: TALKING, QUIETLY, OF MARONITE PATRIARCH [...] (U) Cardinal Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, the Lebanese Maronite Patriarch, turned 88 in May and there are quiet discussions about who will succeed him in this religiously and politically significant position. Following our report on the organization of the Maronite church (Ref A),this report [...] | 2008-08-20 16:39:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI SCUL KIRF PGOV LE |
08BEIRUT216 | LEBANON: AMBASSADOR VISITS SENIOR MUSLIM RELIGIOUS [...] (C) The Ambassador's introductory calls on Acting Head of the Higher Islamic Shia Council Sayyed Qabalan and Sunni Grand Mufti Sheikh Qabbani were a contrast illustrating the opposing political visions and the tensions underlying Shia-Sunni relations in Lebanon. Sayyed Qabalan, a close ally [...] | 2008-02-12 17:12:00 | Embassy Beirut | CONFIDENTIAL | IS KIRF KPAL LE PGOV PREL |
08BEIRUT577 | LEBANON: ORGANIZATION OF THE MARONITE CHURCH [...] (U) This report is a general overview of the Maronite community in Lebanon, to provide a brief understanding on who the Maronites are, how the Maronite clergy is structured, and what the responsibilities are of the clergy in Lebanon. A subsequent report will cover the succession to the Patriar [...] | 2008-04-29 14:34:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | SOCI SCUL KIRF LE |
08BEIRUT821 | LEBANON: ISRAELITE COMMUNAL COUNCIL BOARD OBTAINS GOL'S [...] (U) On May 15, the Israelite Communal Council obtained the Ministry of Interior's (MOI) official recognition of its newly elected board. The Board was elected on February 28 for a six-year term, but the MOI had delayed giving the Council its validation. Due to the difficulties in obtaining th [...] | 2008-06-02 18:00:00 | Embassy Beirut | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL SOCI KIRF LE |
08BELGRADE1009 | SERBIA: IRF RELEASE PROMPTS COMPARISON, CRITICISM [...] (SBU) The release of the 2008 International Religious Freedom (IRF) report (reftel) drew a strong response from the Serbian Ministry of Religion and in the press. While expressing dissatisfaction regarding the report's conclusions about the discriminatory nature of the Serbian religion law, c [...] | 2008-09-26 15:59:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV OPRC KIRF SR KV |
08BELGRADE1123 | SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH PREPARES FOR ELECTION AS PATRIARCH [...] (SBU) Following its October 24 meeting, the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) announced that 94-year old Patriarch Pavle had submitted a request to relinquish his duties. If, as anticipated, the Holy Assembly of Bishops accepts the request at its upcoming meeting on November 11, [...] | 2008-10-29 15:28:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL SR KV |
08BELGRADE1217 | SERBIA: HOLY ASSEMBLY RETAINS PATRIARCH PAVLE [...] (SBU) The annual fall session of the Holy Assembly of Bishops (Sabor) of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) ended with a whimper on November 15. Although the Sabor reportedly discussed the life, organization, and mission of the Church, it failed to resolve decisively the most pressing issues. [...] | 2008-11-26 14:37:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL SR KV |
08BELGRADE167 | TRIAL of ALLEGED MUSLIM EXTREMISTS IN SERBIA [...] (SBU) The trial of 14 Muslims from Serbia's Sandzak region on charges of terrorism and related charges began on January 14. According to the indictment, the group was planning attacks on the U.S. Embassy and other sites in Belgrade and Novi Pazar, as well as the murder of an Islamic religious l [...] | 2008-02-13 06:22:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF ASEC PTER SR US |
08BELGRADE600 | SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH - TIME TO DEFINE ITS FUTURE? [...] (SBU) The Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) is going through a turbulent period. The recent session of the Holy Assembly of Bishops revealed the divide within the church on a range of religious and political issues. With a technical authority taking over the functions of the Patriarch, none of t [...] | 2008-06-17 16:37:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL SR |
08BELGRADE662 | SERBIA: TRIAL OF ALLEGED MUSLIM TERRORISTS CONTINUES [...] (SBU) Serbia's first domestic terrorism trial, in which the defendants are accused of planning attacks in Belgrade on sites including the U.S. Embassy, continues to work its way slowly through the judicial system. The case crept forward during two recent trial sessions and is scheduled to res [...] | 2008-07-03 10:39:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL KV SR |
08BELGRADE904 | SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH DISPUTE ECHOES DESCENT OF [...] (SBU) In the wake of Serbia's presidential, parliamentary, and local elections, wherein nationalist politics experienced a marked loss in popular support, the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) also is undergoing internal debate over its future orientation. Long-simmering disputes and tensions with [...] | 2008-09-04 12:39:00 | Embassy Belgrade | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL SR KV |
08BERLIN500 | CHANCELLERY WEIGHS IN FAVORABLY ON SPEED OF [...] (C) On April 17, Embassy Poloffs met with the Chancellery Budgetary Policy Chief Ludger Schlief to discuss facilitating property restitution to Nazi-era victims (see reftels). Schlief acknowledged that the Finance Ministry was not making adequate progress on the processing of restitution claims [...] | 2008-04-22 07:23:00 | Embassy Berlin | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KNAR PHUM KIRF GM |
08BISHKEK1135 | KYRGYZ PARLIAMENT PASSES LAW ON RELIGION, [...] (C) Summary: After years of debate and numerous revisions, the Kyrgyz Parliament passed a controversial law on religion on November 6. The law has been forwarded to the president for signature. Minority Christian leaders continued to raise concerns about the restrictions and lamented that t [...] | 2008-11-06 11:47:00 | Embassy Bishkek | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF KDEM KG |
08BISHKEK1184 | KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER PUSHES FOR CLOSER [...] (C) Summary: During a November 21 meeting, the Ambassador briefed Foreign Minister Karabayev on U.S. assistance efforts to help Kyrgyzstan meet food and energy needs this winter. She raised concerns that the new law on religion, as passed by Parliament, would restrict religious freedom; she ur [...] | 2008-11-25 10:43:00 | Embassy Bishkek | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL CASC KIRF MARR KG |
08BISHKEK143 | CHRISTIAN LEADERS FEAR PROPOSED GOVERNMENT [...] (C) Summary: Minority Christian groups are concerned that changes proposed in a draft Law on Religious Freedom would restrict their ability to operate in Kyrgyzstan. Among the changes, the draft law would require each church to have 200 members to be eligible to register; current registration [...] | 2008-02-07 12:11:00 | Embassy Bishkek | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF KDEM KG |
08BISHKEK198 | KYRGYZ OFFICIALS DEFEND PROPOSED CHANGES TO [...] (C) Summary: At a February 20 roundtable discussion on religious issues, Kyrgyz government officials said that a proposed Law on Religious Freedom was necessary to prevent religious conflict and combat the spread of extremism. Representatives from the Muftiate, the Russian Orthodox Church, an [...] | 2008-02-28 11:55:00 | Embassy Bishkek | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF KDEM KG |
08BISHKEK966 | OSH TRIP: IFTAR MEETING REVEALS WORRIES ABOUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: As part of her trip to the southern city of Osh during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the Ambassador hosted an Iftar dinner for religious and civic leaders on September 16. The evening was intended to introduce her to the Muslim community in the south, though secular leaders an [...] | 2008-09-24 08:36:00 | Embassy Bishkek | CONFIDENTIAL | KPAO PGOV PREL KIRF KG |
08BISHKEK996 | KYRGYZ ANALYST CRITICIZES USG'S MUSLIM OUTREACH [...] (C) SUMMARY: A local expert on Islam, Kadyr Malikov,wrote an article sharply critical of U.S. Muslim outreach in Kyrgyzstan. Malikov charged that U.S. outreach -- educational programs, Iftar dinners, exchange visitor trips -- was designed to promote religious extremism and possibly to incite [...] | 2008-09-30 04:25:00 | Embassy Bishkek | CONFIDENTIAL | KG KIRF KPAO PGOV PREL |
08BUENOSAIRES1166 | ARGENTINE PRESIDENT HELPS BROKER CHAVEZ MEETING [...] (SBU) Summary: Argentine President Cristina Kirchner (CFK) and her Ambassador to Washington, Hector Timerman, appear to have played a role in setting up Hugo Chavez's August 13 meeting in Caracas with Jewish leaders, as confirmed by Timerman's participation in the meeting. CFK's involvement a [...] | 2008-08-19 14:49:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF VE AR BZ |
08BUENOSAIRES225 | ARGENTINE PRESIDENT KIRCHNER ENGAGES CONSTRUCTIVELY WITH [...] (SBU) Summary and introduction: Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (CFK) engaged enthusiastically for an hour in her office February 21 with visiting U.S. Congressional delegation headed by Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY),chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Western Hem [...] | 2008-02-25 13:16:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL OREP PTER KIRF PHUM KV IR VZ AR |
08BUENOSAIRES990 | ARGENTINA: SPECIAL ENVOY PAYS HOMAGE TO AMIA [...] (SBU) Summary. On July 3, Dr. Gregg Rickman, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, visited the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) headquarters to pay homage to the victims of the 1994 terrorist attack. He then met with the Executive Boards of both the AMIA and the Del [...] | 2008-07-18 21:33:00 | Embassy Buenos Aires | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF PTER KJUS FBI AR IR VE |
08CAIRO1019 | EGYPT'S COPTIC LEADER ON RELATIONS WITH ISLAM, THE [...] No summary [...] | 2008-05-20 14:57:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SOCI KIRF KISL EG |
08CAIRO102 | EGYPTIAN COPTIC ACTIVISTS EXPLAIN PROBLEMS WITH [...] No summary [...] | 2008-01-22 16:06:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM EG |
08CAIRO1050 | EGYPTIAN MINISTER OF CULTURE'S ANTI-ISRAELI REMARKS [...] No summary [...] | 2008-05-22 14:26:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KIRF UNESCO EG IS |
08CAIRO1111 | UPPER EGYPT SECTARIAN STRIFE APPEARS UNRELATED TO CAIRO [...] (U) Summary: Tensions between Coptic and Muslim residents of the Upper Egyptian village of Malawi continue to simmer after a land dispute between a monastery and its neighbors turned violent on May 31, leading to fears of sectarian strife during the June 4 celebrations of the Virgin Mary Moulid [...] | 2008-06-02 09:59:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI PHUM KIRF EG |
08CAIRO1193 | MORE SECTARIAN TENSIONS IN UPPER EGYPT [...] (SBU) Summary: The killing of a young Copt on June 6 sparked a demonstration of a few hundred Christians in the town of Dafesh, which lies 140 kilometers from the site of last week's altercations between Copts and Muslims over the Abu Sana monastery (reftel). Church sources have been quick to [...] | 2008-06-10 13:46:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | SOCI PHUM KIRF EG |
08CAIRO1228 | MUFTI'S VIEWS ON RECENT SECTARIAN INCIDENTS [...] No summary [...] | 2008-06-15 11:23:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | SOCI KIRF PHUM KISL EG |
08CAIRO1416 | CODEL ACKERMAN MEETINGS WITH MUBARAK, SULEIMAN, [...] (C) Summary: In separate June 28 meetings with President Hosni Mubarak, EGIS Director Omar Suleiman, and FM Ahmed Aboul Gheit, CODEL Ackerman and the Ambassador discussed Israeli-Palestinian developments (focusing on Egypt's goals for building upon the current "calming period"),Egypt's region [...] | 2008-07-07 13:55:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF KISL KPAL EAID ENRG IS |
08CAIRO157 | COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF BAHA'IS [...] (SBU) On January 29, the Cairo Administrative Court ruled in two cases brought by members of Egypt's small Baha'i religious community that the government may issue official identification documents without listing the holder's religion on the document. (Note: Under current practice, the gove [...] | 2008-01-29 15:47:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV EG |
08CAIRO1629 | BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI ON HUMAN RIGHTS, RELIGIOUS [...] No summary [...] | 2008-07-30 11:50:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF KISL EG |
08CAIRO1711 | EGYPTIAN MONASTERY CLASH: RESOLUTION EXPECTED SOON [...] No summary [...] | 2008-08-06 15:12:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | KIRF SOCI PHUM KISL EG |
08CAIRO1716 | SENIOR MFA OFFICIAL ON ZIMBABWE AND EGYPTIAN [...] (C) Summary: In a July 31 meeting with Hatem Seif al Nasser, Assistant Foreign Minister for American Affairs, the Ambassador pressed the GOE to play a constructive role with Zimbabwe, to help ensure that March 29 election results are respected. A wide-ranging discussion on Egyptian internal p [...] | 2008-08-07 11:20:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KDEM KIRF PHUM ZI EG |
08CAIRO1876 | FOREIGN MINISTER ON GEORGIA, IRAQ, AND U.S. [...] (C) Summary: In an August 24 meeting, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit told the Ambassador he had not yet read the report and recommendations of an MFA team that recently traveled to Baghdad to assess security conditions in preparation for the potential return of an Egyptian ambassador. He [...] | 2008-08-25 13:04:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV EAID KIRF RU GG IZ EG |
08CAIRO2037 | EGYPT ON UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD COMMITTEE 2008 [...] (C) We met on September 14 with Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Wael Aboulmagd to urge the Egyptians to support U.S. human rights priorities at the upcoming meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (reftel). While Aboulmagd did not address the substance of the countr [...] | 2008-09-16 12:53:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KIRF KISL UN OIC EG |
08CAIRO2135 | EGYPT REACTS TO 2008 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT [...] No summary [...] | 2008-09-30 14:22:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF KDEM EG |
08CAIRO2209 | EGYPTIAN COPTIC PRIEST JAILED IN LEGAL DISPUTE [...] No summary [...] | 2008-10-16 15:48:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM SOCI KIRF EG |
08CAIRO2349 | EGYPT'S BAHA'I: FAVORABLE RULINGS BUT NO [...] No summary [...] | 2008-11-13 14:42:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF KDEM EG |
08CAIRO2428 | SECTARIAN ATTACK ON CHURCH NEAR CAIRO [...] No summary [...] | 2008-11-26 14:55:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF KISL SOCI EG |
08CAIRO244 | EGYPTIAN HIGH COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF RECONVERTS [...] (SBU) Summary: On February 10, Egypt's Supreme Court of Administrative Justice ruled in a case brought by Christian "re-converts" that the government must issue identification documents listing their religion as Christianity. The ruling reversed an April 2007 decision by the Cairo Court of A [...] | 2008-02-10 14:36:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV EG |
08CAIRO2484 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETINGS WITH PARLIAMENTARY LEADERS [...] (C) Summary: In recent meetings at the Egyptian People's Assembly with parliamentary speaker Fathi Surour and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Mustafa el Fekki, the parliamentarians previewed Egypt's legislative priorities for the new parliamentary session (which began mid-November),[...] | 2008-12-11 13:48:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF PTER KDEM IZ EG |
08CAIRO2515 | COPTS ON SECTARIAN STRIFE IN UPPER EGYPT [...] No summary [...] | 2008-12-17 06:00:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER PGOV ECON KIRF KISL SOCI EG |
08CAIRO256 | EGYPTIAN COURT RULES AGAINST CONVERT [...] (SBU) On January 29, the Cairo Administrative Court denied the petition of Mohamed Hegazy, a Muslim-born convert to Christianity, to change the religious affiliation on his national identification card from Islam to Christianity. While Hegazy has the right to appeal the decision, he will prob [...] | 2008-02-11 16:07:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV EG |
08CAIRO2562 | UPDATE ON BABY TRAFFICKING NETWORK [...] (SBU) Summary: This cable updates ref (A) which reported ongoing investigation into child trafficking in Egypt. Another Egyptian doctor and couple have been arrested by Egyptian State Security Investigative Services (SSIS) for their involvement in the baby trafficking network uncovered by th [...] | 2008-12-23 15:40:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KFRD KPAO EG AESC CASC CMGT CVIS KIRF KOCI PHUM SMIG |
08CAIRO2577 | MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AND JUDICIAL AFFAIRS ON [...] (C) In a cordial December 23 meeting, Minister of State for Parliamentary and Judicial Affairs Mufeed Shehab previewed Egypt's 2008-2009 legislative agenda for the Ambassador. Shehab confirmed that the Political Rights Law will be amended to add 56 new seats (2 per province) in the People's A [...] | 2008-12-30 13:32:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF KDEM EG |
08CAIRO464 | EGYPT BANS DEMONSTRATIONS IN MOSQUES AND CHURCHES [...] (SBU) Summary: On February 22, Egypt's lower house of Parliament, the Peoples' Assembly, passed a law banning demonstrations "inside or around places of worship." Although the law prohibits demonstrations in both churches and mosques, the law appears specifically to target the Muslim Brotherh [...] | 2008-03-09 14:55:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KIRF KISL KDEM PHUM EG |
08CAIRO53 | EGYPT'S PROSECUTOR GENERAL ORDERS RELEASE IN [...] (SBU) According to her lawyer, Egypt's Office of the Prosecutor General ordered the release on January 13 of Shadia Nagui Ibrahim, who was convicted of fraud on November 21, 2007, in connection with her father's brief conversion in the early 1960s from Christianity to Islam (ref A). Ibrahim, [...] | 2008-01-13 15:39:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV EG |
08CAIRO534 | EGYPTIAN MFA RECEIVES HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT AND [...] (SBU) We met on March 12 with Wael Aboul Magd, Deputy Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs, and delivered a copy of the 2007 Human Rights Report for Egypt. He had not yet seen the report. He told us he will review the report and get back to us with informal comments, which he s [...] | 2008-03-17 16:55:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PTER KISL EG |
08CAIRO699 | EGYPT'S INTERIOR MINISTRY ANNOUNCES NO APPEAL IN [...] (C) According to media reports, Egypt's Ministry of Interior (MoI) announced that the government will not appeal the January 24 Cairo Administrative Court ruling granting three members of Egypt's Baha,i minority the right to obtain government identification documents (ref B). According to th [...] | 2008-04-07 15:33:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF EG |
08CAIRO843 | EGYPT'S MFA ON APRIL 6 DETAINEES, BAHA'IS, CT LAW [...] No summary [...] | 2008-04-23 15:46:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PTER KISL EG |
08CAIRO975 | SHEIKH OF AL AZHAR DISCUSSES COUNTERING EXTREMISM [...] No summary [...] | 2008-05-13 10:53:00 | Embassy Cairo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PTER KISL KPAO KIRF EG |
08CARACAS1142 | CHAVEZ REJECTS ANTI-SEMITISM CHARGE IN MEETING [...] (C) SUMMARY. A delegation of Jewish leaders, led by World Jewish Congress (WJC) President Ronald Lauder, visited Venezuela August 12 - 13 and met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. According to the President of the Confederation of Israelite Associations of Venezuela (CAIV),Chavez reje [...] | 2008-08-14 22:40:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF VE |
08CARACAS1374 | CHURCH CALLS FOR CLEAN ELECTIONS; CLASHES WITH BRV [...] (C) Summary: The Catholic Church is increasingly taking an active role in defense of democracy and human rights. In a September 24 press conference, Catholic Church leaders publicly urged all political actors to avoid any actions that might allow for the postponement of the November 23 state a [...] | 2008-09-30 15:16:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VT VE |
08CARACAS1738 | SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST NEW TRIBES MISSION [...] (SBU) The Supreme Court of Venezuela ruled November 4 that the rights of the New Tribes Mission (NTM) had not been violated when it was required in 2005 to remove its personnel from all indigenous areas in the country. Over the past three years the NTM had argued before the court that they had [...] | 2008-12-18 15:57:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL VE |
08CARACAS1765 | CHAVEZ ORDERS THE EXPROPRIATION OF JEWISH-OWNED [...] (U) On December 21, during the last "Alo, Presidente" broadcast of 2008, President Chavez ordered the mayor of Libertador Borough of Caracas Jorge Rodriguez to expropriate a large commercial center in the final stages of construction. In his latest tirade against the private sector, Chavez r [...] | 2008-12-23 16:07:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | ECON EFIN PREL EINV PGOV KIRF VE |
08CARACAS1783 | CHAVEZ LASHES OUT AT CARDINAL FOR CRITICIZING [...] (C) Summary: President Hugo Chavez reacted harshly to Venezuelan Cardinal Jorge Urosa's December 25 criticism of a proposed constitutional amendment that would eliminate presidential term limits. Phoning in to a state media talk show on December 26, Chavez called Cardinal Urosa "immoral" and [...] | 2008-12-29 20:25:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM VT VE |
08CARACAS1784 | CHAVEZ BLAMES USG FOR ISRAEL'S AIR [...] (C) Summary: The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (GBRV) continues to assert a singularly radical foreign policy out of step with most of the international community. The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued December 18 and 27 communiques that criticized un [...] | 2008-12-29 20:28:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF VE IS ZI |
08CARACAS706 | ANTISEMITISM IN VENEZUELA: BRIEF RESPITE, [...] (C) Summary. Leaders of the Confederation of Israelite Associations of Venezuela (CAIV) told Poloffs May 20 that government pressure on the Jewish community has declined so far in 2008. They believe that after the December 2007 raid on the Caracas Hebrew Center by the Venezuelan special pol [...] | 2008-05-22 20:29:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VE |
08CARACAS969 | SPECIAL ENVOY RICKMAN VISIT TO VENEZUELA [...] (C) Summary: Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Gregg Rickman and special assistant Karen Paikin visited Venezuela June 29 - July 1. Catholic Church leaders, academics, Israeli Ambassador to Venezuela Shlomo Cohen, and a Venezuelan Ministry of the Interior's Office of Religion [...] | 2008-07-14 14:37:00 | Embassy Caracas | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VE |
08CASABLANCA200 | THE JEWS OF CASABLANCA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Morocco is the only Arab country that promotes and protects its indigenous Jewish minority while fostering ties with the state of Israel and with Israeli citizens of Moroccan descent. Notwithstanding the unwavering support of King Mohammed VI, the Jewish community of Morocco con [...] | 2008-10-23 17:15:00 | Consulate Casablanca | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF MO PHUM PGOV PREL |
08CHENNAI192 | CONGRESS REELING AFTER BIG BJP WIN IN KARNATAKA [...] (SBU) Summary: The May 25 announcement of the state assembly election results in Karnataka gave the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a major victory. The party took 110 of the 224 seats in the assembly, leaving it three seats shy of an absolute majority. The BJP quickly secured the support of f [...] | 2008-05-28 11:03:00 | Consulate Chennai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL ECON KIRF KDEM IN |
08CHENNAI20 | MODI FLIRTS WITH JAYA, SPECULATION OF BJP-AIADMK ALLIANCE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: On January 15, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited Chennai. Modi's visit, cloaked under heavy security, sparked several protests. His lunch with J Jayalalithaa, leader of Tamil Nadu's opposition AIADMK, fueled speculation of an AIADMK-BJP alliance in future elections. [...] | 2008-01-17 11:24:00 | Consulate Chennai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KIRF IN |
08CHENNAI21 | FIGHT WITH CHRISTIAN GROUPS FURTHER WEAKENS KERALA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Leftist political leaders have been engaged in a months-long war of words with Syrian Christian leaders in the South Indian state Kerala. The Syrian Christians' anger at government proposals that would reduce their church's autonomy to manage its schools has pushed them into dir [...] | 2008-01-17 11:24:00 | Consulate Chennai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KIRF IN |
08CHENNAI239 | MUSLIM RIOTING IN BANGALORE HANDLED WELL BY NEW BJP [...] (SBU) Riots broke out in one of Bangalore's Muslim districts on July 11 following the desecration of two mosques and some hot-headed agitation. Police apparently acted professionally to quell the violence. This may help calm some Muslim concerns about the attitude of Karnataka's newly elected [...] | 2008-07-16 10:40:00 | Consulate Chennai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KIRF KDEM IN |
08CHENNAI315 | MILITANT HINDUS ATTACK CHURCHES IN SOUTHERN KARNATAKA [...] Summary: Militant Hindu groups attacked three churches and six prayer houses located in three southern districts of Karnataka on September 14. The attacks took place between 10:15 and 10:30 as Sunday morning services were in progress. According to Christian groups three individuals including [...] | 2008-09-16 04:42:00 | Consulate Chennai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KIRF IN |
08CHENNAI326 | INCIDENTS AGAINST CHURCHES IN KARNATAKA CONTINUE AS [...] (SBU) Summary: In the wake of another round of apparent attacks on churches in Karnataka on September 21, Consul General Andrew Simkin visited Bangalore September 23-24. The CG used the opportunity to emphasize the importance of protecting religious freedom to a wide variety of interlocutors, [...] | 2008-09-25 09:57:00 | Consulate Chennai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC PINR KIRF SOCI IN |
08CHENNAI330 | CONGRESS CONSIDERING BANNING HINDU FUNDAMENTALIST BAJRANG [...] (SBU) Summary: A prominent Catholic voice in the Congress party came away from a recent meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Indian National Security Advisor MK Narayanan feeling that India will probably ban the militant Hindu group Bajrang Dal as a result of the violence in Oriss [...] | 2008-09-29 09:56:00 | Consulate Chennai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM ASEC PINR KIRF SOCI IN |
08CHENNAI350 | CHRISTIANS STILL NERVOUS IN SOUTH INDIA [...] (SBU) Several of South India's Christian leaders expressed their continuing fear of anti-Christian violence to Joannella Morales, an officer in the Department's Office of International Religious Freedom, during her visit to Chennai and Bangalore on October 7 and 10. While violence on the scal [...] | 2008-10-17 04:29:00 | Consulate Chennai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KIRF IN |
08CHIANGMAI76 | CHINA-FOCUSED CHRISTIAN GROUP CAUGHT UP IN PRC'S POST-TIBET [...] (C) The "Friends of China" (FOC) NGO - which has been placing teachers and rural developmental workers in China for 20 years - reports that Beijing authorities recently shut down its office in Qinghai Province that oversees assistance projects with ethnic Tibetans there. FOC believes this is [...] | 2008-05-29 04:01:00 | Consulate Chiang Mai | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL KIRF SOCI CH TH |
08CHISINAU248 | RELIGIOUS LEADERS GATHER AT AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE [...] (SBU) Summary: At the second annual reception in honor of religious freedom on February 28, leaders of 11 religious groups networked on social and spiritual issues, described bureaucratic barriers to registration, and appreciated the venue (the Ambassador's residence),while regretting that ecu [...] | 2008-03-06 07:56:00 | Embassy Chisinau | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF MD |
08CHISINAU312 | AMBASSADOR GETS POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM MINISTER OF JUSTICE [...] (C) Summary: In a March 19 meeting on religious freedom with the Minister of Justice, Ambassador Kirby received a positive response to our concerns, and promises that the Ministry would set up a roundtable with religious leaders and publish templates for registration procedures. Pirlog frequen [...] | 2008-03-20 07:38:00 | Embassy Chisinau | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF PINR MD |
08CHISINAU34 | CHRISTMAS TREE FIGHT DERAILS MOLDOVAN GOVERNMENT [...] (C) Summary: An ecumenical outreach by the Government of Moldova (GOM),which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration planned to propose to Prime Minister Tarlev, was thwarted by the Christmas Tree fight (ref A) between the GOM and Chisinau's city government, and by an atmosp [...] | 2008-01-11 12:36:00 | Embassy Chisinau | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF KDEM PINR MD |
08COLOMBO1094 | SRI LANKA: ANTI-CONVERSION BILL STALLED IN [...] (C) After a meeting at the Peace Secretariat (SCOPP) on December 1, Secretary to the Ministry of Human Rights and Disaster Management Rajiva Wijesinghe reported to Charge that the anti-conversion bill currently being debated in Parliament is likely to remain in a standing committee and not com [...] | 2008-12-02 12:20:00 | Embassy Colombo | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM CE |
08DAKAR1286 | RELIGION IN SENEGAL-IBADU RAHMAN, THE SALAFISTS [...] (C) This is the first in a series of cables analyzing religion in Senegal. While the country is 95 percent Sunni Muslim, major differences exist between the various brotherhoods that dominate the Sunni-Sufi landscape which includes smaller, more conservative Sunni groups and Shia Muslims. Ad [...] | 2008-11-06 17:13:00 | Embassy Dakar | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PINS SOCI PINR KDEM KISL KIRF SG |
08DAKAR1378 | RELIGION IN SENEGAL-AL FALAH, THE WAHABBI [...] (C) SUMMARY: This is the second in a series of cables analyzing religion in Senegal. This cable concerns the Al Falah group who, along with Cemaat Ibadu-Rahman (reftel),is considered to be one of the country,s more conservative organizations. They are identified by many as being Wahabbi wit [...] | 2008-12-01 10:43:00 | Embassy Dakar | CONFIDENTIAL | KDEM KIRF KISL PGOV PINR PINS SOCI SG |
08DAKAR1435 | RELIGION IN SENEGAL: THE CATHOLICS [...] (C) SUMMARY: This is the third in a series of cables analyzing religion in Senegal. This cable concerns Catholics in Senegal. With a long established history, the Catholics are Senegal,s largest religious minority and continue to wield far greater influence in the country,s political, econom [...] | 2008-12-17 11:52:00 | Embassy Dakar | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS SOCI PINR KDEM KISL KIRF SCUL VT SG |
08DARESSALAAM837 | POLITICS AND RELIGION IN TANZANIA: REVIVED DEBATE [...] (U) Summary. This is the first of two cables on political issues of a religious nature in Tanzania. This cable covers the question of establishing Islamic (kadhi) courts on mainland Tanzania, while septel will address the debate over Tanzanian membership in the Organization of the Islamic Co [...] | 2008-12-11 12:15:00 | Embassy Dar Es Salaam | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL SCUL KIRF KISL TZ |
08DOHA156 | PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST UK DENIAL OF VISA FOR [...] (C) Summary: A peaceful demonstration of about 300 people took place February 20 in front of the British Embassy in Doha. The demonstrators protested the denial of a visa for Qatari-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Yusef Al-Qaradawi to travel to the UK. The protesters lambasted the "hypocrisy" [...] | 2008-02-21 13:44:00 | Embassy Doha | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KISL KIRF QA UK |
08DOHA398 | ANOTHER RAY OF LIGHT - DOHA INTERFAITH CENTER [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue (DICID) officially opened May 14 at the conclusion of the sixth Doha Conference for Interfaith Dialogue. Former President of Qatar University, Professor Ebrahim Saleh Al-Naimi, was appointed the DICID Chairman, and will ove [...] | 2008-05-21 16:11:00 | Embassy Doha | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF KISL QA |
08DUSHANBE1409 | WHERE IS THE GOVERNMENT OF TAJIKISTAN'S RELIGIOUS POLICY [...] (U) This is a resubmission of 08 Dushanbe 1408 with a subject heading. 2. (SBU) Summary: Tajik officials have continued to impose limitations on personal conduct as part of the government's restrictive religious policy. Officials have also continued to crack down on religious groups that t [...] | 2008-11-21 10:54:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV KIRF KISL TI |
08DUSHANBE1523 | GROWING INFLUENCE OF TRADITIONAL ISLAM IN TAJIKISTAN - WHAT [...] (SBU) Summary: On December 11 and 12, EmbOffs accompanied William Trigg, USAID's Regional Society and State Advisor based in Bishkek, to meetings with Muslim clerics, government officials, and researchers in Dushanbe. During Trigg's visit, interlocutors said the Government of Tajikistan had li [...] | 2008-12-18 04:04:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV KIRF KISL TI |
08DUSHANBE887 | DEMOLITION OF TAJIKISTAN'S SYNAGOGUE: WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT'S [...] (U) Summary: In late June 2008, the Tajik authorities leveled what remained of the Dushanbe synagogue. The Jewish Community had fought plans to tear the synagogue down since 2003, sporadically garnering attention from the international media. The case demonstrates the Tajik Government's lack [...] | 2008-07-03 11:18:00 | Embassy Dushanbe | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF TI |
08DUSSELDORF9 | GERMAN COURT REJECTS SCIENTOLOGY APPEAL AGAINST [...] (U) Summary: The Higher Administrative Court in Muenster rejected an appeal by the Church of Scientology (COS) of Germany February 12 to end surveillance of the Church by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (OPC). The court found that COS maintained "ambitions against Ge [...] | 2008-02-21 14:31:00 | Consulate Dusseldorf | UNCLASSIFIED | KIRF PHUM PGOV GM |
08FRANKFURT3463 | German State Pioneers Islamic Instruction in the Schools [...] Summary: In 2006 the southern German state of Baden Wuerttemberg became the first state in Germany to offer Islam, alongside Catholicism, Protestantism and Judaism, as a subject for religious instruction in some public schools, reflecting the state's recognition of Islam's place in society and [...] | 2008-11-24 13:46:00 | Consulate Frankfurt | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV KISL KIRF GM |
08FREETOWN458 | RELIGIOUS CLASH FALSELY REPORTED IN SIERRA LEONE [...] (U) Summary: Media reports of a clash between Christians and Muslims in East Freetown on September 5 were largely overblown. Though an altercation did ensue between congregants of the Calaba Town mosque and the Achiever's Church, it appears that the conflict was the result of noise pollution r [...] | 2008-09-15 13:05:00 | Embassy Freetown | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM SL |
08GENEVA637 | SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE OIC LAYS OUT PLANS FOR [...] (SBU) Summary: U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Sada Cumber used his July 22 meetings with representatives of various OIC missions represented in Geneva to highlight his plans for greater USG-OIC dialogue. All his interlocutors expressed enthusiasm for t [...] | 2008-07-31 12:08:00 | US Mission Geneva | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL KIRF AF MY ID SG TU |
08GUANGZHOU331 | Guangzhou's Bishop Not Optimistic about Future of [...] (U) Classified by Consul General Robert Goldberg for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 2. (C) "We should not be optimistic" about relations between the Vatican and Beijing, according to Bishop of Guangzhou Monsignor Gan Junqiu. During an hour-long private meeting March 14, Gan predicted to the Fren [...] | 2008-06-12 05:16:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PINR CH VT |
08GUANGZHOU409 | Bishop of Guangzhou - Walking a Tightrope between Beijing [...] (C) Summary: The Bishop of Guangzhou is clearly someone to watch - politically savvy, a man of immense faith and considerable charm, a connoisseur of fine wines (not just those used in the mass) and someone capable of both walking a tightrope between Rome and Beijing as well as finding ways to [...] | 2008-07-11 08:17:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI CH |
08GUANGZHOU412 | Bishop of Guangzhou - Walking a Tightrope between Beijing [...] (C) Summary: The Bishop of Guangzhou is clearly someone to watch - politically savvy, a man of immense faith and considerable charm, a connoisseur of fine wines (not just those used in the mass) and someone capable of both walking a tightrope between Rome and Beijing as well as finding ways to [...] | 2008-07-11 08:40:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI CH |
08GUANGZHOU45 | China's Young Urban Christians: Optimistic and [...] (C) SUMMARY: China's new generation of urban Christians are supportive of government policies and confident that relations between underground churches and religious authorities will continue to improve, according to south China church elders and missionaries. However, older Christians worry th [...] | 2008-01-25 08:04:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV SOCI CH |
08GUANGZHOU452 | Shenzhen Priest Finding Room for Faith [...] (C) Summary: Father Francis Xavier Zhang may have been a little surprised by how much more restrictive the environment for the Catholic Church was in Shenzhen than in Beijing, but that seems to have barely slowed him down. Seven months after his transfer here, he described several accomplishme [...] | 2008-07-25 09:14:00 | Consulate Guangzhou | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV CH |
08GUATEMALA1274 | TRANSLATION OF 2008 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS [...] Post has translated the 2008 International Religious Freedom Report and has posted a link on its website to both the English and Spanish versions of the report in advance of the congressionally mandated October 16 deadline. 2. There has been no government, public, or media reaction to the S [...] | 2008-10-14 22:19:00 | Embassy Guatemala | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV OPRC KIRF KPAO GT |
08HANOI100 | UNHCR SAYS MONTAGNARD CAMPS MAXED; STATELESS KHMER PLAN [...] (SBU) In a January 23 farewell call with Ambassador Michalak, retiring UNHCR Regional Representative Hasim Utkan reviewed the progress UNHCR had made in Vietnam over the last several years. Working cooperatively with the GVN, the USG and the international donor community, Utkan said UNHCR had h [...] | 2008-01-30 00:23:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM PREF KIRF CB VM |
08HANOI1007 | POLICE DETAIN SEVEN CATHOLICS INVOLVED IN PROTESTS OVER [...] (SBU) Local police on August 28 arrested four individuals in connection with ongoing Catholic land-dispute demonstrations in Hanoi's Thai Ha parish; another three were later taken into custody after they protested the arrests. The state-controlled press has continued a daily drumbeat of critic [...] | 2008-08-29 10:40:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PREL PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI1057 | DAS MARCIEL MEETS HANOI ARCHBISHOP, DISCUSSES CHURCH LAND [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. EAP DAS Scot Marciel had a very warm meeting with Archbishop Joseph Ngo that focused on Catholic land rights claims in Hanoi. The Archbishop reviewed the Catholic Church's long-running attempts to regain its land and the lack of response from the government. He criticized the [...] | 2008-09-15 08:50:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM |
08HANOI1093 | CATHOLICS PROTEST GVN ACTION, POLICE SEIZE LAND AT THAI HA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The standoff between Catholic parishioners and the Hanoi city government continued to escalate over the weekend, as the Hanoi Archbishop led a special mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral attended by 12,000-15,000 and the state-controlled media continued to attack the Archbishop. Con [...] | 2008-09-22 10:06:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
08HANOI1120 | AMBASSADOR, HANOI ARCHBISHOP DISCUSS CHURCH LAND DISPUTES, [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Meeting the Ambassador September 30, Hanoi Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet noted improvements in the Church's ability to recruit seminary students and assign priests, but voiced dismay over ongoing land disputes. The Ambassador assured the Archbishop of active U.S. support for [...] | 2008-09-30 09:13:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM |
08HANOI1122 | CRA CHAIRMAN COMMENTS ON CATHOLIC LAND ISSUES AND [...] (SBU) Summary: During the DCM's September 29 introductory call on Committee for Religious Affairs (CRA) Chairman Nguyen The Doanh, he asserted that the Hanoi People's Committee is taking the lead in responding to the Catholic land disputes, but warned that the Catholics should not stir up "soci [...] | 2008-09-30 09:41:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PREL PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI1144 | AMBASSADOR MEETS IMPRISONED DISSIDENTS NGUYEN VAN DAI AND [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The Ambassador met with two of Vietnam's most prominent political prisoners, dissident attorneys Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan, on October 2 and 3 respectively. Both appeared healthy and described prison conditions not out of keeping with the norm in Vietnam. Dai was in [...] | 2008-10-06 09:25:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF VM |
08HANOI1165 | GVN OPENS PARKS AND LIBRARY ON DISPUTED CATHOLIC LAND AND [...] (SBU) Hanoi city authorities held ribbon cutting ceremonies opening two new parks on land disputed by the Catholic Church on October 3 and 8. The parks were built very quickly using hundreds of public employees at both the Papal Nuncio's residence on Nha Chung Street and at the site adjacent t [...] | 2008-10-10 09:53:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
08HANOI118 | GVN LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO CATHOLIC CHURCH PROTESTS [...] (U) Summary. The Government of Vietnam (GVN) announced that it is seeking legal action following ongoing Catholic prayer vigils and protests seeking the return of church lands in downtown Hanoi confiscated after the communist takeover in 1954 (reftel). The Church says it intends to take actio [...] | 2008-01-31 09:40:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI1187 | A LESSON IN DOUBLE-SPEAK - HANOI AUTHORITIES BRIEF FOREIGN [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. On October 15, the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen The Thao summoned senior diplomats to provide the official version of events surrounding the Catholic Church land claims at Thai Ha parish and the former residence of the Papal Nuncio. After a long, technical e [...] | 2008-10-17 09:25:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
08HANOI1193 | VATICAN NAMES TWO NEW BISHOPS, GVN SCHEDULES ORDINATIONS [...] (SBU) On October 15, Pope Benedict XVI named two auxiliary bishops for Vietnam -- one each for the archdioceses of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The new bishop in Hanoi, Father Laurent Chu Van Minh, is viewed as a close ally of Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet, and until now has served as recto [...] | 2008-10-20 08:34:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL KIRF VM |
08HANOI120 | GVN LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO CATHOLIC CHURCH PROTESTS [...] (U) Summary. The Government of Vietnam (GVN) announced that it is seeking legal action following ongoing Catholic prayer vigils and protests seeking the return of church lands in downtown Hanoi confiscated after the communist takeover in 1954 (reftel). The Church says it intends to take actio [...] | 2008-01-31 10:14:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI1205 | POLICE MOVE FORWARD ON CHARGING THAI HA PROTESTORS - PRAYER [...] (SBU) Hanoi police have concluded their investigation into eight individuals who participated in tearing down a small retaining wall around disputed land near the Thai Ha parish in Hanoi, according to online reports and Catholic priests at the parish. The police have recommended to prosecutor [...] | 2008-10-24 01:42:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL KIRF VM |
08HANOI1276 | Religious Freedom Update - Central Highlands and Danang [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Christians in the Central Highlands' Gia Lai province celebrated 65 years of Protestantism, and over 20,000 faithful thronged to the two-day celebration outside of Pleiku. Evangelical Church of Vietnam South (SECV) President Truong highlighted the warming of relations between Pr [...] | 2008-11-18 09:32:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
08HANOI1285 | RENEWED TENSION AT THAI HA PARISH [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: After two months of relative quiet, tensions flared again briefly at the Thai Ha Catholic Redemptorist parish in Hanoi. According to parish priests, on November 15, local officials, accompanied by dozens of members of a local "citizen's brigade," demanded to speak with Thai Ha' [...] | 2008-11-20 05:52:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL KIRF VM |
08HANOI129 | GVN AND CATHOLIC CHURCH SEEK TO DEFUSE LAND DISPUTE [...] (U) Summary: In a reversal of the GVN's move last week to seek legal action against ongoing Catholic prayer vigils and protests seeking the return of church lands in downtown Hanoi, both the GVN and the Catholic Church have made conciliatory statements and pledged to work together to resolve th [...] | 2008-02-04 09:19:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI1338 | NO JAIL TIME FOR EIGHT THAI HA PROTESTORS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: After a day of testimony December 8, the Dong Da People's Court in Hanoi convicted eight Thai Ha protestors for destruction of public property and disturbing the public order. Seven of the parishioners were given suspended sentences; one was issued a warning. None will serve ja [...] | 2008-12-09 09:23:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF VM |
08HANOI1390 | Human Rights and Religious Freedom in Hue [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. The DCM marked the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by meeting with the Archbishop of Hue, as well as dissident priests from the banned political movement Bloc 8406 and leaders of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam. The Archbishop stressed the [...] | 2008-12-19 10:41:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF VM |
08HANOI160 | CATHOLIC CHURCH PROTESTS: DIFFERENT LOCATION, SAME ISSUES [...] (U) Summary: While there has been apparent progress in defusing the dispute over the former Vatican residence in Hanoi, another dispute has arisen at Thai Ha parish in Hanoi where the GVN's approval of construction of a state-owned sewing factory on the disputed property triggered a wave of pro [...] | 2008-02-14 05:23:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI184 | HUNDREDS ATTEND FUNERAL FOR VIETNAMESE DISSIDENT LEADER [...] (SBU) Summary: The February 16 funeral for Dr. Hoang Minh Chinh, a former Communist Party ideologue and GVN vice minister turned dissident and democracy activist, drew hundreds of relatives and supporters as well as a heavy police presence. Many dissidents reported that they were prevented fro [...] | 2008-02-19 09:48:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF VM |
08HANOI203 | UNHCR SAYS GVN TROUBLED BY ONGOING MONTAGNARD EMIGRATION TO [...] (SBU) Summary: UNHCR Deputy Regional Representative Giuseppe de Vincentis and Vietnam Officer-in-Charge Vu Anh Son met with the Ambassador on February 19 to discuss the need for a timely solution to the growing UNHCR Montagnard camp population in Cambodia. De Vincentis said UNHCR was not in a [...] | 2008-02-21 08:33:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM PREF KIRF CB VM |
08HANOI279 | PASTORS GRANTED RARE PERMISSION TO VISIT POLITICAL [...] (SBU) Summary: Recent media reports confirmed that a group of Protestant pastors led by HCMC-based Mennonite pastor and dissident Nguyen Hong Quang were allowed to visit jailed human rights lawyers and high-profile political dissidents Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan, at their respective pr [...] | 2008-03-07 09:19:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PREL PGOV ASEC VM |
08HANOI286 | AMBASSADOR VISITS VIETNAM'S LEADING POLITICAL PRISONER [...] (SBU) Summary: On March 10, the Ambassador met with jailed political activist and Catholic priest Nguyen Van Ly ("Father Ly") at Ba Sao Prison south of Hanoi. The almost 75-minute meeting with Ly took place in the presence of the prison warden and his deputies, who were cordial and cooperative [...] | 2008-03-11 10:29:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV ASEC KIRF VM |
08HANOI303 | GVN REACTS TO HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT [...] (SBU) Summary: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung delivered the GVN's reaction to the 2007 Human Rights Report on March 13, calling it "regrettable" that the report is based on "false and prejudiced" information but adding that it is "normal" that the USG and GVN have differences on human ri [...] | 2008-03-14 10:11:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PREL PGOV VM |
08HANOI306 | VIETNAM SCENESETTER FOR ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT AND [...] (U) Your visit is a good opportunity to encourage Vietnam to continue the process of opening to the world and reforming internally. Vietnam's national leadership remains eager to learn from the United States on economic and governance reform, and will be attentive to what you have to say. You [...] | 2008-03-17 02:53:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OTRA ECON ETRD EINV EFIN KIPR PREL PHUM KIRF EAIR |
08HANOI385 | VIETNAM FORMALLY AGREES TO HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE [...] (SBU) Vietnam's MFA formally agreed to hold the next round of the bilateral Human Rights Dialogue on May 29, 2008 in Hanoi, Vietnam. In dipnote 158/NG-TCQT, the unofficial translation of which follows below, the MFA also reports that its delegation will be represented by an unspecified Assistan [...] | 2008-04-04 02:25:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI446 | RENEWED CATHOLIC CHURCH PROTESTS AT THAI HA PARISH [...] (SBU) Catholic parishioners have been gathering again over the last three weeks at Thai Ha parish in Hanoi to protest construction work on a disputed plot of land adjacent to the church. Large prayer vigils had initially taken place in January and February, before the Tet Lunar New Year holida [...] | 2008-04-17 07:25:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PREL PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI448 | Unexpected Progress on Catholic Church Land Issues [...] (SBU) Summary: In an unexpected move, central Quang Tri Provincial authorities announced a Government of Vietnam (GVN) decision to return the La Vang property to the Catholic Church following meetings in late March and early April between GVN authorities and the Catholic Episcopal Council of [...] | 2008-04-18 04:07:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL VM |
08HANOI499 | Thai Ha Church Land Ownership Dispute Continues [...] (SBU) Summary. Despite numerous calls from Hanoi authorities to cease, Catholic believers continue to gather at a site adjacent to Hanoi's Thai Ha Catholic parish church, in a dispute with the Government of Vietnam (GVN),now in its fourth month (Refs A, B). While the numbers of congregants ga [...] | 2008-04-29 07:24:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL VM |
08HANOI558 | Vietnamese Provinces Work to Get Religious Freedom Right [...] (SBU) Summary: Although the Government of Vietnam's Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA) struggles to implement of the legal framework on religious freedom in some isolated provinces, a growing number of provincial and local authorities are having real success in promoting freedom of religion. [...] | 2008-05-13 07:29:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL VM |
08HANOI571 | ZEN MASTER MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR [...] (SBU) Summary: In a May 12 meeting with the Ambassador, the Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh noted improvements in religious freedom in Vietnam but said corruption and bureaucracy had hampered their visit. Hanh and a delegation of the order of Lang Mai from France are visiting Vietnam to attend the U [...] | 2008-05-15 08:48:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI617 | CONTRASTING PERSPECTIVES ON VESAK DAY CELEBRATIONS: THE [...] (SBU) Summary: While the vast majority of Vietnamese Buddhists celebrated Vesak Day with an exuberantly colorful display of Buddhist traditions and full GVN support throughout Southern Vietnam, the outlawed United Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) held private ceremonies at their pagodas. Whi [...] | 2008-05-27 08:50:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL VM |
08HANOI657 | Vietnam Fatherland Front Discusses Religious Freedom [...] (SBU) Summary: Poloff and DRL/IRF officer met with Mr. Tran Dinh Phung, Permanent member of the Central Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Presidium and Head of its Board for Ethnicity and Religious Affairs (Vice Minister rank),on May 28 to discuss the VFF role in the promotion of religious freed [...] | 2008-06-04 09:15:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL VM |
08HANOI662 | Updates from Vietnam's Northern Evangelical Church [...] (SBU) Summary: In a May 28 meeting with Poloff and visiting DRL/IRF officer, Evangelical Church of Vietnam - North (ECVN) General Secretary Pastor Au Quang Vinh discussed current conditions for the Protestant church in Vietnam. While highlighting a lack of harassment incidents for the first h [...] | 2008-06-05 08:20:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM |
08HANOI664 | GVN Updates on Religious Freedom [...] (SBU) Summary: On May 30, Poloff and visiting DRF/IRF officer met with Mr. Dang Tai Tinh, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Government Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA),to discuss the 2008 Human Rights Dialogue and implementation of the legal framework on religion [...] | 2008-06-05 09:34:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL VM |
08HANOI668 | DRL AS KRAMER MEETS WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OF HIGH PROFILE [...] (SBU) In a private meeting in Hanoi with Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor David Kramer and the Ambassador, Mrs. Vu Minh Khanh, the wife of jailed human rights lawyer and Protestant activist Nguyen Van Dai and Mrs. Tran Thi Le, the mother of jailed human rights [...] | 2008-06-06 05:48:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV ASEC VM |
08HANOI682 | UNITED STATES AND VIETNAM HOLD ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (SBU) This year's Human Rights Dialogue was a candid and constructive exchange, with both sides vowing to move the bilateral relationship forward in the one arena where the USG and GVN continue to have serious differences. The USG delegation, lead by DRL Assistant Secretary David Kramer, urged [...] | 2008-06-09 07:29:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV OTRA VM |
08HANOI70 | UPDATE ON POLITICAL PRISONERS NGUYEN VAN DAI AND LE THI [...] (SBU) Summary: Imprisoned human rights lawyers Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan have been moved from a temporary detention facility in Hanoi to separate prison locations away from the city. According to family members, Ms. Nhan is suffering harsh conditions and has had her Bible confiscated [...] | 2008-01-18 08:32:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV ASEC KIRF VM |
08HANOI717 | DRL A/S KRAMER MEETS WITH DISSIDENTS IN HANOI [...] (C) On the margins of the annual USG - GVN Human Rights Dialogue, Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor David Kramer, accompanied by the Ambassador, met with two of Vietnam's leading political dissidents and democracy activists on May 30 in Hanoi. Post informed the Ministry [...] | 2008-06-16 02:57:00 | Embassy Hanoi | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM OVIP PGOV PREL KIRF ASEC VM |
08HANOI731 | SCENESETTER FOR U.S. VISIT OF VIETNAM PRIME MINISTER DUNG [...] (SBU) Summary: Vietnam's Prime Minister views his June 24 White House meeting as an opportunity to confirm to all -- including those who hate us -- that the United States will remain a big part of Vietnam's future. In particular, he will celebrate our remarkable economic partnership, built on [...] | 2008-06-18 09:37:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OTRA ECON ETRD EINV PREL PHUM KIRF EAIR VM |
08HANOI736 | GVN and the Vatican Discuss Normalization, Property Issues [...] (SBU) Summary: The recent visit of a Vatican delegation for talks with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) did not result in any tangible progress on the issue of normalization of relations, although the issue was discussed. Discussions also addressed practical concerns of the Vietnamese Catholic [...] | 2008-06-20 09:10:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF PHUM VM |
08HANOI929 | A Mixed Bag for Vietnam's Catholics in the Northwest [...] (SBU) Summary: Recent visits to Catholic congregations in Vietnam's Northwest Highlands highlighted inconsistent implementation of the legal framework on religion at the provincial, district and commune levels. Poloff, accompanied by Pol Specialist and Pol Intern, visited the towns of Moc Chau [...] | 2008-08-08 09:58:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PREL VM |
08HANOI944 | Harassment of Protestants in Vietnam's Thanh Hoa Province [...] (SBU) Summary: In recent months, post has received reports of three separate incidents of harassment by local authorities of two Full Gospel Church congregations in Thanh Hoa Province to the south of Hanoi. While post has yet to independently confirm the reports, the sources are reliable and [...] | 2008-08-14 08:32:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PREL VM |
08HANOI97 | CATHOLIC CHURCH CHALLENGES GVN OVER LAND DISPUTE [...] (SBU) Summary: A long simmering land dispute between Vietnam's Catholic Church and the GVN has heated up in recent weeks. Church leaders and their followers gather daily to pray in front of the old Vatican Embassy in Hanoi, one of many church properties taken over by the government after 1954 [...] | 2008-01-29 01:00:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI980 | DJ@ VU ALL OVER AGAIN: HANOI CATHOLICS RENEW PROTESTS OVER [...] (SBU) Catholic demonstrators this week renewed their claims to land near the Thai Ha parish in Hanoi. Predictably, State-controlled press praised local authorities for their reasonable reaction to the demonstrations and accused the Catholics of unlawful acts. A source in the Vietnamese Episco [...] | 2008-08-22 09:24:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PREL PHUM PGOV VM |
08HANOI982 | CHIEFS OF MISSION DISCUSS PRISONER LISTS, RELIGIOUS/MEDIA [...] (SBU) SUMMARY. Participants at the Ambassador's August 21 luncheon of "like-minded" chiefs of mission agreed that the MFA has lately been more responsive in providing information about prisoners. Guests also concurred with the Ambassador's assessment of religious freedom in the Northwest, not [...] | 2008-08-25 02:32:00 | Embassy Hanoi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV CASC OTRA VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY1035 | MENNONITES HOLD FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN HCMC [...] Summary (SBU) On November 15, the Vietnam Mennonite Church (VMC) became the latest Protestant denomination to celebrate their first General Assembly since achieving national-level registration in September 2007. Mennonite leaders from around the world, including the United States, attended the [...] | 2008-11-25 06:38:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KIRF PHUM VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY1054 | TRA VINH PROTESTANTS AND OFFICIALS EXCHANGE VIEWS ON [...] (SBU) Summary: During a November 18 visit to Tra Vinh, PolOffs raised a number of issues reported by both recognized and unrecognized Protestant congregations over the past year with provincial officials. These incidents of religious freedom violations represent a small number of the worst typ [...] | 2008-12-04 11:45:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF PHUM VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY1056 | OFFICIALS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS PORTRAY POSITIVE PICTURE OF [...] (SBU) Summary: Ben Tre and Soc Trang authorities attribute the positive religious freedom situation in their respective provinces in part to their sponsorship of annual training on 2004 and 2005 central government regulations on religion. Ben Tre officials cautioned, however, that religious be [...] | 2008-12-05 03:54:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF PREL VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY1071 | HCMC CATHOLICS HOLD PRAYER VIGILS FOR THAI HA PARISHIONERS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In solidarity with their brethren in Hanoi, thousands of Catholics gathered at the Redemptorist Church in Ho Chi Minh City recently to pray for the eight Thai Ha parishioners tried this week for disturbing the public order and damaging property. Police and security personnel we [...] | 2008-12-12 06:39:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY134 | TENS OF THOUSANDS ATTEND RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY EVENTS THROUGHOUT [...] (SBU) 2007 Christmas celebrations held by Protestant and Catholic congregations throughout Southern Vietnam were an exuberant affirmation of Vietnam's progress on religious freedom in recent years. While some celebrations were a first, like the soccer stadium rally of fifteen Protestant house c [...] | 2008-01-31 14:10:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VT VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY406 | FRESH DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS [...] (SBU) Summary. Post is receiving reports of demonstrations in parts of the Central Highlands, beginning on April 11. Participants are largely ethnic minorities, including Degar Protestants, who are reportedly demanding better land- expropriation and compensation policies, more appropriate gov [...] | 2008-04-17 09:52:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY503 | CARDINAL MAN TALKS ABOUT LAND AND OTHER CATHOLIC CONCERNS [...] (SBU) At dinner with the Consul General on May 14, HCMC Cardinal Pham Minh Man was upbeat regarding the recent return of land at La Vang, an important pilgrimage site in Hue province. Despite this positive development, the Cardinal stressed the Church still has many outstanding property issues [...] | 2008-05-22 05:14:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL SOCI VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY606 | TIM SAKHORN'S RELEASE CONFIRMED; CURRENT WHEREABOUTS [...] (SBU) Summary: A reliable Consulate contact has confirmed that former Khmer Krom monk Tim Sakhorn was released from prison after completing his 12-month term for "undermining national unity" (reftels) but reports conflict as to his actual date of release and current whereabouts. Post has requ [...] | 2008-07-07 10:55:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF CB VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY608 | BUDDHISTS MOURN PASSING OF UBCV PATRIARCH THICH HUYEN QUANG [...] (SBU) Summary: Thich Huyen Quang, the 4th most Venerable Patriarch of the outlawed Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV),died on July 5 in Binh Dinh province after a long battle with heart, lung and liver problems. While state-run media are reporting the event via the officially-sanction [...] | 2008-07-08 09:26:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY619 | FUNERAL FOR UBCV PATRIARCH MOVING FORWARD, SOME PROVINCIAL [...] (SBU) Summary: Post's Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) contacts in Binh Dinh province affirmed today that the late Venerable Thich Huang Quang's funeral will be held on July 11 at Nguyen Thieu monastery, amid heavy police security (Ref A). Senior monks of the banned UBCV organization [...] | 2008-07-10 09:07:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY625 | UBCV PATRIARCH'S FUNERAL HELD SUCCESSFULLY [...] (SBU) Summary. July 11 funeral observances organized by the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) for their deceased patriarch, Thich Huyen Quang, proceeded without incident, albeit amid tight security. The funeral was attended by representatives of both the UBCV and the government [...] | 2008-07-11 08:28:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY651 | INVESTIGATING PASTOR NGUYEN CONG CHINH'S ALLEGATIONS OF [...] (SBU) Summary: Pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh, a Mennonite Pastor from Kon Tum province who now lives in Gia Lai province, is the founder of the Vietnamese People's Evangelical Fellowship (VPEF),an umbrella organization claiming to represent more than 60 Protestant denominations and all 54 ethnic gr [...] | 2008-07-16 12:05:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PREL PGOV VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY750 | CATHOLIC HIV/AIDS CENTERS STUCK IN LEGAL LIMBO [...] (SBU) Summary: On August 4, Father Toai of Mai Tam AIDS Orphanage and Drop-in Center discussed with ConOffs the tenuous position of Catholic charities providing care to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). While the HCMC Archdiocese's Pastoral Care Committee for PLWHA has been able to extend i [...] | 2008-08-20 08:34:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL CASC VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY821 | (U) DEPUTY SECRETARY NEGROPONTE'S SEPTEMBER 12-13 VISIT TO [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: During the Deputy Secretary's visit to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) on September 12-13, HCMC government officials, business leaders and legal professionals outlined the many challenges and opportunities that will set the course for the future development of the city and the path Viet [...] | 2008-09-15 10:05:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | OVIP NEGROPONTE PREL PGOV PHUM ECON SOCI KIRF |
08HOCHIMINHCITY887 | THE AMBASSADOR TALKS EDUCATION, NGOS AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM [...] (SBU) Summary: During the Ambassador's September 19 trip to Kontum, he highlighted the contributions the USG and international NGOs are making in the province, including the recent opening of a USAID-funded ethnic minority boarding school. Kontum leaders were open to the idea of further US coo [...] | 2008-10-01 08:37:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL PGOV KIRF VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY917 | PRESBYTERIANS CELEBRATE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY SINCE [...] (SBU) Summary: On September 19, the Vietnam Presbyterian Church celebrated its first General Assembly since it received national recognition in 2007. Deputy Director of the National Committee for Religious Affairs (CRA) Nguyen Thanh Xuan welcomed the Consul General and other foreign officials [...] | 2008-10-06 09:46:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF PHUM VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY920 | DCM DISCUSSES HCMC-HANOI DYNAMICS WITH PEOPLE'S COUNCIL [...] (SBU) Summary: On October 2, the DCM engaged HCMC People's Council Chairwoman Pham Phuong Thao in a lively exchange on the challenges of running a large metropolitan city in a booming economy constrained by inadequate infrastructure and public resources. While noting recent efforts HCMC has m [...] | 2008-10-09 09:44:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON KIRF VM |
08HOCHIMINHCITY967 | SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS CELEBRATE FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY [...] (U) Summary: Religious leaders and officials gathered at the Seventh Day Adventist's main HCMC church on October 23 to celebrate the denomination's first General Assembly since it became nationally registered in December 2006. Government leaders praised the church's moral and humanitarian mes [...] | 2008-10-27 11:32:00 | Consulate Ho Chi Minh City | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF PHUM VM |
08ISTANBUL124 | ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH DISMISSES ACCOUNTS OF SECRET [...] (SBU) Summary. According to March 11 press reports, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew disputed accounts that he had shaken up his staff over damaging leaks to the Greek press and alleged internal maneuverings by two senior advisors to influence the election of his successor. Mainstream Hurriy [...] | 2008-03-12 12:05:00 | Consulate Istanbul | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV TU |
08ISTANBUL238 | ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH LAMENTS "PERSECUTION" OF [...] (C) Summary. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I discussed his views on the new Archbishop of Athens and the closure case against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) while updating the Consul General on Patriarchate issues during their May 12 meeting. Bartholomew noted Archbishop [...] | 2008-05-13 13:36:00 | Consulate Istanbul | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV GR TU |
08ISTANBUL29 | HRANT DINK SUCCESSOR: PROPOSED ARTICLE 301 CHANGES [...] (C) Summary and comment. During a January 9 meeting at Agos newspaper headquarters, Consul General discussed the status of constitutional and democratic reform in Turkey with Etyen Mahcupyan, editor-in-chief of the Armenian weekly and head of the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation [...] | 2008-01-17 08:12:00 | Consulate Istanbul | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF AM TU |
08ISTANBUL38 | GREEK PRIME MINISTER TO CALL ON ECUMENICAL [...] (C) Summary. Greek PM Costas Karamanlis will wrap up his three-day trip to Turkey on January 24 and 25 in Istanbul with visits to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and to a Greek minority high school. Ecumenical Patriarchate senior advisor Metropolitan Meliton expects Karamanlis and Ecumenical Pa [...] | 2008-01-24 11:10:00 | Consulate Istanbul | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PREL GR TU |
08ISTANBUL67 | TURKEY'S NEXT ECHR JUDGE DISCUSSES HEADSCARF, [...] (C) Summary and comment. Turkey's newly-elected European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) judge Professor Isil Karakas stressed to us the importance of precedent in juridical analysis of the controversial headscarf issue, now approaching full boil in public debates. She expected proposed Consti [...] | 2008-02-07 08:17:00 | Consulate Istanbul | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KIRF TU |
08JAKARTA105 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- PAPUA CHRISTIANS PUSH TO [...] (C) SUMMARY: Manokwari--in Christian majority West Papua Province--is considering a draft regional bylaw proclaiming itself a "City of the Gospel." Supporters cite the special place of Manokwari in the history of Christian missionary activity in Papua. They also regard the bylaw as a respon [...] | 2008-01-17 08:41:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS KIRF ID |
08JAKARTA1076 | CONTINUED ANGER ABOUT EXTREMIST ATTACK [...] (C) SUMMARY: Many Indonesians have condemned the June 1 attack on a peaceful rally held in Jakarta. The GOI--as of late June 3--has reportedly still not arrested anyone for the attack. Charge underscored to a key contact in the President's Office the need for action against the perpetrator [...] | 2008-06-03 08:31:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1093 | GOI CRACKS DOWN ON EXTREMIST GROUP [...] (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate General Surabaya. 2. (C) SUMMARY: On June 4, Indonesian police arrested between 80-100 members of the extremist group responsible for an attack on a peaceful demonstration in Jakarta on June 1. Several members of the Islamic Defender's Fron [...] | 2008-06-04 08:45:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1105 | KEY MUSLIM LEADER DENOUNCES EXTREMIST VIOLENCE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 2, Charge met Din Syamsuddin, Chair of Muhammadiyah, the country's second largest Muslim organization. They discussed repercussions of the recent attack by extremist groups on a pro-pluralism demonstration. Syamsuddin denounced the violence. They also discussed the cl [...] | 2008-06-06 01:30:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1134 | GOVERNMENT ISSUES DECREE AGAINST MINORITY SECT [...] (C) SUMMARY: On June 9, the GOI issued a Joint Ministerial Decree prohibiting the Muslim sect Ahmadiyah from proselytizing and conducting religious activities. Issued weeks after it was first announced (ref B),the decree balances several GOI interests and represents a compromise between ra [...] | 2008-06-10 10:40:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PINS ID |
08JAKARTA1143 | SECT MEMBERS ALLOWED TO WORSHIP DESPITE EDICT [...] (C) SUMMARY: Vice President Yusuf Kalla made a public assurance on June 10 that the Islamic sect Ahmadiyah will be free to worship in the privacy of their mosques, despite the June 9 joint decree outlawing Ahmadis from religious activities (reftel). A senior Justice Ministry official public [...] | 2008-06-11 09:15:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PINS ID |
08JAKARTA1260 | MAJOR MUSLIM GROUP SPONSORS CONFERENCE; MODERATE [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Over a hundred prominent experts from 27 countries gathered to discuss the topic of "Addressing Facets of Violence: What can be Done?" at the Second World Peace Forum hosted by Muhammadiyah--Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organization with over 30 million members. The eve [...] | 2008-06-27 08:42:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1276 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- MINORITY SECT UNDER PRESSURE [...] (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate General Surabaya and Consulate Medan. 2. (C) SUMMARY: Mission continues to receive reports of discrimination against the Ahmadiyah religious sect. Mission has received reports, for example, that in West Java eight Ahmadi mosques have been [...] | 2008-06-30 08:58:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PREL ID |
08JAKARTA1317 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- CARDINAL EXPRESSES SOME [...] (C) SUMMARY: Cardinal Darmaatmadja, the senior Catholic prelate in Indonesia, told Pol/C that he was "deeply concerned" by the Indonesian government's recent decree constraining the religious activities of an Islamic sect. He said he was concerned that the religious freedom climate could de [...] | 2008-07-08 09:02:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KIRF SOCI ID VT |
08JAKARTA1459 | FEW REPORTS OF PRESSURE AGAINST MINORITY SECT [...] (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate General Surabaya and Consulate Medan. 2. (C) SUMMARY: Mission's survey of conditions for Ahmadiyah sect members indicates few reports of persecution or pressure since the recent GOI decree constraining the activities of the group. The decr [...] | 2008-07-29 09:28:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF ID |
08JAKARTA1500 | SPECIAL ENVOY RICKMAN MEETS WITH JEWISH COMMUNITY [...] (U) Summary: Special Envoy to Monitor & Combat Anti-Semitism Gregg Rickman traveled to Surabaya July 30, 2008, following a visit to Jakarta. S/E Rickman, accompanied by Karen Paikin, from the Office to Monitor & Combat Anti-Semitism, and Yakov Barouch, a Rabbi living in Jakarta, visited the [...] | 2008-08-07 07:01:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF ID |
08JAKARTA1527 | VISIT BY NOTED U.S. SCHOLAR PLACES ACCENT ON [...] (U) SUMMARY. Key Indonesian Muslim leaders joined noted U.S. scholar on Islam John Esposito for the August 10 launch of the translated version of his 2008 book, "Who Speaks for Islam?" The discussion focused on how Indonesian Muslims--the largest community of Muslims in the world with roug [...] | 2008-08-12 05:11:00 | Embassy Jakarta | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1542 | CHRISTIAN SCHOOL UNDER PRESSURE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On July 25, small clashes involving local residents and Christian seminary students broke out in East Jakarta. No one was seriously injured. Police have evacuated the seminary and placed students and staff in camps in the Jakarta area. On August 12, the students demonstrated [...] | 2008-08-13 06:42:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PINS KIRF ID |
08JAKARTA1572 | SPECIAL ENVOY FOR ANTI-SEMITISM VISITS INDONESIA [...] (C) SUMMARY: During his recent visit to Jakarta, Gregg Rickman, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism, met with a wide range of Indonesian government officials and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to discuss anti-Semitism and religious tolerance. Although Judaism is not [...] | 2008-08-19 08:53:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1593 | ISLAMIC EXTREMIST CHARGED WITH INCITING HATRED [...] (C) SUMMARY: A well-known militant has been put on trail in Jakarta. Islamic extremist Rizieq Shihab was charged on August 21 with inciting hostility and fomenting assault during a June 1 incident in which militants attacked a peaceful rally in Jakarta. Dozens of FPI members filled the cou [...] | 2008-08-22 07:55:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PINS KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1596 | CONGRESSIONAL FELLOW REVIEWS TREATMENT OF MINORITY [...] (C) SUMMARY: During a recent visit to Indonesia, Tina Ramirez--a foreign policy advisor to Representative Trent Franks--met with a wide range of Indonesian government officials and other organizations to discuss discrimination against the Islamic Ahamadiyah sect. Among other items, Ramirez [...] | 2008-08-22 09:05:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA161 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- GOI DECIDES NOT TO BAN SECT [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Indonesian government has decided not to ban a small Islamic sect. Instead, the GOI announced that it will monitor the group in order to make sure it is generally aligned with Sunni orthodoxy and not acting against "public order." While enthused that the group was not bann [...] | 2008-01-25 08:39:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PINS ID |
08JAKARTA1611 | NEW LEADER OF KEY COURT TAKES A STAND AGAINST [...] (C) SUMMARY: The newly appointed Constitutional Court Chief Justice spoke to military officers on August 22 on the importance of upholding the Indonesian Constitution and opposing Sharia-based ordinances put in place by local bodies. In his speech, he explained that these Sharia-based ordin [...] | 2008-08-25 07:50:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV KJUS PREL KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1652 | U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE OIC VISITS INDONESIA [...] (C) SUMMARY: Sada Cumber, U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC),recently visited Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world by population. During the visit, he discussed proposals for greater cooperation between the USG and the OIC. He outlined a propo [...] | 2008-09-02 05:41:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KISL KIRF ID |
08JAKARTA1659 | UPPER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT TO EXAMINE LEGALITY OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Regional Representatives Council (DPD)--the upper house of Indonesia's parliament--has announced plans to form a legal body to examine the constitutionality of local Sharia-inspired bylaws. If found unconstitutional, the DPD's Chair said the bylaws would be revoked. This m [...] | 2008-09-03 04:57:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1664 | SOUTH SUMATRA -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROHIBITS [...] (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate Medan. 2. (C) SUMMARY: The South Sumatra Governor's office announced a prohibition on Ahmadiyah activities on September  [...] | 2008-09-03 09:14:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1701 | AHMADIYAH SECT: PRESIDENT SUMMONS SOUTH SUMATRA [...] (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate Medan. 2. (C) SUMMARY: President Yudhoyono has summoned South Sumatra acting Governor Mahyudin to Jakarta in order to discuss the governor's recent decision to ban the Islamic sect Ahmadiyah. The meeting has not yet taken place, but its app [...] | 2008-09-09 07:16:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1708 | TRIALS OF ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS MOVE FORWARD [...] (C) SUMMARY: The trial of an Islamic militant charged with fomenting assault during a June 1 extremist attack on a peaceful rally is continuing in Jakarta. According to accounts, defense attorneys and fellow militants have threatened witnesses both verbally and physically. The judge and po [...] | 2008-09-10 07:31:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1734 | NEW MEGA-CHURCHES SEEN AS POSITIVE FOR RELIGIOUS [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: Indonesia is experiencing a spurt in the construction of large Evangelical Christian churches. On September 20, one such church--with seating capacity of 8,000--will open its doors in Jakarta after a 16-year wait for the necessary building permit. In the past, local official [...] | 2008-09-12 07:09:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF ID |
08JAKARTA1778 | NORTH SULAWESI'S JEWISH COMMUNITY AND [...] (U) This cable was coordinated with Consulate General Surabaya. 2. (C) Summary: Surabaya Principal Officer visited an active synagogue in North Sulawesi, garnering positive press reports. Representatives of the local Jewish community noted the support of local officials and the tolerance o [...] | 2008-09-19 02:30:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF KISL PGOV ID |
08JAKARTA1786 | BANTEN PROVINCE: MUSLIM HEARTLAND PLUS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Mission team visited Banten Province in western Java, September 18-19. Pol/C spoke about the U.S, presidential process to a group of 300 students at a new Christian university. Administrators said the school has had largely positive experiences with its Muslim neighbors. 2. [...] | 2008-09-22 05:34:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KIRF KPAO KISL ID |
08JAKARTA1835 | ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS CLASH WITH WITNESS SUPPORTERS [...] (C) SUMMARY. Islamic extremists and a moderate Muslim paramilitary group clashed outside the courtroom during a break at the trials of militants Rizieq Shihab and Munarman--both are standing trial for their alleged participation in an attack on a peaceful pro-pluralism rally in Jakarta on Jun [...] | 2008-09-29 03:24:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL PHUM ID |
08JAKARTA2014 | MUSLIM MILITANTS CONVICTED FOR ATTACK ON RELIGIOUS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Two hard-line Muslim militant leaders who led a June 1 attack against a peaceful religious freedom rally were convicted of inciting violence and other crimes in an October 30 verdict in Central Jakarta Court. The 18-month prison sentences handed down sent a clear law enforcement [...] | 2008-10-31 08:52:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA2104 | CATHOLIC-MUSLIM FORUM -- KEY INDONESIAN MUSLIM [...] (U) SUMMARY: The Catholic-Muslim Forum held in Rome November 2-4 promoted strong inter-religious relations, the leader of a mass Muslim organization--with over 30 million members--told an audience of religious and civic leaders on November 11. Din Syamsuddin, chair of Muhammadiyah, also spo [...] | 2008-11-14 10:51:00 | Embassy Jakarta | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KISL KIRF ID VT TH PP |
08JAKARTA217 | MOLUKU: COMMUNITY POLICING AND CULTURE OF [...] (C) Summary: During the DCM,s recent visit to Ambon, interlocutors uniformly described the security situation in Moluku as "stable" and "very safe." Despite continuing concerns about the stress unemployment and poverty placed on local communities, our interlocutors suggested that the local po [...] | 2008-02-04 08:11:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KISL KIRF ASEC EAID ID |
08JAKARTA2280 | RISING OR FALLING? DIFFERING ACCOUNTS OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: A moderate Islamic-oriented public policy institute has reported a slight increase in religious freedom-related incidents, including violence, taking place in Indonesia in 2008. The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM),however, has reported a decrease in the number of [...] | 2008-12-17 09:54:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL ID |
08JAKARTA2288 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- CULT LEADER ARRESTED FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: An Indonesian religious cult leader, Lia Eden, and a clutch of her followers were arrested on December 15. They face charges of blasphemy for "insulting Islam" after they distributed some leaflets in a peaceful protest. The cult leader has gotten entangled with the law before, [...] | 2008-12-18 08:57:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF ID |
08JAKARTA270 | INDONESIA CELEBRATES THE YEAR OF THE RAT [...] (U) This message was coordinated with Consulates Medan and Surabaya. 2. (C) SUMMARY: On February 7--with a splash of red and whiff of incense--Indonesians celebrated a lively Lunar New Year across the archipelago. Such celebrations--and indeed most displays of Chinese culture--were ille [...] | 2008-02-08 11:23:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV SOCI KIRF ID |
08JAKARTA306 | THERE WILL BE NO VALENTINE'S DAY IN BUKITTINGGI [...] (U) This message was coordinated with Consulate Medan. 2. (U) SUMMARY: A controversy has erupted over Valentine's Day in West Sumatra. The Mayor of Bukittinggi--the second-largest city in the province--has banned Valentine's Day celebrations, asserting they are "immoral." The Governor [...] | 2008-02-14 10:55:00 | Embassy Jakarta | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KIRF SOCI LOVE ID |
08JAKARTA451 | EAST NUSA TENGGARA: POLICE FOCUS ON TRANS-NATIONAL [...] (C) Summary: While West Timor and the other islands that make up the province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) grapple with wide-spread poverty, thousands of refugees from neighboring Timor Leste, and limited attention from the central government, the security situation and police performance are p [...] | 2008-03-05 08:17:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL ASEC PHUM KWMN SMIG KIRF KISL PGOV PTER |
08JAKARTA789 | INDONESIAN ISLAMIC SECT THREATENED [...] (U) SUMMARY: Following a recommendation by a government monitoring body to outlaw the minority Muslim sect Jamaah Ahmadiyah as "heretical," the GOI is preparing a joint decree to ban the organization. However, the Attorney General's Office and some Muslim leaders are reportedly calling for the [...] | 2008-04-21 07:00:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF SOCI PINS ID |
08JAKARTA823 | SECT LEADER SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR BLASPHEMY [...] (C) SUMMARY: A Jakarta district court convicted Ahmad Mushaddeq, leader of an outlawed religious sect, of blasphemy on April 23 and sentenced him to four years in prison. He was jailed last October for declaring himself "a new Islamic Prophet." Human rights advocates criticized the decision [...] | 2008-04-24 07:18:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF SOCI PINS ID |
08JAKARTA846 | ISLAMIC SECT UNDER PRESSURE [...] (C) SUMMARY: On April 27, a large crowd burned down a mosque located near Jakarta belonging to the Ahmadiyah sect. The crowd also vandalized an adjoining school run by the sect. No one was seriously injured. A handful of suspects were questioned by the police, but no arrests have been made. [...] | 2008-04-28 08:29:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PINS ID |
08JAKARTA865 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- CHURCHES UNDER PRESSURE [...] (C) SUMMARY: Activists and Indonesian Christians are concerned that pressure from extremist Islamic groups on churches will continue in the lead-up to 2009 national elections as holier-than-thou demagoguery trumps tolerance. Authorities have used a 2006 decree regulating licenses for houses [...] | 2008-04-30 08:56:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINS KIRF ID |
08JAKARTA888 | RELIGIOUS FREEDOM -- ARRESTS MADE IN ATTACK ON [...] (C) SUMMARY: Police have detained 12 suspects in connection with the April 27 arson attack on a mosque owned by the Ahmadiyah sect. The GOI continues to review whether to ban the sect, which was recently declared "deviant." Indonesian civil society has criticized the attacks on the sect, de [...] | 2008-05-05 09:15:00 | Embassy Jakarta | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF PINS ID |
08JEDDAH186 | ARREST/RELEASE OF CHRISTIAN INDIANS IN TAIF [...] (S) SUMMARY: On April 25, plain-clothed Saudis of unknown affiliation arrested 16 Christian Indians -- including women and children -- for conducting a worship service in the southwestern city of Taif. Police raided the worship location, locked-in everyone present, questioned them, and then t [...] | 2008-05-04 05:49:00 | Consulate Jeddah | SECRET | PGOV PHUM KIRF SA |
08JEDDAH370 | PRINCE KHALID DECREES CLOSE OF ALL SUMMER CAMPS IN [...] (C) SUMMARY. A blog recently revealed that Mecca region governor Prince Khalid Al-Faisal is closing religious summer camps for Saudi youth in the Mecca region. The particular type of camps being shut and the extent to which this has actually impacted operations is the subject of local debate. [...] | 2008-09-01 12:58:00 | Consulate Jeddah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PROP PTER SOCI SCUL KISL KMDR KIRF PINS |
08JEDDAH415 | SHI'A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY FEELS UNDER THREAT IN [...] (S) SUMMARY. A Jeddah-based Shi'a Imam details government attempts to suppress free religious expression. Another prominent Shi'a in Western Saudi Arabia explains that the community lives in a constant state of discrimination and insecurity. Both individuals support interfaith dialogue and the [...] | 2008-09-29 12:01:00 | Consulate Jeddah | SECRET | KIRF KISL PGOV PHUM SCUL SOCI SA XF |
08JEDDAH448 | TAIF CHRISTIANS DEPORTATIONS MAY BE IMMINENT [...] (S) SUMMARY: An advocate for the Christian Indians arrested in April for holding a prayer service in Taif reveals to Poloff that deportation orders of these individuals are imminent. This is despite the fact that Assistant Minister of the Interior, Mohammed Bin Naif assured that this issue had [...] | 2008-10-26 13:59:00 | Consulate Jeddah | SECRET | ELAB KIRF KISL KTIP PHUM SA SMIG SOCI XF |
08JEDDAH498 | EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS IN RIYADH/JEDDAH COMMENT ON [...] (C)SUMMARY: In 2004, two Egyptian doctors were arrested in Jeddah on multiple charges including drug smuggling and rape. Their punishment was recently increased significantly by an appeals judge. Officials from the Egyptian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah offered little support fo [...] | 2008-11-26 13:59:00 | Consulate Jeddah | CONFIDENTIAL | ELAB KIRF KISL KTIP PHUM SA SMIG SOCI XF |
08JEDDAH84 | OIC SLAMS DANISH CARTOON... [...] (C) BEGIN SUMMARY AND COMMENT: Since the OIC's 2004 election of Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu as Secretary General, one of his top priorities has been to combat misperceptions of Islam. Unsurprisingly, he issued a strong statement condemning the February 13 re-publishing of caricatures from the 2006 Mohamma [...] | 2008-02-19 06:18:00 | Consulate Jeddah | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KISL KIRF DA NL SA |
08JERUSALEM1273 | INCREASE IN UNCOORDINATED ISRAELI VISITS TO [...] (SBU) Summary. IDF-escorted visits to Joseph,s Tomb in Nablus (Area A) have increased in size and frequency in recent months, according to Palestinian Authority (PA) security officials. Nablus security commanders told PolOff and POL FSN July 16 that they recognize the GOI's right to make co [...] | 2008-07-17 15:06:00 | Consulate Jerusalem | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KWBG PHUM IS KIRF |
08JERUSALEM1327 | PA PLANS REPAIR OF BETHLEHEM'S CHURCH OF THE [...] (C) Summary. PA Local Government Minister Ziad al-Bandak and Presidential Advisor Issa Qassisiya told PolOff in multiple July conversations that the PA considers restoration of the Nativity Church basilica roof a "national priority" and will proceed despite objections from the Church's rival [...] | 2008-07-22 12:06:00 | Consulate Jerusalem | CONFIDENTIAL | KWBG PGOV SCUL KIRF IS |
08JERUSALEM2115 | PAPAL NUNCIO: GOI DENIED PRIESTS ACCESS TO GAZA TO [...] (C) Latin Patriarchate Chancellor Fr. Humam Khzuz and Papal Nuncio contacts in Jerusalem told PolOff November 24 that GOI officials denied the Nuncio (Archbishop Antonio Franco),Khzuz, and Patriarchate secretary Fr. Shawki Batrian access to Gaza early November 23, causing the cancellation of [...] | 2008-11-24 15:50:00 | Consulate Jerusalem | CONFIDENTIAL | KWBG IS PHUM KIRF PREL VT |
08KABUL207 | LOCAL COURT SENTENCES JOURNALIST TO DEATH; CASE [...] (SBU) On January 22 in a closed session, the Balkh provincial court sentenced 23-year old journalism student and reporter for the daily Jahan-e-Naw (New World) paper Sayad Parwez Kambaksh to death for distributing an article that judges said violated the tenets of Islam. Kambaksh had been ar [...] | 2008-01-24 11:22:00 | Embassy Kabul | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KPOL PHUM KIRF AF |
08KABUL2146 | NGO SECURITY IN LIGHT OF ATTACK ON IRC STAFF [...] (U) On August 13, masked gunmen killed four employees of the International Rescue Committee: three female ex-patriates, including one American, and their male Afghan driver. Another Afghan colleague was injured but survived. According to the media, IRC, and UN contacts, the IRC group was trav [...] | 2008-08-14 13:23:00 | Embassy Kabul | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREF PREL PTER AF |
08KABUL217 | SENIOR CLERICS URGE KARZAI TO CRACK DOWN ON [...] (SBU) Summary: The High Ulema Council of Afghanistan met with President Karzai to express concern over proselytizing in Afghanistan and issued a public statement urging the government to crack down on missionary activity. The council has also asserted themselves regarding media content and s [...] | 2008-01-27 09:36:00 | Embassy Kabul | CONFIDENTIAL | KPOL PREL PHUM KIRF AF |
08KABUL2357 | NGO RESOLVE IN WAKE OF KILLINGS BUT VIOLENT [...] (C) Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are showing resolve in the face of the recent killings of aid workers, but the violence is continuing. Even at the memorial service for the three female expatriate International Rescue Committee (IRC) staffers and their Afghan driver, the IRC Country [...] | 2008-08-28 17:05:00 | Embassy Kabul | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREF PREL PTER AF |
08KHARTOUM1428 | POST-2011 SOUTHERN INDEPENDENCE COULD LEAVE KHARTOUM IDP'S [...] (U) SUMMARY: Little attention is being paid to the mechanics of an initially non-violent break-up if, as widely expected, Southern Sudan votes for independence in the 2011 referendum. Several IDP experts have raised the possibility that Northern anger towards Southerners could be directed at [...] | 2008-09-21 14:26:00 | Embassy Khartoum | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREF PGOV EAID KIRF KPKO SOCI SU |
08KIGALI330 | MASS FIRING OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES TEACHERS [...] (C) Summary. Jehovah's Witnesses officials reported 142 of their members had been fired from their jobs as teachers after refusing to participate in nation-wide goverment solidarity camps. They reported increased difficulties with the government since public criticism by the new Minister of [...] | 2008-05-09 11:29:00 | Embassy Kigali | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF RW |
08KOLKATA289 | ARUNACHAL PRADESH'S TAWANG DISTRICT: FEELING VULNERABLE ON [...] (SBU) Summary. During a visit to Arunachal Pradesh's West Kameng and Tawang Districts, Kolkata PAO spoke with students and faculty at area colleges about the U.S. election process, as well as opportunities to study in the U.S. Conversations with local leaders and ordinary citizens in both di [...] | 2008-10-10 09:49:00 | Consulate Kolkata | UNCLASSIFIED | KPAO PHUM KIRF SOCI IN |
08KOLKATA329 | ORISSA POST VIOLENCE - SECURITY, RECONCILIATION AND [...] (SBU) Summary: The Orissa state government is currently engaged in ensuring security, coordinating relief efforts and facilitating reconciliation in Kandhamal district. The government reports 40 deaths and 134 injuries statewide in the violence that began on August 23 with the murder of Hindu [...] | 2008-12-04 11:46:00 | Consulate Kolkata | UNCLASSIFIED | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREF SOCI IN |
08KOLKATA330 | ORISSA POST VIOLENCE - SECURITY, RECONCILIATION AND [...] (SBU) Summary: The Orissa state government is currently engaged in ensuring security, coordinating relief efforts and facilitating reconciliation in Kandhamal district. The government reports 40 deaths and 134 injuries statewide in the violence that began on August 23 with the murder of Hindu [...] | 2008-12-04 13:55:00 | Consulate Kolkata | UNCLASSIFIED | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREF SOCI IN |
08KOLKATA353 | ORISSA ORGANIZATION CANCELS PROPOSED STATE-WIDE CHRISTMAS [...] (SBU) Summary: On December 19 the Laxmanananda Saraswati Shrandhanjali Samiti (LSSS),a body of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in Orissa, cancelled its proposed statewide strike for December 25. It had previously threatened to strike on the Christian religious holiday if the Orissa state gove [...] | 2008-12-24 08:08:00 | Consulate Kolkata | UNCLASSIFIED | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREF SOCI IN |
08KUALALUMPUR365 | CATHOLIC CHURCH ALLOWED TO PROCEED WITH "ALLAH" [...] (C) Summary: Malaysia's Catholic Church, challenging a government ban on use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims, has won its first round in court on May 5. Church contacts told us the government was shocked by the strong reaction of the Catholic Church against the ban of "Allah," given that [...] | 2008-05-09 09:58:00 | Embassy Kuala Lumpur | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINR SCUL KIRF KISL MY |
08KUALALUMPUR69 | CONTROVERSIAL SQURES OF CHRISTIAN BOOKS [...] (C) Ministry of Internal Security officials confiscated some Christian children's books from stores in early January. Officials took the action because the books contained pictures of Moses and Noah, and they judged portraits of these figures, who are also prophets in Islam, would offend Musl [...] | 2008-01-31 08:25:00 | Embassy Kuala Lumpur | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM KIRF KISL MY |
08KUALALUMPUR775 | SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE OIC URGES MORE MALAYSIAN [...] (SBU) Summary: In meetings with GOM officials, local and international Islamic intellectuals, the Islamic Development Bank and media, U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Sada Cumber described proposals for greater USG-OIC cooperation and dialogue. He urged [...] | 2008-09-04 01:09:00 | Embassy Kuala Lumpur | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREL ECON KIRF MY |
08MADRID1073 | U/S DOBRIANSKY VISIT TO MADRID 9/29 - 10/1 [...] (SBU) Summary: Under Secretary Dobriansky visited Madrid September 26-October 1 to participate in an American Chamber of Commerce in Spain conference on clean energy and climate change. The U/S delivered a keynote speech on climate change and renewable energy at the conference. U/S Dobrians [...] | 2008-10-08 16:15:00 | Embassy Madrid | CONFIDENTIAL | SENV KGHG EAGR KWMN KIRF SMIG SP |
08MADRID137 | SPAIN: CHARGE DISCUSSES IPR, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, [...] (C) In a February 7 meeting with Spanish Secretary of State for Justice Julio Perez-Hernandez (Deputy Justice Minister equivalent) that focused primarily on our pending request to extradite alleged Syrian arms dealer Monzer Al-Kassar (SEPTEL),the Charge also raised USG concerns on intellectua [...] | 2008-02-11 08:46:00 | Embassy Madrid | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KOCI KIPR ETRD ECON KIRF KJAN CVIS |
08MADRID52 | FIRST FORUM OF THE UN ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Aguirre represented Secretary Rice at the opening ceremonies of the First Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations (AoC) in Madrid January 15-16. UNSYG Ban Ki-Moon, President Zapatero, President Erdogan of Turkey, and AoC High Representative Jorge Sampaio inaugurated th [...] | 2008-01-18 17:09:00 | Embassy Madrid | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM ODIP UN SOCI SCUL KISL KIRF KPAL |
08MANAGUA1088 | NICARAGUA: CATHOLIC BISHOPS BREAK SILENCE, WARN [...] (C) In a pastoral letter released August 15, the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference delivered a sharp critique of the Ortega government and put on record the Catholic Church's deep concern about the deteriorating conditions in the country. The letter also made a strong appeal to all Nicaraguans [...] | 2008-08-22 15:59:00 | Embassy Managua | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV KDEM KIRF NU |
08MANAGUA1415 | Media Reaction: Nicaraguan Municipal Elections [...] SUMMARY: The current political unrest in Nicaragua, arising from disputed municipal election results (REFTELS),is dominating all forms of domestic media. Amidst the clamor, foreign press articles and editorials regarding the situation have been well covered by local press as have State Depa [...] | 2008-11-24 17:45:00 | Embassy Managua | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM ASEC KPAO KDEM KIRF NU |
08MANAGUA1430 | Media Reaction: Nicaraguan Municipal Elections [...] SUMMARY: The current political unrest in Nicaragua, arising from disputed municipal election results (REFTELS),is dominating all forms of domestic media. Amidst the clamor, foreign press articles and editorials regarding the situation have been well covered by local press as have State Depa [...] | 2008-12-01 13:19:00 | Embassy Managua | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PHUM ASEC KPAO KDEM KIRF NU |
08MANAMA420 | SHI'A AND SUNNI PREACHERS TRADE INSULTS, [...] (C) Summary: After leading Shi'a cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim and Salafist MP Jassim Al Saeedi traded public insults, 5,000 Shi'a demonstrated peacefully. The King ordered an end to sectarian incitement, and, apparently in response, Shi'a leaders called off additional planned demonstrations. End summar [...] | 2008-06-24 11:11:00 | Embassy Manama | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KIRF KISL ASEC BA |
08MANAMA49 | ASHURA IN BAHRAIN [...] No summary [...] | 2008-01-27 14:19:00 | Embassy Manama | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KISL KIRF PHUM ASEC IR BA |
08MANAMA651 | Bahrain charges U.S. teacher with insulting Prophet [...] (SBU) Summary: This cable provides background on the case of a teacher at a local U.S. university charged with insulting the Prophet Mohammed. This case originally surfaced in the Arabic-language press approximately three months ago and has now been picked up by the international media. Th [...] | 2008-09-22 04:22:00 | Embassy Manama | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV OPRC KIRF KPAO BA |
08MINSK160 | EMBASSY MINSK WEEKLY POL/ECON REPORT - March 07, 2008 [...] The following are brief items of interest compiled by Embassy Minsk. TABLE OF CONTENTS Civil Society ------------- - Opposition Leader Detained Seven Times in Two Days (para. 2) - Protestants and Youth Warned About Activities (para. 3) - Soligorsk Small Business Activist Jailed (para. [...] | 2008-03-06 16:06:00 | Embassy Minsk | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL PHUM ECON ENRG KIRF BO |
08MINSK161 | REGIME STRENGTHENS RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN CLERGY [...] The GOB has introduced stringent procedures for Belarusian religious associations that invite foreign clergy to work in Belarus. The Plenipotentiary Representative for Religious and Nationality Affairs (PRRNA) that authorizes foreign religious workers' activities now has the right to deny req [...] | 2008-03-06 16:06:00 | Embassy Minsk | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV KIRF BO |
08MINSK164 | RELIGIOUS LEADERS DEMAND AMENDMENT OF RELIGION LAW [...] (C) A group of local religious leaders led by the New Life Church launched a campaign to pressure the GOB to change Belarus' restrictive 2003 Religion Law. Leaders from various religious groups met with Ambassador to discuss their campaign plans. The following week, the group conducted a pr [...] | 2008-03-07 16:47:00 | Embassy Minsk | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PINR PREL KIRF BO |
08MINSK195 | GOB SLOW TO INVESTIGATE ANTI-SEMITIC THREAT [...] (C) Poloff met March 14 with Yakov Basin, a Jewish community leader, to discuss an anti-Semitic threat letter sent by the Vitebsk cell of the neo-Nazi Russian National Unity (RNE) group to the editor of a regional independent daily in January. Basin stated that the editor had filed the case with th [...] | 2008-03-18 12:58:00 | Embassy Minsk | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PINR BO |
08MONTEVIDEO404 | VERY LITTLE ANTI-SEMITISM IN URUGUAY, BUT NEED FOR [...] (U) Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Anti-Semitism Gregg Rickman and Karen Paikin visited Uruguay July 6-7, and found few overt manifestations of anti-Semitism in the country. The visit included meetings with Jewish community members including Montevideo Mayor Ricardo Ehrlich, and with the [...] | 2008-07-15 16:51:00 | Embassy Montevideo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF UY |
08MOSCOW1767 | HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN RUSSIA [...] (C) Summary: In a recent interview, Human Rights Ombudsman Vladimir Lukin outlined his concerns and views on religious freedom in Russia, including his opposition to mandatory classes on religion in public schools, his liberal stance allowing "non-traditional" religious groups to register as l [...] | 2008-06-20 12:31:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV RU |
08MOSCOW1990 | MOSCOW SALVATION ARMY STILL UNABLE TO REGISTER [...] (C) Summary: The Moscow Branch of the Salvation Army has been unable to re-register with the Federal Registration Service despite repeated attempts following their March 2007 victory at European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The Salvation Army continues to function in Moscow under the umbrel [...] | 2008-07-11 12:08:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV RS |
08MOSCOW2054 | MORMONS SUSPEND SENDING AMERICAN MISSIONARIES TO [...] (C) Summary: The LDS Church (Mormons) have suspended sending new missionaries to Russia, citing the financial and logistical difficulty of complying with new Russian visa regulations. The LDS Church, which currently has an estimated 450 missionaries in Russia, will now rely upon Russian and U [...] | 2008-07-18 14:12:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF CASC SOCI RS |
08MOSCOW2261 | UNORTHODOX POLITICS CONTRIBUTE TO MOSCOW-KIEV [...] (C) Summary. While newly arrived Ukrainian Amb Konstyantyn Gryshchenko told Charge on August 1 that relations with Russia were serious, MFA Director for the Second Department of the CIS Countries (Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine) Sorokin told us on August 1 that Yushchenko was responsible for [...] | 2008-08-04 14:02:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL RS UP CASC KIRF SOCI |
08MOSCOW2582 | SAMODUROV DEPARTS SAKHAROV CENTER UNDER LEGAL, [...] (C) Summary: Sakharov Center Director Yuri Samodurov quit his position after facing mounting financial shortfalls, legal difficulties, and strategic differences with the Sakharov Foundation leadership. Arguing that his fate was in the hands of a Kremlin leadership heavily influenced by the R [...] | 2008-08-28 08:56:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL RS SOCI |
08MOSCOW2915 | MIXED REACTION TO 2008 RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT ON [...] (C) Summary. The release of the 2008 International Religious Freedom report sparked criticism from Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs; however, off-the-record, officials in the Russian Human Rights Ombudsman's office expressed approval, agreeing on the accuracy and validity of the majority [...] | 2008-10-01 14:52:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF RS |
08MOSCOW3344 | TAFT GRANT RECIPIENT MARKS PROJECT COMPLETION [...] (U) Summary: The Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (MPC) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony November 17 to celebrate successful renovations on its new Parish Center, a social services office and refuge for mainly African refugees and vulnerable migrants in Russia's capital. Approximately 35 attendees, [...] | 2008-11-19 08:38:00 | Embassy Moscow | UNCLASSIFIED | PREF KIRF EAID RS |
08MOSCOW3365 | MOSCOW'S CHIEF MUFTI STRESSES TOLERANCE AND [...] (SBU) Summary: Chairman of the Kremlin-friendly Council of Muftis of Russia Ravil Gaynutdin told the Ambassador on November 13 that Russia's Muslims practice a tolerant form of Islam and are receiving increasing support from the GOR. This is most evident, according to Gaynutdin, in the huge [...] | 2008-11-20 14:41:00 | Embassy Moscow | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KISL KIRF PHUM SOCI PINR RS |
08MOSCOW490 | JEWISH LIFE IN IVANOVO [...] (SBU) Summary: The Jewish community in Ivanovo is close-knit, active and shrinking, as increasing numbers of its young residents emigrate to Israel. While the Jewish community is generally accepted among the wider oblast community and relations with authorities are good, two Ivanovo residents [...] | 2008-02-22 13:43:00 | Embassy Moscow | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KIRF SOCI RS |
08MOSCOW619 | AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH PATRIARCH ALEKSEY II [...] (C) Summary: On March 4, the Ambassador met with the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Aleksey II. The Patriarch discussed the relations between the Orthodox Church and the government, and its growing social role. The Patriarch spoke of cooperative relations among the four "tradition [...] | 2008-03-05 09:02:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KIRF PINR KHIV RS |
08MOSCOW813 | YOUNG RUSSIA TAKES AIM AT CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY [...] (SBU) Summary: Despite a ruling by the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that the GOR should "correct" the situation faced by the un-registered Moscow branch of the Church of Scientology in Russia (COS),the COS has been under investigation by the Ministry of Internal Af [...] | 2008-03-25 12:10:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PINR SOCI RS |
08MOSCOW991 | CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY MOSCOW CENTER LOSES ITS LEASE [...] (SBU) Summary: A representative from the Moscow branch of the Church of Scientology (COS) informed us that the lease for its center next to the Bauman State Technical University was not renewed and that the organization must vacate the premises by May 15. The COS representative said that the [...] | 2008-04-10 15:19:00 | Embassy Moscow | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL KIRF PHUM PINR SOCI RS |
08MUMBAI518 | WEB OF SUSPECTED TERRORISTS IN MALAGAON BOMBING COVERS THREE [...] (SBU) Summary: The Maharashtra State Police Anti-Terrorism Squad arrested five people and charged them with murder and other related crimes in connection with the 2008 bombings in Malegaon, Maharashtra that killed six and wounded 89 others. The accused were picked up in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat [...] | 2008-10-31 08:11:00 | Consulate Mumbai | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KIRF IN ASEC PTER PGOV |
08MUMBAI572 | ELECTION IN MADHYA PRADESH: MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS DIM [...] (U) Summary: Voters went to the polls in Madhya Pradesh (MP) on November 27, just 12 hours after terrorists launched a series of coordinated attacks on Mumbai. Though the Congress Party's internal calculations on the day prior to polls showed that both the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party(BJ [...] | 2008-12-05 12:46:00 | Consulate Mumbai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF KDEM ECON IN |
08MUSCAT540 | SHI'A ISLAM IN OMAN [...] (C) Despite its small size, Oman's population of well-integrated Shi'a Muslims plays an influential role in Oman's economy and politics. Most Shi'a strongly identify themselves as Omanis, but remain distinct in religious matters. The government provides broad autonomy to Omani Shi'a in condu [...] | 2008-07-22 08:15:00 | Embassy Muscat | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PINR PREL OPRC KIRF MU |
08NEWDELHI1333 | DALAI LAMA REQUESTS BUSH TO VISIT LHASA DURING [...] (C) SUMMARY: In a May 10 meeting, the Dalai Lama requested Poloff to convey a request to President Bush to visit Lhasa during the President's August 2008 Beijing visit. He characterized the April 27-29 China-Tibet talks as "productive," noting that China's representatives adopted a "softer" [...] | 2008-05-14 12:46:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PREF PHUM KIRF CH IN |
08NEWDELHI1345 | INDIAN POLITICAL PARTIES CYNICALLY WOO WOMEN VOTERS [...] (SBU) Summary: On May 6, amid chaos in the Rajya Sabha, the UPA government introduced the Women's Reservation Bill, which would reserve 33 percent of all seats for women in Parliament and the state assemblies. In an effort to appeal to women voters before a slew of state elections and nationa [...] | 2008-05-15 12:14:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV KWMN KDEM PHUM PREL KIRF IN |
08NEWDELHI1375 | CHINA'S ATTACKS ON DALAI LAMA ALARM TIBETAN MPS [...] Send a fact-finding delegation to access the real situation inside Tibet. Urge upon the UN to do the same. 2. Impress upon China to stop killings & uphold the Fundamental Human Rights inside Tibet. 3. Facilitate International medical communities / organizations to render medical assistance t [...] | 2008-05-21 03:26:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | CH IN KIRF PGOV PHUM PREF PREL |
08NEWDELHI144 | VHP DEMANDS EXPULSION OF "FOREIGN" CHRISTIAN [...] (U) Vote bank politics, along with opposition to Christian missionary activity in the name of national security continue to percolate in the Indian media as Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders met Indian President Pratibha Patil on January 8. The VHP accused the Christian community of startin [...] | 2008-01-15 14:00:00 | Embassy New Delhi | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV KIRF SCUL PTER SNAR SOCI PINS IN |
08NEWDELHI196 | DELHI DIARY, JAN 14-18 [...] (U) Below is a compilation of political highlights from Embassy New Delhi for December 14-18, 2007 that did not feature in our other reporting, including: -- Bhutan Election Commission Announce Historic Election Date -- Coalition Crisis in Goa -- Darul Uloom Deoband Madrasa authorizes use o [...] | 2008-01-18 13:37:00 | Embassy New Delhi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV PHUM SCUL KIRF SOCI KISL IN |
08NEWDELHI2498 | ORISSA VIOLENCE: CALM RESTORED BUT TENSION REMAINS [...] (SBU) Summary: The Orissa state government, aided by the central government which provided additional security forces, has stopped the unrest in riot torn areas following the violence that shook the state when a prominent Hindu leader was assassinated on August 23. The peak of the violence w [...] | 2008-09-17 12:54:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF PHUM KIRF SOCI IN |
08NEWDELHI2513 | KARNATAKA CHURCH ATTACKS ROOTED IN POLITICS; BJP MISHANDLES [...] (SBU) Summary: On September 14, many Christian churches came under simultaneous attack by Hindu mobs in the coastal districts of southwest Karnataka (ref B) and the city of Mangalore. The damage to the churches was extensive, and exacerbated by heavy-handed police responses to Christian prot [...] | 2008-09-18 12:40:00 | Embassy New Delhi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KIRF SOCI IN |
08NEWDELHI2681 | BJP LEADER NAIDU DISCUSSES ELECTIONS, RELIGIOUS [...] (C) Summary: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Venkaiah Naidu told PolCouns that he expects inflation, terrorism and the crisis in agriculture to be the main issues in the upcoming national elections. He was confident of the BJP winning state assembly elections due in four states this Nove [...] | 2008-10-08 11:48:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV PREL KDEM KIRF CVIS IN |
08NEWDELHI2714 | DATES FIXED FOR FIVE STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS [...] (SBU) Summary: The Election Commission announced that state legislative elections will be held between November 14 and December 4 in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Mizoram and Rajasthan. The Election Commission deferred a decision on dates for state assembly elections in Jammu and Kash [...] | 2008-10-15 12:32:00 | Embassy New Delhi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM KIRF PTER USTR IN |
08NEWDELHI3043 | (U) SECRETARY RICE'S DECEMBER 3 MEETING WITH [...] No summary [...] | 2008-12-02 13:16:00 | Embassy New Delhi | CONFIDENTIAL | OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA PREL PHUM KIRF PGOV PTER |
08NEWDELHI623 | INFLUENTIAL DEOBAND MADRASSA GATHERING DECLARES [...] (SBU) Summary: At a February 25 conference at the influential and conservative Darul Uloom madrassa in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh, approximately 10,000 - 15,000 Islamic clerics declared terrorism un-Islamic. In equal measure, the declaration by clerics of the madrassa regarded as the ideologica [...] | 2008-02-27 13:38:00 | Embassy New Delhi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER KISL SCUL ASEC CASC PREL KTFN KCRM KIRF |
08NICOSIA958 | CHURCH OF CYPRUS AND COMMUNITY OF SANT'EDIGIO HOST [...] (SBU) Summary: Political and religious leaders of numerous nations and various faiths gathered in Nicosia November 16-18 at a conference organized by the Roman Catholic Community of Sant'Egidio and hosted/financed by the Church of Cyprus. Despite earlier misgivings that the event could morph in [...] | 2008-12-08 04:46:00 | Embassy Nicosia | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PHUM KIRF VT CY |
08OSLO207 | NORWAY'S CHALLENGES WITH SOMALI INTEGRATION AND [...] (C) SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST: Norway's newest and arguably least successful wave of immigrants comes from Somalia, with over 20,000 settled in Norway. Both this year and in 2001, Norwegian authorities have arrested Somalis for suspicion of financing terrorist groups in Somalia. Most Somalis [...] | 2008-04-15 06:00:00 | Embassy Oslo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF SO NO |
08OSLO327 | NORWAY'S ENIGMATIC IRAQI POPULATION: A RISK FOR [...] (C) SUMMARY: An increasingly large Iraqi population in Norway (over 22,000, which constitutes the third largest group of immigrants, and second largest among non-Europeans) continues to remain out of the spotlight, neither actively engaged in politics as is the long-established Pakistani popul [...] | 2008-06-13 14:21:00 | Embassy Oslo | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF IZ NO |
08OSLO40 | MUSLIM AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN IN NORWAY ON FAITH, [...] (U) SUMMARY: The visit of Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) to Oslo 7-11 January focused on peace and reconciliation in the Middle East and establishing ties to Norway. It was a boon to post's interfaith outreach and helped combat stereotypes of the United States and administration policy. END [...] | 2008-01-18 06:33:00 | Embassy Oslo | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KISL KPAL KIRF OREP NO |
08OUAGADOUGOU833 | BURKINA FASO: INTERFAITH IFTAAR PROMOTES RELIGIOUS [...] Summary: On September 18, the Ambassador hosted an inter-faith Iftaar dinner for 24 Muslim and Christian leaders in Ouagadougou. Guests were pleased that inter-faith dialogue was being promoted, commented on the usefulness of the event, and encouraged similar activities in the future. Guests s [...] | 2008-09-23 17:35:00 | Embassy Ouagadougou | UNCLASSIFIED | SCUL KIRF KISL UV |
08PARIS1439 | S/E CUMBER'S JULY 21 MEETINGS IN PARIS [...] (SBU) Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Sada Cumber stressed the importance of Muslim integration, social cohesion and individual accountability during his visit to Paris July 21. At the Institute of the Arab World, he outlined the U.S. Government's effort to [...] | 2008-07-29 07:50:00 | Embassy Paris | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV PREL KIRF FR |
08PARTO100603 | (U) SECRETARY RICE'S OCTOBER 4 2008 MEETING WITH [...] (U) Classified by: Paul Wohlers, Deputy Executive Secretary, S/ES, Department of State, Reason 1.4 (d). 2. (U) October 4, 2008: 7:00 p.m.; New Delhi, India. 3. (U) Participants: U.S. The Secretary Ambassador David Mulford South and Central Asia Assistant Secretary Richard Bouch [...] | 2008-10-06 03:38:00 | US Delegation, Secretary | CONFIDENTIAL | OVIP RICE CONDOLEEZZA PREL PHUM KIRF PGOV |
08PHNOMPENH786 | EMBASSY IFTAR REACHES CHAM COMMUNITY, ANSWERS QUESTION, [...] SUMMARY: The Embassy hosted a successful Iftar for over 130 guests, mainly from the Cham Islamic minority in Cambodia. At the end of the event, while looking over the Muslim Life in America paper show that PA translated into Khmer, a teenage guest asked an Embassy staffer "are there really Mu [...] | 2008-09-19 09:42:00 | Embassy Phnom Penh | UNCLASSIFIED | PGOV KPAO KIRF EAID CB |
08RABAT112 | WHAT SPAWNED THE FOREIGN FIGHTERS OF TETOUAN? [...] (C) Summary: Tetouan, notorious for having spawned the jihadists who carried out the Madrid train bombings, and at least two dozen foreign fighters, also carries the promise of a new, more prosperous Morocco. Poloffs learned during a recent visit that it took a variety of environmental, polit [...] | 2008-02-06 11:26:00 | Embassy Rabat | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER KISL KIRF MO |
08RABAT1143 | UNDER SECRETARY GLASSMAN'S VISIT TO MOROCCO [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: During his November 20-22 visit to Morocco, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs James Glassman conducted a variety of activities focused on providing support and productive alternatives to young people vulnerable to radicalization. The visit succe [...] | 2008-12-12 12:16:00 | Embassy Rabat | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PTER PHUM KISL KPAO KIRF MO |
08RABAT915 | MOROCCO AND WESTERN SAHARA INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS [...] Poloff delivered copies of the 2008 International Religious Freedom Reports (IRFRs) for Morocco and the Western Sahara to Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Head of United Nations Division Azzedine Farhane with other copies to convey to Moroccan Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahm [...] | 2008-09-24 17:39:00 | Embassy Rabat | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV OPRC KIRF KPAO MO |
08RABAT993 | MISSION MOROCCO MOBILIZED FOR RAMADAN OUTREACH [...] (SBU) Summary: American and locally employed staff from all sections of Embassy Rabat and Consulate General Morocco mobilized to make the Mission,s Iftars (Ramadan dinners) and extensive outreach programming during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan a success. The Embassy and Consulate General [...] | 2008-10-15 18:38:00 | Embassy Rabat | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM KISL KIRF KPAO OIIP PGOV PREL SCUL MO |
08RIYADH1070 | SECTARIANISM UNDERMINES LOCAL CONFIDENCE IN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Despite King Abdullah's efforts to foster religious tolerance, an increase in local sectarian tension and a series of perceived anti-Shi'a actions by Saudi authorities in the Eastern Province have undermined confidence among many Saudi Shi'a that the SAG's interfaith efforts will [...] | 2008-07-10 13:14:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | CIA KIRF KISL PGOV PHUM PREL PTER SA |
08RIYADH1162 | DEPORTATION OF CHRISTIANS IN TAIF [...] (S) SUMMARY: On July 26 and 27, 16 Indian Christians were notified that they have been ordered for immediate deportation. They were reportedly told by their sponsors, who were told "not by the police, but thobe-claded secret agents from Makkah Governate." There is currently no evidence of a [...] | 2008-07-28 15:12:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | KIRF PHUM PGOV SA |
08RIYADH1163 | EMBASSY DELEGATION MEETS WITH SAUDI HUMAN RIGHTS [...] (C) SUMMARY: Embassy POLOFFs met with Dr. Mufteh Al-Kahtani, the Vice President of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) on July 21. We received a briefing by Al-Kahtani on the NSHR, including the role it plays between citizens lodging human rights complaints and the SAG, as well as [...] | 2008-07-28 15:14:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM SA |
08RIYADH1197 | RADICAL SHI'A CLERIC SUPPORTS IRAN, WARNS OF [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, a Shi'a sheikh in Qatif, Saudi Arabia has once again caused controversy with his radical statements supporting Iran and challenging Saudi authority. In a July 11, 2008 sermon al-Nimr defended Iran's right to respond to "American aggression" and stated t [...] | 2008-08-05 10:03:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | KIRF KISL PINR PREL PTER SA |
08RIYADH121 | ASHURA IN THE EP: A TALE OF TWO CITIES [...] (C) SUMMARY: Falling on January 19, 2008, this year's Ashura commemorations in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia continued the trend of the recent past; Qatif-area Shi'a enjoyed increased freedom of expression while the Al-Ahsa community was strictly forbidden from any public commemoration [...] | 2008-01-30 09:40:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL SCUL SOCI SA |
08RIYADH1211 | DEMARCHE TO THE SAUDIS ON POTENTIAL DEPORTATION OF [...] (S) SUMMARY: Early on the morning of August 6, the Charge' d'Affaires contacted Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Adel al-Jubeir and MOI Major General Dr. Sa'd al-Jabry regarding the case of fourteen Indian Christians in Taif who are awaiting deportation (reftel A). The Charge' explained the poten [...] | 2008-08-06 14:36:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | KIRF PGOV PHUM SA |
08RIYADH1218 | SAUDI ASSISTANT MINISTER OF INTERIOR: INDIAN [...] No summary [...] | 2008-08-10 15:51:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | KIRF PGOV PHUM PREL PINR SA |
08RIYADH1283 | MEETING WITH CONTROVERSIAL SHI'A SHEIKH NIMR [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: In an August 13 meeting with PolOff, controversial Shi'a sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr sought to distance himself from previously reported pro-Iranian and anti-American statements, instead adopting a less radical tone on topics such as the relationship between Iran and the Saudi Sh [...] | 2008-08-23 05:31:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | KIRF KISL PINR PREL PTER SA |
08RIYADH1321 | SHI'A POLITICAL MOVEMENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA'S [...] (S/NF) SUMMARY: The Shi'a of the Eastern Province (EP) - located primarily in the oases of Qatif and al-Ahsa - comprise the vast majority of the Saudi Shi'a, the largest minority in the Kingdom. With strong socio-religious ties to Iran, and residing on lands holding one quarter of the world's [...] | 2008-08-27 23:22:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | KIRF KISL PINR PREL PTER PGOV PINS SA |
08RIYADH1620 | NO INDICATION SAG HAS CHANGED POLICY ON TAIF [...] (S) In an October 27 meeting with Saudi Assistant Minister for National Security Affairs Prince Mohammed bin Naif (MBN),Charge Rundell raised the issue of the Taif Christians (ref A). MBN reiterated previous assurances that the deportation orders in question had been rescinded. Nevertheless, [...] | 2008-10-29 10:12:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | ELAB KIRF KISL KTIP PHUM SA SMIG SOCI XF |
08RIYADH1690 | TAIF CHRISTIAN "DEPORTATION" ISSUE RESOLVED [...] ZFR CANCEL///ZFR CANCEL///ZFR CANCEL//// CABLE WILL BE RETRANSMITTED UNDER DIFFERENT MRN WITH NEW PRECEDENCE. PLEASE DESTROY ALL COPIES. ZFR CANCEL///ZFR CANCEL///ZFR CANCEL//// RUNDELL [...] | 2008-11-12 11:17:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | ELAB KIRF KISL KTIP PHUM SA SMIG SOCI XF |
08RIYADH1691 | TAIF CHRISTIAN "DEPORTATION" ISSUE RESOLVED [...] (S/NF) DEPORTATIONS RESCINDED: On November 9 and 10, two contacts confirmed to Poloff that the Makkah Governorate's orders to deport 13 Taif Christians (Ref A) have been rescinded. Reji Johnson (strictly protect) asserted that the situation had been definitely resolved thanks to a higher ord [...] | 2008-11-12 12:12:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET//NOFORN | ELAB KIRF KISL KTIP PHUM SA SMIG SOCI XF |
08RIYADH371 | EP CLERIC,S CALLS FOR OPPOSITION GO UNHEEDED [...] (C) SUMMARY: On January 18, 2008, in conjunction with local Ashura commemorations, Qatif-based Shi'a cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr called for the formation of a "Righteous Opposition Front" to combat social corruption, the "religious clergy," and political injustice against Shi'a citizens in Saud [...] | 2008-03-05 12:59:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF KISL PGOV PINR PREL PTER SA |
08RIYADH372 | SAUDI SHI'A CELEBRATE ARBAEEN, BUT NOT WITHOUT [...] (C) SUMMARY: On February 27 and 28th, Eastern Province (EP) Shi'a celebrated Arbaeen, a religious festival marking the end of the forty days of mourning that follow the death of Imam Hussein (commemorated during Ashura). Along with Ashura, the foremost bellwether of SAG/Shi'a relations, celeb [...] | 2008-03-05 13:21:00 | Embassy Riyadh | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF KISL PGOV PHUM PREL SA |
08RIYADH713 | SENIOR SAG OFFICIAL ORDERED THE RELEASE OF 16 [...] (S) The Ambassador and Deputy Chief of Mission met with Deputy Minister of Interior (MOI) Mohammed bin Naif on April 29, 2008 to discuss the case of the 16 Indian Christians arrested in Ta'if. (reftel) Bin Naif said that the decision to arrest the Indians did not come from MOI in Riyadh or eve [...] | 2008-05-03 14:38:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | KIRF PHUM PGOV SA |
08RIYADH853 | STATE OF THE SAUDI SHI,A 2008 [...] (C) SUMMARY: Despite an ongoing dialogue between Saudi Shi'a leadership and the SAG, and slightly greater autonomy of religious and political action in the sub-governate of Qatif, the Shi'a community of Saudi Arabia continues to feel itself a second-class citizenry, facing both formal and inf [...] | 2008-06-01 15:53:00 | Embassy Riyadh | SECRET | ECON KDEM KIRF KISL PGOV PHUM PREL SA |
08SANAA1422 | TWO YEMENI BAHA'IS RELEASED FROM JAIL; IRANIAN AND [...] (SBU) The two detained Yemeni Baha'is (reftel) were released on August 19. The four other remaining imprisoned Baha'is, three Iranians and one Iraqi, are still detained in a Sanaa Criminal Investigation Department prison, pending further investigation. No official charges have yet been filed [...] | 2008-08-25 10:31:00 | Embassy Sanaa | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL KIRF PGOV YM |
08SANAA1441 | POST ASKS ROYG TO NOT DEPORT DETAINED BAHA'IS [...] (SBU) During an August 26 telephone conversation, Post's Legatt office advised the General Prosecutor for the Specialized Courts, Said al-Aqel, against the deportation of the four remaining imprisoned Baha'is. The Legatt office asserted that if deported, the Baha'is, most specifically the Ira [...] | 2008-08-27 13:35:00 | Embassy Sanaa | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL KIRF PGOV YM |
08SANAA1473 | DEPORTATION STILL FEARED FOR THE BAHA'IS [...] (SBU) As of September 3, the four imprisoned Baha'is (reftel) remain detained and face possible deportation. According to their lawyer, Khaled al-Anisi, the ROYG has now unofficially agreed that they may choose the country to which they will be deported. 2. (SBU) On August 31, the Charge d' [...] | 2008-09-03 14:08:00 | Embassy Sanaa | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREF PREL KIRF PGOV YM |
08SANAA1521 | ROYG AGREES TO NOT DEPORT BAHA'IS TO IRAN, BUT [...] (SBU) On September 6, the DCM stressed to National Security Bureau (NSB) and Presidential Office Director Ali al-Anisi the importance of not deporting the detained Baha'is to Iran (ref A). Al-Anisi replied that the ROYG would not forcibly deport the detainees to Iran, but insisted that they w [...] | 2008-09-08 13:34:00 | Embassy Sanaa | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREF PREL KIRF YM |
08SANAA1540 | NO CHANGE ON BAHA'I CASE: DEPORTATION STILL [...] (SBU) Summary: There continues to be no change in the ROYG's position vis a vis the detained Baha'is. The President has officially signed an order calling for the deportation of the four detainees to the country of their choice. UNHCR has still not been granted access to the prisoners, putti [...] | 2008-09-15 13:14:00 | Embassy Sanaa | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PHUM PREF KIRF YM |
08SANAA1994 | REYDA JEWS FACE NEW THREATS OF VIOLENCE IN WAKE OF [...] (C) SUMMARY. Days after the December 11 murder of a Yemeni Jew in Reyda, the town's Jewish community reports continued harassment and violence, and complains of ROYG inaction. Minister of Interior Rashad al-Masri assured the Ambassador on December 13 that the ROYG would protect the nation's [...] | 2008-12-15 11:35:00 | Embassy Sanaa | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF KIRF YM |
08SANAA2005 | PRESIDENT REPORTEDLY PROMISES TO RESETTLE REYDA [...] (C) BG Tariq Saleh, nephew of President Saleh and head of his Presidential Guard, informed EMBOFFS on December 16 that the President had offered to provide every member of the Jewish community in Reyda resettlement in Sana'a, a parcel of land and money to build a home. Saleh reportedly also a [...] | 2008-12-16 14:41:00 | Embassy Sanaa | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF YM |
08SANAA2028 | LOCAL SECURITY INSUFFICIENT TO EASE REYDA JEWS' [...] (C) SUMMARY. Representatives of the Jewish community in Reyda confirmed that they would accept President Saleh's offer of land and money to build houses in Sana'a, but worried that their immediate security needs in Reyda were not being addressed. Deputy Head of the National Security Bureau (N [...] | 2008-12-22 07:07:00 | Embassy Sanaa | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF KIRF YM |
08SANAA2065 | PLAINCLOTHES SECURITY OFFICIALS SENT TO PROTECT [...] No summary [...] | 2008-12-30 13:04:00 | Embassy Sanaa | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREF KIRF YM |
08SANAA52 | AMBASSADOR STRESSES CONCERN FOR REYDA JEWS [...] No summary [...] | 2008-01-08 13:26:00 | Embassy Sanaa | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PHUM PREL KIRF YM |
08SECTION01OF03CAIRO1416 | CODEL ACKERMAN MEETIGS WITH MUBARAK, SULEIMAN, AND ABOUL GHEIT [...] (C) Summary: In separate June 28 eetings with President Hosni Mubarak, EGIS Direcor Omar Suleiman, and FM Ahmed Aboul Gheit, CODELAckerman and the Ambassador discussed Israeli-Paestinian developments (focusing on Egypt's goalsfor building upon the current "calming period"),Eypt's regional rela [...] | 2008-07-07 13:55:00 | Embassy Cairo | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF KISL KPAL EAID ENRG IS |
08SHANGHAI259 | SHANGHAI BISHOP JIN ON CHINA-VATICAN RELATIONS, SHESHAN [...] (C) Summary. In a July 7 meeting with Pol/Econ Section Chief and Poloffs, Shanghai Bishop Aloysius Luxin Jin continued to be pessimistic about prospects for normalization of relations between the Vatican and Beijing. He also confirmed that Beijing had taken measures to keep the annual pilgrim [...] | 2008-07-08 00:31:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PTER KIRF CH VT TW |
08SHANGHAI360 | SHANGHAI ACADEMICS ON CHINA'S PROTESTANTS, CCC/TSPM [...] (C) Summary. Academic contacts in Shanghai describe Protestantism in China as growing in number and diversity. There are three categories of Protestants in China: the official church, unofficial urban churches, and unofficial rural churches. Members of unofficial rural churches have limited [...] | 2008-08-27 08:07:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KIRF CH |
08SHANGHAI371 | CHINESE PROTESTANT SEMINARY IN NANJING SLATED FOR [...] (C) Summary: The Nanjing Union Theological Seminary is on track for a major expansion in facilities and student capacity, according to Dean Reverend Ambroise Aiming Wang. The Seminary's new campus in the Nanjing suburbs, scheduled to open next year, as well as a new cathedral, have both been m [...] | 2008-09-04 06:52:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM CH KIRF PGOV PINR SOCI |
08SHANGHAI374 | NANJING'S AMITY PRINTING COMPANY WORLD'S LARGEST BIBLE [...] (C) Summary: With its recent move to a larger facility, the Amity Printing Company in Nanjing will increase its production of Bibles to over 12 million volumes annually, cementing its position as the world's largest Bible publisher. Among other successes, Amity Printing was commissioned by Bei [...] | 2008-09-05 08:13:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | CH KIRF PGOV PHUM SOCI |
08SHANGHAI384 | EAST CHINA HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS ON IMPACT OF OLYMPICS AND [...] (C) Summary: Three East China human rights activists told Poloff on September 10 that their activities were tightly constrained during the recent Beijing Olympics with one of the activists prevented from traveling to the United States to attend a conference. Local security forces currently are [...] | 2008-09-11 07:40:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | CH ECON ETRD KIRF PGOV PHUM |
08SHANGHAI385 | NEW CHINA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT DISCUSSES CHALLENGES [...] (C) Summary: Gao Feng, the new President of the China Christian Council (CCC),said during a September 2 meeting with Poloff that he would take steps to address challenges such as the insufficient number of pastors and churches and the lack of education opportunities for church workers and laym [...] | 2008-09-11 07:47:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | CH KIRF PGOV PINR |
08SHANGHAI387 | SCHOLARS OFFER MIXED ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL VIEWS AT WORLD [...] (SBU) The Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS) hosted its third World Forum on China Studies September 7-9, to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of SASS. This third iteration of the World Forum on China Studies featured 15 panel discussions and three roundtables [...] | 2008-09-12 03:06:00 | Consulate Shanghai | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ECON PGOV PREL ENRG KIRF CH |
08SHANGHAI407 | SHANGHAI CATHOLIC BISHOP JIN OPTIMISTIC ON RELIGIOUS [...] (C) Summary: Shanghai Bishop Aloysius Jin (JIN Luxian) told the Consul General that he is generally satisfied with the situation of Catholics in China, favorably contrasting present freedoms against the Mao Zedong era. The 92-year-old Bishop said he was unaware of any bishops presently incarcer [...] | 2008-09-22 07:38:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | CH KIRF PGOV PHUM SOCI |
08SHANGHAI408 | SHANGHAI HOUSE CHURCH LEADER SAYS OLYMPIC CLAMPDOWN TO [...] (C) A prominent Shanghai house church leader said local police clamped down on house church activity during the Beijing Olympics, and the increased scrutiny has shown no signs of abating in the month since the Games concluded. The leader stated that he believes the local government fears the r [...] | 2008-09-22 07:44:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KIRF SOCI CH |
08SHANGHAI580 | O HOLY NIGHT: FOREIGN PROTESTANTS PACK CHURCHES AT [...] (C) Foreign Protestants packed church services for Christmas celebrations in Shanghai, taking advantage of recent indications that the Municipal Government is willing to provide more opportunities for expatriate Protestants to meet corporately in the city. With the growing number of foreigners [...] | 2008-12-30 08:56:00 | Consulate Shanghai | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PINR KIRF SOCI CH |
08SHENYANG13 | PRC: RELIGIOUS FREEDOM A MIXED PICTURE IN YANBIAN [...] (C) SUMMARY: Religious freedom is enjoying modest improvement in a key ethnic minority enclave of Jilin Province, near the PRC-DPRK border. Christianity is making inroads among local Chinese, migrant workers, and North Korean border-crossers. "House churches," many with links to official chu [...] | 2008-01-24 01:25:00 | Consulate Shenyang | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PHUM PGOV PINR SOCI PREF KN KS CH |
08SHENYANG71 | PRC-DPRK: BORDER-CROSSERS, RELIGIOUS TROUBLES, [...] (C) SUMMARY: The PRC appears to have tightened internal security in the PRC-DPRK borderlands in recent months, though border-crossers continue to trickle into China. Border residents report increased official scrutiny of some religious activities. Yanji officials warned religious leaders that [...] | 2008-05-30 06:56:00 | Consulate Shenyang | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PINR PGOV PREF PHUM KIRF KN KS CH |
08SHENYANG76 | DPRK: RASON THROUGH THE EYES OF AN AID WORKER [...] (C) SUMMARY: Rason, in northeastern North Korea, is home to a variety of foreign-assistance ventures, involving everything from agriculture and animal husbandry to power generation, transportation and pharmaceuticals, according to a Westerner involved in several projects there, but tensions ha [...] | 2008-06-13 00:20:00 | Consulate Shenyang | CONFIDENTIAL | PINR PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF KN KS CH |
08SKOPJE19 | MACEDONIA: GROUNDBREAKING AGREEMENT ON JEWISH [...] (SBU) In a groundbreaking agreement with Macedonia's Jewish community concluded December 28, 2007, the Macedonian government (GOM) completed the process of restitution of all heirless Jewish property in the country. Fully satisfied with the decision, the Jewish community is planning to use t [...] | 2008-01-14 13:47:00 | Embassy Skopje | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF MK |
08SKOPJE273 | MACEDONIA: IMPLEMENTING NEW RELIGIOUS FREEDOM LAW [...] (SBU) With implementation of an acclaimed new Law on Religious Groups due to begin on May 1, internal opposition is growing against GOM-backed programs and trends perceived as running counter to a clear separation of church and state. Specifically, some government agencies, political parties [...] | 2008-04-18 12:25:00 | Embassy Skopje | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PGOV MK PREL KIRF |
08STATE10690 | ADDRESSING PROTECTION CONCERNS OF UIGHUR ASYLUM [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraphs three and four. ------- SUMMARY ------- 2. (C) The Department requests the Embassy ask the Government of United Arab Emirates (UAEG) not to return Chinese Uighur Muslim Abduhalik Nazar to China without appropriate consideration of h [...] | 2008-02-01 20:54:00 | Secretary of State | SECRET | CH KIRF KISL PHUM PREF PREL |
08STATE33523 | OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO OSCE SG ON [...] (U) Post is authorized to present the response at paragraph 2 at the Permanent Council meeting in Vienna on April 3. 2. Begin text: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The United States read with interest the report of the Secretary General following his observation of the First SIPDIS Annua [...] | 2008-04-01 19:31:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL KISL KIRF OSCE |
08STATE70306 | SAUDI-PROPOSED UNGA SPECIAL SESSION ON RELIGION [...] (U) Action request: In response to reftel request by the SYG for U.S. views on a possible UNGA Special Session on the political and religious components of interfaith dialogue, USUN should urge the SYG to postpone making a final decision until after the July 16-18 Interfaith Dialogue Conference [...] | 2008-07-01 01:18:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNGA USUN KIRF KISL SP SA |
08STATE72693 | INTERFAITH DIALOGUE CONFERENCE IN SPAIN [...] Summary and Action Request: Department requests that action addressees report on the Interfaith Dialogue Conference, which will be held in Spain on July 16-18. This conference may serve as the forerunner for a UNGA Special Session this fall on the same topic. The Department would therefore app [...] | 2008-07-07 22:16:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL UNGA KIRF KISL SP SA |
08STATE74376 | SAUDI-PROPOSED UNGA SPECIAL SESSION ON RELIGION [...] (U) Action request: In response to reftel request by the SYG for U.S. views on a possible UNGA Special Session on the political and religious components of interfaith dialogue, USUN should seek to signal encouragement of interfaith dialogue and seek details of the make-up, agenda items, and fo [...] | 2008-07-10 22:46:00 | Secretary of State | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PREL UNGA USUN KIRF KISL SP SA |
08SURABAYA11 | SOUTH SULAWESI: IRANIAN PUBLIC DIPLOMACY, REACHING OUT ONE [...] (SBU) Summary: The Iranian Embassy in Jakarta increased its public diplomacy efforts in Indonesia by establishing five "Iranian Corners" in 2007. The first Iranian Corner outside West Java was established at Hassanudin University in Makassar, South Sulawesi, in November, reaching out to studen [...] | 2008-01-29 01:57:00 | Consulate Surabaya | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF KISL IR ID PGOV KPAO |
08SURABAYA116 | CENTRAL SULAWESI: MEDIA REPORT OF PALU BOMB PLOT TURNS OUT [...] (SBU) Summary: A September 30 report titled "Kids Uncover Idul Fitri Bomb Terror Plan in Palu" was carried in the English language daily, The Jakarta Post. Congen Surabaya spoke with local police, and civil society leaders knowledgeable about local media who refuted the Jakarta Post story. W [...] | 2008-10-03 09:30:00 | Consulate Surabaya | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KISL KIRF PTER EAID PREL ASEC ID PINS |
08SURABAYA119 | WEST NUSA TENGGARA: LIFE FOR LOMBOK'S AHMADIYAH SECT CHANGES [...] (SBU) Summary: During an October 16 visit by Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) representative and Surabaya Pol/Econ Officer to Mataram, Ahmadiyah refugees described their difficult living conditions and frustrations trying to generate government action to improve their situation. [...] | 2008-10-24 07:18:00 | Consulate Surabaya | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV ID KIRF PHUM |
08SURABAYA133 | WEST NUSA TENGGARA: HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR CHANGE FROM THE [...] (SBU) Summary: Elected on an anti-corruption platform, recently inaugurated Governor of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Muhammad Zainul Majdi remains extremely popular among the local population of Mataram, the provincial capital. Political observers, however, are skeptical that he has the skills or [...] | 2008-11-20 07:49:00 | Consulate Surabaya | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL KIRF PHUM KISL EINV ID |
08SURABAYA137 | MALUKU: PEACE REIGNS AFTER ALLEGED BLASPHEMY SPARKS A [...] (SBU) Summary. Rebuilding is underway in the Central Maluku town of Masohi after a day-long sectarian riot broke out there after more than four years of calm. On December 9, more than 60 houses and two churches were burned and six people were injured in Masohi on Seram Island some 120 km east [...] | 2008-12-18 08:28:00 | Consulate Surabaya | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KISL KIRF PTER PINS ASEC ID |
08SURABAYA44 | CENTRAL SULAWESI: ON THE RUN SINCE 2005, SECT LEADER IS [...] (SBU) Summary: Arifin, (aka Madi),the fugitive leader of a so-called heretical Islamic sect, was killed while resisting arrest according to press reports and Congen Surabaya sources. After three years on the run, police received information that Madi had returned to his home village of Salen [...] | 2008-04-07 08:43:00 | Consulate Surabaya | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | ASEC KISL ID PGOV KIRF PREL |
08SURABAYA63 | BALI: CONTINUED PRESSURE CAUSES AHMADIYAH MEMBERS TO SEEK [...] (U) Six representatives of the Islamic religious sect Ahmadiyah now resident in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) sought but failed to gain political asylum at the Australian Consulate and German Honorary Consulate in Bali on May 15. The six claimed to represent 195 Ahmadiyah members still in Lo [...] | 2008-05-23 10:13:00 | Consulate Surabaya | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KIRF PINS ID PHUM KISL |
08SURABAYA65 | MALUKU: ETHNICITY, RELIGION MIGHT TRIGGER POST-ELECTION [...] (SBU) Summary: While Maluku remains calm, recent fighting between a handful of villages has underscored the role of ethnicity in all aspects of life in Maluku, ConGen Surabaya Pol-Econ Officer and Pol-Econ Assistant found during meetings with NGOs, media and political parties in Ambon, Maluku [...] | 2008-05-29 09:06:00 | Consulate Surabaya | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KISL KIRF PTER PINS ASEC ID |
08SURABAYA82 | WEST NUSA TENGGARA: VICE PRESIDENT'S FINGERPRINTS ON ANOTHER [...] (SBU) Summary: Incumbency has proved to be more of a millstone than an advantage for the once preeminent Golkar Party in a series of gubernatorial elections across Eastern Indonesia. On July 7, West Nusa Tenggara witnessed the fifth and most recent defeat for an incumbent Governor, in this cas [...] | 2008-07-10 10:44:00 | Consulate Surabaya | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KISL KIRF ID |
08TASHKENT1070 | REFORMING USG HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY [...] No summary [...] | 2008-09-18 07:08:00 | Embassy Tashkent | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ASIG APER EAID KCRM KPAO KIRF MARR MASS |
08TASHKENT1074 | CABLE RECALL: REFORMING USG HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY [...] No summary [...] | 2008-09-18 10:56:00 | Embassy Tashkent | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM ASIG APER EAID KCRM KPAO KIRF MARR MASS |
08TASHKENT1138 | UZBEKISTAN: PROTESTANT RELEASED; ACTIVIST GRANTED [...] (C) Summary: In the past week, Uzbek authorities have dropped religious extremism charges against Protestant Aimurat Khayburahmanov and issued an exit visa for human rights activist Mutabar Tojiboyeva to receive medical treatment abroad. Forum 18, which first reported Khayburahmanov's release [...] | 2008-10-06 12:32:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL SOCI UZ |
08TASHKENT1197 | UZBEKISTAN: NGOS RECEIVE PERMISSION FOR HUMAN [...] (C) Summary: Two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving Embassy Democracy Commission grants have been recently granted permission by authorities to conduct human rights trainings at schools and with law enforcement officials. Their success in engaging local officials on human rights [...] | 2008-10-20 05:54:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM EAID KIRF KWMN PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT126 | FURTHER AMNESTIES OF POLITICAL PRISONERS [...] (C) Summary: In the past week, poloff has conversed with several human rights contacts who expressed optimism that additional high-profile political prisoners would soon be amnestied. Those reportedly in line for amnesty include Ezgulik activist Dilmurod Muhidinov, Pentacostalist pastor Dmit [...] | 2008-01-30 13:57:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV UZ |
08TASHKENT1288 | "WHIRLPOOL OF DEATH:" UZBEK TV REPORTS ISLAMIC [...] (C) Summary: On October 31, Uzbek state-controlled television broadcasted a 20-minute program claiming that members of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization had recruited Uzbeks in the town of Khonobod in Andijon province and facilitated their travel to Pakistan to train in militant camps. [...] | 2008-11-07 10:41:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PTER KIRF KISL PINR PGOV PREL SOCI PK UZ |
08TASHKENT1322 | UZBEKISTAN: EMBASSY HOSTS ROUNDTABLE FOR [...] (C) Summary: While the atmosphere in Uzbekistan's majority Muslim community has improved somewhat over the past year, some smaller Christian evangelical groups - particularly those which are unregistered and have ethnic Uzbek members - continue to endure frequent raids, harassment, and the de [...] | 2008-11-18 09:56:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF KPAO PGOV PREL SOCI UZ |
08TASHKENT144 | BUKHARA AUTHORITIES DETAIN, THEN RELEASE HUMAN [...] (C) Summary: Authorities in Bukhara released without charge two Human Rights Alliance activists on January 30 after holding them in detention for approximately eight hours. The two activists were initially detained as they tried to hold a protest in front of the Bukhara Province Criminal Cour [...] | 2008-02-01 14:59:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV UZ |
08TASHKENT165 | HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST ATTACKED AT TASHKENT TRAIN [...] (C) On February 5, Human Rights Alliance member Elena Urlayeva was reportedly attacked by five unknown women, one wielding an iron bar, at Tashkent's train station as she was attempting to board a train to Bukhara. On February 6, poloff spoke with Urlayeva by telephone, who said she was assau [...] | 2008-02-07 05:24:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV UZ |
08TASHKENT210 | MIXED PICTURE ON AMNESTIES FOR PROTESTANTS [...] (C) Summary: In contrast to several recent amnesties of human rights defenders, the government recently refused to amnesty imprisoned Pentecostal Pastor Dmitry Shestakov. On the other hand, authorities recently amnestied two other Protestants, Salavat Serikbayev and Nikolai Zulfikarov, who h [...] | 2008-02-14 12:43:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV UZ |
08TASHKENT299 | BUKHARA COURT CONVICTS 13 INDIVIDUALS OF RELIGIOUS [...] (C) Summary: On March 6, poloff met with Saidazam Askarov, the brother of Salihiddin Askarov, who was convicted along with 12 other defendants of being members of a religious extremist cell by a Bukhara court in late February and sentenced to between 16 and 20 years' imprisonment each. Accord [...] | 2008-03-10 11:24:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT313 | FORMER MUFTI: RELIGIOUS EXTREMIST THREAT WEAKENING [...] (C) Summary: Muhammad Sodiq Muhammad Yusuf, the former Mufti of Uzbekistan and Central Asia, received pol-econ chief and poloff at his Tashkent home on March 4. Muhammad Sodiq shared his view with Emboffs that religious extremism in Uzbekistan has become less of a threat now than before, whic [...] | 2008-03-13 11:54:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIPR KIRF PGOV PINR PREL SOCI UZ |
08TASHKENT362 | FOR SECOND YEAR, FEW DISTURBANCES AT JEHOVAH'S [...] (C) Summary: On March 24, the Ambassador met with the Jehovah's Witnesses AmCit General Counsel and two of their regional representatives from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The General Counsel reported that, for the second year in a row, there were few reported disruptions of the Jehovah's Witn [...] | 2008-03-24 13:14:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV UZ |
08TASHKENT403 | SANJAR UMAROV'S SON REPORTS FATHER IN NEAR [...] (C) Summary: On April 3, poloff met with Arslan Umarov, the son of Sunshine Coalition leader Sanjar Umarov, who was imprisoned in March 2006 on politically-motivated charges of tax evasion and illegal commodities trading. Arslan reported visiting his father in prison with his aunt on March 26 [...] | 2008-04-04 14:00:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT432 | UZBEKISTAN: RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND MFA [...] (C) Summary: During a five-day visit to Uzbekistan on March 27 - April 1 (septels),Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Pamela Spratlen SIPDIS visited the Tashkent main Madrassah and the Jewish community in Bukhara. She also met with Ministry of Foreign Af [...] | 2008-04-14 14:52:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL TI UZ |
08TASHKENT500 | JEHOVAH'S WITNESS SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS' [...] (C) Summary: On April 25, the Samarkand City Criminal Court sentenced Jehovah's Witnesses congregant Olim Turayev to four years' imprisonment on charges of illegally teaching religion and organizing a religious organization. Poloff was able to observe the trial. The Jehovah's Witnesses plan [...] | 2008-04-28 12:44:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV UZ |
08TASHKENT517 | AMCIT RABBI AND JEWISH-AMERICAN NGO FACE [...] (C) Summary: In the past month, the Ministry of Justice has refused to renew the accreditation of an AmCit Rabbi, who heads the World Wide Lubavitch Movement in Uzbekistan, and threatened the registration of the Joint Distribution Committee, a Jewish-American humanitarian organization. In ad [...] | 2008-05-02 12:07:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ECON EAID KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT549 | ACTIVIST REPORTS DEATH OF JASLYK INMATE [...] (C) Summary: In recent days, we have received conflicting reports on prison conditions from human rights activists. On May 8, Reuters reported that a prisoner at the Jaslyk prison in Karakalpakstan died, possibly from torture. Local human rights activist Surat Ikramov, most likely the source [...] | 2008-05-13 13:33:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT585 | UZBEKISTAN: HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH DIRECTOR DENIED [...] (C) Summary: One week before planned visits by Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom John Hanford and Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher, the Uzbek government, with its usual perfect timing, denied accreditation to Human Rights Watch's director in Tashkent and threatened to deport an AmCi [...] | 2008-05-22 11:52:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT620 | AMCIT RABBI TOLD TO LEAVE UZBEKISTAN IMMEDIATELY [...] (C) On June 4, the Ministry of Interior and Visa and Registration Department (OVIR) informed Rabbi David Gurevich, a dual American-Israeli citizen whose accreditation and visa expired on April 1 (ref A),that he must leave Uzbekistan immediately. According to Gurevich, the OVIR official told [...] | 2008-06-04 12:30:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT633 | UZBEKS RELEASE RELIGIOUS PRISONER, SON OF HUMAN [...] (C) On June 6, Human Rights Watch director Igor Vorontsov confirmed that Hamidullo Madmarov, one of the sons of Margilan-based human rights activist Ahmadjan Madmarov, had completed his seven-year prison sentence and was released from custody. Ahmadjan Madmarov still has two other sons and tw [...] | 2008-06-06 11:27:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT671 | UZBEKISTAN: EMBASSY INPUT FOR OSCE HUMAN DIMENSION [...] (SBU) Summary: Per reftel request on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) in Warsaw (scheduled for September 29 - October 10),we are providing the following input for the pre-HDIM demarche to the Uzbek government. We wou [...] | 2008-06-13 10:14:00 | Embassy Tashkent | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM KDEM KIRF OSCE PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT677 | UZBEK GOVERNMENT TO RE-REGISTER JEWISH-AMERICAN NGO [...] (C) Summary: On June 12, regional coordinators of the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC),a Jewish-American humanitarian organization, reported being told by a Ministry of Justice official that their organization will soon be re-registered, pending the resolution of a minor legal issue. The r [...] | 2008-06-16 07:05:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT7 | NURMUHAMMEDOV SISTERS DESCRIBE BROTHER'S TORTURE [...] (C) Summary: On December 24, poloff met with Ranoh and Danoh Nurmuhammedov, the sisters of Takhir Nurmuhammedov, one of three inmates at Andijon prison T-1 who were allegedly tortured to death in November (ref A). The sisters described the abuse their brother suffered in prison and probable [...] | 2008-01-03 13:07:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV SOCI UZ |
08TASHKENT708 | UZBEKS TO RESPOND TO AMBASSADOR HANFORD'S LETTER [...] (C) Summary: During a May 28-31 visit to Uzbekistan, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford met with government officials to discuss Uzbekistan's Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation under the International Religious Freedom Act and the contents of a dr [...] | 2008-06-23 05:10:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT722 | SURKHANDARYA PROVINCE ACTIVIST REPORTS [...] (C) Summary: On June 20, human rights activist Fakhriddin Tilloev reported to poloffs the torture and imprisonment of four alleged Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) members in Surkhandarya province. According to Tilloev, all four were allegedly linked to a Tajik HT leader named "Norillov," who invited the [...] | 2008-06-24 09:13:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PINR PREL TI UZ |
08TASHKENT749 | UZBEK TV DOCUMENTARY BASHES JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES [...] (C) Summary: A recent hour-long broadcast on Uzbek state television highlighted the "illegal missionary activity" of Jehovah's Witnesses and Pentecostal churches, and appeared to be designed to discredit those groups and inspire fear of and disdain for their activities. In 2006, the airing of [...] | 2008-06-30 01:45:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT777 | FERGHANA VALLEY ACTIVISTS AND IMAMS REPORT LESS [...] (C) Summary: During a three-day visit to the Ferghana Valley on June 25 - 27, poloff met with several human rights activists and religious leaders who reported that religious extremist organizations like Hizb ut-Tahrir have become less active (or at least less visible) in recent years. While [...] | 2008-07-03 11:22:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PINR PREL SOCI UZ |
08TASHKENT792 | UZBEKISTAN: AUTHORITIES MOVING TO DEPORT [...] (C) Summary: During a three-day visit to the Ferghana Valley on June 25 - 27, poloff visited Birlik opposition political party Deputy Chairman Pulat Akhunov, who returned to Uzbekistan from exile in Sweden in March 2007 to renew his passport, at his family's estate in Andijon province. Akhunov [...] | 2008-07-09 12:59:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KDEM KIRF PGOV PINR PREL PTER SOCI UZ |
08TASHKENT80 | AMBASSADOR RECEIVES WARM WELCOME IN CHILLY BUKHARA [...] (C) Summary: Despite frigid temperatures outside, the Ambassador was warmly received by the hokim (governor) of Bukhara province during a trip to the province on January 10 and 11. The Ambassador also visited the Naqshbandi Sufi Shrine and met with Bukharan Jewish community leaders at a local [...] | 2008-01-22 12:58:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV ECON ELAB KIRF PHUM PINR SOCI UZ |
08TASHKENT821 | UZBEK AUTHORITIES REJECT CHRISTIAN LITERATURE [...] (C) Summary: On July 8, the Ambassador and DCM met with Bible Society Director Sergei Mitin, who reported that Uzbek authorities ordered the return of a large shipment of Christian literature that the Bible Society attempted to import into Uzbekistan in May. The authorities did not provide a [...] | 2008-07-15 08:16:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL SOCI UZ |
08TASHKENT865 | AMBASSADOR HANFORD MEETS WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS, [...] (C) Summary: During a visit to Uzbekistan on May 29 - 30, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford met with a variety of religious leaders, scholars, and human rights activists. On May 30, Hanford met a local Jehovah's Witnesses community representative, historian a [...] | 2008-07-25 07:44:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL SOCI UZ |
08TASHKENT866 | AMBASSADOR HANFORD MEETS WITH ICRC REPRESENTATIVE [...] (C) Summary: During a two-day visit to Uzbekistan, Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford met on May 30 with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Deputy Director Raffaello Muller, who reported on prison conditions for individuals convicted of religious [...] | 2008-07-25 07:53:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ICRC KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT878 | BUKHARA ACTIVIST: BETTER-TRAINED IMAMS FENDING OFF [...] (C) Summary: During a two-day visit to Bukhara on July 15 - 16, poloff discussed the current state of the region's Muslim community with a prominent local human rights activist and imams at Sunni and Shiite mosques. The activist, Shukhrat Ganiev, observed that that Muslim religiosity, especia [...] | 2008-07-29 12:43:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PINR PREL SOCI EG SA RS UZ |
08TASHKENT890 | UZBEKISTAN: DAS KROL MEETS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY [...] (C) Summary: During a two-day visit to Uzbekistan on July 24 - 25, Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia George Krol participated in an Embassy roundtable with human rights activists and the Director of the Bible Society of Uzbekistan, and had separate meetings with two human r [...] | 2008-08-01 05:29:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ECON ELAB KIRF PGOV PREL SOCI UZ |
08TASHKENT893 | UZBEKISTAN: TWO MORE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IMPRISONED [...] (C) Summary: On July 29, the Forum 18 website reported that two Jehovah's Witnesses in Margilan were convicted of teaching religion illegally on July 23 and imprisoned. On August 1, two Jehovah's Witness representatives confirmed the Forum 18 article with poloff and noted observing several ir [...] | 2008-08-01 13:00:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF PGOV PREL UZ |
08TASHKENT898 | UZBEKISTAN: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON EXTRADITION OF [...] (C) In a diplomatic note dated July 14 (but handed to poloff in late July),the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) responded to a diplomatic note the Embassy sent to the MFA over Erkin Halikov, an Uzbek asylum seeker who was imprisoned in Kyrgyzstan and extradited to Uzbekistan in May (reftels). [...] | 2008-08-04 12:47:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM ICRC KIRF PGOV PREF PREL KG UZ |
08TASHKENT947 | JOURNALIST, ACTIVIST, AND PROTESTANT FACE TRIAL IN [...] (C) Summary: During a one-day visit to Uzbekistan's Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan on August 7, poloff met with acquaintances of journalist Salidjahon Abdurakhmanov (ref A),human rights activist Akzam Turgunov (ref B),and Protestant Aimurat Khayburahmanov (ref C),all of whom remain i [...] | 2008-08-14 10:48:00 | Embassy Tashkent | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM KIRF KPAO PGOV PREL SOCI UZ |
08TBILISI658 | GEORGIANS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER EXPULSION OF PRIEST [...] (SBU) The Ambassador received the following letter, dated April 11, from Deputy Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze, drawing attention to the apprehension of an ethnic Georgian priest by "Abkhazian military intelligence" and his expulsion from Abkhazia. Vashadze describes this case as a violation [...] | 2008-04-17 14:14:00 | Embassy Tbilisi | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF GG |
08TELAVIV1147 | BIBLE BURNING HIGHLIGHTS GROWING ANTI-MISSIONARY [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: The May 15 mass public burning of New Testaments in the Tel Aviv suburb of Or Yehuda highlights a growing trend toward anti-missionary incitement in Jewish neighborhoods throughout Israel. Other notable incidents include the October firebombing of a Jerusalem church shared by [...] | 2008-05-30 10:43:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PGOV IS |
08TELAVIV146 | CODEL WOLF AND PM OLMERT DISCUSS ROLE OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS [...] (SBU) Summary: On January 8, Congressmen Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Joe Pitts (R-PA) -- accompanied by Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington, former Ambassador and Congressman Tony Hall, and DCM -- met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to discuss the efforts of the Council of Religious I [...] | 2008-01-17 11:53:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL KIRF KWBG IS |
08TELAVIV171 | MUGHRABI GATE: NEW PLANS CALL FOR EXPANSION OF [...] (C) SUMMARY: Revised plans for construction of a new access ramp for the Mughrabi Gate of the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif were deposited with the Interior Ministry for public review on December 27. A review of the plans indicates that in addition to constructing a new ramp, planners also in [...] | 2008-01-18 17:07:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KISL KIRF KPAL JO IS |
08TELAVIV2630 | MFA DISCUSSES NEGOTIATIONS WITH VATICAN, POSSIBLE [...] (C) Summary and comment: MFA Director for Inter-Religious Affairs Bahij Mansour told Poloff that negotiations with the Vatican over outstanding issues related to the Fundamental Agreement were going well, and that Israel expected a "breakthrough" at the December 18 plenary session in Rome. Acc [...] | 2008-11-25 15:06:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF VT IS |
08TELAVIV2839 | ISRAELI ISLAMIC MOVEMENT GAINING INFLUENCE [...] (SBU) Summary: The official goal of the Islamic Movement in Israel is to bring Muslims living in "Palestine of 1948" back to Islam. The Movement has focused its efforts on three primary fronts -- the social, the religious, and the political. While efforts on the political front have been limi [...] | 2008-12-18 13:40:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV KISL KIRF SOCI IS |
08TELAVIV318 | AMBASSADOR AND INTERIOR MINISTER SHEETRIT DISCUSS [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador called on Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit (Kadima) February 7 to discuss political and bilateral issues. Sheetrit thought DefMin Barak had made a mistake and destroyed his credibility by not resigning, as promised, following the release of the Winograd report. He [...] | 2008-02-08 17:03:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KPAL KIRF CASC BEXP IS |
08TELAVIV479 | Antiquities Authority Archeologist Criticizes [...] (SBU) SUMMARY: In a meeting with emboffs February 20, Israeli archeologist Gideon Suleimani, a staff archeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) and former head of the Authority's Jerusalem district, explained what he described as the ongoing "co-optation" of archeological digs by [...] | 2008-02-29 14:29:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KPAL KIRF IS |
08TELAVIV721 | LOYALTY VERSUS DISCONTENT AMONG ISRAEL'S DRUZE [...] (C) Summary and Comment: During an MFA-sponsored Druze Study Day for members of the diplomatic corps on March 20, Deputy Foreign Minister Majaleh Wahbeh (Kadima) and other Druze community leaders emphasized the Druze community's loyalty to Israel during the past sixty years and its desire to [...] | 2008-03-27 10:53:00 | Embassy Tel Aviv | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF IS |
08THEHAGUE102 | UPDATE ON DUTCH CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR RELEASE [...] (S) Summary. Dutch government sources continue to anticipate an early March release of Geert Wilders' film on the Koran; they are confident that Wilders will give the government 24 hours notice before the film is released. The government is actively engaging key figures in the Muslim world to stres [...] | 2008-02-01 15:55:00 | Embassy The Hague | SECRET | PTER KISL KIRF PINR PREL PGOV NL |
08THEHAGUE133 | WILDERS FILM UPDATE: PANDITH MEETINGS WITH DUTCH [...] (C) Summary. Dutch government and civil society representatives told EUR Senior Advisor Farah Pandith during her February 7-8 visit to the Netherlands that the Wilders film on the Koran was cause for concern, but that it was important to avoid excessive &hype8 about the film. The Dutch gove [...] | 2008-02-13 11:41:00 | Embassy The Hague | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER KISL KIRF PREL PGOV NL |
08THEHAGUE175 | WILDERS KORAN FILM: DUTCH GOVERNMENT STILL [...] (C) MFA Terrorism and New Threats Department Deputy Director Andre van Wiggen told GlobalOffs during a February 21 meeting that the Dutch government still anticipates that parliamentarian Geert Wilders will release his film on the Koran in March; he said they have no information about the spe [...] | 2008-02-25 13:52:00 | Embassy The Hague | SECRET | PTER KISL KIRF PREL ASEC PGOV NL |
08THEHAGUE247 | COUNTERTERRORISM COORDINATOR ANTICIPATES LATE [...] (C) Summary. National Counterterrorism Coordinator Tjibbe Joustra told Charge March 11 that the government now anticipated a late March release date for MP Geert Wilders' controversial film on the Koran. He said Wilders could release the film on the Internet earlier than March 28, the date [...] | 2008-03-13 11:53:00 | Embassy The Hague | CONFIDENTIAL | PTER KISL KIRF PREL ASEC PGOV NL |
08THEHAGUE302 | THE DAY AFTER FITNA: CALM IN THE NETHERLANDS [...] (SBU) Summary. Reaction in the Netherlands to the March 27 release of anti-Islam Parliamentarian Geert Wilders' long awaited short film on the Koran, Fitna, has been calm. An almost palpable collective sigh of relief that the film was not as inflammatory as previously expected was evident in reacti [...] | 2008-03-28 18:19:00 | Embassy The Hague | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | KISL PREL KIRF ASEC PTER NL |
08TUNIS1132 | TUNISIA DEFENDS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, BUT CAUTIOUSLY [...] (C/NF) During the mid-October visit of Warren Cofsky, from DRL's Office of International Religious Freedom, Embassy officials met with a series of government officials and religious leaders involved in religious freedom issues. Though those affiliated with the government stuck closely to GOT [...] | 2008-11-03 12:49:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF KPAO TS |
08TUNIS569 | ANNUAL JEWISH PILGRIMAGE PROCEEDS PEACEFULLY [...] (C) Summary: From May 22-23, between five and six thousand Jewish pilgrims visited the island of Djerba as part of an annual pilgrimage. The center of the pilgrimage is the El-Ghriba synagogue, the oldest synagogue in North Africa. The event was characterized by a visible police presence a [...] | 2008-05-28 15:46:00 | Embassy Tunis | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF KDEM KPAO IS TS |
08USUNNEWYORK1126 | UN INTERFAITH DIALOGUE: MEMBER STATES REJECT [...] Summary: President Bush and approximately 80 heads of state, senior government officials, and other representatives gathered November 12 - 13 for an "Interfaith Dialogue" as part of the United Nations General Assembly (GA) plenary session. Saudi King Abdullah bin AbdulAziz al-Saud, the drivin [...] | 2008-12-02 20:23:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF KISL UNGA |
08USUNNEWYORK1139 | UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION ON DEFAMATION OF [...] On November 24, the UN General Assembly Third Committee adopted two draft resolutions by consensus and adopted six others by vote, including three resolutions on which the United States was the sole opponent. The draft resolutions adopted by consensus were A/C.3/63/L.58/Revision 1, entitled " [...] | 2008-12-05 14:52:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF AORC UNGA |
08USUNNEWYORK1140 | UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION ON RELIGIOUS [...] On November 25, the UN General Assembly Third Committee passed the following draft resolutions by consensus: A/C.3/63/L.34/Revision 1, entitled "Elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief;" A/C.3/63/L.39/Revision 1, entitled "Protection of human r [...] | 2008-12-05 14:54:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED | PHUM PGOV PREL KIRF AORC UNGA |
08USUNNEWYORK753 | UN DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS SAYS SAUDIS [...] (SBU) UN Department of Political Affairs Asia and Pacific Division Director Lisa Buttenheim told Poloff August 18 that Saudi Arabia has not formally requested an UNGA Special Session on the political and religious components of interfaith dialogue. Poloff delivered the points contained in r [...] | 2008-08-20 18:15:00 | USUN New York | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PHUM PREL UNGA USUN KIRF KISL SP SA |
08USUNNEWYORK814 | 9/24 ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS MINISTERIAL MEETING [...] (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4 below. 2. (U) Ambassador Khalilzad has been invited to attend the ministerial level meeting on September 24 of the Alliance of Civilizations Group of Friends. Details about the September 24 meeting, its agenda and objections, can be fo [...] | 2008-09-10 22:52:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PHUM PREL KIRF KISL SP TU |
08USUNNEWYORK860 | SECRETARY GENERAL ON SAUDI SESSION ON INTER-FAITH [...] (C) The Secretary General told Ambassador Khalilzad September 15 that the Saudi government continues to seek a UN session on interfaith dialogue. He said that he had sent Terje Larsen with the Saudi Foreign Minister to a meeting at the Vatican to discuss next steps, given Vatican concerns ab [...] | 2008-09-24 15:17:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL UNGA USUN KIRF KISL SA |
08USUNNEWYORK898 | HIGH-LEVEL MEETING PLANNED WITH PGA ON INTER-FAITH [...] (C) Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Adel Al-Jubeir told Ambassador Khalilzad in a September 30 phone conversation that the Saudis have agreed with General Assembly President (PGA) Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann to hold a high level session on inter-faith dialogue November 12 or 13, which the Secretary [...] | 2008-10-02 17:41:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PHUM PREL UNGA USUN KIRF KISL SA |
08USUNNEWYORK966 | SAUDI KING ABDULLAH TO ATTEND UN INTERFAITH [...] (C) Summary: Saudi ambassador Al-Jubeir told Ambassador Khalilzad that King Abdullah will attend the Saudi-backed UNGA high-level meeting scheduled for November 12 and 13 in New York, and requested US support for the interfaith meeting. Al-Jubeir noted that misunderstandings in the "draft" [...] | 2008-10-22 22:31:00 | USUN New York | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM UNGA KISL KIRF SA VT |
08VATICAN1 | HOLY SEE-ISRAEL: NO PROGRESS ON FUNDAMENTAL AGREEMENT AT [...] (SBU) Summary: Holy See officials report that the December 12-13 talks with Israel did not result in any further progress towards the conclusion of agreements on taxation of Church property in Israel and other outstanding bilateral issues. Some Church officials characterized the meeting as a [...] | 2008-01-04 10:59:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PHUM KIRF IS VT |
08VATICAN14 | POST ANALYSIS OF PAPAL ADDRESS ON CURRENT AFFAIRS [...] (C) Summary: In his annual address on January 7 to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, Pope Benedict XVI provided an overview of the Vatican's concerns on a broad range of issues and hot spots. As revealing as his actual words are the Pope's omissions and nuances. Among the cou [...] | 2008-01-14 16:41:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV KIRF PHUM CU CH VE LE IS IR IZ VT |
08VATICAN15 | HOLY SEE: DEPUTY FM DISCUSSES MIDDLE EAST ISSUES [...] (C) Summary: During a recent meeting with a visiting White House official, Holy See Deputy FM Parolin called for dialogue to resolve the Lebanese political impasse and address concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions. Parolin confirmed that negotiations with Israel on taxation of Church proper [...] | 2008-01-18 19:11:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF LE IS SY IR VT |
08VATICAN18 | CHINA: CARDINAL ZEN ON HOLY SEE'S CHINA DIPLOMACY [...] (C) Summary: According to Cardinal Zen, the Holy See's lack of China expertise within its top ranks has resulted in an ineffective relation with the Government of China (GoC) that fails to take advantage of the window of opportunity afforded by Beijing's preoccupation with its international im [...] | 2008-01-31 07:08:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM PINR KIRF SOCI CH VT |
08VATICAN20 | HOLY SEE/VIETNAM: CHURCH LAND DISPUTE [...] (SBU) During a January 31 meeting on another subject, Holy See deputy FM Parolin raised Vietnam land dispute (reftel) with charge d'affaires. Parolin expressed great interest in the situation and asked us to keep him informed of any news we might receive about it. He confirmed that the Holy Se [...] | 2008-01-31 17:21:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN | PREL KIRF PHUM PGOV VM VT |
08VATICAN23 | HOLY SEE OFFICIAL DISCUSSES ORIENTAL CHURCHES, [...] (SBU) Summary: The institutional arrangements that the Holy See has with "Oriental Churches" can serve as a model for further rapprochement between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. In communion with the Pope, Oriental Churches conduct masses following the Byzantine rite and administer the [...] | 2008-02-14 16:26:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PREL PGOV KIRF IS UP VT |
08VATICAN26 | UNDERSTANDING THE HOLY SEE: ECCLESIAL (LAY) MOVEMENTS, PART [...] (U) This is the second in a series intended to facilitate cooperation with Holy See and Catholic Church entities to promote U.S. goals through a greater understanding of the Holy See's institutions, agencies and structures (reftel A). In this cable, we provide an overview of ecclesial movemen [...] | 2008-02-21 17:31:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VT |
08VATICAN28 | LAY MOVEMENTS, PART II: SANT'EGIDIO, COMUNION AND LIBERATION, AND OPUS DEI [...] (U) This is the third in a series intended to facilitate cooperation with Holy See and Catholic Church entities to promote U.S. goals through a greater understanding of the Holy See's institutions, agencies and structures (reftel B). In this cable, we continue our discussion of ecclesial movements [...] | 2008-02-25 13:34:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VT |
08VATICAN3 | MUSLIM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE: ITALIAN IMAM COMMENTS ON [...] (C) Summary: A meeting with Imam Yahya Pallavicini offered fresh perspectives on the nascent dialogue between 138 Muslim scholars and Christian leaders, including the Pope (reftels). The Pope, according to Pallavicini, was a key "target" of "A Common Word." The Holy See's recent response (ref [...] | 2008-01-04 11:45:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | KIRF PREL PHUM VT |
08VATICAN31 | HOLY SEE SECRETARY OF STATE TALKS ABOUT CUBA [...] (C) Summary: Cardinal Bertone told the Ambassador that Raul Castro is a practical man, and asked the US to consider dropping sanctions against Cuba to encourage change at this crucial political time on the island. The Ambassador underlined the need for the Cuban government to free political [...] | 2008-03-07 13:30:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL ECON SOCI KIRF CU VT |
08VATICAN32 | HUMAN RIGHTS AT CENTER OF HOLY SEE DIPLOMACY [...] (SBU) Summary: The belief that all people are created by God with equal dignity and worth is at the core of the Holy See's promotion of human rights. The Holy See's human rights foreign policy aims to assure that the inherent dignity of the human person is guaranteed by law. The UN and other [...] | 2008-03-26 10:07:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF VT |
08VATICAN33 | SCENESETTER FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI'S APRIL 15-20 VISIT TO [...] (C) Summary. The Pope is likely to highlight faith and reason, natural law, human rights, and inter-religious dialogue during his upcoming trip to the US. He is also likely to address environmental issues and express concern for the plight of Christians in the Middle East. The Pope appreciat [...] | 2008-03-31 17:48:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PREL PGOV PHUM KIRF OVIP VT |
08VATICAN34 | CUBA DEMARCHE DELIVERED [...] (C) Ambassador Glendon delivered reftel demarche -- regarding the recent trip to Cuba of the Holy See's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarciso Bertone, and his reference to Raul Castro's comments on the five Cuban spies imprisoned in the US -- to Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the Holy See's Undersecr [...] | 2008-04-03 14:55:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF KJUS CU VT |
08VATICAN38 | HOLY SEE HAS RECOGNIZED KOSOVO "DE FACTO", SAYS VATICAN [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Holy See is not ready to formally recognize Kosovo but will continue to promote dialogue in a way that implicitly acknowledges and respects Kosovo's de facto independence. The Holy See's diplomatic objectives are to balance relations with Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Churc [...] | 2008-04-30 10:15:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PREF KIRF KJUS UN UNMIK YI EU VT |
08VATICAN42 | WHA A/S SHANNON DISCUSSES CUBA, PARAGUAY, BOLIVIA, AND [...] (C) SUMMARY: The Holy See wants a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba and will continue to raise the issue of political prisoners with Havana, but believes that change will be slow. For the Holy See, social justice and addressing inequality are key to the success of democracy in the hem [...] | 2008-06-06 15:27:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL KIRF UN CU PA NU VT |
08VATICAN44 | CATHOLIC-MUSLIM FORUM TO MEET IN NOVEMBER [...] (SBU) Summary: The Holy See will host in November the first meeting of the Catholic-Muslim Forum established in response to the dialogue proposal included in the October 13, 2007 "A Common Word" letter from Muslim scholars to the Pope and other Christian leaders. An original signatory of the [...] | 2008-06-18 14:05:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF VT |
08VATICAN47 | EMBASSY CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS LATIN AMERICAN AND CATHOLIC [...] Summary. Ambassador Glendon recently hosted a substantive and well-attended conference commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the critical contributions of Latin American countries and Catholic social teachings to the creation of that documen [...] | 2008-07-02 12:16:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED | KDEM PHUM PREL KPAO KIRF SOCI XM XL CU VT |
08VATICAN52 | HOLY SEE VIEWS ON BELARUS [...] (C) Summary: The Holy See is cautiously optimistic about the possibilities for opening new spaces for the Catholic Church in Belarus, following the June 18 to 22 visit to the country by Cardinal Bertone, the Holy See's Secretary of State. The Holy See values the recognition of Catholicism in [...] | 2008-07-18 13:34:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF BO VT |
08VATICAN55 | HOLY SEE ON TARIQ AZIZ [...] (C) Summary: The Holy See has expressed verbally and in writing its wishes that Tariq Aziz, who as Saddam Hussein's Deputy Prime Minister was the highest ranking Christian in the Iraqi government, be tried fairly. The Holy See opposes the death penalty in Iraq, and would appreciate Aziz be giv [...] | 2008-07-23 14:30:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF IZ VT |
08VATICAN57 | SANT'EGIDIO ON ZIMBABWE [...] (SBU) The Community of Sant'Egidio point person on mediation and international relations, Dr. Claudio Betti, confirmed that --if asked-- Sant'Egidio is available to promote peaceful change in Zimbabwe. End summary. 2. (SBU) During a meeting with poloff on July 25, Betti reiterated an offer [...] | 2008-07-30 14:32:00 | Embassy Vatican | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF ZI VT |
08VATICAN58 | LEVINSON CASE UPDATE [...] (SBU) As reported in ref. A, Monsignor Franco Coppola, Director for the Middle East at the Holy See Secretariat of State, informed A/DCM on July 4 that the Holy See Nuncio in Teheran, Archbishop Jean Paul Gobel, has sent a diplomatic note to the Government of Iran requesting a meeting to discus [...] | 2008-07-30 14:38:00 | Embassy Vatican | CONFIDENTIAL | CASC KJUS PREL PHUM PTER KIRF IR VT |