C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000658
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2016
TAGS: KISL, PINR, PREL, SA
SUBJECT: VISITING DESK OFFICER MET WITH OIC DG OF POLITICAL
AFFAIRS
Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter,
for reasons 1.4 (c) and (d)
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OIC seeks greater cooperation with U.S.
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1. (C) Poloff and visiting NEA/ARP Desk Officer met with
Director General of Political Affairs for the Organization of
the Islamic Conference (OIC) Mahdy Fathallah, on October 10.
Fathallah laid out the reasons why the U.S. would benefit
from closer relations with the OIC. He pointed to the
potential benefit of bloc voting within multilateral
organizations, increased cultural dialogue and understanding;
the need to dispel misconceptions, and the benefit of what he
termed the most "authentic background information" and advice
on specific regional issues. Fathallah said that the OIC can
communicate with people "on the ground" and assess situations
in ways the U.S. is unable to. He also mentioned cooperation
between the U.S. and the OIC on development and relief
issues.
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OIC to hold Islamic Conference regarding Iraq
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2. (C) Fathallah said the OIC is very concerned about the
developments in Iraq, describing the current situation as a
"civil war." Fathallah visited Baghdad as part of OIC,s
efforts to assist and mediate, and the OIC will sponsor a
conference between Iraqi Shi,a and Sunnis in Mecca on
October 19-20 (NOTE: The Iraqi participants, including head
of the Association of Muslim Scholars Harith al-Dhari, are
currently in Saudi Arabia and have met with a number of SAG
officials (Septel). END NOTE.) According to Fathallah, the
conference will be religious in nature and not include
politicians or others. Ten clerics from each side are
invited to discuss sectarianism and solutions to the conflict
in Iraq. Fathallah suggested that the U.S. endorse the
conference,s resolution or "indirectly" comment on support
for peaceful efforts. Fathallah was highly critical of U.S.
policy towards Iraq. He mentioned the failure to plan an
effective, post-conflict strategy and accused the U.S. of
ignoring the advice of regional allies. He stated that the
fundamental problem in Iraq is the "1300 year-old" division
between the Shi,a and Sunnis, accusing the U.S. of letting
"the genie out of the bottle." This, he said, precipitated
the sectarian strife. He did not see an end in sight, nor
did he have any suggestions for addressing the violence.
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OIC seeking to mediate in Palestine,
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3. (C) When asked about recent internal Palestinian strife,
Fathallah said the OIC is trying to mediate between Hamas and
Fatah. The OIC is seeking a compromise formula on the
Quartet principles both that Israel and Hamas can accept.
Fathallah informed that the OIC has met with senior
Palestinian officials, including Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud
Zahar, Nabil Shaath, and Khalid Mesha,al, a Hamas political
leader. Fathallah was hopeful about attempts to mediate
between rival Palestinian factions, including the attempt
this week by Qatari Foreign Minister Sheik Hamad bin Jassem
al Thani.
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OIC expansion and relevance
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4. (C) Fathallah spoke of the changing international context
and expressed his concern that the OIC remain relevant. He
mentioned the inclusion of Russia as an "observer" to the OIC
and mentioned that the OIC plans to open an office in
Brussels to facilitate closer relations with the European
Union. Fathallah believes that, as the U.S. is "the
superpower," it is very important that the OIC and the U.S.
cooperate.
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Biography of Mahdy Fathallah
JEDDAH 00000658 002 OF 002
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5. (C) Amb. Fathallah is a career diplomat in the Egyptian
Diplomatic service. He arrived at the OIC in March 2006 and
will serve a four year term. Previously, he served as
Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. He also
served as the Egyptian Ambassador to Turkey and Tunisia.
Earlier in his career, he served in Austria, Germany, and the
United States. His current position at the OIC will most
likely be his last position as an Egyptian diplomat because
of age restrictions.
OBERWETTER
TONEY