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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #4359 2830704
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100704Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4785
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 8826
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 4884
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 4390
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS NAIROBI 004359 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SOCI PREL KISL KE
 
SUBJECT:  AMBASSADOR'S IFTAR REMARKS ON THE COAST 
 
¶1. (U) The Ambassador hosted an Iftar dinner in Mombasa, Kenya's 
port town and a center of its Islamic culture, on September 26 
(reftel), early in the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan.  The dinner 
was attended by an overflow crowd of Kenyan Muslim dignitaries, 
including the Chief Khadi (judge and scholar of religious law), 
prominent businessmen and women, and founders and officials of a 
variety of non-governmental organizations.  During a dinner marked 
by warm atmospherics and a wide-ranging exchange of views, the 
Ambassador delivered the well-received remarks that follow. 
 
--------------------- 
Text of Iftar Remarks 
--------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) Peace be with you all. Good evening. I'm grateful to everyone 
here for sharing with me this bountiful Iftar dinner, and for 
affording me this opportunity to exchange ideas with such a 
distinguished group on the shared future of the United States and 
Kenya. 
 
Tonight, I am honored to have you with me as you break the fast that 
is part of the observance of the holy month of Ramadan.  This month 
is set apart in the Muslim faith as a time to remember in a special 
way first that our existence itself is a gift that comes to us 
rather than something we create for ourselves and, second, that this 
visible, material world is not the total of our lives.  It is a time 
to remember the poor, and to draw near to God.  People of all faiths 
can share in these aspirations, and I share them with you. 
 
I have come to the Coast to listen and learn.  I want to open a 
dialogue with various religious and traditional leaders, including 
Muslim leaders, to better understand your communities.  I believe 
that you here in this room are among the best people to set us on 
the path to deepen the partnership between the U.S. and Kenya, which 
is my goal.  I do this in the firm conviction that this partnership 
is mutually beneficial for our two countries. 
 
I was formerly the U.S. Ambassador to Mali, where I became good 
friends with the Grand Imams of the great mosques of Djenne and 
Timbuktu.  It was during that time that I first became acquainted 
with Muslim culture and traditions.  I was a very strong supporter 
of the American efforts to help preserve ancient Islamic manuscripts 
in Timbuktu and other areas.  These efforts included the "Ink Road" 
project in Mali. The term "Ink Road" comes from the practice of 
ancient Islamic scholars, known as "ambassadors of peace," who would 
travel widely using the Koran and their skills at mediation and 
arbitration to settle disputes among warring groups. Their decisions 
would be documented in manuscripts that are now held in archives 
worldwide.  Using U.S. Government funding, we were able to mobilize 
international support for the preservation of manuscripts that 
document this extraordinary tradition.  These efforts have helped 
illuminate the important theme in Islam of promoting peace and 
enlightenment. 
 
In some small way, I hope I can emulate this tradition in my own 
efforts to promote democracy and prosperity here, and to work with 
Kenya to foster peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region. 
But first I must learn from you and other members of Kenyan society 
in order to understand the complexities and realities of this great 
country.  As I said in my statement before the Senate for my 
confirmation as Ambassador to Kenya, it is important that democracy 
in Kenya embrace the full diversity of this country, including rich 
and poor, Muslims and Christians, and the array of ethnic groups. 
 
I am looking forward to opportunities to talk with each of you as 
part of what I hope will prove to be a constructive, frank, and 
lasting dialogue.  The people of the United States and Kenya, and 
our respective governments, both benefit from this kind of dialogue. 
By working to understand one another we are helping to strengthen 
learning, communities, and organizations that go to the heart and 
soul of what makes our countries great. I am pleased to be able to 
inform you that the United States has invested millions of dollars 
on the Coast to fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS, and to promote 
development, good government, and education.  I pledge to you that 
the United States will continue its engagement on the Coast as part 
of the growing U.S.-Kenyan partnership. 
 
Ahsanteni NA Mungu AWABARIKI! (NOTE: Swahili for "thank you, and may 
God bless you."  END NOTE.) 
 
RANNEBERGER