VZCZCXRO7185
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #4553/01 3060912
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 020912Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3734
INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 004553 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KISL KPAO RP
SUBJECT:  AMBASSADOR'S OUTREACH TO MUSLIM AUDIENCES IN MARAWI CITY, 
MINDANAO 
 
¶1.  Summary.  During an October 26 visit to "The Islamic City of 
Marawi," the Ambassador and senior Embassy officials emphasized the 
U.S.-Philippine partnership in promoting peace and prosperity in 
Muslim Mindanao in an address to a Muslim Women's conference on the 
environment, a radio interview, a luncheon meeting with local 
leaders, a discussion with students at Mindanao State University, 
and stops at USG assistance projects.  Local residents warmly 
welcomed the Embassy delegation, called for a more direct U.S. role 
in the Mindanao peace process, and reiterated that Mindanao's Muslim 
population did not support terrorism.  End summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
THE ISLAMIC CITY OF MARAWI 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  The Islamic City of Marawi is the capital of the province of 
Lanao del Sur, with a population that is 92% Muslim, numerous 
mosques and madrassahs, and nearly 70 Islamic congregations, each 
under the leadership of an Imam.  Arabic is widely spoken, and many 
men and virtually all women wear some manner of head covering, 
although female attire runs the gamut from full chador to blue 
jeans. Marawi is the largest of many towns and villages on the 
shores of Lake Lanao, all of which depend upon it for a great deal 
of their food and transportation, as well as most of their electric 
power.  Local residents enthusiastically welcomed the Ambassador and 
senior Embassy officials, including the head of the Joint Special 
Operations Task Force-Philippines, and eagerly sought 
U.S.-Philippine flag pins and other Embassy souvenir items. 
 
----------------------------- ---------------------------------- 
MUSLIM WOMEN FOCUS ON ENVIRONMENT 
----------------------------- ---------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  At the invitation of the Philippine Muslim Women Council, the 
Ambassador delivered a keynote address to its Conference on the 
Environmental Protection of Lake Lanao, attended by at least two 
hundred women and men.  Participants ranged from colorful abaya-clad 
dowagers to Muslim Girl Scouts to representatives of the Chamber of 
Commerce to military commanders in combat fatigues.  The 
Ambassador's remarks focused on the Islamic tradition of respect for 
the natural environment, the role of women in society, and the 
trans-gender, trans-national interest in promoting economic 
development.  The Ambassador wore a headscarf, which had been 
presented upon her entry to the conference, and her speech was 
interrupted by periodic applause.  Numerous attendees expressed 
their delight at the Ambassador's attendance and her display of 
respect for their culture and their cause.  There was a spirited 
clamor for photographs and private conversations at the conclusion 
of her remarks. 
 
¶4.  The Ambassador then gave an interview to DXSO Radyo Ng Bayan 
("People's Radio"), operated by the Philippine Broadcast Service. 
She emphasized USG interest in promoting the peace process and 
economic development in Mindanao through education.  The Ambassador 
commented on the positive nature of the reception extended by the 
people of Marawi, and noted that the atmosphere of mutual respect 
was consistent with U.S. traditions of tolerance, acceptance of 
diverse religious beliefs, and commitment to the peaceful resolution 
of conflict. 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
LUNCH WITH LOCAL LEADERS 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Mayor Solitario Ali hosted a lunch at his home on the shore of 
Lake Lanao for the Ambassador and about 30 top officials of the 
local government and prominent leaders of the academic and religious 
communities.  Mayor Ali (who is also is President of the Muslim 
League of Cities, a former commander of the Moro National Liberation 
Front, and a member of the Ulama League), described the joint 
efforts of  the Ulama League and Catholic Bishops to support the 
peace process is attempting to work with Catholic leaders on the 
peace initiative.  Both Mayor Ali and former Mayor Aleem Mahid 
Mutilan (also a three-time provincial governor and founder and 
president of the Ulama League) called for a more direct U.S. role in 
the peace process in Mindanao.  They assured the Ambassador that 
Marawi City was committed to peace and its residents rejected 
violence and terrorism.  The Ambassador reiterated the U.S. 
commitment to the peace process, U.S. willingness to engage more 
directly if the negotiating parties so requested, and promised 
continued U.S. support and assistance for peace and prosperity. 
 
¶6.  In a separate meeting, Colonel Rodrigo Alivio of the First 
Philippine Marine Brigade confirmed excellent collaboration with 
JSTOF-P, and underscored the commitment of the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines in keeping the 150 miles of road between Marawi City and 
Cotabato City open for safe transit.  The Ambassador expressed 
appreciation for the AFP's role in combating terrorism and improving 
safety for local residents. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
MANILA 00004553  002 OF 002 
 
 
MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSTIY 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶7.  MSU Marawi's emphasis is on building bridges between Islam and 
Christianity, while maintaining a strong Muslim cultural and 
religious identity.   The Embassy established an American Studies 
Resource Center at MSU in 1998 to provide current information about 
the U.S. to students, faculty, government officials, and private 
sector professionals.  The Ambassador engaged in an animated 
dialogue with 25 students from the departments of Political Science, 
Humanities, English, and Law.  Students welcomed the Ambassador's 
characterization of the U.S. policy as one of partnership and 
encouragement for the peace process.  The Ambassador also visited 
MSU's Peace Center as well as its Center for Women Studies, where 
USG-provided sewing machines helped in providing livelihood training 
and creation of textile handicrafts. 
 
-------------------------------- 
---------------------------------------- 
USG ASSISTANCE PROJECTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE 
-------------------------------- 
---------------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  The Ambassador visited the ruins of Amai Pakpak Medical Center 
(originally a U.S. Army barracks but which became the Lanao Public 
Hospital in 1913), which had been completely destroyed by fire the 
week before.  Addressing over 100 staff members, the Ambassador 
congratulated them on their accomplishments in providing healthcare 
to the Lake Lanao region, expressed condolences for the loss of a 
critically important institution, reiterated the USG commitment to 
public health in the Philippines, and announced the arrival of a 
JSTOF-P MEDCAP unit with medicines and a surgical unit on October 
27, as well as the imminent delivery of a new ambulance donated by 
the U.S.-based "3P Foundation."  The local media gave extensive 
coverage to this news. 
 
¶9.  Welcomed by rows of U.S. flag waving students, the Ambassador 
also visited Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao High School, a madrassah, where 
USAID's Computer Literacy and Internet Connectivity program had 
provided a wireless broadband internet connection, 10 computers with 
software, 3 webcams, a printer, e-books, and other resource 
materials.  School administrators expressed thanks for the provision 
of otherwise unobtainable computer equipment.  The female president 
of the student body (clad like all the girls in a tightly wrapped 
black headscarf) revealed that her longtime dream to travel the 
world had at last been realized thanks to access to the internet. 
Students and faculty alike expressed hunger for contact with the 
outside world and gratitude for the USG assistance.  The Ambassador 
conveyed her satisfaction at seeing the youth of Marawi benefit from 
computer learning and internet access, and challenged them to take 
responsibility for the future of their nation. 
 
¶10.  In nearby Iligan City, the Ambassador attended the 50th 
anniversary of the founding of the First Valley Bank, supported for 
the past seven years by USAID's Micro-enterprise Access to Banking 
Services program.   The bank's president, its first loan clients, a 
number of successful micro-entrepreneurs, and the mayor (who just 
returned from a successful International Visitor program to the 
U.S.) extended warm thanks.   The Ambassador congratulated USAID, 
the bank, and its clients on their mutual successes, highlighted 
their significant contributions to the economic development of the 
region, and underscored the importance of private initiative and 
enterprise. 
 
---------------- 
COMMENT 
---------------- 
 
¶11.  The Ambassador's trip to Marawi City and vicinity revealed high 
levels of interest in and support for USG activities in Mindanao, an 
appreciation of U.S. respect for religious diversity, and a 
remarkable affection for American culture. Muslim residents warmly 
welcomed the message of a U.S.-Philippine partnership for peace and 
prosperity in Muslim Mindanao, and were adamant in distancing 
themselves from the ideology of radical Islam and terrorism. 
 
 
KENNEY