VZCZCXRO8000
PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHTRO
DE RUEHGV #0034/01 0151721
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 151721Z JAN 09
FM USMISSION GENEVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7872
INFO RUEHIC/ORG OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE COLLECTIVE
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0714
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 4583
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN
RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 0033
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0867

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 GENEVA 000034 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SPECIAL ENVOY SADA CUMBER 
STATE PASS TO USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2019 
TAGS: PREL KISL EAID OIC SA
SUBJECT: SADA CUMBER'S FAREWELL CALL ON OIC SECRETARY 
GENERAL IHSANOGLU 
 
REF: CASSAYRE-MENARD EMAIL 1/11/09 
 
GENEVA 00000034  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: DCM Mark C. Storella, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic 
Conference (OIC) Sada Cumber paid a farewell call on OIC 
Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu on January 11 in 
Geneva.  The two agreed to work swiftly on the details of 
USG-OIC cooperation on maternal and infant mortality.  They 
discussed the possibilities for the OIC to obtain a 
diplomatic presence in the U.S.  Ihsanoglu lamented the 
"human tragedy" unfolding in Gaza, expressed concern that 
America's image was in decline, and reaffirmed his goal for 
the OIC -- "moderation and modernization" -- for which he 
sought U.S. support.  SE Cumber encouraged a skeptical 
Ihsanoglu to present the Vatican with specific ideas on how 
they OIC and the Vatican could mend Catholic-Muslim 
relations.  End Summary. 
 
OIC-USG Cooperation through USAID 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) Ihsanoglu expressed his keen interest in developing 
the details of OIC-USG cooperation through the recently 
signed Cooperation Framework with USAID on maternal and 
infant mortality.  Per reftel, he requested holding the 
planned teleconference between USG and OIC officials at the 
earliest possible date, and before SE Cumber's departure. 
 
¶3.  (U) Ihsanoglu requested SE Cumber's assistance for the 
OIC to build a relationship with the United States Institute 
of Peace and confirmed that Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais 
Yatim had agreed to this approach. 
 
An OIC Diplomatic Presence in the U.S.? 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) SE Cumber informed Ihsanoglu that two mechanisms 
exist for the OIC to establish a diplomatic presence in the 
U.S.: an Act of Congress or a Presidential directive.  An Act 
of Congress was a long and difficult process, explained SE 
Cumber; however, a Presidential directive could be delivered 
swiftly were the decision made to recognize the OIC.  SE 
Cumber said he had discussed this idea with the Obama 
Transition Team.  Separately, SE Cumber encouraged the OIC to 
consider using a lobbying firm in the U.S. to help promote 
its issues and package its message in the most effective way. 
 SE Cumber encouraged the OIC to learn from other countries 
such as Israel or India, who have been very effective in 
making their cases in the U.S. 
 
On Gaza, the U.S., and the OIC 
------------------------------ 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Ihsanoglu lamented that there was a "gap in 
confidence" between the U.S. and the Muslim world.  He said 
he hoped the new U.S. Administration would work hard to 
repair an image that, in his personal view, had sunk in the 
past decade.  He suggested that the best way to address those 
relations was through senior contacts between the USG and the 
OIC, which, he repeated, represented 56 countries.  Ihsanoglu 
reaffirmed his mission for the OIC was "moderation and 
modernization."  He recognized that not all OIC members 
wanted to move as quickly as he, but stressed that the OIC 
needed the United States to help with modernization in 
particular.  "Without modernization, there will be no 
moderation," he concluded.  He welcomed the opportunity to 
work closely with the new Administration. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Without a solution of the Palestinian issue, stated 
Ihsaoglu, there will always be radicalism.  The current 
situation in Gaza, he said, "is a human tragedy."  You cannot 
compare homemade rockets to the Israeli bombings and use of 
phosphorous munitions, he argued, but added that "Hamas 
started this mess and they are stupid."  SE Cumber shared the 
view that the situation was tragic and noted that an 
increasing number of outlets and editorials in the U.S. were 
echoing that point. 
 
OIC Still Skeptical About Relations with the Vatican 
 
GENEVA 00000034  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶7.  (C) Ihsanoglu posited that the one of the major 
challenges facing the Muslim world was poor relations between 
Catholicism and Islam.  He dismissed "interfaith dialogue" 
(including the Saudi King's November 2008 dialogue at the 
UNGA) as a means of addressing the issue and suggested that 
the OIC and the Vatican needed to improve relations at a 
senior level.  Ihsanoglu "did not take seriously" the recent 
Vatican offer for him to meet with a lower level official to 
discuss issues.  SE Cumber briefed Ihsanoglu on Cumber's 
recent meeting with Pope Benedict XVI and encouraged the OIC 
to submit a paper to the Vatican charting out a path to 
improve Catholicism-Islam relations.  A skeptical Ihsanoglu 
said he would consider it. 
 
¶8.  (U) Special Envoy Sada Cumber cleared this telegram. 
TICHENOR