VZCZCXRO0199
PP RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHJI #0175/02 1411523
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 211523Z MAY 09
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1325
INFO RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHIC/OIC COLLECTIVE
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 8346
RUEHDH/AMCONSUL DHAHRAN 0043
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0186
RUCNDTA/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0082

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 JEDDAH 00017 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR IO, IO/UNP(RMEYER,AMORRISON, NEA/ARP(JHARRIS), 
INFO DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/21/2014 
TAGS: KISL OFDP OPDC PREL SA OIC
SUBJECT: OIC CAMPAIGNING FOR SYG IHSANOGLU TO ATEND POTUS 
SPEECH IN CAIRO AND TO SEND DELEGATIONTO WASHINGTON IN 
JUNE; SHARED OIC INTERNAL MEMO ONVEYS POSITIVE REFLECTIONS 
ON MAY 11 DEPT/NSC MEETINGS 
 
*********************** 
* Missing Section 001 * 
*********************** 
 
 
JEDDAH 00000017  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
only in the interest of US-OIC relations but also for a 
channel of communication directly with His Excellency the 
Secretary General. There is a feeling of a kind of 
helplessness as the concerned officials try to devise an 
effective enough approach to improve relations and not to be 
seen in confrontational mode with the OIC Group at 
international fora.  Their reliance on the good offices of 
His Excellency the Secretary General in this arena is 
particularly genuine. END QUOTE. 
 
¶5.  (C) "HIGHLY USEFUL" MEETING WITH IO: UN HUMAN RIGHTS 
COUNCIL AND DEFAMATION ISSUE: Abdul Wahab's May 13 fax memo 
describes his May 11 meetings in Washington as "highly 
useful," adding perspective on the US election to the UN 
Human Rights Council and the anti-defamation issue. Abdul 
Wahab exerts to characterize the USG position for the benefit 
of Cabinet Director General and other senior staff at the OIC 
Secretariat in Jeddah: 
 
BEGIN QUOTE. Let me highlight that in view of the 
expectations of the United States winning the elections to 
the Human Rights Council (the US did win a seat at 
yesterday's elections to the HRC), a great deal of the focus 
of my interlocutors was on cooperation between the US and the 
OIC in the context of issues at the Council. I found them to 
be keen on avoiding confrontation with the OIC Group on the 
'Defamation of Religions' resolutions though they clearly 
stated that the US would not be able to accept any text that 
even remotely attempts at placing restrictions on freedom of 
expression. 
 
Dr. Brimmer explained that the administration would wish to 
work closely with the OIC Group and all members to enable the 
HRC to play its due role in accordance with its mandate. A 
senior official remarked that the HRC is unfortunately on a 
course that appears to be as problematic as was the state of 
affairs in the erstwhile Commission on Human Rights. It may 
be recalled that the previous administration had 'boycotted' 
the HRC; the new administration's policy and yesterday's 
election giving the US a seat on the HRC is being treated as 
a historic opportunity for the US to play a leadership role 
in the Council. 
 
Dr. Brimmer and all her colleagues stressed that (i) the US 
would wish to work with the OIC in an effort to resolve 
differences on the text; (ii) the US respects the OIC's core 
desire of ensuring respect for Islam, the Holy Prophet and 
Muslims; (iii) the real problem on this resolution is that no 
US authority can violate the Constitution's First 
Amendment...and (iv) the US and OIC should work together to 
work out a text that would project a 'positive vision' and 
'focus on ensuring tolerance and respect.' END QUOTE. 
 
¶6.  (C) Post is providing IO, IO/UNP and NEA/ARP a scan of 
the complete May 13 memo/email from Abdul Wahab. 
 
(C) COMMENT: It is clear from the internal communications 
shared with post that the OIC eagerly seeks opportunities for 
engagement and dialogue with the Obama Administration, 
including invitations to Cairo for POTUS speech and to 
Washington.  Working overtime to present itself as a credible 
bloc representing the Islamic World, the OIC perceives the 
US-OIC connection as key to elevating its status. The 
organization can be expected to continue to push for senior 
meetings and to view the appointment of a Special Envoy as an 
urgent priority in order to realize its goals.  END COMMENT. 
QUINN