July 8, 2005

CONCLUSION OF THE 32ND OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN YEMEN. THE SPEECH OF SAUDI ARABIA. DR MADANI EXPRESSES HOPES THAT THE CURRENT MEETING OF THE ISLAMIC FOREIGN MINISTERS WOULD FORMULATE A NEW STRATEGY FOR A JOINT ISLAMIC WORK. THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF YEMEN EXPRESSES HIS HOPE FOR AN ACTIVE ISLAMIC-ISLAMIC DIALOGUE. AL-QIRBI: THE SUCCESS OF ANY MUSLIM COUNTRY IS THAT OF ALL MUSLIM COUNTRIES. Islamic foreign ministers emphasized, in the end of their 32nd session, in Sana'a their solid belief in the principles of the Organization of Islamic Conference. Wrapping up their three-day summit in Sana'a, they pledged to pool their resources together in "safeguarding the dignity and cohesion of the Moslem Ummah" as stated in the Sana'a Declaration. The declaration stressed the resolve of the ministers to structurally reform the OIC, and support Islamic moderation, cultural diversity, democracy and "reforming the United Nations Organization". A key objective the final communiqué stated is the invitation of all concerned parties "to consider the cause of the Arab-Israeli conflict as an urgent matter" and seek the implementation of the roadmap peace plan and creation of a fully viable Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. The Moslem ministers decided to lobby for an international drive to bridge the gap between the rich and the developing countries, reconstruct Sudan and support national reconciliation in that country. Foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Countries OIC called upon the United States of America to reconsider the so-called Syria Accountability Act. " Reconsideration of this biased act to Israel expresses keenness on not to increase deterioration and not to waste chances of making the just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East," a decision said. The OIC has expressed by consensus "astonishment," and "worry," over the US congress decision called Syria Accountability Act imposed on Syria saying "it poses as a violation of the international law principals and the UN resolutions as well the OIC charter in addition to make the US laws triumph over the international law." The decision voiced full solidarity with Syria and appreciation of her position calling for "the language of dialogue prevailing," as a means of understanding among nations and solving dispute among them. It called upon the US administration "to enter and in good will in a dialogue with Syria as to settle issues hindering the US- Syrian ties." The OIC countries announced denunciation of the "repeated Israeli threats," against Syria that aimed at destroying the peace process and escalating tension in the region repeating support to Syria's right to restore full sovereignty over the occupied Golan. The decision condemned "Israel's non-stop in refusal to abide by the international legitimacy resolutions, and called upon it to immediately withdraw to June 4th border line. It underlined the Palestinian peoples right to establish its state with honorable Jerusalem as its capital and to accomplish the right to return dream for Palestinians to their homeland in accordance with the UN General Assembly resolution 194. The decision renewed condemnation of "Israel's policy in the occupied Golan of Syria," and underlined backing Syria's demand and right to restore all the occupied Golan. "Carrying on occupation of Golan is constituting a continuous threat to security and peace in the region and the world." The decision said. Participants denounced in a special decision on the occupied Golan Israel's decision in 1981 to join it and impose its rule and administration on it. It also rejected what the Syrian citizens of Golan are facing of "oppressive measures and violent bids to oblige them to accept the Israeli identity," saying," it poses as a violation of the 25th article of the UN Charter." The decision also denounced Israel for refusal to implement the UN Security Council resolutions specially 497 in 1981 that considers joining Golan as "null and void," and challenge to the international community as well Geneva agreements. Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr al-Qirbi called on the Islamic nations to work for unifying stances in the face of attacks against the Islamic Ummah. Addressing the first work session of the 32nd meeting of Islamic foreign ministers, al-Qirbi warned that the Islamic Ummah is facing a fierce plotted attack against its pillars and undermining of its role. "This is what makes us today, like never before, required to apply the principle of the unity of the Moslem Ummah," he said. "What we need today is to reach unified concepts." The minister added that the 16-member committee of high-profile figures as formed in the Malaysia summit "has drawn a roadmap that we ought to go." "The situations of our Islamic Ummah are too delicate, as resembled by the Arab-Israeli standoff, the situation in Iraq and the fight against terrorism." The situation in Palestine, he continued, remains a legacy of shame in the history of the United Nations and the international community. "Despite the improvements in Iraq, there is the need for a pan-Islamic support of the Iraqi unity and stability," the Minister noted. The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) held its 32nd session in Sana'a. The meeting discussed issues of concern to the Islamic world including Muslim communities in non-Muslim countries. Ihsan Ojli, Chairman of the OIC, said the conference approved the establishment of an Islamic Disaster Fund to face natural disasters and that Muslim countries should be granted a permanent seat at the Security Council as they constituted a fifth of the world's population. Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi, Yemen's Foreign Minister, supported Ojli's view and said that the Muslim world had a significant role in relation to population, geography, civilization, and culture. Al-Qirbi said the demand was one of many suggestions to reform the UN, like expanding the Security Council to include under-developed countries from Asia and Africa. "We hope that Muslim countries will come up with a united view concerning UN reforms which would bring about fair and active expansion of the Security Council," said Al-Qirbi. He said he would welcome the presence of a UN representative at the conference to discuss these views. Al-Qirbi said that another important issue was the report prepared by a committee of 16 prominent Muslim scholars, formed during a previous conference and assigned to identify the state of Muslim countries and the challenges they face in the 21st century. The report will be discussed in an extraordinary session held later in Saudi Arabia. "The report," said Al-Qirbi, "presents the issues of political, cultural and media reforms in the Islamic world as well as creating economic partnerships among OIC members." Al-Qirbi said: "We support the committee report although it carries only the opinions of individuals, not countries." Of the 57 member states, 54 have confirmed their participation, and 43 will be represented by their foreign ministers. The Russian, Thai and Filipino foreign ministers attended as guests. The UN Secretary General's representative, the Arab League Secretary General and the GCC Secretary General were also present. Spokesman of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Atta El-Manan Bakhit called on media in the Islamic countries to support efforts of the organization to promote project of the Islamic emergency fund. In a press conference in sidelines of 32nd session of Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, Bakhit said the organization would launch extensive campaign to promote setting up the emergency fund for dealing with the crises in the Islamic World. He made clear that Islamic foreign ministers discussed the suggestions of commission of imminent persons that would be presented to the extraordinary summit of the organization that would be held in Saudi Arabia in December. He added that the ministers discussed future tasks of the organization and challenges facing the Islamic Ummah in different fields in addition to a political file, which includes the Palestinian cause and the peace process in the Middle East as well as facing attempts of Israel to judaize Al-Quds. They also discussed aid of the organization to help victims of tsunami that hit Asia last year, he said. Muslim foreign ministers approved suggestions of the Imminent persons committee on developing function of the Islamic organization which would be raised to the summit of the organization to be held in Saudi Arabia next December. Yemen's Deputy foreign minister Tahar Bin Yahya stated to Saba that the ministers held a special meeting headed by foreign minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi in which they discussed the suggestions and the draft of UN reform. The suggestion include topics regarding the improvement of the organization performance to meet the new developments in the international arena . Islamic states promised more assistance for Iraq in the face of a raging insurgency yesterday but balked at the outright condemnation of "terrorism" requested by its under-fire government. The final statement issued after a three-day meeting of foreign ministers of the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference insisted on a right of "legitimate resistance against occupation". "Ministers affirmed their decision to offer all sorts of support to the Iraqi interim government to write a constitution, as well as achieve security and stability," the statement said. But it added the rider that the support was aimed at helping Iraq "achieve sovereignty and end occupation." Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr Al-Qirbi, whose country hosted the meeting, said his counterparts also "called upon all Iraqis to unite in order to end occupation". The statement condemned "all aspects of terrorism" but insisted on "differentiating between terrorism and legitimate resistance against occupation". Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari had called on Islamic countries to "condemn explicitly acts of terrorism in Iraq." He hit out at the OIC's approach to his country's continued instability more than two years after the US-led invasion, and called for unambiguous support in the face of the persistent Sunni Arab insurgency. "There is a case of carelessness in the organization's attitude toward Iraq," Zebari told reporters. He complained that member states did not have a clear position on the insurgency or his government, the first elected administration in Iraq in half a century. Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsan Oglu of Turkey hailed a "turning point in the history of the organization, in terms of heading toward reforming it." Ministers also agreed to set up a new fund to tackle tsunami-like natural disasters, Al-Qirbi said, without giving any figures. OIC spokesman Ataa Bekheit had told reporters that contributions by member states would be voluntary, adding that a telethon would be organized during the fasting month of Ramadan to bring in private donations from around the Muslim world. At the opening session Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsan Oglu Secretary General of the Organization of The Islamic Conference, delivered the following statement: It is my honour to welcome you all to the Thirty Second Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers being hosted by the city of Sanaa, the capital of Yemen and, the cradle of the time-honoured civilization. It gives me pleasure, on this occasion, to extend to His Excellency brother Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of the Republic of Yemen, our heartfelt gratitude for personally gracing this Conference. To the government of Yemen as well as the great people of Yemen, we express deep appreciation for their hosting of this important Islamic Conference and for their warm welcome and generous hospitality. I am also pleased to welcome our illustrious guests who are here with us this inaugural session. Our meeting today is taking place under difficult international circumstances which contrast with our past when our Ummah witnessed its golden eras, when it was a major power, an international fulcrum of scientific and cultural radiance in the world, the cradle of civilization, tolerance, and coexistence between different faiths and creeds. Today, we find ourselves in the face of trying circumstances and various difficult challenges threatening our territories, our sovereignty, our culture and our identity. This state of affairs is accompanied by a crisis in self-confidence and a feeling of helplessness, of economic, social, scientific and cultural frailty and alienation. This situation imposes on us the need to free ourselves from this psychological state and to aspire to develop our societies and reform of our institutions so that the Muslim citizen does not feel that he is just chasing a mirage. For, development and reform are the only real guarantee for the survival of our Ummah, and for the bridging of the gap between us and the advanced world in the fields of development before that gap turns into a bottomless abyss. While admitting the existence of such high hurdles, real experience on the ground tells us that emancipation from our present state is possible, if only we follow the real path of development, armed with unshakable resolve. Many an Asian State are there to testify to this fact, having already started on the path to development and prosperity, after long enduring what we are suffering today. Such optimism may be further justified by the fact that the Islamic world never knew boundaries separating its countries until the end of World War I. This has endowed it with a historical reference and practical experience to prepare it for solidarity in all fields, compared with the European States, which for many years lived in wars and conflicts and sacrificed fifty million people during the World War II. Were we to consider the European experience in rearranging their interests and national considerations for the ultimate good of all, we would be able to make the Islamic solidarity undertaking and the OIC policies more efficient and, more likely to succeed, through the adoption of realistic policies founded on practical, diligent studies, and the pursuit of possible means and approaches. I assumed my duties as Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, six months ago having been elected to this post through a democratic and transparent process applied for the first time in the Organization's history. Given my work in service within the OIC system for quarter of century, and my gaining of an insider's close view of the Organization's affairs, its progress and the hopes pinned on it, I feel the weight of responsibility for this mandate and honour. With that responsibility I feel the necessity of honouring momentous trust placed upon my shoulders. For these reasons, I take my duties in this office with full commitment and dedication, and I have the firm resolve to honour the oath that I took with respect to the optimal discharge of my assignment, in transparent accountancy to you, to your states and to your peoples, and over and above all, to my own conscience, to God and to History. The greatest service we can render to the Islamic Ummah is to make this organization one that can bring benefits to and word of dangers from the Ummah; help it to be resilient in the face of contemporary challenges, unite its ranks and stands and reclaim its past glory and dignity. For this objective to be achieved, we need a clear vision of the Islamic solidarity future perspectives over the coming decades, after a critical review of the Organization's legacy, and what it has or has not achieved since its establishment. This calls for an overall review of the Organization's Charter, so as to reformulate it in a manner that reflects the aspirations and ambitions of the Islamic world at the threshold of the twenty first century. This should be accompanied by a genuine reform of the Organization itself and its various structures in accordance with the new perspective, through an ongoing and continual process, which will guarantee that the political resolution adopted by our organization do not remain merely wishes whose effect disappear in the face of bureaucratic stumbling blocks, making it impossible to implement. This involves such a wide spectrum of activity, which, despite its complexity remains not beyond your determined will and that of the citizens of the Islamic Ummah, given their past achievements, pioneering breakthroughs and distinct standing. All this hinges on your will, your resolve and your commitment, and also on the level of performance and efficacy of the machinery of this Organization. Hence it has been my considered view that the foremost duty for me is to strive to push forward the wheel of reform at the Organization, a substantial reform, not just a cosmetic one: to review its structures and work procedures, to use to make optimal use of the available human resources, to develop capacities and raise competence and performance. In this connection I have already achieved a non-negligible progress. I have endeavoured to rationalize expenditure as much as possible, to develop a new accounting and salary system, and taken on board your past decisions as to the rationalization of resolutions so as to make them more implementable. At the same time, I have submitted ideas of a broader scope such as the call for the amendment of the Charter which has been overtaken by events, the idea of a new name for the Organization which will be more indicative of its reality, and the creation of new mechanisms to ensure follow through with the resolutions. This will assist our Organization to assume the role expected of it by the Muslim world in fundamental and vital fields such as the various aspects of development, the area of reform and infusion of awareness about human rights and democracy, acquisition of knowledge and modern technology and raising economic standards to a level which allows integration with the global economy. In this regard, the Committee of Eminent Persons which the Tenth Islamic Summit Conference established to confront the challenges of the new millennium, issued its recommendations which will be submitted to the upcoming extraordinary session, convened by HRH prince Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and which will be held at the end of this year. These recommendations include an identification of these challenges and of the ideas with which to address them, as well as the mechanisms to implement them. In the face of the intensification of Islamophobia in the West, I have seen it as a duty to launch a campaign against this detestable phenomenon, and We have approached the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva in this connection. We succeeded to have the Committee adopt a resolution prohibiting defamation of religions, in particular Islam, as well as linking it with terrorism. We also took the campaign to the United Nations General Assembly asking it to make efforts in this regard. In the same vein, we went to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and managed to convince it to place the matter in its agenda and admitted that defamation of Islam has become a fundamental challenge in the field of human rights in Europe. Since the enlargement of the Security Council has become a pressing issue in the agenda of the United Nations, we have made extensive efforts in concert with the Islamic Group at the United Nations in New York to ensure a permanent representation for the Muslim world in the Security Council. For the Muslim world, that is one fifth of the world's population, cannot remain excluded from the activities of the Security Council which assumes a fundamental role in keeping security and peace in the world. I will speak in more detail in my longer statement about these and other issues, such as our follow-up of the major Islamic causes, at the forefront of which is the Palestinian causes to which we devote most of our interest, as well as the issues of Iraq, Kashmir, etc. You may notice from the above summary of activities and initiatives that the Organization's field of action in the coming days will be vast and multifaceted. Yet, it holds promises for a new dynamism that will secure for the Islamic world a more distinguished position among the international powers. I have briefed many of the Muslim leaders about my approach and ideas, and the activities I intend to carry out in the fulfillment of my duties. And all of them have expressed support and encouragement for me. In the Permanent Finance Committee, I called for an increased budget in order to cover the outlays for the various new activities, such as to allow us to attract highly skilled competencies that would participate in the assumption of the new tasks. All the above is dependent on your political will and determination to support the new working method which we have initiated and which will be presented to you in more details that this opening session does not allow. The Muslim world is now in front of two important events in the field of Joint Islamic Action. The first one is this ministerial conference which is a good opportunity for you to make a genuine breakthrough in effecting a fundamental reform to which aspire the leading States of this Organization, which are faithful to it and interested in serving the Muslim world. This will meets that of a Secretary General who spares no effort to achieve this most noble goal. The second important event is the extraordinary summit in Makka Al Mukarramah convened by HRH Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz. This summit will have, inter alia, critical historic duties concerning the implementation of the significant and practical recommendations discussed and adopted by the Committee of Eminent Persons formed the Putrajaya Summit. These recommendations revolve around the development of the Muslim world and helping it meet the political, intellectual and development challenges, as well as opening the gate by the beginning of next year to Islamic workshops that make history, boost our morale, eliminate our feeling of impotence, and place us on the road of solidarity and mutual assistance. It is our hope that you will make of these two events a success. On the other hand Secretary General of Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Akmaluddin Ihsan Oglu has highlighted the generous contributions made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to supporting victims of the tsunami catastrophe. Oglu's remarks came at his speech before the meeting of the OIC's Foreign Ministers. Nizar Ibn Obaid Madani, the Assistant Foreign Minister, led the Saudi delegation to the meeting. Dr. Nizar Ibn Obeid Madani, said the 32nd session of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference in Sanaa was held amid confirmed reports on serious challenges facing the Islamic nation, necessitating coordination of positions among the OIC member countries. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Madani said he submitted, during the conference, a presentation on the forthcoming Islamic Extraordinary summit scheduled for Makkah late this year at the invitation of Crown Prince Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, to discuss the nation's most pressing issues and challenges. He said he also gave an account of the Kingdom's contribution to the victims of the Tsunami disaster. He said the Saudi Development Fund has accredited the provision of $400 million to finance rehabilitation projects in flood-hit areas in South East Asia, $82 million and quantities of corporal relief items were solicited from Saudi charities for the needy in that area while the Saudi government has announced that it has donated relief assistance worth $30 million for the victims. Moreover, the bulk of the tsunami children victims will be sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people, Madani declared. Dr Nizar Obaid Madani, the Assistant Foreign Minister and Leader of the Saudi delegation to the 32nd session of the Islamic Foreign Ministers, has highlighted the role of Jeddah-based Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) . In a statement to Sanaa-based 'Al-Thawra' newspaper, Dr Madani said activation of the role of the OIC and enhancing its influence at the international arena depend on the support being extended to the Organization by its member states. Slamming the activities of the deviant group, Dr Madani said such activities defame the Muslims and their civilization. 'Terrorism is an international phenomenon, and it is not confined to a certain land, race or religion', he said. Dr Madani urged the Muslim countries to work for issuance of an international resolution that prevents insulting Islam and Muslims. Meanwhile, Dr Madani hoped that the current meeting of the Islamic Foreign Ministers would formulate a new strategy for a joint Islamic work and a contemporary vision for the role of the OIC, as well as for preparing the Muslim nation to confront the challenges of the 21st century. The Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh a number of officials participating in the 32nd session of the foreign ministers of Organization of Islamic Conference member countries. In their talks, President Saleh and the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov discussed the reformation of the United Nations organization, the fight against terror and the Russo-Yemen cooperation in economic, cultural, military and political spheres. In a meeting with the deputy Italian minister of foreign affairs, Alfrido Mantiko, President Saleh discussed the issue of UN reformation as included in the agenda of the three-day Islamic conference that opened on Tuesday. They also discussed Somalia, the Horn of Africa and the fight against terrorism. With the Iranian minister of foreign affairs Kamal Kharazi, President Saleh discussed the issues on the agenda of the Islamic conference, the reformation of the OIC and the joint resistance of intrusions that aim at splitting the bilateral relations. With the Thai foreign minister Khantathi Suphamongkon, President Saleh discussed the political and economic cooperation and exchange of expertise in artificial raining. With Hoshyar Zebari, the Iraqi foreign minister, Saleh discussed agenda of the gathering and the imperative of reconstructing war-torn Iraq into a modern, democratic and federal state. In the meeting with Abdullah Gul, the Turkish foreign minister, President Saleh discussed the reformation of the Islamic organization and the bilateral cooperation in economic, military, political and cultural fields. President Saleh affirmed in his meeting with the Palestinian foreign minister Nasir al-Qudwah Yemen's longstanding commitment to supporting the Palestinian legitimate struggle for creating a viable state with Jerusalem as its capital. Meanwhile Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari of Iraq unveiled that his Moslem counterparts have adopted a decision for supporting the transitional government in Iraq. In a press conference in Sana'a, he expected the decision of the participants in the 32nd session of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Conference to assist his own government pursuing the maturation of the political progress of Iraq. As for his perspective for the Iraqi future, he said that it was the agreement of the political parties, the trend of the UN Security Council and the support of the OIC to make a united federal Iraq. "This will be confirmed by the final communiqué of the summit". "The unity of Iraq is stressed by the permanent constitution which is under preparation," he said adding that "Iraq's current concern is the accomplishing the drafting of the constitution". Zebari made clear that the withdrawal of the foreign troops is a matter of a resolution from the UN Security Council in accordance with a set schedule He expressed his hope that Arab states will exempt Iraq from some of its $120 billion debts. The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference Professor Akmaluddin Ihsan Oglu left Sanaa after participating in the 32nd session of the OIC Foreign Ministers . In a statement upon his departure, Oglu said that one of the main topics discussed was admitting Russia as an observer in the organization as well as establishing a disasters fund.