OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.1
SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON
THE SITUATION IN IRAQ
1.
This report covers the period between the Annual Coordination Meeting
(ACM) of OIC Foreign Ministers, held in New York on 23 September 2005 and
March 2006.
2.
In view of the significant developments in one of its important Member
States as well as the fact that all its neighbouring states are also OIC countries,
I have continued to exchange views on the situation in Iraq during all my meetings
with important dignitaries, both from within as well as outside the
OIC membership. Besides my fruitful meetings with President Jalal Talabani of
Iraq in Vienna in November 2005 and again on the sidelines of the Extraordinary
OIC Summit in Makkah in December 2005, I have regularly exchanged views with
the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Mr. Hoshyar Zebari. My latest such exchanges were
during the month of March in London with Mr. Jack Straw, the British Foreign
Secretary and Mr. Nigel Sheinwald, Foreign Policy Adviser to the British Prime
Minister as well as during the 18th Arab League Summit, held in Khartoum.
The General Secretariat also continues to closely follow the situation in Iraq and to
promptly issue statements after important developments in the country.
3.
Despite some recent positive political developments, my assessment is that
the situation in Iraq continues to be extremely volatile and the country remains
confronted with formidable security, political and economic challenges, which have
been particularly exacerbated after the highly condemnable and dastardly act of the
destruction of the Holy Shrine in Samarra on 22 February 2006.
FINALIZATION OF A DRAFT IRAQI CONSTITUTION:
4.
In my various statements and interaction with the media, I have repeatedly
reiterated my appeal to all Iraqi communities and political entities that the most
important challenge in the post-election period would now be for them to shun their
differences, pursue genuine national reconciliation and to sincerely strive towards
the formation of a broad-based, all-inclusive and fully representative government.
5.
An OIC delegation participated in the preparatory meeting on the Iraqi
National Accord in Cairo on 19-21 November 2005, sponsored by the Arab League.
This meeting was significant in the sense that, for the first time, a broad range of
representatives of Iraq's different communities came together to discuss national
reconciliation and the future of their country. The important elements contained in
the Meeting's joint statement, were the call for a timetable for the Coalition's
withdrawal; affirmation of a legitimate right to resistance and rejection of terrorism.
It is hoped that a follow-up "Conference on Iraqi National Accord", will be held in
Baghdad in early June 2006.
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6.
On 22 February 2006, an unfortunate accident led to the destruction of the
Holy Shrine of Imams Ali Al-Hadi and Hassan Al-Askari in Samarra. The Iraqi
scene witnessed at a result a wave of sectarian violence which led to the death of
innocent people. Consequently, I immediately appealed strongly to all Iraqi people
to exercise utmost restraint and responsibility in the aftermath of this cowardly act.
I had also called upon all concerned to expeditiously bring the perpetrators of this
outrageous act to justice and to ensure the protection and sanctity of all religious
and cultural sites in Iraq.
OIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE's MINISTERIAL MEETING - 15 MARCH
7.
The situation in Iraq was comprehensively reviewed and elaborated in the
Final Communique of the First Ministerial Meeting of the OIC Executive
Committee, which was held at the General Secretariat in Jeddah on 15 March 2006.
The Committee reaffirmed its determination to follow up the developments in Iraq
and to continue to work to restore permanent and sustainable peace and stability.
The Meeting recommended to the OIC, considering its credibility among Iraqis,
to continue to work, in close coordination with the Arab League, towards
establishing a climate of harmony and understanding that is conducive to building
lasting peace and security in Iraq and the entire region. While requesting the
OIC Secretary General to follow-up and co-ordinate activities, the Executive
Committee made the following important recommendations:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
The establishment of an OIC Contact Group on Iraq.
Call upon various Iraqi spectrum, on the basis of the relevant provisions
of the OIC Ten-Year Programme of Action, to proscribe any recourse to
accusing others of infidelity or blasphemy.
Visit to Iraq by the OIC Secretary General.
Submit Iraq's proposal for opening an OIC coordination office in
Baghdad for consideration by the forthcoming 33rd ICFM.
8.
I have found all the above stated recommendations to be extremely relevant
and requiring the utmost consideration by Member States and by the Iraqi people.
I particularly consider the establishment of an OIC Contact Group on Iraq to be
extremely important in terms of increasing OIC's involvement in the country.
For my part, I am willing to undertake a visit to Iraq at the earliest possible.
The General Secretariat also continues to maintain an effective liaison with the
recently appointed Consul General of Iraq. I would like to take this opportunity to
urge Member States to suggest further constructive proposals for OIC's proactive
and effective involvement in Iraq.
9.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
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SECRETARY GENERAL's REPORT ON THE
SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN
1.
This report covers the period from July 2005 and March 2006, including the
follow-up on implementation of resolutions and important developments concerning
the subject matter.
2.
One of the most important contemporary Islamic issues that have featured
prominently in the OIC's agenda for over 20 years is the issue of Afghanistan.
Many resolutions have been adopted on Afghanistan either affirming Islamic solidarity
with the Afghan people, standing by them while they defended their independence or
rebuilt their country after the destruction brought about by protracted wars.
Transfer of activities of OIC Office in Kabul to Afghan People’s Assistance Fund
3.
Pursuant to resolution 2/32-POL adopted by the 32nd ICFM in Sana’a, the OIC
political office in Kabul was closed with effect from 1 August 2005. The activities of
the OIC’s Afghan People’s Assistance Fund were strengthened with the holding in
Kabul for the first time the meeting of the Fund’s Council of Trustees which was
attended by the ambassadors of the Member States of the Council of Trustees in
Riyadh. The Fund’s office was established in the OIC Office in Kabul, moving its
activities from its temporary headquarters in Islamabad.
Activities of the Afghan People’s Assistance Fund:
4.
The Afghan People’s Assistance Fund continues to implement the plan adopted
Council of Trustees at its session held in Kabul from 5-6 June 2005. According to the
latest report of the Fund's Executive Director, selection of companies to build the
health centres has been completed through an international tender. The construction
commenced in March 2006. 176 wells have been sunk in 7 Afghan provinces and
heaters were distributed to 3325 Afghan families in Kabul and Lojar provinces.
232 tents, used as classrooms, were distributed in 4 Afghan provinces. It is worth
noting that the plan includes building of 20 health centres in various parts of
Afghanistan and the provision of a number of tents to meet the needs of Afghan
schools for classrooms. According to official statistics, shortage of classrooms is
estimated at about 7,000. Also included in the plan is the sinking of 300 wells to
provide drinking water and the distribution of heaters to needy Afghan families to face
the winter season.
5.
In view of the need of the Afghan people for the assistance of their fellow
brothers in the Islamic Ummah at this critical phase of reconstruction, I renew my
appeal to the Member States and all Islamic institutions to donate generously to the
Afghan People’s Assistance Fund. I should not forget the recent payment by the
Sultanate of Oman and by the United Arab Emirates of the amounts they had donated
to the Afghan People’s Assistance Fund. It is my hope that all those who are able,
should emulate this gesture.
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Strengthening OIC's relations with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan:
6.
The General Secretariat participated in the monitoring of the parliamentary
elections held on 18 September 2005. On 28 September 2005, I sent a congratulatory
message to President Hamid Karzai in which I expressed my confidence that
Afghanistan is moving along the right path for its own reconstruction.
I assured that the OIC would stand by the Afghan people as they rebuild their country.
Participation of the OIC in the London Conference:
7.
The London Conference on Afghanistan was held on 31 January and 1 February
2006. Delegations from more that 60 countries as well as international and regional
organizations, including 23 led by foreign ministers, participated in the Conference.
The General Secretariat was represented by a high-level delegation, led by the
Assistant Secretary General, which also included a representative of the Islamic
Development Bank.
8.
The London Conference adopted a new framework known as “Afghanistan
Compact”, for international community engagement in all levels of Afghan life. It will
serve as the framework for the next five years like the Bonn Agreement was during the
past 5 years. The London conference was also able to collect $10.5 billion made up of
donations and soft loans. Of this amount, $70 million was given by the Islamic
Development Bank as interest-free loans for development in the next two years. In the
course of discussions at the London conference, our delegation spoke about the
activities of the OIC Afghan People’s Assistance Fund, which provides services to the
Afghan people with a budget of $15 million. It is worthy to note that Security Council
Resolution 1659 (2006) endorsed the “Afghan Compact”, referred to above, as a
framework for the partnership between the Afghan Government and the international
community.
Combating drugs:
9.
Drugs production in Afghanistan is a major challenge not only for the Afghan
government but also for the whole international community. As is known, a large
number of Afghan farmers grow the opium-producing cannabis (hashish) plant, of
which Afghanistan is regarded as the largest producer in the world. Efforts to make the
Afghan farmers move over to more useful crops have not been as successful as they
should.
10.
The Afghan Government updated its national strategy for combating drugs and
presented same to the recent London Conference. I appeal to all Member States of the
OIC to extend the assistance they can to Afghanistan so that it can be free from the
scourge of drugs which threatens all humanity.
11.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.3
OIC SECRETARY GENERAL's REPORT ON THE
SITUATION IN SOMALIA
1.
This report covers the period between the Annual Coordination Meeting
(ACM) of OIC Foreign Ministers, held in New York on 23 September 2005 and
March 2006.
2.
As was reported earlier, the situation in Somalia continues to be a matter of
concern for the OIC, which has consistently reiterated its determination to preserve
Somalia’s unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and
non-interference in its internal affairs. As compared with the United Nations,
the Arab League, the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority for
Development (IGAD), the OIC has, however, practically played a minor role in
promoting peace and national reconciliation in Somalia.
Final Communique of Annual Coordination Meeting of 23 September 2005:
3.
The Final Communique of the ACM held in New York on 23 September
2005, while reaffirming its commitment to a comprehensive and lasting settlement
of the situation in Somalia, called on all States to respect the sovereignty of
Somalia and to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs. The Communique also
welcomed the relocation of the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) and urged
further progress in this regard. It encouraged Somali leaders to continue to work
towards reconciliation through dialogue and consensus-building, within the
framework of the TFIs. The Communique, while welcoming the African Union's
Peace and Security Council's decision to expedite preparations for the deployment
of an AU Peace Support Mission for Somalia, also called on the international
community to recognize as well as extend urgent financial support to the
Transitional Federal Government (TFG).
26th session of the IGAD Council of Ministers, Jowhar, 29 November 2005 :
4.
Despite our interest in Somali affairs, the OIC was not invited to the IGAD
Meeting held in Jowhar, the provisional capital of the TFG on 29 November 2005.
3rd Extraordinary OIC Summit Conference, Makkah, 7-8 December 2005:
5.
President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed led his country's delegation to this
Extraordinary Summit Conference. The 10-year Programme of Action adopted by
the Summit, inter alia, while reaffirming previous resolutions on Somalia, decided
to demonstrate solidarity with the Somali people in their just causes. Likewise,
the Final Communique of the Summit also reiterated its support for the Somali
Government and its efforts to restore security and achieve reconstruction.
Meeting with the Foreign Minister of Somalia, Jeddah, 10 December 2005:
6.
Upon his request, I held a fruitful meeting with H.E. Mr. Abdullahi Sheikh
Ismail, Foreign Minister of Somalia, at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on
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10 December 2005. Besides giving an update on the latest developments in
Somalia, the Foreign Minister requested OIC to be actively involved in Somalia.
In this regard, he reiterated the OIC Contact Group on Somalia's earlier
recommendation to convene a Special Ministerial Meeting in order to prepare
specific plans for reconstruction of Somalia and the reform of its state institutions,
for submission to the forthcoming 33rd ICFM in Baku. The Somali Foreign Minister
also invited the OIC to become a part of the AU/IGAD Joint Panel on Somalia.
OIC's participation in the AU/IGAD Joint Panel on Somalia:
7.
In my response to a subsequent formal invitation received from Somalia's
Foreign Minister, I had promptly conveyed the OIC's acceptance to become part of
the AU/IGAD Joint Panel on Somalia and to actively participate in its deliberations.
The OIC looks forward to attending the Joint Panel's meetings.
Meeting with Somalia's Minister for Reconstruction, Jeddah, 21 December:
8.
Upon his request, H.E. Mr. Adam Sheikh Mohamed, Somalia's Minister for
Reconciliation and Diaspora Affairs, also held a fruitful meeting with the Assistant
Secretary General for Political Affairs at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on
21 December 2005. This meeting was followed-up by a letter from the Minister
along with which he elaborated the details of various rehabilitation projects worth
US $ 191,330/- for which assistance was sought from the Islamic Solidarity Fund.
The request is presently being evaluated by the General Secretariat before being
presented to the ISF Executive Council for a decision.
Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Somalia (Jeddah, 13 February 2006)
9.
As a follow-up to the recommendations of the last meeting of the
OIC Contact Group on Somalia, held in New York on 23 September 2005, and
upon a request made by Mr. Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail, Foreign Minister of Somalia,
a meeting of the Contact Group was held at the level of Permanent Representatives
at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on Monday, 13 February 2006. The meeting was
chaired by the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Saudi Arabia and was attended
by 13 out of the 15 member states of the Contact Group. The final report adopted by
the meeting contained the following important recommendations:
a.
Welcomed the outcome of the 26th IGAD Ministerial Session, particularly the
decision to establish an AU-IGAD Joint Panel on Somalia. In this regard, they
called for OIC's active participation in the deliberations of the Joint Panel.
b.
Requested the Secretary General to coordinate efforts for OIC's participation
in the Transitional Federal Parliament's forthcoming session which was
scheduled to be held in Baidao on 26 February 2006.
c.
Called upon the Contact Group and the General Secretariat to dispatch a
delegation to Somalia, during the second half of March 2006, to meet the
President and the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government in
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order to reaffirm the support of the Islamic Ummah and to discuss with them
the role that could be undertaken by the OIC during the next stage.
d.
Called upon the Contact Group to reconvene another meeting after the visit of
the joint delegation with a view to preparing a comprehensive report for
submission to the 33rd ICFM, including the provision of the 32nd ICFM's
resolution to open an OIC Office in Somalia.
e.
Called upon Member States to urgently extend all forms of financial and
technical assistance to the Transitional Federal Government to enable it to
successfully carry out its plans for the reconstruction of the country,
resettlement of displaced persons & refugees, rebuilding of state institutions,
preserving security and stability and to overcome the devastating impact of the
drought and famine affecting Somalia.
f.
Requested the Secretary General to establish effective contacts with the
African Union, the Arab League and IGAD, in order to coordinate joint efforts
aimed at achieving durable peace and reconciliation in Somalia.
g.
Requested OIC Member States of IGAD to seriously consider their
participation in the proposed AU-IGAD peacekeeping mission for Somalia.
Meeting with Somalia's Minister of Health, Jeddah, 21 February 2006:
10.
Upon his request, H.E. Dr. Abdul Aziz Sheikh Yusuf, Somalia's Minister for
Health, held a fruitful meeting with the Assistant Secretary General for Political
Affairs at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah on 21 February 2006. The Minister
particularly sought OIC's assistance in the eradication of polio from his country.
Convening of the TFP's session in Baidoa on 26 February 2006:
11.
As provided for in the Aden Declaration, the first session of the TFP inside
Somalia was held in the city of Baidoa on 26 February 2006. This session was
attended by the President and the Prime Minister as well as 205 out of the
275 Members of Parliament. After holding its opening session, the TFP reconvened
after a one weeks recess on 6 March 2006. I had received a formal invitation from
the Speaker of the Parliament only one day prior to the TFP's session. However, due
to paucity of time, logistical problems as well as prior commitments, it was not
possible for the OIC to participate in this historic session of the TFP. While warmly
welcoming this extremely positive development and the courage exhibited by the
Somali leaders, I would strongly appeal to all of them to put aside their differences
and constructively participate in the TFP's deliberations, in order to achieve genuine
reconciliation and rebuilding of their country.
Assessment of the situation in Somalia:
12.
Despite all the recent positive developments, my assessment is that the
situation in Somalia continues to be extremely fragile. Although the Transitional
President, Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, and the Transitional Prime Minister,
Mr. Ali Mohammed Gedi, have relocated themselves from Nairobi to the Somali
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town of Jowhar, yet security considerations and factional rivalries continue to
remain a serious impediment for their relocation to the capital Mogadishu.
I have been seriously concerned over the recent upsurge of violence in the city.
Another serious obstacle in the reconciliation process has been the protracted
confrontation between the pro-secessionist Somali areas of "Somaliland" and
"Puntland" over control of the Sool and Sanaag regions.
Deployment of AU-IGAD peacekeeping mission in Somalia:
13.
Although technical as well as financial details regarding the deployment of
an AU-IGAD peacekeeping mission for Somalia are continuing, there is still strong
opposition both amongst the TFP as well as Somali masses against the deployment
of troops from neighbouring countries, particularly from Ethiopia.
I would, therefore, like to reiterate my strong opinion that any peace support
mission should be carefully planned and must have the broadest possible support of
the Somali people. In this regard, I would like to once again encourage
OIC Member States of IGAD to seriously consider participating in such a mission.
Appeal to all Somali factions and people:
14.
I would like to urge all Somalis, particularly the leaders of different factions,
to extend their full support to both the TFG and TFP and to actively participate in
the efforts to restore peace and security in their country. All factions and militia
leaders must cease hostilities and, together with the TFG, start immediate
negotiations towards a comprehensive and verifiable ceasefire agreement leading to
complete disarmament, particularly the demilitarization of the capital, Mogadishu
Appeal to OIC Member States and the international community:
15.
In view of the worsening humanitarian situation which exposed modern 1.7
million people to death as a result of starvation, I would like to strongly appeal to
OIC member states, in particular, and the international community, in general, to
expeditiously provide strong political, financial and capacity-building support for
these political reconciliation, economic reconstruction and humanitarian relief
efforts in Somalia.
OIC's role in Somalia:
16.
I would like to assure that the General Secretariat and my Special Envoy for
Somalia, Ambassador Atta Al-Mannan Bakhiet, would continue to play their
consistent role in actively participating in all efforts for national reconciliation,
reconstruction and development of Somalia. I would also like to urge Member
States to extend their full support for OIC's active involvement in all international /
regional initiatives on Somalia. I also look forward to receiving invitations for the
meetings of the AU/IGAD Joint Panel on Somalia.
Visit to Somalia of a joint delegation of the Contact Group and the Secretariat:
17.
As stated above, the last meeting of the Contact Group on Somalia has
recommended the dispatch of a joint delegation of the Contact Group and the
General Secretariat to Somalia. I look forward to the expeditious confirmation of
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the dates of this visit by the TFG. This visit would enable the Secretariat to assess
the situation on the ground and to incorporate this assessment in the study requested
in Resolution 3/32-P, on the possibility of opening an OIC Office in Somalia.
Visits of OIC delegations to AU, AL and IGAD Headquarters:
18.
I also intend to arrange visits of an OIC delegation to the Headquarters of the
African Union, the Arab League and IGAD in order to coordinate joint efforts
aimed at achieving durable peace and reconciliation in Somalia.
19.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.4
SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON THE
SITUATION IN CYPRUS
1.
The present report covers events and developments concerning the situation
in Cyprus since July 2005.
ICFM Annual Coordination Meeting of September 23rd 2005:
2.
The OIC Foreign Ministers Annual Coordination Meeting was held at the
UN headquarters in New York on 23rd September 2005. It reiterated its firm
support to the just cause of the Turkish Muslim Cypriots and reaffirmed its resolve
to put a conclusive end to the unjust isolation imposed upon them. It launched a
strong appeal to the international community to take all necessary prompt and
concrete steps to end this isolation, and urged the Member States, once again, to
forge strong ties with the Turkish Cypriots and expand their relations with them in
all fields. It also encouraged the Member States to exchange high-level visits with
the Turkish Cypriot side. The meeting also urged the Member States to keep the
General Secretariat informed about any measures they may take as to the
implementation of the OIC resolutions particularly Res. 2/31- C and 5/32-P issued
respectively by the 31st and 32nd sessions of the ICFM.
General Secretariat Plan of Action
3.
The steps taken by the international community and the OIC Member States
are still limited and well short of the aspirations of the Turkish Muslim Cypriots.
In order to implement the two resolutions referred above, the General Secretariat
has established an action plan, geared toward helping the Turkish Muslim Cypriot
people overcome some of these difficulties. The plan includes the following steps:
i.
Urging the OIC Member States and OIC affiliated institutions to initiate their
activities aimed at lifting the isolation and to achieve close cooperation with
the Turkish Muslim Cypriot people.
ii.
Dispatching a delegation comprised of the OIC General Secretariat, the
Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Solidarity Fund to assess the
situation on the ground and report thereon to the ICFM.
iii. Setting up a Trust Fund to help the Turkish Muslim Cypriot people.
iv.
Organizing a seminar in conjunction with the Member States and the affiliated
institutions, in coordination with the Turkish Cyprus side.
v.
Assisting the Turkish Cypriot side through involving it in the various activities
of the OIC.
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Exchange of visits:
4.
A joint OIC-IDB-ISF delegation paid a visit to the Turkish Cypriot State between
20-24 March 2006. The delegation met a number of senior officials from the Government
and visited three out of the six universities based in the State. The visit achieved concrete
results in defining the actual conditions of the Turkish Cypriot people and in having a feel
of the reality experienced by this people who are enduring difficulties in their own country.
These difficulties may be summed up as follows:
i.
ii.
iii.
A severe isolation imposed upon the Turkish Muslim Cypriot people.
Inadequate attention paid by the Islamic world to the issue of Cyprus.
Interruption of air and sea communications between the Northern part of the island
and the outside world, with the exception of Turkey.
iv. Failure on the part of many OIC Member States’ universities to recognize the
universities of the Turkish Cypriot State.
v. Lack of tourist flow towards the tourist resorts in the Northern part of the island
despite the existence of considerable opportunities and facilities.
vi. Absence of investments from Muslim businesspeople in the Northern part of the
island, specifically in the area of tourism.
vii. Paucity of assistance from the Islamic sources, whether material or in kind for the
benefit of this people.
5.
Furthermore, with a view to implement earlier Ministerial resolutions, I wish to
reaffirm the OIC's support for the efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side in all international
fora, based on the principle of political equality between the two sides. I hereby wish to
invite all the OIC Member States and the affiliated institutions to start developing bilateral
relations with the Government and people of Turkish Cypriot side, and to start activities
aimed at helping them overcome the inhuman and unjust isolation imposed upon them,
with due consideration to the following recommendations which are susceptible to lift the
isolation and back up the stand of the Turkish Cypriot side in its negotiations with the other
party:
i.
Inviting the Turkish Cypriot officials to participate in the meetings and symposia
organized by the Member States.
ii. Encouraging private sector investments in the Northern part of the Island.
iii. Recognizing the universities of the Turkish Cypriot State.
iv. Encouraging entrepreneurs in the tourism sector, and the peoples of the Islamic world
to make use of the beaches, the tourists resorts of the Northern part of the Island.
v. Initiating bilateral cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot side in the information and
cultural fields.
vi. Associating the Turkish Cypriot State in the international, regional and bilateral
social and sports activities.
vii. Urging IRCICA and ISESCO to cooperate with the Turkish Cypriot side in the
sphere of culture and Islamic heritage.
viii. Inviting the IDB to send a technical delegation to explore the possibility of executing
certain infrastructural projects there.
ix.
Requesting the ISF to increase the volume of its assistance to the Turkish Cypriots
to include health services, Islamic schools and social and sports activities, and to
finance symposia and religious seminars along with an increase in assistance for
maintenance and restoration for mosques and centers.
x.
Requesting the Ministers of Religious and Dawa Affairs in the Member States to
deliver lectures and conferences in the field of guidance and orientation in matters
relevant to Islamic practices.
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xi.
Granting scholarships to Muslim students in universities of the Turkish Cypriot
State.
Participation in the OIC Activities
6.
The Turkish Cypriot State took part in the Forth Tournament of the Muslim
Women`s Sports Games which were organized in Tehran in October 2005.
7.
The General Secretariat contacted the Secretary General of the Islamic Sports
Federation, Dr. Mohamad Saleh Gazdar, to facilitate the participation of the Turkish
Cypriots in all the Islamic sports activities.
8.
Minister of Education and Culture of the Turkish Cypriot State attended the
Twelfth General Assembly Meeting of the OIC Standing Committee of Scientific and
Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) held in February 2006 in Islamabad. It was
noted with gratitude that the Turkish Cypriot State decided to contribute US$20.000 to the
2006-2007 budget of COMSTECH.
New Turkish initiative
9.
The General Secretariat welcomed the new Turkish initiative on Cyprus issue
which was announced on 24 January 2006 by H.E. Abdullah Gül, Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey, and qualified it as timely and
constructive in the framework of the aim of putting an end to the isolation of the Turkish
Cypriot people. It is believed that this initiative, aimed at contributing to the realization of
a peaceful, just and lasting solution of the Cyprus issue, has the potential to lead to an
improved environment of mutual confidence and economic development on the island by
eliminating restrictions and reducing disparities. The details of the Turkish initiative was
circulated to the Member State by the General Secretariat on 2nd February 2006. The
General Secretariat commends the OIC Member States who have made statements in
support of this initiative and calls on all OIC Member States to support it with the final aim
of reaching peace and stability in the region.
Visit of a delegation from the Greek Cypriot side to the General Secretariat
10.
At the request of the Greek Cypriot Foreign Ministry, the OIC Assistant Secretary
General for political Affairs, received in his office, on 6 February 2006, Permanent
Secretary of the Greek Cypriot Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Soto Zackheos. While the
Greek Cypriot diplomat raised their known arguments regarding the Cyprus question, the
OIC General Secretariat side explained the expectations of the Muslim world that the issue
be resolved through negotiations and by guaranteeing the rights of the Turkish Cypriots
and that the OIC deems it necessary that a just settlement must be based on respect for the
aspirations of the Turkish Cypriot people and observance of the principle of free and equal
participation in achieving a negotiated solution accepted to all.
11.
This report is submitted to the 33rd Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign
Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
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SECRETARY GENERAL's REPORT ON
SOLIDARITY WITH REPUBLIC OF SUDAN
1.
The present report covers the period from July 2005 to March 2006, the
follow-up exercise in terms of the implementation of resolutions and the
developments relevant to the subject in question.
2.
On 09 July 2005, Sudan entered a new political phase in its contemporary
history as it started reaping the fruits of the Peace Agreement concluded between
the Sudanese Government and the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Sudan
in Nairobi on 9th of January of the same year. The country’s transitional constitution
was also signed. The General Secretariat was represented at the signing and
swearing in ceremonies by its Assistant Secretary General for political Affairs.
Developments on the Darfour Issue
3.
The African Union continued its endeavours to establish peace in the Darfour
province, with the support of the UN and other regional and international
organizations, including the OIC, which expressed its support for the African
Union’s stand through direct contacts between the officials of the two organizations.
4.
Following the adoption by the African Union’s Security and Peace Council
of the resolution concerning the continuation of the mission of the peace-keeping
force in Darfur until September 2006 and the transfer of the mission to the United
Nations in coordination with the Sudanese Government, I issued on the occasion a
press communiqué in which I reaffirmed the OIC’s support for the African Union’s
efforts in addressing the issue of Darfour, whether through the Abuja negotiations
or through the deployment of AU peacekeeping forces, a stand already voiced by
the OIC on various occasions. I also expressed the hope that the period ahead up to
the end of September 2006 would witness the achievement of a peaceful solution to
the issue of Darfour that could be evolved by the negotiators in Abuja, so that the
situation returns to normalcy and that the people of Sudan all across the country
may live in peace and security and apply themselves to the development of their
country.
5.
While I renew my appeal to the parties concerned with the issue of Darfour
and all those engaged in the search for a solution to the problem, to step up their
efforts for the achievement of peace as early as possible and before the end of the
coming month of September. I wish to appeal to all the Member States to reaffirm
their solidarity with the Republic of Sudan in its adherence to its unity and national
sovereignty.
OIC Good offices Mission heads for N’Djamena
6.
Pursuant to the decisions taken by the Makkah al Mukarramah Summit of
December 2005 and the Ten-year program of action adopted by it, particularly with
regard to the Secretary General’s efforts for the resolution of disputes among the
Member States, I decided to dispatch a good offices to both N’Djamena and
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Khartoum., having witnessed the deterioration on the frontiers between the two
countries and after Chad had announce on 23 September 2005, a state of war with
its neighbour, the Sudan. Accordingly, a good offices mission from the OIC was
sent to N’Djamena on 18 January 2006 and met with the Prime Minister, the
Foreign Minister and the Director of Cabinet of the President of Chad. I briefed
them on the objectives of the task force issued from the Makkah al Mukarrama
summit, and invited them to reaffirm the good neighbourly relations between them
and the Sudan, both them being important members of the OIC. The Mission also
offered to the Chadian officials its readiness to undertake any mission requested of
it in order to achieve peace and the consolidation of mutual confidence between the
two countries. Likewise, the Mission stressed its appeal to both countries to adhere
to dialogue as the proper way to resolve differences. It also expressed the OIC’s
desire that President Idriss Dibi Atno would participate in the African Summit due
to be held in Khartoum, such that a direct meeting between him and President Omar
Al Bashir could peacefully resolve the current dispute.
The Good Offices Mission Heads for Khartoum.
7.
In continuation of its mission and after a delay due to the African Summit
being held there, the Good Offices Mission traveled to Khartoum on 15 February
2006. The delegation met the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of
Defense and explained to them the objectives of the task force emanating from the
assignment given to the OIC Secretary General to contribute his good offices
towards a resolution of any differences between the OIC Member States.
The Mission also welcomed the Tripoli agreement and expressed the OIC’s
readiness to assist in its implementation. On their part, the two Sudanese ministers
expressed their appreciation for the OIC’s interest and its efforts in favour of a
resolution of the dispute with Chad. They reiterated Sudan’s commitment to
dialogue as a wary to settle differences.
Procedure for establishment a Fund for Rehabilitation of War-affected Zones
8.
Based on the decision adopted by the Tenth Islamic Summit Conference in
favour of the establishment of an OIC Fund for the Reconstruction and
Rehabilitation of the war-affected zones, a meeting was held in Jeddah between the
General Secretariat and a high level delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Sudan on 18 September 2004. It was agreed that a meeting
should be organized for donor parties for the benefit of the Fund, after the signing
of the final peace agreement in Southern Sudan. Since the said final agreement was
signed on 9th January 2005, the General Secretariat sent a Memorandum to the
Sudanese Foreign Ministry, as a reminder for the need to resume action for the
convening of the donor meeting in one of the OIC Member States that would offer
to host it, based on a proposal to be submitted by Sudan. As the General Secretariat
has not received any reply to its memorandum, it took the initiative of sending a
second reminder on 04 January 2006 and renewed its request to the Sudanese
Foreign Ministry to apprise it of the host party for the donor meeting so that the
General Secretariat may undertake the necessary arrangements for such a meeting
which would constitute the key step for the establishment of the Fund.
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9.
The General Secretariat is pressing ahead with its diligent efforts to
encourage the Member States to extend further humanitarian assistance to the
affected inhabitants and the displaced persons in the Darfour province. In this
connection due reference may be made to the fact that the Sudanese Government
has issued a decision in July 2005 affirming the continuation of the guarantees
declared by the Government earlier concerning facilitating the extension of
humanitarian assistance to the Darfour counties and enabling humanitarian relief
organization to complete their programs in extending relief to inhabitants of the
province who have been affected by the attacks perpetrated by the marauding
factions. It is also to be recalled that the Islamic States are continuing with their
humanitarian assistance to the citizens of Darfour and some of them continue to
apprise the General Secretariat, periodically, of such assistance.
10.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
----------------
15
OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.6
SECRETARY GENERAL's REPORT ON THE
JAMMU AND KASHMIR DISPUTE AND THE
PEACE PROCESS BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN
1.
The following report on Jammu and Kashmir and the Peace Process between
India and Pakistan which covers the period between July 2005 and March 2006,
highlights major developments in this field.
2.
The Jammu and Kashmir dispute, one of the oldest unresolved issues on the
agenda of the OIC, has continued to attract the attention of the Organization.
Similarly, the OIC has continued to closely monitor the on-going peace process
between India and Pakistan.
OIC’s Consistent Support for Kashmiris:
3.
Successive Islamic Summits and Conferences of Foreign Ministers, have
adopted a number of resolutions on the dispute. The latest were, Resolution 6/10P(IS) adopted by the 10th Islamic Summit in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in October 2003
and Resolution 7/32-P adopted by the 32nd ICFM in Sana’a, in June, 2005.
The Third Extraordinary Summit Conference in December 2005 in Makkah, in its
communiqué, extended its support to the aspiration of the Kashmiri people. All
these resolutions, while reaffirming OIC’s solidarity with the people of Jammu and
Kashmir on their legitimate right to self-determination, called for a peaceful
settlement of the dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and the
aspirations of the Kashmiris. These resolutions have also continued to urge India to
abide by and implement the relevant UN resolutions, bring to an end its continuing
human rights violations against the Kashmiris and allow an OIC fact-finding
mission as well as international human rights organizations to verify human rights
conditions in Indian-held Kashmir.
Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir:
4.
The OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir composed of Saudi Arabia,
Niger, Pakistan and Turkey, has continued to hold meetings along-side the Islamic
Summits and ICFMs as well as the Annual Coordination Meeting of the
OIC Foreign Ministers and meetings of the UN Human Rights Commission.
It has been the practice in all these meetings to invite the True Representatives of
the Kashmiri people to review latest developments in their territory, the progress in
their struggle to actualize their aspirations on the basis of international resolutions
and the prevailing human situation.
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Pakistan Cooperation and Indian Intransigence:
5.
While commending the cooperation being extended by Pakistan in the
implementation of various resolutions on the dispute, India has remained
intransigent and uncooperative. India has continued to reject a visit by the
OIC fact-finding mission similar to the one paid to Azad Jammu and Kashmir in
2003 where it assessed the pathetic condition of Kashmiri refugees and appreciated
the humanitarian assistance extended by the Government of Pakistan to the over
15,000 refugees. Similarly, while Pakistan warmly welcomed the appointment of
my Special Representative on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, India on the other
hand, rejected the move insisting that the OIC lacked the “locus standi” on Jammu
and Kashmir which it claimed “is an integral part of India.” However, the General
Secretariat of the OIC has continued to stress that the development of positive
relations between India and the Organization cannot be achieved as long as tension
remained between the two neighbours and a just and lasting solution to the question
of Jammu and Kashmir, is not found according to international legality.
Secretary General’s visits to Pakistan:
6.
In solidarity with the people of Pakistan as a whole and Kashmiris in
particular, I, along with the IDB President visited Pakistan on 23 October 2005
during the devastating South Asian earthquake which killed ten of thousands in
Pakistan. I was received in audience by President General Pervez Musharraf,
the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. It is note-worthy to state that a
substantial part of assistance to Pakistan in aid of the victims of the disaster, came
from OIC Member States and its institutions. The General Secretariat made a
modest contribution of $100,000. In February 2006, I paid another visit to the
country for the annual Ministerial Meeting of the COMSTECH General Assembly
and during courtesy calls on the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister,
I reiterated OIC continued solidarity with the people of Kashmir. On 5th February
2006, I participated in a ceremony held to commemorate the Kashmir Day in
Jeddah and reaffirmed OIC’s continuing commitment to the just cause of the
Kashmiris for
self-determination and an end to the massive violations of their
human rights in Indian held Kashmir.
Peace Process Between India and Pakistan:
7.
While particularly appreciating the determination of the Pakistani President
and the Indian Prime Minister to abandon the use of military option and make the
peace process irreversible through the adoption of various confidence building
measures, I commended the sincere efforts by Pakistan to create and sustain an
enabling environment for the continuation of the dialogue with India. It is my
expectation that this dialogue would lead to a process of full normalization of
relations between the two countries, achieve a final settlement of all outstanding
matters and contribute to a peaceful, secure stable and prosperous environment for
the benefit of the people of South Asia considering the complimentaries between
the economies of two countries.
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Confidence Building Measures:
8.
Within the context of the two parties’ commitment to “move the peace
process in a meaningful way”, I have noted with satisfaction the various additional
confidence building measures agreed during the second round of talks concluded by
the two Foreign Secretaries in the first week of September, 2005; the adoption of
the MOU on the communication links between the Pakistan Maritime Agency and
the Indian Coast Guards, the meeting between the two Interior Secretaries as well as
the third round of Experts level talks on Nuclear Confidence Building Measures in
August 2005 as well as the meeting between Pakistan Pervez Musharraf and Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the 60th UNGA Session.
In November 2005, the two countries agreed to open five meeting points after the
8 October 2005 South Asian earthquake. They also reached consensus to start a bus
service between Poonch in occupied Kashmir and Rawalakot Azad Kashmir before
April 2006 and a truck service on the Muzaffarabad – Srinagar route pending
restoration of the road partly destroyed by the earthquake and possible troops
redeployment. The Munabo-Khokrapar rail link between Rajasthan in India and
Sindh province in Pakistan has also between restored. While I welcome all these
additional Confidence Building Measures and the commencement of the third round
of bilateral talks between the two Foreign Secretaries on 17-18 January 2006, which
hopefully, would pave way for the final peaceful settlement of their dispute in
accordance with international legality, it is also my priority to ensure that immediate
actions are taken to alleviate the sufferings and to improve the human rights
condition of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
9.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
--------------
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.7
SECRETARY GENERAL's REPORT ON THE
AGGRESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
AGAINST THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
1.
This report covers the activities and developments since July 2005.
2.
More than 15 years after the Armenian aggression, the conflict of
Nagorno-Karabakh and seven other regions of the Azerbaijan territories remain
unsolved, despite the various efforts and negotiation that have taken place.
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs):
3.
The 1988 Armenian aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan resulted
in more than one million Azerbaijani becoming internally displaced persons (IDPs).
While suffering from miserable conditions, these IDPs have created a humanitarian
crisis which has attracted the attention of the international community.
The OIC’s Condemnation:
4.
The OIC, through its various Resolutions, has condemned the Armenian
aggression and its continued occupation of the Azerbaijan territories.
5.
The OIC Resolutions urged the Armenia to comply with the UN Security
Council Resolutions No.822, 853, 874 and 884 of 1993 as a legal basis of the
settlement of the conflict. The latest of the OIC Resolution was No.12/10- P(IS)
adopted by the Tenth Summit held in Putrajaya, Malaysia, October 2003 and 9/32-P
adopted by the 32nd ICFM, held in Sana’a, Yemen, June 2005. Both these
resolutions required the withdrawal of Armenian from the occupied territories.
6.
As regard to the “Armenian Election” held by the Armenian side in the
occupied territories on 19 June 2005 and the continuation the settlement of the
Armenian settlers in the occupied territories, the OIC again insisted the activities
are illegal and against International Humanitarian Law and the 1949 Geneva
Convention.
Cooperation among OIC, UN and OSCE:
7.
The OIC, in cooperation with the United Nations and the Organization of
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),will continue to support both sides to
find a peaceful solution of the conflict. In this context, I supported the talks between
the Government of Azerbaijan and Armenia for which several round of meeting
have taken place within the last three years. The last round of talks was conducted
in France in February 2006.
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.7
Appeal to render assistances to IDPs:
8.
In view of the importance efforts to assist the IDPs and refugees of
Azerbaijani, I have requested all Member States, IDB, Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF)
and International Community as well as the Humanitarian Organizations to urgently
and generously assist these IDPs, who are still living under terrible conditions.
Intention of OIC Delegation to visit the IDPs:
9.
The OIC General Secretariat is considering the possibility to send its
delegation to Azerbaijan with the primary objective of obtaining first-hand
information on the condition of the IDPs and refugees. For this purpose, the General
Secretariat is coordinating with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in
Riyadh to secure approval of this planned visit as well as its time frame.
The Secretary General's visit to Baku:
10.
On the sideline of the Conference on Islam and Youth, held in Baku from
1-2 March 2006, I held a meeting with H.E. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Artur Rasizade, the Prime Minister and H.E. Elmar
Mammadyarov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, during which we held very useful
and fruitful discussion. We discussed various international issues such as the
situation in Iraq, the situation in Palestine after the elections, the Ten-Year Program
of Action adopted by the 3rd Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit
Conference held in Makkah Mukarramah, efforts against Islamophobia, solidarity in
Muslim World, the recent caricatures crisis, the forthcoming ICFM and other
relevant issues.
11.
On the question of Nagorno-Karabakh, I highlighted that the OIC is exerting
its utmost effort to support the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement on principle as well as
in conformity with the UN resolutions. On the Nagorno-Karabakh issue, the Prime
Minister stressed that it was a very important for Azerbaijan that solidarity between
OIC Member Countries was expressed on this issue.
12.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
-----------------
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.8
SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON THE
PROBLEM OF REFUGEES IN ISLAMIC WORLD
1.
The present report covers the important events and developments that have
taken place regarding the problem of refugees in the Islamic world since July 2005.
2.
As indicated in the preceding report the problem of the refugees in the
Islamic world has been given a prominent position on the list of international
concerns and on the OIC's agenda, in particular. Refugees today account for over
17 million people across the world, most of them being Muslim refugees.
Foreign Ministers Annual Coordination Meeting on 23 September 2005:
3.
The meeting paid tribute to the close cooperation between the OIC General
Secretariat and the UN High Commission for Refugees in preparing to convene the
ministerial conference on the problem of refugees in the Islamic world. The meeting
urged the Member States as well as humanitarian organizations and specialized
institutions to contribute towards the financial coverage of the conference so as to
ensure its success.
Steps taken by the General Secretariat:
4.
In implementation of Res.15/10-P (IS) issued by the Tenth Islamic Summit
held in Putrajaya in October 2003 and Res. 10/32-P issued by the 32nd ICFM held
in Sanaa in June 2005, both of which called for the early convening of a Ministerial
Conference in 2005 in cooperation with the UN High Commission for Refugees, to
discuss the issue of the refugees in the Islamic world, the General Secretariat has
held several meetings with the High Commission Offices in Riyadh, Jeddah and
Geneva, to work out the necessary arrangements for the said Ministerial meeting.
5.
A coordination meeting was held between the delegations of the
OIC General Secretariat and the UN High Commission for Refugees on 12 October
2005 on preparations for the Ministerial Meeting on the issue of refugees in the
Islamic World, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in the second half of 2006.
Following my several contacts with certain Member States over the past year,
the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has kindly offered to host the
said conference.
6.
I subsequently decided to send a joint delegation from the OIC General
Secretariat and the UN High Commission to Pakistan to work out the details of
convening this conference. The joint delegation paid a visit to Islamabad on
16-17 December 2005 and had some exchanges with the Pakistani officials that
focused on the date and venue of the ministerial meeting and the provisional budget
for the event. It was agreed, in principle, that the conference could be held in late
March 2006, with the provision that the OIC General Secretariat should be given
sufficient time to approach the Member States for their donations in favour of the
financing the event.
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.8
7.
In view of the time shortage and need for administrative and financial
arrangements and in coordination with the UN High Commission for Refugees and
the Pakistani authorities, the Conference has now been deferred to the second half
of November 2006.
8.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
---------------------
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.9
SECRETARY GENERAL's REPORT ON
IMPOSITION OF UNILATERAL ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS ON MEMBER STATES
1.
This report covers the activities and development since July 2005.
2.
A number of the OIC Member States including the Islamic Republic of Iran,
the Republic of the Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic and the Great Socialist
People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya have suffered due to the imposition of unilateral
economic sanctions by some states. These measures have had a considerable
adverse effects to the peoples of those countries and consequently on their
development and progress.
3.
Pursuant to Resolution No.11/32-P adopted by the 32nd ICFM in Sana’a,
the General Secretariat was entrusted the responsibility of gathering views,
information and statistics on harmful consequences of unilateral economic sanctions
The General Secretariat had, accordingly, requested the affected countries to
provide it with detailed information and statistics caused by these measures with a
view to convening a meeting of the Expert Group on Unilateral Economic Sanctions
to elaborate and discuss means to counter such unilateral economic sanctions
measures which are also counter to the recognized principles on International Law.
The General Secretariat again sent a reminder note at the end of January 2006 to the
affected Member States, but their response is still awaited.
The two OIC Permanent Observer Missions periodically review the issue:
4.
The General Secretariat mandated the OIC Permanent Observer Missions in
New York and Geneva to coordinate with the Permanent Representatives of
Member States so as to follow-up and periodically review the issue of unilateral
economic sanctions and present a regular report to it thereon.
Cooperation with international and regional organizations is required:
5.
Since the imposition of unilateral economic sanctions is against provisions of
international law, collective efforts are required to revoke them immediately.
In this context, I therefore appeal to Member States and the international
community to intensify cooperation and coordination between regional and
international organizations in order to persuade the United States of America to
remove these sanctions and to take appropriate steps for alleviating their sufferings
in the economic and social domains.
Appeal to developed countries:
6.
I would also like to appeal to developed countries, particularly the United
States, to consider a review of their decisions on economic sanctions against OIC
Member States. These sanctions have a negative effect on the people of the
countries concerned.
7.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.10
SECRETARY GENERAL's REPORT ON
COMBATING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
1.
The following report highlights the major developments on this vital subject
of International Terrorism since July 2005.
2.
The 32nd ICFM in Sana’a, adopted Resolution No.12/32-P on Combating
International Terrorism and requested the Secretary General to follow-up its
implementation in cooperation with Member States. This Resolution, while urging
all Member States to sign, ratify and enforce the provisions of the “OIC Convention
on Combating International Terrorism”, further called on them to work with other
countries’ to bolster international efforts under UN supervision, to clearly define
terrorism, combat its scourge in a coordinated and transparent manner and also
address its underlining causes.
3rd EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT IN MAKKAH (7-8 DECEMBER 2005):
3.
The Ten-year Programme of Action adopted by the 3rd Extraordinary
Summit Conference on 7th and 8th December 2005 in Makkah condemned terrorism,
distinguished it from legitimate resistance, rejected its linkage to Islam and
underscored the imperative of combating it and addressing its root causes.
The Summit reaffirmed its support to develop an International Code of Conduct to
Combat Terrorism and the introduction of comprehensive qualitative changes in
national laws in order to criminalize terrorist actions as well as practices that aid,
finance or instigate terrorism. The leaders also resolved to endeavour to implement
the recommendations of the International Conference on Combating Terrorism, held
in Riyadh in February 2005, including the establishment of an International Centre
for Combating Terrorism, as well as the recommendations of the Special Meeting of
OIC Foreign Ministers on Terrorism, held in Kuala Lumpur in April, 2002.
OIC's THIRTEEN MEMBER COMMITTEE ON TERRORISM:
4.
One of the important resolutions of the Kuala Lumpur meeting was the
creation of an OIC 13-Member Ministerial Committee on International Terrorism,
chaired by Malaysia. The Committee was charged with the implementation of the
texts and international conventions which govern the fight against terrorism as well
as providing a better understanding of Islam and its noble principles. However,
since its creation, despite several attempts at convening the inaugural meeting of the
Committee even at level of experts, this has not been successful. At the request of
the Chair, Malaysia, the plan to hold a meeting at the General Secretariat in
February 2006, was postponed to enable the Foreign Minister personally preside
over the session at a convenient date. With the prominence given to the subject in
the OIC Ten-year Programme of Action, I am, therefore, appealing for the
activation of the Committee as a mark of our renewed collective commitment to
counter the scourge of terrorism.
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.10
SECRETARY GENERAL's AND GENERAL SECRETARIAT ACTIVITIES:
5.
Since the 32nd ICFM, a number of terrorist incidents have unfortunately
occurred in a number of countries world-wide including some of our Member
States. I, as usual, promptly condemned and denounced these evil acts of violence
which target innocent people as antithetical to the teachings of all religions and
restated the need for coordinated international action to contain the menace. During
my visit to New York in July 2005, to participate in the 6th High level meeting
between the UN and Regional Organizations, I held fruitful discussion on the
subject with the President of the Security Council as well as a number of officials
from other international groups. I stressed the importance of enhancing the role of
the Security Council’s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) and conveyed OIC’s
willingness to extend its utmost cooperation to the Committee. The General
Secretariat also hosted a Counter-terrorism Workshop on 11 April 2006 in order to
develop its capacities in this field. The UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
provided this requisite training, within the framework of OIC-UN Cooperation.
SECRETARY GENERAL's APPEAL:
6.
While I seize this opportunity to appeal to all member States to rededicate
themselves to the practical implementation of the provisions on terrorism contained
in the Ten-year Programme of Action, especially as they relate to the review of their
national legislations, in order to criminalize all terrorist actions and practices that
support, finance or instigate terrorism, I would like to again urge them to
expeditiously bring into force, the OIC Convention on Terrorism.
7.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
----------------
25
OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.11
SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON
SECURITY AND SOLIDARITY AMONG MEMBER STATES
1.
The present report covers the period extending from July 2005 to March
2006. It embraces the various activities in terms of the implementation of
resolutions and the key developments relevant to the issue in question.
2.
The principle of Islamic Solidarity represents the bedrock foundation of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference. This fact which is well reflected in the
OIC Charter and the principles and objective enshrined therein, has been diligently
pursued by the Organization, in the service of the Islamic Ummah’s interests.
Along with solidarity, a particular stress has also been laid on the Islamic States
security, in terms of enabling the said States to protect their national security,
independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and all of their other legitimate
rights, through close cooperation and mutual confidence. Under this perspective, the
issue of “Islamic States Security and Solidarity” has become a permanent item on
the agenda of the Islamic summit and ministerial conferences.
ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON BOOSTING DIALOGUE,
COOPERATION AND MUTUAL CONFIDENCE:
3.
The Eighth Islamic Summit Conference held in Teheran in 1997, engendered
a sub-committee known as the “Ad-hoc Committee for the Consolidation of
Dialogue and Mutual Confidence” which was entrusted with the task of developing
Joint Islamic Action through enhanced dialogue, cooperation and mutual confidence
between the OIC Member States. The sub-committee held three meetings in the
Iranian capital, Teheran, in the years 1998, 2004 and 2005, and came out with a
document under the title of “Principles and Guidelines for an Enhanced Cooperation
and Mutual Confidence”, which was adopted by the ICFM at its 32nd session held in
Sanaa on 28-30 June 2005, within its Resolution Nbr. 13/32-Pol as a foundation for
a Code of Conduct that would be observed by all Member States.
OIC Code on the Promotion of Dialogue, Cooperation and Confidence among
OIC Member States:
4.
The Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers assigned the General
Secretariat and the Governmental Expert Group in charge of the Islamic States
Security and Solidarity, to prepare a Code, as reflected in operative paragraph (7) of
Res.13/32-Pol referred to above. And in implementation of this resolution, the
General Secretariat prepared a draft Code on the Promotion, Dialogue, Cooperation
and Confidence among OIC Member States, which it circulated to all Member
States on 28 October 2006, along with its proposed date of 23-24 April 2006, for
the convening of the Governmental Expert Group meeting and the expression of its
hope that the Member States would undertake an in-depth examination of the draft
and ready themselves to enrich it during the discussions around it until it is
finalized in its ultimate shape and submitted for the endorsement of the 33rd ICFM,
due to be held in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan.
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.11
5.
The OIC Code on the Promotion, Dialogue, Cooperation and Confidence
among OIC Member States, with its lofty and vital principles aims at bolstering
fraternal relations among the OIC Member States, based on the common
fundaments such as, solidarity, mutual respect, non-interference, boosting trade and
cultural relations, etc. Such a Code will form a distinct component of Joint Islamic
Action, and it is my firm belief that it will be one of the key instruments that would
be adopted by our Organization.
6.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
------------------
27
OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.12
SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON
THE QUESTION OF UN REFORM, INCLUDING
EXPANSION AND REFORM OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
1.
This report covers the period between the Annual Coordination Meeting of
Foreign Ministers held in New York on 23 September 2005 and March 2006.
2.
Ever since the ACM in October 1997, all successive OIC Summits and
ICFMs have continued to focus attention on the important question of
UN Reform, including expansion and reform of the UN Security Council.
OIC OPEN-ENDED CONTACT GROUP ON UNSC EXPANSION:
3.
The OIC Open-Ended Contact Group on UN Reform and Expansion of the
Security Council in New York, is an important forum for Member States to
regularly coordinate their efforts with a view to safeguarding their interests and to
enable them to make their indispensable contribution in the deliberations within the
United Nations on the important question of UN Reform and expansion of the UN
Security Council.
RESOLUTION 14/32-P ADOPTED BY THE 32nd ICFM IN SANA'A:
4.
The 32nd ICFM had unanimously adopted Resolution 14/32-P on this subject.
This resolution had, inter-alia, stressed that the UN Security Council reform must be
comprehensive in all its aspects as well as the importance of enhancing
transparency, accountability and democratization of the Security Council through
the improvement of its working methods and its decision-making process.
The resolution had also demanded that the Islamic Ummah must have adequate
representation in any category of membership in an extended Security Council.
DELIBERATIONS OF THE 59TH UNGA SESSION:
5.
Following the 32nd ICFM, intensive discussions were held both inside and
outside the United Nations on this important issue. However, my assessment is that
Member States continue to maintain divergent positions on this issue, particularly
on the question of expansion in the Security Council's membership. Likewise,
different views also prevail amongst the five permanent members of the Council.
During the last 59th UNGA session, three competing draft resolutions were tabled
on this issue by the Group of Four (G-4); the African Group and the Uniting for
Consensus, respectively. Since no action could be taken on either of these three
resolutions, they all lapsed in September 2005, upon the conclusion of the
59th UNGA session.
ANNUAL COORDINATION MEETING OF OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS:
6.
Despite this deadlock, the OIC Working Group has continued to deliberate
on this issue. The Final Communique of the last Annual Coordination Meeting of
Foreign Ministers of 23 September 2005, while adopting the report of the Working
Group's meeting held on 21 September 2005, contained the following specific
decision on this issue in its paragraphs 64 and 68:
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.12
"64.
The Meeting underlined the need for evolving common perceptions and
agreed approaches to address both the new and existing threats to international peace
and security in the context of multilateralism. In this regard, while underscoring that
the process of UN reform should not take place at the expense of the UN principles,
the Meeting emphasized the need for cooperative multilateralism to pursue and
promote the UN Charter principles. The Meeting, also, reiterated the OIC's stance in
support of the principle of the United Nations reform, including the expansion of the
Security Council's membership, in accordance with the UNGA resolutions, and taking
into consideration the principles of sovereign equality of all States and the need to
ensure equitable geographic distribution. It also stressed an increased role of regional
groups in nomination of their representatives to serve on the Council. The Meeting
called for a comprehensive reform of the Security Council in all its aspects so as to make
it more democratic, representative, transparent and accountable. It also recognized that
there was a wide support for increasing the number of non-permanent members in the
Security Council. It decided that any reform proposal which neglect the adequate
representation of the Islamic Ummah in any category of membership in an extended
Security Council will not be acceptable to the Islamic World.”
“68.
The Meeting underlined the essential prerequisite of following a uniform
approach on all aspects of UN reform and achieving the expansion of the Security
Council with the broadest possible consensus. In this context, the Meeting stressed the
initiation of constructive negotiation between all UN Member States, to refrain from
pushing divisive votes, without imposing any time limits. It called for and to building
upon the points of convergence such as the need to enlarge the Council, to increase the
representation of developing countries, and to improve the working methods and
transparency of the Council's work."
DECISION TAKEN BY 3rd EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT CONFERENCE:
7.
The Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference,
which was held in Makkah Mukarrammah on 7-8 December 2005, also deliberated
on this issue. In the 10-year Programme of Action adopted by this Extraordinary
Summit, Member States were urged to "Participate and effectively coordinate in all
regional and international forums, in order to protect and promote the collective
interests of the Muslim Ummah, including UN Reform and expansion of the
Security Council's membership,….".
ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL:
8.
Both the OIC Groups in New York and Geneva demonstrated solidarity
amongst their ranks by constructively participating in the discussions and presenting
a collective OIC position on the issue of the establishment of a new UN Human
Rights Council which ended on 15th March 2006 with the adoption by the UN
General Assembly of a resolution to establish a new Human Rights Council. The
principled position taken by the OIC Groups on the vital question of acts of
incitement to hatred and religious bigotry was also comprehensively elaborated in
the statement made by the Representative of Yemen, on behalf of the OIC Group, at
the time of the adoption of the resolution. However, I very much regret the fact that
despite the strenuous efforts of the two OIC groups, the adopted resolution contains
only a very weak reference, in its preamble, that does not address the serious
concerns of the Muslim World on the caricatures issue.
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RECOMMENDATIONS:
9.
Keeping in view the above, I would like to strongly reiterate my appeal to all
OIC states to continue to accord utmost attention to the question of UN reform and
expansion of Security Council so that the Muslim world or a group of Muslim states
could have an adequate / permanent presence in the Council in order to represent
the Islamic civilization and the significant demographic and political weight of the
Muslim world. I would also like to once again particularly highlight that while fully
supporting the existing demand for enhanced regional representation, I have sought
an additional representation for the Muslim world.
10.
I would also like to urge that, in order to keep pace with the rapid
developments, the OIC open-ended Contact Group on UN Reform & Expansion of
the Security Council should continue to regularly coordinate its position issue and
to actively participate in the deliberations on this important issue. While evaluating
various proposals on the Security Council's reform, the OIC must clearly determine
how far its own position is accommodated and safeguarded.
11.
While highly commending the unity exhibited by the OIC Groups in Geneva
and New York in the deliberations on the new Human Rights Council, I would like
to urge them to continue to effectively project and safeguard our collective interests,
particularly on the vital question of defamation of religions and blasphemy against
Prophets. Together with the European Union, they should now strive to adopt a new
UNGA resolution that further builds upon the provisions of UNGA resolution
50/160. From my side, I have instructed the OIC Missions in New York and Geneva
to continue to extend all possible assistance to their respective OIC Groups.
12.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
-------------------
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SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON
COOPERATION BETWEEN THE OIC AND
REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
1.
This report essentially covers the important events that have taken place
subsequent to my last report submitted to the 32nd session of the Islamic Conference
of Foreign Ministers, which was held in Sana'a on 28-30 June 2005.
2
As I had stated earlier, the OIC Charter’s cardinal principle of promotion of
cooperation and understanding among member states and with the international
community, places the Organization at a unique position in multilateral efforts to
seek common grounds both between and within various civilizations in order to
collectively confront the existing global challenges. The OIC’s ongoing reform
programme, which is aimed at enhancing the organization’s role as an effective
partner at the global level, has led to an increased interest on the part of a number of
regional and international organizations to establish relations of cooperation with
the OIC. The international community increasingly recognizes OIC’s position as an
interlocutor with well-balanced, constructive and principled positions on global and
regional issues; its abhorrence of violence and extremism as well as its persistent
endeavours to institute a new world order based on justice, equality and peace.
3.
The OIC, accordingly, maintains relations of cooperation with several
international and regional organizations. These include, among others, the UN and
its specialized agencies; Arab League; Council of Europe, ECO; EU; GCC; IOM;
La Francophone (International Organization of French-Speaking Countries); NAM;
AU and OSCE. In most cases, these relations have been institutionalized through
cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding with the respective
secretariats of these organizations and entitles the OIC to enjoy observer status.
OIC's RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS:
4.
The crisis and conflicts of the recent turbulent years have indeed enhanced,
and not diminished, the relevance of the United Nations and its concomitant
multilateralism. However, the objectives of the UN will remain unattainable without
the cooperation and the united action of all states as well as regional and
international organizations. It is in this perspective that the OIC views its
supplementary role in the efforts of the UN and the collective resolve of the
international community to overcome the present charged and confrontationist
global environment.
5.
As I had conveyed earlier, I had effectively represented the organization
during the last 60th session of the UN General Assembly and had made a
comprehensive statement at its High-Level Plenary Meeting on 16 September 2005.
I had also utilized the occasion to hold a series of bilateral meetings with various
important dignitaries and heads of various UN agencies and other organizations.
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6.
I had also effectively participated in the Sixth High-Level Meeting between
the UN and Regional and other Inter-Governmental Organizations, held at
UN Headquarters in New York on 25-26 July 2005. The Meeting extensively
deliberated was upon various aspects of conflict resolution and peace-building.
I am pleased to report that the UN Secretary General has included the OIC in a
newly established Standing Committee of this forum. The first meeting of this
Committee was held in New York on 23-24 February 2006. I had also utilized my
stay in New York to substantively participate in another important meeting
organized on 24 July 2005 by the Minister of State of the Netherlands on
"Consultations on Options and Techniques for Quiet Diplomacy". The OIC also
participated in the follow-up consultations on "Conference on Human Rights –
Informed Conflict Prevention in Regional and Sub-Regional Inter-Governmental
Organizations", which was held in Colombo on 19-22 January 2006.
7.
The publication of the blasphemous, insulting and provocative caricatures
had led to a widespread appreciation of OIC's role in effectively handling the crisis
with a view to safeguarding the collective interests of the Muslim Ummah.
I maintained an effective liaison with the UN Secretary General on this issue. Upon
my initiative, a joint trilateral statement that was issued by the UN Secretary
General, the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy and
by myself on 07 February 2006, was followed-up by another joint statement that
I issued along with the UN Secretary General in Doha on 25 February 2006.
8.
The UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for the Implementation of
Security Council Resolution 1559 (2004) on Lebanon, Mr. Terje Rod-Larsen,
visited the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah on 19 March 2006 and held fruitful
discussions on the latest developments relating to his area of responsibility.
9.
As regards OIC's relations with UNESCO, I am pleased to report that as a
follow-up to my initiative and my fruitful discussions in Paris in April and October
2005, an OIC Ambassadorial Group to UNESCO has been established and would,
hopefully, become a useful forum for safeguarding our collective interests.
10.
During my visit to Vienna in November 2005, I held a very productive
meeting with Dr. Mohamed El Baradei, the IAEA Director General. As a follow-up
to this meeting, I have made a formal request for a reciprocal grant of observer
status to OIC with the IAEA. This request would be considered in June 2006.
11.
I had also utilized my visit to Vienna to have a fruitful meeting with the
Ambassadors of OIC Member States accredited to the UN Office in Vienna.
I am pleased to report that the Ambassadors positively responded to my suggestion
for their close coordination and cooperation in the various Vienna-based UN fora.
12.
As an expression of its solidarity with the international community, the OIC
has issued strong messages on the occasion of various international events like the
International Women's Day, World Health Day, World Press Freedom Day, World
Red Cross & Red Crescent Day, International Day of the Family. International Day
for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination etc.
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.13
13.
I consider my visits to New York, Paris and Vienna to be extremely useful
from the point of view of not only raising the profile of the OIC in the international
forum but also to establish contacts with many international agencies and to develop
mutually beneficial cooperative relations. In this regard, I would like to highly
appreciate the commendable role being played by the two OIC Groups in New York
and Geneva as well as the two OIC Observer Missions.
14.
In addition to high-level contacts, the OIC looks forward to its active
participation in the next biennial General Meetings between the Secretariats of the
UN system and the OIC and its specialized institutions, which is scheduled to be
held at the ISESCO headquarters in Rabat on 11-13 July 2006. During my meeting
with the heads of various OIC institutions in Jeddah on 5 March 2006, I had
stressed the need for effective preparation and coordination for the Rabat Meeting.
15.
I am also pleased to report that following the Government of Pakistan's offer
to host the OIC Ministerial Conference on the Problems of Refugees in the Muslim
World, a fruitful trilateral preparatory meeting of OIC and UNHCR Secretariats
was held with senior Pakistani officials in Islamabad in December 2005.
The Conference is scheduled to be held in Islamabad on 27-29 November 2006.
16.
WHO assumes a significant role in OIC states in fighting deadly epidemics
and diseases, particularly the eradication of poliomyelitis. Under the specific
resolutions of both the 10th OIC Summit and the 32nd ICFM, member states were
urged to support WHO's efforts to combat poliomyelitis. While the General
Secretariat would continue to undertake discussions with various WHO dignitaries,
I would like to strongly urge Member States to generously contribute as well as
effectively participate in WHO's Program to eradicate poliomyelitis.
17.
I am pleased to report that, pursuant to a resolution adopted by the
th
6 OIC Summit in Dakar, Senegal in 1991, the OIC Secretariat, in collaboration
with UNICEF and ISESCO, organized a highly successful First Islamic
Conference on Child Care & Protection in Islam, in Rabat on 7-9 November 2005.
OIC's RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU):
18.
Despite lacking a formal relationship, both OIC and EU have continued to
reiterate their desire to evolve a mechanism for dialogue and the creation of an
institutionalized framework for cooperative relations, particularly between their
respective secretariats in Jeddah and Brussels. The importance of strengthening this
relationship was clearly evidenced in the crisis following the publication of the
blasphemous, insulting and provocative caricatures.
19.
The recent caricatures crisis has also clearly highlighted the necessity for
opening an OIC Office in Brussels. I am highly satisfied over the decision taken,
in principle, to open an OIC Office in Brussels in Resolution 21/32-P on
"Establishing a Mechanism for dialogue with the EU" by the last 32nd ICFM in
Sana'a. The OIC Secretariat is accordingly preparing the financial implications of
33
OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.13
opening this office in Brussels in order to obtain its approval by the forthcoming
33rd ICFM in Baku in June 2006.
20.
Ever since the last 32nd ICFM, I have continued to hold frequent meetings
with senior dignitaries of the European Union.
21.
In response to a joint invitation extended by the EU Presidency and the
US Secretary of State, I had participated in an International Conference on Iraq,
which was held in Brussels on 22 June 2005. I had utilized my visit to Brussels to
have also held fruitful discussions with Mr. Javier Solana, the EU High
Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy; Mrs. Benita FerreroWaldner, the EU Commissioner for External Relations and with Baroness
Nocholson of Winterbourne, the Vice President of the European Parliament's
Foreign Affairs Committee. During my meeting with Ambassadors of
OIC Member States, based in Brussels, they strongly endorsed my proposal for
close coordination amongst themselves while interacting with the EU.
22.
I held another fruitful meeting with Mr. Solana in New York on the sidelines
of the 60th UN General Assembly session in September 2005. This meeting was in
the context of a high-level OIC delegation's meeting with various Quartet members.
23.
I consider the high point for OIC-EU relations during the period under
review to be, firstly, the UN-OIC-EU joint statement of 7 February 2006 and,
secondly, my fruitful discussions with Mr. Solana, during the first ever visit to the
OIC Headquarters in Jeddah by an EU dignitary on 13 February 2006. During my
meeting with Mr. Solana as well as in our joint press conference, I had proposed the
following five points to peacefully resolve the blasphemous caricatures issue:
i. European Parliament should be encouraged by the EU to adopt legislative
measures against Islamophobia.
ii. EU and OIC should join efforts for adoption of a UN resolution, on lines of
Resolution 50/160, which prohibits defamation of all Prophets and faiths.
iii. Adoption of an effective Code of Conduct for the European Media.
iv. Adoption of an International Communication Order by the United Nations.
v. Operative provisions prohibiting blasphemy should be included in the text
of the resolution on Human Rights Council, currently being negotiated.
24.
In response to a formal invitation extended by me on 21 March 2005,
I now look forward to hosting Mr. Jose' Manuel Barroso, the EU President, at the
OIC headquarters in Jeddah.
25.
Besides the above contacts, I am pleased to report that the OIC Mission in
Geneva has established a commendable practice of coordinating expert-level
exchanges between the OIC and EU Troikas on important issues prior to the annual
session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. In this regard, I would urge
Member States to consider the provision of additional means to the OIC Mission in
Geneva with a view to facilitating and maintaining this effective liaison with EU.
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OIC's RELATIONS WITH THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE :
26.
As conveyed earlier, the Council of Europe focuses, interalia, on conflict
resolution, dialogue among civilizations and human rights, as well as strengthening
of relations between European Parliaments and parliaments of other countries.
It is the first European organization to grant membership to Central Asian states.
27.
Upon the invitation by the CoE President, I paid an official visit to the
Council's headquarters in Strasbourg on 3-4 October 2005. This was the first ever
such visit by an OIC Secretary General. I held fruitful meetings with Mr. Rene Van
der Linden, President of the CoE's Parliamentary Assembly and with Mr. Terry
Davis, CoE Secretary General. During my address to the enlarged Bureau of the
Ministers' Deputies as well as the CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, I emphasized the
need for a genuine inter-cultural dialogue. A return visit by the Council to the
OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah is currently being planned.
OIC's RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OSCE:
28.
The OIC has continued to maintain a regular liaison with the OSCE on issues
of common interest, particularly on the question of combating extremism,
Islamophobia and intolerance.
29.
During a fruitful meeting with Mr. Marc Perrin de Brinchambaut, the OSCE
Secretary General, in Vienna on 14 November 2005, I discussed the vast potential
for enhancing cooperation between the two organizations, particularly on the above
stated important issues. I also addressed the OSCE Permanent Council on same day
and highlighted the concerns and challenges confronted by the Muslims residing in
European countries. While drawing attention to numerous issues of common
interest, I strongly stressed the necessity of undertaking joint initiatives to combat
terrorism, extremism, Islamophobia and intolerance.
30.
The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Combating
Intolerance and Discrimination Against Muslims, Ambassador Omur Orhun, paid a
fruitful visit to the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on 14 March 2006.
31.
Upon my invitation, Mr. Marc Perrin de Brinchambaut became the first
OSCE Secretary General to officially visit the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on
25 March 2006. During this visit, I followed-up on the earlier discussions held in
Vienna and held fruitful discussions on various areas of mutually beneficial
cooperation particularly on initiating various confidence-measures between the
Muslim World and the West following the blasphemous caricatures issue.
OIC's RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ARAB LEAGUE:
32.
I am pleased to report that the Organization's relations with the Arab League
were further reinforced during the period under review. I had attended the
18th Arab League Summit, which was held in Khartoum on 28-29 March 2006.
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.13
Besides my address to the Summit, I utilized the opportunity to hold fruitful
meetings with a large number of participating leaders.
33.
I also held a fruitful discussion with Mr. Amre Moussa, Secretary General of
the Arab League, during my visit to Cairo from 28-29 December 2005. During the
same visit, I also attended two ceremonies to commemorate the 60th anniversary of
the Arab League and also the establishment of the Arab Parliament.
34.
I am further pleased to report that during the visit of a high-level Arab
League's delegation to the OIC General Secretariat in December 2005, fruitful
discussions were held on identifying further areas of mutually beneficial
cooperation. As a consequence of these discussions the existing Cooperation
Agreement between the two organizations was revised and updated.
This Agreement is now awaiting formal signatures during the visit to the
OIC General Secretariat by the Arab League's Secretary General in the near future.
35.
As a manifestation of its cooperative relations, a high-level OIC delegation
participated, as an observer, in the Arab League-sponsored reconciliation meeting
of Iraqi leaders, which was held in Cairo in November 2005. The OIC now looks
forward to participating in the follow-up meeting of this forum in Baghdad.
OIC's RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AFRICAN UNION :
36.
As I had reported earlier, the OIC continues to follow with great interest the
successful efforts of the African Union to bring about peace and stability in various
regions of Africa and seeks to learn from its experience. Although the OIC had
granted an exceptional observer status to the then OAU in 1976, a reciprocal
measure is still awaited from the African Union. There is also need to urgently
conclude the Cooperation Agreement which has been pending since 1999.
37.
During my fruitful discussions with the AU Chairperson, Prof. Alpha Oumar
Kounare, at IRSICA headquarters in Istanbul on 23 November 2005, we both
agreed on strengthening the cooperation between our two organizations and to
expeditiously conclude the pending cooperation agreement. I had followed-up our
discussions in my letter addressed to the AU Chairperson on 23 February 2006
38.
Keeping in view the importance that OIC attaches to the expeditious
conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement and the building upon the fact that
26 OIC Member States are also AU Members, I had also convened an
Ambassadorial meeting of the OIC African Group in the General Secretariat in
Jeddah on 14 February 2006. I now look forward towards a favourable and a
prompt response by the AU Headquarters.
OIC's RELATIONSHIP WITH IOM:
39.
Under the framework of the Cooperation Agreement concluded with the
International Organization for Migration (IOM) in January 2004, the OIC continues
to maintain a close liaison with IOM. The Secretary General held a useful meeting
with Mr. Brunson McKinley, the IOM Director General Geneva on the sidelines of
the 32nd ICFM in Sana'a. During his briefing to the OIC Group in Geneva on
3 March 2006, Mr. McKinley informed that the IOM's existing emergency
operations were currently being undertaken in OIC Member States of Afghanistan,
36
OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.13
Indonesia, Pakistan and Sudan. He also elaborated the salient aspects of the
High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development, which is
scheduled to held in New York alongside the next 61st UNGA session.
OIC's RELATIONSHIP WITH IGAD:
40.
Despite the fact that the 7-member Intergovernmental Authority on
Development (IGAD) comprises four important OIC states of Africa, there is
presently no institutional linkage between the two organizations. I would, however,
continue to endeavour to establish a mutually beneficial linkage between the two
organizations, particularly in peacefully resolving the situation in the important
countries of Somalia and Sudan.
41.
The most significant development was the receipt of a formal invitation from
the Foreign Minister of Somalia on 10 December 2005 for the OIC to become part
of the AU/IGAD Joint Panel on Somalia and to actively participate in its
deliberations. I had promptly conveyed the OIC's acceptance to this invitation.
The OIC looks forward to its effective participation in the Joint Panel's meetings.
OIC's RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY OF
SAHARAN STATES (CEN-SAD) :
SAHEL-
42.
CEN-SAD, a sub-regional organization, was established in 1998 and has its
headquarters based in Tripoli. It comprises 18 countries from North, West and
Central Africa and the Horn of Africa. CEN-SAD has become an observer in the
OIC since 2002. It was, however, in 2004 that the two organizations concluded a
cooperation agreement. OIC participated in the last four summits of CEN-SAD held
in Khartoum (2001), Tripoli (2002), Niamey (2003) and Mali (2004). The Secretary
General is of the view that there is great potential for mutually beneficial
cooperation between the two organizations since most members of CEN-SAD are
also OIC member states.
OIC's RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMONWEALTH:
43.
Keeping in view the fact that its 53-members comprises 12 OIC states, which
are also scattered across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, I am eager to
establish mutually beneficial relations with Commonwealth. However, I regret the
fact that, due to scheduling reasons, during both my own visit to London in March
2006 and by a high-level OIC delegation earlier for the London Conference on
Afghanistan in January 2006, a visit to the Commonwealth Secretariat could not be
arranged.
OIC's RELATIONSHIP WITH ASEAN:
44.
Despite the fact that the 10-member ASEAN comprises three important
OIC states and one observer as well as the OIC's active involvement in two issues,
namely Southern Philippines and the plight of Muslims in Thailand, there is
presently no institutional linkage between the two organizations. I would, therefore,
37
OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.13
continue to endeavour to establish a mutually beneficial linkage between the two
organizations, particularly on the two issues of Southern Philippines and the plight
of Muslims in Thailand.
OIC's RELATIONSHIP WITH GCC:
45.
Despite the fact that all the 6-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are
important OIC member states, there is also presently no institutional linkage
between the two organizations. I would, accordingly, endeavour to establish a
mutually beneficial formal linkage between the two organizations through the
expeditious conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement.
AWARD OF GOI FOUNDATION'S PEACE POLE TO THE OIC:
46.
In recognition of the OIC's outstanding commitment to the creation of a
Culture of Peace and for building a global alliance of solidarity among Muslim
Nations as well as for safeguarding the dignity and independence of all Muslim
people, the Japan-based Goi Peace Foundation awarded its Peace Pole to the OIC.
On behalf of the organization, I received the symbolic Peace Pole at an impressive
ceremony which was held at the OIC headquarters in Jeddah on 03 April 2006.
ASSESSMENT
OF
RELATIONS
WITH
INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES:
47.
Despite OIC's fairly well established relationship with the UN and its
specialized agencies, I am pleased to report that the organization is steadily
improving as well as expanding its relations with equally important regional
organizations like the Arab League, African Union, EU, ASEAN, IGAD,
CENSAD, GCC and the Commonwealth. In addition, it is imperative for OIC states
to adopt a unified position on all issues, particularly the Palestinian issue, prior to
each substantive meeting of the international fora, including the UN and its
specialized agencies.
48.
I intend to undertake the following activities in future:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Actively participate in the next UN-OIC biennial meeting to be held in
Rabat in July 2006.
Organize a visit to OIC Headquarters of the European Commission's
President.
Organize a visit to OIC Headquarters of either a high-level or a
working-level delegation from the DPA of the UN Headquarters.
Exchange working-level visits between the OIC and the Secretariats of
EU, AU, CoE, IGAD, IOM, AL, GCC, CEN-SAD, ASEAN and the
Commonwealth.
Prepare for Ministerial Conference on Refugees in November 2006.
Once approval is granted by the Permanent Finance Committee, to
expeditiously open an OIC Office in Brussels.
49.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
-------------------
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SECRETARY GENERAL's REPORT ON
PROTECTION OF CHILD VICTIMS OF TSUNAMI
1.
This report covers the activities and development since July 2005.
2.
Ever since the Tidal Wave in the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004, which
resulted in the death of around 232,000 people and caused huge colossal material
damage, the OIC has been paying great attention to the affected people in the
region, particularly to the child victims of the Tsunami. In Indonesia alone, about
20,000 children have become orphans as a consequence of this natural disaster.
3.
Considering the scale of the disaster, it was realized that national capabilities
of the affected countries were inadequate, therefore international solidarity and
assistances were required.
4.
In the spirit of Islamic Solidarity, the OIC General Secretariat and the
Muslim Ummah under the noble initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah
Ibn Abdul Aziz, the then Crown of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and H.E. Prime
Minister of Malaysia, the Chairman of the 10th Islamic Summit Conference
Abdullah Badawi, in January 2005 had launched the campaign for establishing a
Humanitarian Project to assist the orphans affected by the Tsunami in Banda Aceh,
Indonesia.
OIC appeals to Member States to assist the Tsunami victims:
5.
On 01 January 2005, the OIC appealed to all Member States, all OIC
Subsidiary Organs and the Humanitarian Organization in the Muslim World to
expeditiously rescue the victims of the Tsunami and to make every effort to provide
the maximum assistance to them.
The OIC visits to Banda Aceh:
6.
In order to obtain first hand information, I paid a visit to Indonesia on
7-9 February 2005 including the devastated province of Aceh. On this occasion,
I discussed the initiative to help the child victims of Tsunami with the Secretary
General of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A follow-up visit of an
OIC delegation to Indonesia, including to Aceh, took place on 11-22 April 2005,
with the objective of finalizing the draft Agreement between the OIC and the
Indonesian Government for opening an OIC Alliance Office and to obtain the latest
number of the orphans affected by Tsunami in the Aceh region.
Recommendation for establishing an OIC Task Force:
7.
As the follow-up to the commitment between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
and Malaysia of establishing a standing mechanism of coordination to channel
donations to the Tsunami victims, particularly the affected orphans, the Saudi
Foreign Minister held a meeting with the Heads of Mission of OIC Member States
in Riyadh on 10 January 2005 during which the meeting recommended the
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OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.14
establishment the OIC Task Force/steering committee to support the orphans,
victims of Tsunami.
Donation for the orphans caused by Tsunami:
8.
During a pledging session organized by the General Secretariat during the
32nd ICFM, the following Member States and individual announced their pledges:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
United Arab Emirates sponsorship of 5000 children.
Republic of Turkey donation of US$1 million.
Sheikh Saleh Kamil sponsorship of 1000 children.
The State of Qatar would inform later on number of orphans it would sponsor.
Republic of Yemen will also inform later on number of orphan to be assisted.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that it would sponsor majority of
the orphans. Accordingly, they preferred to make this announcement later this
year after obtaining information of the number sponsored by others countries.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also announced a contribution of
US$ 1.5 million to cover the administrative and other expenses for the opening
the OIC Office in Banda Aceh to assist the orphans and run-up the project. The
Kingdom paid the said amount in April, 2006.
During this year, two countries have joined the humanitarian project, namely
the Sultanate of Oman, which sponsored 500 children for a period of 15 years
with a total amount of US$2.7 million and the Russian Federation, which
pledged an amount of US$166,000.
OIC-Indonesian Agreement Signed:
9.
During the 32nd ICFM, an Agreement between the OIC and the Government
of Indonesia for opening an OIC Alliance Office in Indonesia was signed.
The Executive Director of the OIC Office in Indonesia was appointed:
10.
The Executive Director for the Office of the OIC Alliance in Aceh was
appointed on 01 March 2006. The account of the OIC Office in Aceh was opened
and the Office has started its humanitarian activities to benefit the orphans.
Appeal to Member States to generously contribute to the OIC Alliance:
11.
On behalf of the General Secretariat, I would once again like to request all
Member States to join the OIC Alliance by generously extending donations to the
child victims of Tsunami.
12.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of
Foreign Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
----------------40
OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.15
SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT ON
ISLAM AND THE MUSLIM WORLD IN THE 21st CENTURY –
THE PATH OF ENLIGHTENED MODERATION
AND ADOPTION OF THE FINAL REPORT OF THE
OIC COMMISSION OF EMINENT PERSONS (OIC-CEP)
This brief report is being submitted by me in response to the provisions of operative
paragraph 4 of Resolution 18/32-P of the 32nd ICFM in Sana'a in order to update Member
States on the successful conclusion of this agenda item.
DECISION TAKEN BY THE 32nd ICFM IN SANA'A:
2.
As would be recalled, during the 32nd ICFM in Sana'a, Member States were requested
to forward their comments and observations on the report of the Commission of Eminent
Persons (CEP) to the Chairman of the 10th OIC Summit.
ANNUAL COORDINATION MEETING OF OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS:
3.
Paragraph 8 of the Final Communique of the last Annual Coordination Meeting of
Foreign Ministers, which was held in New York on 23 September 2005, paid special tribute to
the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, and the Prime Minister of Malaysia,
Dato' Seri Abdulla Ahmad Badawi, for this timely and important initiative. It also commended
the CEP for its work and welcomed its recommendations on developing the political,
economic, security, social and cultural conditions in the Islamic World. The Foreign Ministers
further expressed the hope that the forthcoming Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference in
Makkah would consider and adopt the Commission's recommendations.
DECISION TAKEN BY 3rd EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT CONFERENCE:
4.
As called for under Resolution 45/10-PS(IS), the Chairman of the 10th Islamic Summit
Conference, Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdulla Ahmad Badawi of Malaysia presented the
CEP's report to the Third Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, which was
held in Makkah Mukarrammah on 7-8 December 2005. While presenting the report, Prime
Minister Badawi had explained that, on the basis of the views and concerns expressed by
Member States, particularly during the Ministerial Meeting of 6th December 2005, he had made
the necessary amendments in the CEP's report.
OBSERVATIONS:
5.
I would like to once again commend the sense of commitment and the exceptional
intellectual level demonstrated by the Commissioners in finalizing their comprehensive report
which, served as an extremely useful input both for the subsequent Preparatory Meeting of
Scholars and Intellectuals as well as the 10-year Programme of Action adopted by the
Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference.
6.
The General Secretariat submitted the final report of the Commission of the Eminent
Persons (CEP) {document No.OIC/EX-SUM-3/2005/REC.CEP}for further information.
7.
This report is submitted to the 33rd session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign
Ministers for its consideration and appropriate decision.
-----------------41
OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECRETARY GENERAL’S REPORTS
SUBMITTED TO THE
33RD SESSION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE
OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
BAKU, REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
23-25 JAMADUL AWWAL 1427
(19-21 JUNE 2006)
No.
Subject
page
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The situation in Iraq.
The situation in Afghanistan.
The situation in Somalia.
The situation in Cyprus.
Solidarity with the Republic of Sudan.
The Jammu and Kashmir Dispute and the Peace
Process between India and Pakistan.
The aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the
Republic of Azerbaijan.
The problem of refugees in the Muslim world.
The imposition of unilateral economic sanctions on
Member States.
Combating international terrorism.
Security and solidarity among Member States.
Reform of the United Nations and expansion of UN
Security Council’s Membership.
Cooperation between the OIC and other
international/regional organizations and groups.
The protection of Tsunami Child Victims.
Islam and the Muslim World in the 21st century – The
Path of Enlightened Moderation and adoption of the
final report of the OIC Commission of Eminent
Persons (OIC-CEP).
1
3
5
10
13
16
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
19
21
23
24
26
28
31
39
41
OIC/ICFM-33/POL/SG.REP
REPORTS
OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL
ON
POLITICAL ISSUES
33RD
SG-REP33-ICFM
Indexpol
POL DEP-06
p
SUBMITTED
TO THE
SESSION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE
OF FOREIGN MINISTERS
BAKU, REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN
23-25 JAMADUL AWWAL 1427H
(19-21 JUNE 2006)