Iraq, terrorism priority in OIC Foreign Ministers' meeting

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Published: 28 May 2003

Iraq, terrorism priority in OIC Foreign Ministers' meeting

Foreign ministers from Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member states were to open a three days of talks in the Iranian capital today, with their discussions expected to be dominated by Iraq, al-Qaeda and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Speaking on the eve of the meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi said he hoped the ministers would send a clear signal of the relevance of the body and the Muslim world.

"Iran hopes that the 30th session of OIC foreign ministers will send a message on the participation of Muslim countries in international relations that is clear, objective and convincing," he said after meeting with OIC Secretary General Abdulwahed Belkeziz.

All 57-member states except Iraq are expected to take part in the plenary conference from May 28-31 to "review and consult about the situation in Iraq," following the US-led war to topple Saddam Hussein's regime, an OIC source said.

No invitation was sent to Baghdad because there is no legitimate authority running Iraq's affairs.

The OIC, based in the Saudi Red Sea port city of Jeddah, has repeatedly called on the US-led forces that overthrew Saddam to leave Iraq as soon as possible.

The conference agenda, prepared by senior officials during a meeting held in Jeddah last month, also includes the Israeli-Palestinian issue, notably the status of Jerusalem and the internationally-drafted "roadmap" for peace.

Terrorism and dialogue between civilisations, a pet topic of Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, will be tackled in light of an OIC anti-terrorism document issued before the September 11, 2001 attacks and the latest deadly suicide bombings in Riyadh and Casablanca.

Iran is currently fighting off US allegations that al-Qaeda members based in the Islamic republic were behind the Riyadh attacks.

The chief diplomats of Islamic states will also discuss the situation in Afghanistan, in addition to difficulties facing Muslim minorities around the world, especially in troubled spots like Kashmir and Chechnya.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Blas Ople has been invited to attend the meeting as a "guest" of the conference, and there will also be special talks on the southern Philippines Muslim insurgency.

Bangladesh, the world's third largest Muslim-majority country, last week put forward senior politician Salauddin Quader Chowdhury for the post of OIC secretary general, occupied since 2001 by Belkeziz. – Sapa.