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OIC Foreign Ministers Open Meetings In Qatar
DOHA
(IslamOnline) - Foreign ministers of member
nations of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) opened their
meetings at the Sheraton Doha hotel this morning in preparation for the upcoming
Islamic summit convening on Sunday.
The
opening session was attended by delegations of all 56 OIC member-states, and was
commenced with a recitation of some passages from the Holy Qur’an.
Iranian
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, who chaired the 8th session of the OIC
ministerial council opened the meeting by stressing on the need to maintain
pan-Islamic unity in defense of the noble objectives of the ummah.
He
expressed gratitude to the state of Qatar for hosting the summit, expressing the
belief that Muslims have a duty to address the issue of Palestine.
The
Iranian minister said this meeting assumes a special importance in view of new
developments in Palestine, hinting that the aggravation of Zionist atrocities to
crush the valiant intifida (popular uprising) of the Palestinian people should
not be tolerated.
Kharrazi
continued, saying the Palestinian people are mounting a legitimate struggle to
restore their lawful rights in establishing an independent state with al-Quds
al-Sharif (holy Jerusalem) as its capital.
The
meeting should therefore consider ways of extending support to the Palestinians
at this critical juncture in their struggle to restore rights and to defend the
holy al-Aqsa mosques, he added.
New
horizons are now opening up for the OIC to assume an increasingly more
significant role in the international scene and affairs, and the OIC should play
a greater role in fostering international peace and dialogue, Kharrazi said.
Iran
has spared no effort to promote the OIC’s role and considers it recommendable
for Muslim countries to ask for a permanent OIC seat on the U.N. Security
Council.
Kharrazi
also commented on a proposed common Islamic market, suggested many years ago,
saying that it is still a far-fetched dream in which little has been done to
make it come true.
Qatari
Foreign Minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jabor al-Thani, assuming the mantle of the
9th conference, also stressed the need for Islamic unity in the face of events
in Palestine and stated that the current summit of “peace and
development “ should promote effective action for sound planning because
progress and development can only be attained in favorable atmospheres of peace,
security and stability, amidst friendly and amicable climates of bilateral,
regional and international relations.
Kharrazi
also brought to mind proposals made by Iranian President Mohammad Khatami to
devote an OIC meeting to the issue of al-Quds al-Sharif (Jerusalem).
He
also touched on present day hazards posed to Islamic countries by the amazingly
fast progress of information technology, urging Muslim countries to ward off
these dangers.
Kharrazi
then proposed and invited Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem
bin Jabor al-Thani, to chair the meeting as the elected chairman of the 9th OIC
ministerial council. The proposal was accepted in acclamation.
Al-Thani
then assumed the chairmanship of the meeting expressing thanks for to OIC
Secretary General Izzeddin Laraki and the Islamic Republic of Iran for the
efforts they have exerted over the past three-year session of the OIC in serving
the noble objectives of the Islamic Nation.
He
also stressed on the essential need for Muslim countries to act urgently and
resolutely to address the challenges facing them at this critical juncture of
major developments and historical overtures.
Muslim
countries should act urgently to address fast-changing developments, which
directly affect them, especially the difficult situation in the Occupied
Territories and the continual confrontations between Palestinians fighting for
their freedom and independence, and the Israeli Occupation forces trying to
crush this legitimate bid for freedom.
Al-Thani
considered it essential for Islamic countries, and the world community at large,
to reaffirm their support for the rights of Palestinians and make their
positions clear towards the legitimate issue of al-Quds al-Sharif (Holy
Jerusalem) and al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest shrine.
He
considered it essential for Muslim countries to mass potentials, unite stances
and envisage fresh and workable strategies to serve their interests and
materialize their objectives. He also called for the modernization of
institutions to cope with global changes and present-day requirements, urging
OIC member states to make optimal use of their abundant resources to secure a
bright future for the coming generations.
Hopes
are pinned on the OIC summit to serve as launching pad for the materialization
of the great aspirations cherished by Islamic peoples willing to secure a better
future for their coming generations, al-Thani said.
Besides
the many long-term strategic threats and countless difficulties and challenges
facing our nation in relation to their development, such as educational,
cultural, social and political progress, the Nation faces gravest challenges
posed by the current confrontation between the Palestinian people fighting for
their freedom, independence and dignity, and between the Israeli Occupation
forces trying to crush this valiant bid for freedom, he said.
The
on-going Palestinian Intifada (uprising) prompts us to show further commitment
to our firm standpoint based on the conviction that there can be no
settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict, and there can be no lasting or durable
peace in the Middle East unless a peaceful settlement is based on the principles
of international legality, al-Thani continued.
This
means that Israel should abide by all relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions
and should implement all agreed upon accords and commitments, including
land-for-peace principles.
We,
in the state of Qatar, are fully confident that our OIC Summit would take strong
and resolute stances confirming this firm position, he continued.
We
are committed to the principle that peace in the Middle East can only be
attained through a full Israeli withdrawal from all Occupied Arab Territories of
the Syrian Golan heights and complete withdrawal from the Lebanese territories
back to pre-June 1967 borders, as per U.N. Security Council resolutions, the
Qatari Foreign Minister said, making sure that the Palestinian people will
regain their full legitimate national, political and humanitarian rights,
foremost of which is their right to return, to self-determination, and to
establish their independent state on the native soil of Palestine with al-Quds
al-Sharif as its capital.
This
stand of ours should be made clear and the entire world should be aware of the
fact that al-Quds al-Sharif and the holy al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest
shrine, are not subject to bargain, nor concessions, he continued, urging the
international community, especially the two co-sponsors of the Middle East peace
process, the EU, and all peace-loving countries of the world to pressure Israel
to halt its aggressive policy so that the peace process can be rescued before it
is too late.
Otherwise,
the consequences would be catastrophic not only to the region, but also to the
entire world.
Al-Thani
then moved to the issue of Iraq, expressing the belief that it was high time to
ease the sufferings of the Iraqi people and to envisage a solution for their
dilemma, as per relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions, and in a manner that
would safeguard Iraq’s unity and territorial integrity.
He
also expressed support for the reconciliation process aimed at the restoration
of peace and tranquility in Somalia, in the hope that this country would restore
its well-being and its supposed role in the OIC.
Al-Thani
also urged all Afghani factions to come to the negotiation table to settle their
differences through genuine and serious dialogue for national reconciliation in
order to safeguard the unity of the Afghani people, their territorial integrity,
and sovereignty, and pledged the non-intervention in the internal affairs of
Afghanistan.
He
expressed regret over the loss of lives and the wide-scale devastation in
Chechnya, which has forced thousands of civilians out of their homes. At the
same time, he reiterated Qatar's respect for the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the Russian federation, as well as the non-intervention
in its internal Affairs, urging all conflicting parties to resort to reason and
dialogue in order to forge a peaceful political settlement to this conflict.
Al-Thani
then announced that the OIC ministerial meeting would be chaired by Qatar,
provided that Gambia, The Maldives, and Palestine would hold deputy chairmen
positions, while Iran would be the rapporteur.
He
then gave the floor to the OIC Secretary General.
After
the OIC Secretary General's address, al-Thani announced the start of closed-door
sessions.
Minister Statements
The
Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Rashed Abdullah al-Nuaimi,
said when governments make decisions they should carry them out because to make
a decision and be unable to execute it is an undesirable act, particularly in
Islam.
Al-Nuaimi
said what is required in Islamic action is sincerity of intention with an
attitude to serve Muslims whether they are in Muslim states or are in Muslim
communities in non-Muslim countries.
The
work of the OIC is directed towards all Muslims wherever they are, and under
prevailing conditions, particularly the Intifada youth, who are defending
al-Quds with their bare breasts, this “topic has top priority”, he
commented.
Al-Nuaimi
said there were no differences among the attendees concerning items on the
agenda, and that the ministers have discussed the agenda and are still in the
stage of preparing suggestions, formats and amendments. He added that what will
be issued is a solid stance expressing satisfaction of all Muslim states.
Egyptian
Foreign Minister Amr Moussa expressed hope that the OIC summit would be a
success in substance, rather than in formalities.
In
remarks to reporters following the opening ceremony, the Egyptian minister
asserted that OIC summit resolutions should be as strong and resolute as those
passed by Arab leaders at their recent summit meeting in Cairo. OIC summit
resolutions should complete and lend further vigor to the Arab summit
resolutions, he emphasized.
The
draft OIC summit agenda is still a subject of discussions and consultations by
OIC foreign ministers, he said.
Arab League Secretary General-Statement
Arab
League Secretary General Esmat Abdulmgeud, replying to a question on closure of
the Israeli trade office in Qatar said Qatar completely knows what it can afford
to do and what it cannot.
The
Arab League does not interfere in internal affairs of any member state, he
added.
In
a statement to reporters, Abdulmgeud said such issues should be resolved by each
state in accordance with what it can afford, and that the Arab League respects
the sovereignty of each state. The Arab League chief expressed his hope that the
OIC summit would take decisions that are more supportive to the Palestinian
cause.
Indonesian
Foreign Minister Alawi Abdulrahman Shihab called on Muslim countries to take a
collective decision to end all contacts and ties with Israel. Shihab denied the
existence of any intention Indonesia possesses of establishing trade relations
with Israel.
Shihab
stated that his country still supports the struggle of the Palestinian people
and their cause for the establishment of an independent state and the
implementation of a just and standing peace.
OIC ministerial council-committees
The
OIC Ministerial Council formed Thursday three committees: The Political Affairs,
Minorities, Islamic Groups, Legal and Information Affairs Committee, The
Economic, Social, Administrative and Financial Affairs Committee, and The
Cultural and Islamic Affairs Committee. The Economic and Cultural Affairs
Committees have already started gathering to study a number of study topics
related to economic, social, cultural and Islamic affairs. The political
committee is set to embark on its mission on Friday. 
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