OIC Chief holds meeting with Condoleezza Rice

New York, September 29, SPA -- The Secretary General of the
Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin
Ihsanoglu, has held a bilateral meeting with the U.S. Secretary of
State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice in New York.

During the meeting on September 27, Ihsanoglu conveyed to Rice his
appreciation for the recent positive developments in the relationship
between the OIC and the US administration, since the initiative
undertaken by President George W. Bush to appoint a special envoy to
the OIC.


The Secretary General also welcomed the intention of the US
administration to accompany the OIC programs for development through
cooperation on joint projects of socio-economic nature, mainly in the
domain of health services, education and poverty alleviation.


The Secretary General also briefed Rice on new trends governing OIC
policies, based on the OIC Ten Year Program of Action (TYPOA) and the
New OIC Charter in the domain of moderation and modernization,
combating extremism and fanaticism, advocating democracy, good
governance, rule of law and upholding and safeguarding human rights.


Rice took note with appreciation, the new trends prevailing in the
OIC, destined to usher the Muslim World towards a new era of genuine
democracy, good governance, rule of law, human development, respect
for human rights, prevalence of moderation and the rejection of
violence and terrorism.


She highlighted the increasing visibility and dynamism of the OIC
General Secretariat under the leadership of the Secretary General
Ihsanoglu and its positive contributions to the efforts to promote
international peace and security as well as to foster tolerance and
mutual understanding.