The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has welcomed and expressed his appreciation for the important decision of the US President Mr. George W Bush to appoint a Special Envoy for the Organization of the Islamic Conference. It should be mentioned here that the US President announced the decision yesterday on June 27 2007 during his visit to the Islamic Center of Washington. The Secretary General has expressed his hope that this decision would contribute to furthering the dialogue between the USA and the OIC and constitute a qualitative step forward in the path of historic reconciliation between the West and the Muslim World.
 
The Secretary General appreciated that the President's deliberation recognized OIC's rejection of radical fringe elements who pretend that they act in the name of Islam. He has also welcomed President's view that this initiative would improve mutual understanding and cooperation between America and people in predominately Muslim countries and that it would demonstrate to Muslim communities their interest in respectful dialogue and continued friendship.
 
Prior to the Statement of the President at the Islamic Center, the US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice personally informed the OIC Secretary General of this significant decision made by the US Administration over telephone. During the conversation, the Secretary of State praised the positive role and efforts of the OIC in promoting moderation and development in the Muslim World. In his response, the Secretary General thanked Dr. Rice for this new initiative of improving mutual understanding between the US and the Muslim World and expressed the readiness of the OIC General Secretariat to engage and cooperate with the Special Envoy. Secretary of State Rice and Secretary General Ihsanoglu agreed to continue their dialogue in the coming period with a view to contributing to the promotion of culture of tolerance, peace, dialogue and mutual understanding.
 
The decision of the US Administration to appoint a Special Envoy followed the establishment of an OIC Ambassadorial Group in Washington DC in March 2007.

Link to the Text of President Bush Speech :
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070627-2.html#