VZCZCXRO0156
PP RUEHBL RUEHED
DE RUEHLO #2501/01 3091627
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051627Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3903
INFO RUEHED/AMCONSUL EDINBURGH PRIORITY 1227
RUEHBL/AMCONSUL BELFAST PRIORITY 1434
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LONDON 002501
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR ECA/P/A
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL OEXC OIIP ECON UK
SUBJECT: SCOTLAND: AMBASSADOR ENGAGES WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS
1. (U) Summary. The Ambassador engaged with a wide variety of policy, civic, business, and Muslim communities during his
first official visit to Scotland, October 29-30. Prominent Scottish Muslim leaders told the Ambassador during a
roundtable discussion that the Muslim community in the UK and worldwide is "looking for proof that American officials
are listening" to the concerns of the Muslim community and advocated a balanced USG approach to peace in the Middle East
and in Afghanistan and Pakistan. At the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Ambassador explained the Obama Administration's
approach to foreign policy, climate change, global economic recovery, and healthcare to an audience of academics, civic
leaders, and policy-makers. Along with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, the Ambassador launched the International
Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and USG Fellows Alumni Group. The Ambassador also addressed the Scottish North
American Business Council (SNABC) and reaffirmed strong U.S. ties and engagement with the UK and Scotland in his
meetings with the Lord Provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament.
End summary.
Meeting Scotland's Muslim Leadership ------------------------------------
2. (U) At the Al-Meezan Islamic Women's Cultural Center in Glasgow, leaders from Scotland's predominately South Asian
Muslim community told the Ambassador on October 30 that the Muslim community in the UK and worldwide is "looking for
proof that the American government is listening" to the concerns of the Muslim community, especially with regard to the
sanctity of Muslim life in the face of USG military action in the Muslim world. They stressed the importance of dialogue
and encouraging terrorists to re-join their communities peacefully and suggested that the labeling of terrorist
organizations did not support mediated resolutions. On foreign policy, they argued that the USG needs to move away from
a "U.S.-centric view of the world" and should support a more balanced approach to peace in the Middle East, Afghanistan
and Pakistan. They specifically noted that strong U.S. political and military support for Israel appeared to be
incompatible with the firm USG stance against Israeli settlements, providing little incentive for Israel to change its
current policy. The participants warmly welcomed the Obama Administration's efforts to reach out to Muslims around the
world and called him, "the best hope for peace." They appreciated the Ambassador's willingness to engage with them and
agreed to provide, per the Ambassador's request, suggestions on what the U.S. can do to better engage with the Muslim
communities to tackle tough problems such as extremism.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh ------------------------------
3. (U) To an audience of academics, civic leaders, and policy-makers at the Royal Society of Edinburgh on October 29,
the Ambassador explained the Obama Administration's approach to foreign policy, climate change, global economic
recovery, and healthcare. In follow-up questions, the audience queried the Ambassador on the specifics of the Obama
Administration's developing policies on Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, among other topics. Participants also responded
positively to the Ambassador's assurances that Scotland remained very important to the USG, especially given the
intertwined economies and cultures, in the wake of the Scottish decision to release convicted Pan Am 103 bomber Abdel
Basset al-Megrahi.
Maintain the Strong IVLP Connection -----------------------------------
4. (U) Along with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, the Ambassador launched the International Visitor Leadership
Program (IVLP) and USG Fellows Alumni Group on October 29, designed to provide a networking group for former recipients
of USG-sponsored programs. Both the First Minister and the Ambassador appreciated the importance of strong government as
well as people-to-people connections and noted the significant contributions the USG programs had made to Scotland.
Civic, Local, and Business Leaders Welcome USG Engagement --------------------------------------------- ------------
5. (U) The Lord Provosts of Edinburgh and Glasgow, Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson of the Scottish Parliament, and the
Scottish North American Business Council (SNABC) all welcomed strong and continued USG engagement in Scotland. The Lord
Provosts heralded at receptions the long history of deep economic and cultural ties between the U.S. and Scotland and
LONDON 00002501 002 OF 002 welcomed the Ambassador's unequivocal message of support for their continuance. At an SNABC
working lunch, SNABC Chairman Iain McMillan and Glasgow Lord Provost Bob Winter highlighted the importance of the U.S.
to Scotland's economy and appreciated the Ambassador's efforts to further economic ties in both directions, especially
for Scotland's green energy sector businesses. Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Susman