17 June 2004, Islamabad, Turkey – Speaking fresh from attending the 31st Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, and after holding bilateral talks with 34 OIC foreign ministers and heads of delegation, Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert said that procedural, and not political or partisan reasons, led to the decision of the OIC to defer all applications for Observer status.  The Secretary also said that no country had blocked the application of the Philippines for Observer status.

“The OIC has never received these many applicants for Observer status and there is a strong desire for the OIC to engage these applicants in a more meaningful manner.  Thus it was decided that an experts group will be set up to study the issue of OIC Observers,” Secretary Albert said. “As in any organization, this is a procedural matter,” she added.

The Secretary said that reports that any country, particularly those that openly support the Philippines, blocked the application of the Philippines were untrue, referring to media reports that certain countries blocked the application of the Philippines.

“No OIC member blocked our application,” the Secretary said. “On the contrary, we received many expressions of categorical support and even a formal endorsement in Plenary,” she added. The Secretary clarified that it is not the position of the Philippine Government that any country blocked our Observer status. “It is unfortunate that these baseless reports were given some media attention. No amount of attention will change this utter falsehood,” the Secretary said.

“I have instructed Acting Secretary Jose Brilliantes, together with our other undersecretaries, to immediately meet with the Ambassadors of Libya and Malaysia to formally convey to them the fact that there is no truth to these reports and to convey to them our deep appreciation for their efforts in support of our quest for greater engagement with the OIC,” the Secretary said. “In fact, I
myself have written to all our supporters, including Libya and Malaysia, to thank them not only for their strong support but for their active efforts in behalf of our sincere desire for deeper and more formal engagement with the OIC,” the Secretary said. END.