Bush names envoy to Muslims

President Bush plans to name a special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference.Bush, speaking Wednesday at the rededication of Washington’s Islamic Center, said the envoy to the world’s largest Islamic umbrella body “will listen to and learn from representatives from Muslim states and will share with them America’s views and values. This is an opportunity for Americans to demonstrate to Muslim communities our interest in respectful dialogue and continued friendship.”In his speech, Bush cast the defense of freedoms of Muslims as part of a tradition of defending the rights of Jews in the former Soviet Union, Christians behind the Iron Curtain and Muslims in China and Burma. He also reiterated his support for Palestinian statehood.