LETTER TO HHS SECRETARY THOMPSON FROM TURKISH

UNCLAS ANKARA 005866 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC PREL TU SUBJECT: LETTER TO HHS SECRETARY THOMPSON FROM TURKISH MINISTER OF NATIONAL EDUCATION REF: A. ANKARA 1625 ¶B. STATE 54900 ¶C. 02 ANKARA 7265 ¶1. Post received Turkish MFA dip note no. 2003/CKGY/360370 requesting embassy to forward a letter to HHS Secretary Thompson from Minister of National Education Huseyin Celik announcing GOT support to the U.S. candidacy to the Executive Board. BEGIN TEXT Tommy G. THOMPSON Secretary of Health and Human Services SIPDIS Washington, DC August 29, 2003 Dear Mr. Secretary, I have carefuly read your letter dated July 31 2003. You, while underlining the decision of the United States of America to rejoin UNESCO, have indicated the special areas in which U.S. Department of Health can contribute to UNESCO's efforts and emphasized the importance of the clean slate within the Electoral Group 1 during the elections to the Executive Board to be held during the 32nd General Conference of UNESCO. I have taken up this issue with my relevant Minister colleagues. We share your views regarding reaching a "clean slate" within the Electoral Group 1 for the elections to the Executive Board. I even would go further and suggest that efforts should be spent to attain consensus to have "clean slate" in the group for other committees as well. The existing membership-structure requires a more advanced level of solidarity and cooperation within the Electoral Group 1. I am fully confident that a workable and sustainable arrangement can be achieved in line with the goal both our Governments aim at. In this context allow me to mention that my Government has announced her candidature for the World Heritage Committee. The details of this candidature have already been taken up with the United States Permanent Observer Mission to UNESCO. I have the pleasure to inform you that Turkey is looking forward to welcome the United States of America to UNESCO and will enthusiastically support the candidature of the U.S. to the Executive Board. Yours sincerely, /S/ Assoc. Prof. Huseyin Celik Minister of National Education END TEXT EDELMAN