UNESCO: EGYPT REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR ITS

UNCLAS CAIRO 003793 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EG UNGA UNESCO SUBJECT: UNESCO: EGYPT REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR ITS CANDIDACY TO THE UNESCO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL REF: CAIRO 3780 ¶1. While delivering a demarche May 12 seeking Egyptian support for a U.S. candidacy to the International Court of Justice (reftel),MFA Office of Specialized Agencies Second Secretary Sohad Sabry requested from poloff an official reply SIPDIS to Egypt's request for U.S. support of its candidacy for a seat on UNESCO's Executive Council. Poloff requested the MFA to provide a diplomatic note on the subject, which post has translated from Arabic below. ¶2. Begin Text: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Assistant Minister for International Political Relations and Disarmament March 27, 2005 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs - the Deputy Assistant Minister for International Political Relations and Disarmament - gives its best regards to the American Embassy in Cairo and informs it that Egypt has submitted its nomination to run again for membership of the UNESCO Executive Council for the period 2005-2009. UNESCO membership elections will take place during the 33rd session of the General Conference scheduled for October 3-21, 2005. Egypt was among UNESCO,s 37 founding countries in 1945 and one of the first 20 countries that signed its charter that was implemented on November 4, 1946. The unique identity and diversity of Egyptian culture helped Egypt play a positive and constructive role in directing the activities of the organization by way of its membership on the Executive Council, enabling Egypt to maintain its membership since the establishment of UNESCO with the exception of only one period. In light of Egypt,s efforts to maintain good cooperation and relations among the member states with the aim of energizing the organization,s activities and programs related to the culture of peace, dialogue, and harmony among cultures and civilizations, we therefore look forward to your government,s support for Egypt's nomination for membership on the Council. Formal diplomatic closing. End text. Visit Embassy Cairo's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/cairo You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. GRAY