USUNESCO: UNESCO CHOOSES KHARTOUM AS ARAB

UNCLAS PARIS 007715 SIPDIS FROM USMISSION TO UNESCO E.O.: 12958: N/A TAGS: SCUL SU UNESCO SUBJECT: USUNESCO: UNESCO CHOOSES KHARTOUM AS ARAB CULTURAL CAPITAL 2005 ¶1. On November 9, Director General Matsuura presided over a series of events at UNESCO headquarters to mark the naming of Khartoum as "Arab Cultural Capital 2005." The events included discussions on Nubian archaeology and a performance of Sudanese music. According to an earlier UNESCO press release the event was organized by the Division of Cultural Policies and Intercultural Dialogue in cooperation with the permanent delegation of Sudan to UNESCO and the Arab Group at UNESCO, as part of UNESCO's Arabia Plan, which promotes dialogue between Arab culture and other cultures in the world. ¶2. During his remarks at the opening, the Director General said, "Finally the Organization is today joining other UN agencies.in the international community's efforts to establish the basis for a lasting peace." . (UNESCO) "will promote respect for the cultural diversity of the whole population in the North as well as in the South." ¶3. Previous Arab cultural capitals were: Riyadh (2000),Kuwait City (2001),Amman (2002),Rabat (2003) and Sanaa (2004). The next Arab cultural capitals will be: Oman (2006) and Algiers (2007). ¶4. Comment: UNESCO has a good track record using education, science and culture to promote Mideast peace and may be able to play a role in promoting Sudanese reconciliation. Still, given Sudan's record of genocide and other unmentionables, we are troubled that UNESCO has chosen to highlight Sudanese culture in such a positive light and that the Director General chose to associate himself with this event. KOSS