USUNESCO HOSTS RECEPTION FOR MAY CHIDIAC

UNCLAS PARIS 003429 SIPDIS FROM US MISSION UNESCO PARIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SCUL LE UNESCO SUBJECT: USUNESCO HOSTS RECEPTION FOR MAY CHIDIAC ¶1. Ambassador Oliver hosted a reception in honor of the well-known Lebanese television journalist May Chidiac yesterday evening, May 18th, at the Ambassador's residence. Chidiac was awarded UNESCO's Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Day Prize in April in recognition of her courage in defending and promoting freedom of the press. ¶2. Chidiac, a journalist with the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI),was injured in September 2005 in a series of bombings in Lebanon targeting Christians and critics of Syria and lost a leg and an arm in the attack. She is currently in France for medical treatment. Chidiac said she plans to return to work next month and had announced her candidacy for the vacant Maronite seat in Lebanon's Baabda-Aley by-election. She mentioned that she has been forced to withdraw her name for the seat because of health problems, but hopes to reconsider running in the future. She was accompanied by members of her family, Lebanon's Ambassador to UNESCO, and several prominent Lebanese governmental and legislative officials. ¶3. The reception was extremely well attended and included, notably, the presence of UNESCO's Director General Matsuura, UNESCO's Deputy Director Barbosa, and dozens of Ambassadors and delegation representatives. Visiting IO Deputy Assistant Secretary, James Warlick, read and presented a letter from Secretary Rice to Ms. Chidiac, who said she was extremely honored by the gesture. ¶4. In introducing Ms. Chidiac, Ambassador Oliver described her as a symbol of courage and freedom. Many of those present commented on how much they appreciated the opportunity to meet Ms. Chidiac, and the Ambassador's kindness in hosting the event. Ms. Chidiac, in remarks that were extremely moving, promised to continue her work and said she would not be intimidated or threatened into silence. The event was covered both by Lebanese television and other print journalists. KOSS