USUNESCO - PDAS WARLICK MEETING WITH DG MATSUURA

UNCLAS PARIS 003485 SIPDIS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED FROM USMISSION UNESCO PARIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNESCO SCUL SUBJECT: USUNESCO - PDAS WARLICK MEETING WITH DG MATSUURA ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Visiting IO PDAS Jim Warlick called on UNESCO Director-General (DG) Matsuura on May 19. During the discussion Warlick emphasized the need to show successes after the cultural diversity setback, and, in particular, to make effective use of the First Lady's interest in UNESCO and its literacy programs. ADG for Education Peter Smith made it clear that this is a top priority and committed to having UNESCO organize and raise money for future literary conferences. Other topics discussed were the state of the UNESCO budget and the DG's perceived need to raise the budget ceiling in the next biennium. PDAS Warlick also emphasized the need to hire more American citizens. In closing, the DG asked the Department to reach out to senior officials at the World Bank and UNICEF to solidify their organizations' commitment to Education for All and the Global Action plan. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) IO PDAS Jim Warlick paid a courtesy call on DG Matsuura May 19. Warlick made it clear that after the cultural diversity setback, the U.S. expects UNESCO to find opportunities to make good use of the First Lady who serves as the Honorary Ambassador to the United Nations Literacy Decade. ADG for Education Peter Smith, who was also in attendance, made clear that after some earlier confusion about who will take the lead, UNESCO will organize and raise funds for the four follow-on meetings to the First Lady's conference in New York this September. The DG agreed that working with the First Lady will be a top priority in the next 18-20 months. ¶3. (SBU) The DG raised concerns about the $25 million special fund of voluntary contributions to augment programs beyond the regular budget and expressed the hope that the U.S. will be contributing, since this was a U.S. idea. He also expressed hope that the U.S. will financially support the Life Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE). The DG was concerned that the budget for the next biennium (2008-2010) will be tight and that he needs more money. He pointed out that extra security and renovation costs at the UN in New York and the OECD were not covered by the regular budget, as they have been at UNESCO. Warlick made it clear that there was little ground for optimism, given tight U.S. budgets. ¶4. (SBU) Warlick emphasized the importance of hiring more Amcits at UNESCO. The DG agreed but also made clear that professional competence is important. He expressed frustration with many of his current staff who were hired by his predecessor, are incompetent and impossible to fire. In speaking of hiring, Warlick also raised concern that Francoise Riviere, the new ADG for Culture, a French citizen, will put too much emphasis on the Cultural Expressions Convention. The DG assured him that Riviere did not promote the convention during its negotiation. (Comment. The Mission has heard otherwise.) ¶5. (SBU) In closing, the DG asked for Department help to reach out to the leadership of the World Bank and Unicef to get their cooperation on the Education for All Global Action Plan. KOSS