Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PARIS602
2006-01-30 17:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Paris
Cable title:  

UNESCO: MORE ON COMPETITION FOR ADG CULTURE

Tags:  ETRD SCUL CA FR UNESCO 
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301756Z Jan 06
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000602 

SIPDIS

FROM USMISSION UNESCO PARIS
FOR IO/UNESCO, EB
FOR A/S SILVERBERG FROM AMBASSADOR OLIVER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016
TAGS: ETRD SCUL CA FR UNESCO
SUBJECT: UNESCO: MORE ON COMPETITION FOR ADG CULTURE


RE: PARIS 536

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000602

SIPDIS

FROM USMISSION UNESCO PARIS
FOR IO/UNESCO, EB
FOR A/S SILVERBERG FROM AMBASSADOR OLIVER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016
TAGS: ETRD SCUL CA FR UNESCO
SUBJECT: UNESCO: MORE ON COMPETITION FOR ADG CULTURE


RE: PARIS 536


1. (U) Classified by Andrew Koss, Deputy Chief of
Mission, reason 1.4. (D)


2. (C) The competition for the position of ADG Culture
is getting more intense. Rumors stating that Francoise
Riviere has been or soon will be chosen continue to
gain strength, thereby causing increased concern by
those who do not support her candidacy, including the
U.S.



3. (C) On January 24 the Ambassador from Italy to
UNESCO said that for some EU countries the real agenda
behind the EU's letter to the Director-General that was
highly critical of the World Heritage Center was to
undercut the candidacy of Francesco Bandarin for ADG
Culture. Presumably that would eliminate Bandarin as a
serious competitor to Riviere. The Italian Ambassador
was very unhappy about that, and said that it showed
how determined some countries are to promote Riviere's
candidacy. (Comment-Given how strongly France is
promoting ratification of the cultural diversity
convention, it is likely that France may have played a
leading role in the EU letter, even though it was
circulated by the UK. The French are increasingly
using other countries to promote their agenda and are
saying very little in public. They did not, for
example, make a single comment during the DG's all-day
question-and-answer session on January 19).


4. (C) The Ambassador from Jordan said on January 27
that the Arab Group does not think that Francoise
Rivere has the professional qualifications necessary
for the ADG Culture position and would not be respected
by serious conservation and preservation professionals.
They intend to meet with the Director-General this week
to oppose her candidacy and promote the candidacy of
the Moroccan candidate instead. (Comment, Although we
do not support their view that the ADG Culture position
should be given to an Arab again, we are pleased by
their opposition to Riviere, as there must be strong
political pressure put on Matsuura not to choose
Riviere.)



5. (C) Post would like to know whether, in addition to
opposing Riviere, support should be given to the
Moroccan candidate. Although perhaps any country is
better than France, Morocco is a strong supporter of
the convention and of standard setting instruments in
general, as was shown by their comments at the Director-
General's Jan 19th information session.


6) (U) Resumes on the Moroccan and Riviere will be
forwarded separately.

7) (C) Comment: Post cannot overemphasize the
importance of the decision of ADG Culture for the U.S.
engagement at UNESCO. If France or some other strong
cultural diversity convention supporter is given that
position, it will be very difficult to have serious USG
influence on the future work of the Culture Sector.
That might include the development of new instruments
in the field of culture, in addition to promoting the
ratification and implementation of existing cultural
instruments, as just happened with the Intangible
Cultural Heritage convention that will enter into force
on April 20.

8) (C) Comment continued: It would also affect that
level of UNESCO's participation in non Paris-based
national and regional meetings that focus on the
development of local and national cultural policies,
such as the recent meeting in Vietnam organized by the
Francophonie where the European Commission played an
active role promoting the ratification of the cultural
diversity convention. Given the close relationship
between cultural and economic issues and policies, this
could create additional challenges for the USG,
particularly in the area of trade.

9) (C) Post is also concerned that on January 24 the
Globeand Mail in Canada reported that Stephen Harper
had pledged that francophone Quebec would have a voice
in certain international forums, such as UNESCO. This
would not be a problem if it means increased
participation in the Canadian delegation. However, if
it means a separate voice for Quebec, such as getting
observer status at UNESCO like the EC which Post was
told earlier in the fall was their goal, it would make
things even more difficult for the USG in the area of
culture.

10) (C) Finally, the choice of and ADG Culture who is
reviewed as the ultimate inside-player at UNESCO and/or
someone from a country unsympathetic to USG concerns on
cultural diversity will be seen as a signal to the rest
of the organization that despite the USG's large
financial contribution, it does not have much power or
influence at UNESCO.

OLIVER