Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ANKARA2173
2008-12-24 15:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:
TURKEY/UNESCO: STILL UNDECIDED ON DG CANDIDATE
how-toVZCZCXRO4736 PP RUEHFL RUEHKN RUEHMJ RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHPB RUEHQU RUEHRN DE RUEHAK #2173 3591522 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 241522Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8309 INFO RUCNSCO/UNESCO COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002173
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNESCO KELLY SIEKMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/24/2018
TAGS: PREL UNESCO TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY/UNESCO: STILL UNDECIDED ON DG CANDIDATE
REF: SECSTATE 130916
Classified By: Acting POL Counselor Chris Krafft, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ANKARA 002173
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNESCO KELLY SIEKMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/24/2018
TAGS: PREL UNESCO TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY/UNESCO: STILL UNDECIDED ON DG CANDIDATE
REF: SECSTATE 130916
Classified By: Acting POL Counselor Chris Krafft, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) We delivered reftel points to MFA Multilateral
Cultural Affairs Section Head Orhan Cetinel December 24.
Cetinel does not expect Turkey to decide on a UNESCO DG
candidate until shortly before the Executive Council meets
later in 2009, but observed that Turkey's criteria for a DG
are broadly in-line with ours. He noted that the Bulgarians
and Lithuanians have lobbied Turkey in their capitals, as
well as in Ankara and in Paris, on their candidates, as has
Egypt. Cetinel did not express Turkish opposition to Hosni,
but he is aware of the emerging controversy surrounding his
candidacy. He noted that Turkey expects the nomination of
other candidates in the coming months, perhaps from Latin
America, but is not aware of any other prospective Arab
candidates. The current Moroccan Permanent Representative to
UNESCO, who had been considered a candidate, has apparently
dropped out.
2. (C) Based on our points, Cetinel noted one possible
divergence with the U.S. on criteria for a new DG. While we
conveyed the importance of political stature, Cetinel said
that a career international civil servant, perhaps from the
UNESCO Secretariat, might still emerge to help parties
overcome their differences over the election of a new DG. He
did not say Turkey would support such a candidate, but
suggested that it might make sense for a scientific and
cultural organization like UNESCO, with a complex technical
agenda, to consider such an option.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
Jeffrey
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNESCO KELLY SIEKMAN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/24/2018
TAGS: PREL UNESCO TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY/UNESCO: STILL UNDECIDED ON DG CANDIDATE
REF: SECSTATE 130916
Classified By: Acting POL Counselor Chris Krafft, reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) We delivered reftel points to MFA Multilateral
Cultural Affairs Section Head Orhan Cetinel December 24.
Cetinel does not expect Turkey to decide on a UNESCO DG
candidate until shortly before the Executive Council meets
later in 2009, but observed that Turkey's criteria for a DG
are broadly in-line with ours. He noted that the Bulgarians
and Lithuanians have lobbied Turkey in their capitals, as
well as in Ankara and in Paris, on their candidates, as has
Egypt. Cetinel did not express Turkish opposition to Hosni,
but he is aware of the emerging controversy surrounding his
candidacy. He noted that Turkey expects the nomination of
other candidates in the coming months, perhaps from Latin
America, but is not aware of any other prospective Arab
candidates. The current Moroccan Permanent Representative to
UNESCO, who had been considered a candidate, has apparently
dropped out.
2. (C) Based on our points, Cetinel noted one possible
divergence with the U.S. on criteria for a new DG. While we
conveyed the importance of political stature, Cetinel said
that a career international civil servant, perhaps from the
UNESCO Secretariat, might still emerge to help parties
overcome their differences over the election of a new DG. He
did not say Turkey would support such a candidate, but
suggested that it might make sense for a scientific and
cultural organization like UNESCO, with a complex technical
agenda, to consider such an option.
Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Turk ey
Jeffrey