Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08FREETOWN591
2008-12-18 16:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:
DEMARCHE REQUEST: UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL ELECTION
how-toVZCZCXRO9884 OO RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHFN #0591 3531656 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 181656Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0291 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2364 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000591
SIPDIS
IO-PDAS WARLICK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2018
TAGS: UNESCO PREL PINR SL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL ELECTION
REF: STATE 130915
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JUNE CARTER PERRY, REASONS 1.4 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000591
SIPDIS
IO-PDAS WARLICK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2018
TAGS: UNESCO PREL PINR SL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL ELECTION
REF: STATE 130915
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JUNE CARTER PERRY, REASONS 1.4 b and d
1. (C) Ambassador reviewed fully the candidacy of Egyptian
Culture Minister Hosni for the post of UNESCO Director
General with Acting Foreign Minister Vandi Minah on 12/18.
2. (C) Minah was attentive to our concerns, especially the
issue of a stymied free press or burning of books. The idea
of a cultural straitjacket approach at UNESCO's helm seemed
to strike a nerve with Minah, a reserved attorney. He
understood that Egypt was expected to press hard for Hosni at
the January 2009 AU Summit.
3. (C) We emphasized that Sierra Leone and other AU Member
states deserved the opportunity to study the full field of
candidates before making a decision. We pointed out that the
election is not until May 31, 2009 so there is no need to
rush. Minah agreed that the length of time between the
summit and the election would be a useful period for further
reflection.
4. (C) Comment: The A/FoMin did not make a commitment to
fully resist Egyptian advances. However, he is a thoughtful,
serious technocrat who sees the logic of our argument. The
GoSL's final foreign policy decisions are, in the end, made
by the forceful Foreign Minister, Zainab Bangura, who is
currently out of the country. Also, the Egyptian
relationship with Sierra Leone seems a comfortable,
mutually-agreeable one. Given these considerations, it is
our belief that we will need to continue engaging the GoSL on
a regular basis before the AU Summit. The Egyptians will be
charming their way into the FoMin's and the President's good
graces to achieve their goal. End comment.
PERRY
SIPDIS
IO-PDAS WARLICK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/18/2018
TAGS: UNESCO PREL PINR SL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE REQUEST: UNESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL ELECTION
REF: STATE 130915
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JUNE CARTER PERRY, REASONS 1.4 b and d
1. (C) Ambassador reviewed fully the candidacy of Egyptian
Culture Minister Hosni for the post of UNESCO Director
General with Acting Foreign Minister Vandi Minah on 12/18.
2. (C) Minah was attentive to our concerns, especially the
issue of a stymied free press or burning of books. The idea
of a cultural straitjacket approach at UNESCO's helm seemed
to strike a nerve with Minah, a reserved attorney. He
understood that Egypt was expected to press hard for Hosni at
the January 2009 AU Summit.
3. (C) We emphasized that Sierra Leone and other AU Member
states deserved the opportunity to study the full field of
candidates before making a decision. We pointed out that the
election is not until May 31, 2009 so there is no need to
rush. Minah agreed that the length of time between the
summit and the election would be a useful period for further
reflection.
4. (C) Comment: The A/FoMin did not make a commitment to
fully resist Egyptian advances. However, he is a thoughtful,
serious technocrat who sees the logic of our argument. The
GoSL's final foreign policy decisions are, in the end, made
by the forceful Foreign Minister, Zainab Bangura, who is
currently out of the country. Also, the Egyptian
relationship with Sierra Leone seems a comfortable,
mutually-agreeable one. Given these considerations, it is
our belief that we will need to continue engaging the GoSL on
a regular basis before the AU Summit. The Egyptians will be
charming their way into the FoMin's and the President's good
graces to achieve their goal. End comment.
PERRY