UNESCO: MEETING WITH DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL

UNCLAS PARIS 000438 SIPDIS FROM USMISSION UNESCO PARIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNESCO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNESCO SCUL IS SUBJECT: UNESCO: MEETING WITH DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL ¶1. (SBU) Summary: UNESCO's Deputy Director, Marcio Barbosa, expressed his pride regarding UNESCO's role in the technical discussions on the Mughrabi Gate; his efforts to improve UNESCO's visibility and communications, and his work in relation to the Science sector review. He also spoke about next steps on the Holocaust education project, and the Crossroads conference, which will be hosted by UNESCO. End Summary. ¶2. (U) UNESCO's Deputy Director, Marcio Barbosa, met with Ambassador Oliver on Friday, 7 March 2008 on a variety of issues: UNESCO, Communications and Visibility ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador Oliver opened the meeting by asking Barbosa about a P-5 position in the Communications Sector (C & I) that, according to our information, will only be open to internal candidates. Ambassador Oliver expressed her concern that the current UNESCO Spokesperson, Muriel de Pierrebourg, who will be retiring soon for medical reasons, (Barbosa noted she was also leaving due to her frustration with the Organization),has apparently hand-picked someone to replace her for the post. He also said that de Pierrebourg's position may be restructured. Ambassador Oliver made the point that UNESCO's inability to communicate effectively to the outside world has shown that the needed skills sets are not in house and it is, therefore, important to seek new, more experienced people from outside for these key slots if UNESCO is to improve its communications skills and raise its visibility. ¶4. (SBU) Barbosa commented that UNESCO has recently missed opportunities to communicate on its mandated issues, noting, for examples, a library in the Parisian suburbs that was burned down by arsonists; and a racist attack on a Spanish soccer player. Ambassador Oliver said that UNESCO needs a person in its Bureau of Public Information (BPI) and Spokesperson's office that understands these "moments of opportunity", and how to take advantage of them. Holocaust Education ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Oliver told DDG Barbosa that UNESCO must be careful in handling the strategy of the follow-up regarding the General Conference decision on Holocaust Education, and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Israel and UNESCO, which also has an element regarding Holocaust Education. Ambassador Oliver told Barbosa that while they are on parallel tracks and have a connection, UNESCO must be cautious to keep them separate, to avoid any concerns from other Member States (particularly from within the Arab Group). Because it is possible that actions associated with the Israel-UNESCO MOU could advance more quickly, it must be clear to Member States that recommendations linked to the Holocaust Resolution will be carried out only after consultation with Member States, as had been agreed to in the General Conference decision. Crossroads Conference ¶6. (SBU) Barbosa mentioned that the Director General has asked him to participate in the conference scheduled to take place in Bahrain. Ambassador Oliver then asked DDG Barbosa if he had any idea of who might be a good chairperson, as the role is critical for a well-run conference. Barbosa said he'd give it some thought. He also said he would consider some well-known sports figures, or others, as possible keynote speakers. Mughrabi Gate - Temple Mount ¶7. (SBU) Barbosa told Ambassador Oliver that his recent trip to Jerusalem was very successful, and that he is particularly pleased with the part UNESCO has played in the technical "encounters" held among the Israelis, the WAQF, and the Jordanians. Barbosa acknowledged that UNESCO took on a "high-risk operation" in acting as facilitator for the meetings, but was extremely proud of the fact that the different sides are really exchanging ideas, "playing it straight", and not using the Mughrabi gate restoration as a political tool. Barbosa said that he anticipates the first phase of the reconstruction to begin before summer. He also mentioned that the last plans returned to the scale of a pedestrian walk-way, while previous Israeli plans had included a ramp wide enough for vehicles. Barbosa then repeated proudly that UNESCO has gained enormous credibility for the part it played in arranging these meetings. Science ¶8. (SBU) Barbosa admitted that he has been quietly, but conscientiously, reviewing the plans based on the Science Review Committee's recommendations and the work plans approved by the General Conference regarding UNESCO's Science Sector. He said that he has found over 200 small projects to eliminate from current plans. He added that he still needs some time to review the overall plans, and that meetings will be held next week to help shape the final report. ¶9. (SBU) One of the key things he hopes to encourage is greater science related work in Africa and Latin America, and said that he hopes to engage more National Commissions in those regions, and would like to see some regional conferences to spark more interest in science. He also mentioned that the Germans had provided 300,000 Euros, and the Spaniards some 200,000 Euros, to help the National Commissions in Africa and Latin America. Barbosa said that the National Commissions are vital in those areas where UNESCO does not have a local or regional office. Barbosa said that he hopes to have a final report to send to the Science Review Committee before the end of March. He indicated that he is in informal contact with several of its members on a regular basis. OLIVER