A/S HOOK'S MEETINGS WITH CZECH AND JAPANESE AMBASSADORS TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS FR 002314

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018
TAGS: PREL UNESCO EZ JA
SUBJECT: A/S HOOK'S MEETINGS WITH CZECH AND JAPANESE AMBASSADORS TO
UNESCO

Classified by Ambassador Louise V. Oliver for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: Both the Japanese and Czech Ambassadors to UNESCO
clearly signaled to A/S Hook their opposition to Egyptian Culture
Minister Hosni's candidacy for UNESCO Director General. The Czech
Ambassador pushed for opening the race to new candidates and stressed
the need for a top-level communicator. Japan's Ambassador Yamamoto
believed we must oppose Hosni, but stressed that Japan was reluctant
to get out in front, fearful of being seen as a mouthpiece for the
current DG Matsuura. He also said that he did not see any good
candidates among those who have announced for the moment, and is
skeptical that someone from the Middle East could replace the
Egyptian. End summary.


2. (C) IO Assistant Secretary Brian Hook met separately with the
Czech Ambassador to UNESCO, Petr Janyska and Japan's Ambassador to
UNESCO, Tadamichi Yamamoto on 11 December 2008 in the U.S.
Delegation's offices at UNESCO headquarters. DCM Stephen Engelken
and Mission staffer David Ostroff, along with IO special assistant
Erin McLinn were present.

Czech Views on UNESCO


3. (C) A/S Hook found both the Czech and Japanese preoccupied by the
question of who should succeed UNESCO's current Director General
Matsuura when Matsuura's term ends in autumn 2009. Czech Ambassador
Janyska said we need someone who brings a higher level of visibility
to UNESCO than Matsuura has done -- someone with greater
communication skills who could help fortify the UNESCO "brand" in the
future. Hook agreed that other UN agencies, notably, UNICEF, were
particularly strong on the concept of branding and, as a result, were
more effective in their fundraising efforts.


4. (C) The Czech added that he felt the new person should not be
necessarily linked to a region, but that UNESCO needs a "big name",
an international figure who is accustomed to meeting the press. When
A/S Hook asked who might be a good candidate, Janyska said that he
had asked Vaclav Havel twice, but he is not in good enough health to
consider the job. Janyska threw out the name Bill Gates as the kind
of person who could dramatically raise the bar at UESCO.


5. (C) When Hook then asked Janyska if he had other ideas or if he
could ask Havel if he could recommend someone, Janyska replied by
saying that the race is open, even if the Arabs think they are the
ones who have it sewn up for this go-around. Janyska said that the
Egyptians are "pushing hard" for Hosni. Hook answered that we, in
turn, need to push back.


6. (C) Janyska observed that Egypt would surely be lobbying hard
ahead of the African Union summit (Jan 26 - Feb 3 in Addis Ababa).
A/S Hook assured him that we will be urging African states to refrain
from moving to an early endorsement of any candidate. Janyska
agreed, and added that we need to avoid a North-South clash regarding
the DG election. Janyska then added that it is important to make
clear to the Egyptians that even if they field another candidate
other than Hosni, they should not expect that they will be
automatically supported.

Japanese Thoughts


7. (C) Japanese Ambassador Yamamoto was equally opposed to Hosni.
Yamamoto said that the Japanese are working hard to be discreet, as
they don't want their anti-Hosni position to become public knowledge.
Yamamoto added that it is important that others don't think that
Japan is "channeling" the views of DG Matsuura on the subject. He
went on to say that Japan has been straight-forward with the U.S. and
France, and that it shares our concerns. Ambassador Yamamoto said
that it is important that Matsuura's reforms not be compromised, as
it would be detrimental to the organization in terms of improving
quality of life issues, adding that the Japanese would like to have
UNESCO seen as a useful organization, even for developed countries.


8. (C) Yamamoto said that Japan isn't interested in having the next
DG be selected based on region, but stressed that the quality and
capacity of the person is key. The Japanese do not see anyone fitting
the bill at the moment.


9. (C) A/S Hook told Yamamoto that if Egypt's President Mubarak is
personally engaged regarding Hosni's candidature then we, too, must
be "on the offensive". Hook emphasized that UNESCO's work and
Matsuura's legacy must be protected, or we risk moving back to the
"bad old days" of division and conflict. Hook then mentioned that he
would be talking with the French later in the day to see if calls
could be made to senior French officials in an effort to convince the
French to "walk back" their pledge to support Hosni.


10. (C) Like his Czech colleague, Yamamoto raised the importance of
stopping the African Union from endorsing Hosni during its January
summit meeting. Hook agreed heartily, saying that we need to break
consensus at the A.U. meeting, though it is also extremely important
at the same time to work on identifying an alternative candidate that

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people can get behind. Yamamoto then said that we must give Egypt
the option of switching candidates, as well, adding that he is,
however, skeptical about finding a good candidate from the Middle
East right now.

OLIVER