Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SEOUL2428
2008-12-18 06:49:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #2428 3530649 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 180649Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2678 INFO RUEHFR/UNESCO PARIS FR PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 002428
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2018
TAGS: UNESCO PREL KS
SUBJECT: UNESCO DIRECTOR-GENERAL ELECTION
REF: STATE 130916
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4(b/d)
(C) In response to reftel demarche, Seo Bihn, MOFAT's UNESCO
desk officer, said the ROK had not made a decision on whether
to support or oppose Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni's
candidacy for UNESCO Director-General. In addition to reftel
talking points, we gave Seo a record of Hosni's public
statements on opposition to cultural normalization with
Israel and background information on the corruption
allegations at the Egyptian Ministry of Culture. Seo said
MOFAT would factor U.S. concerns into its decision on Hosni's
candidacy. Seo agreed with reftel's assessment that the
Lithuanian and Bulgarian candidates lacked stature and said
she was not aware of other viable candidates.
STEPHENS