Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BELGRADE950
2009-08-26 10:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Belgrade
Cable title:
SERBIA WILL SUPPORT EGYPTIAN CANDIDATE FOR UNESCO HEAD
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBW #0950 2381043 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 261042Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0175 INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE RUEHFR/USMISSION UNESCO PARIS FR 0001
UNCLAS BELGRADE 000950
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNESCO (SIEKMAN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNESCO SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA WILL SUPPORT EGYPTIAN CANDIDATE FOR UNESCO HEAD
REF: STATE 82575
Summary
-------
UNCLAS BELGRADE 000950
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNESCO (SIEKMAN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNESCO SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA WILL SUPPORT EGYPTIAN CANDIDATE FOR UNESCO HEAD
REF: STATE 82575
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) Following through on a commitment from President Tadic to
President Mubarak, Serbia intends to support the Egyptian candidate
in the September 17 vote for the next Director-General of UNESCO.
Given the nature of the promise, and its willingness to spurn
Russia's candidate in favor of the Egyptian, it is highly unlikely
that Serbia will change its vote. End Summary.
Serbs: We Committed to Support Egyptian Candidate
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) MFA Political Director Borislav Stefanovic told the
Charge on August 25 that Serbia would vote for the Egyptian candidate
in the UNESCO Director-General race (reftel). According to
Stefanovic, Egyptian President Mubarak directly asked President Tadic
to support Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni during Tadic's July
visit to Egypt, and Tadic agreed.
3. (SBU) When the Charge stressed that the United States believed
that there were several other candidates who have better demonstrated
the qualifications needed to head UNESCO, Stefanovic replied that
Tadic had "given his word" to Mubarak that Serbia would support
Hosni, who, according to Stefanovic, was a personal friend of
Mubarak. (Note: When describing the interaction, Stefanovic,
interestingly used the Albanian word "besa," which connotes a promise
based on faith and trust. End note.)
Russians Unhappy
--------------
4. (SBU) Stefanovic added that Russia was extremely unhappy when
informed of Serbia's stance, having presumed that Serbia would
support its candidate, Deputy Foreign Minister Yakovenko.
BRUSH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/UNESCO (SIEKMAN)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNESCO SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA WILL SUPPORT EGYPTIAN CANDIDATE FOR UNESCO HEAD
REF: STATE 82575
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) Following through on a commitment from President Tadic to
President Mubarak, Serbia intends to support the Egyptian candidate
in the September 17 vote for the next Director-General of UNESCO.
Given the nature of the promise, and its willingness to spurn
Russia's candidate in favor of the Egyptian, it is highly unlikely
that Serbia will change its vote. End Summary.
Serbs: We Committed to Support Egyptian Candidate
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) MFA Political Director Borislav Stefanovic told the
Charge on August 25 that Serbia would vote for the Egyptian candidate
in the UNESCO Director-General race (reftel). According to
Stefanovic, Egyptian President Mubarak directly asked President Tadic
to support Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Hosni during Tadic's July
visit to Egypt, and Tadic agreed.
3. (SBU) When the Charge stressed that the United States believed
that there were several other candidates who have better demonstrated
the qualifications needed to head UNESCO, Stefanovic replied that
Tadic had "given his word" to Mubarak that Serbia would support
Hosni, who, according to Stefanovic, was a personal friend of
Mubarak. (Note: When describing the interaction, Stefanovic,
interestingly used the Albanian word "besa," which connotes a promise
based on faith and trust. End note.)
Russians Unhappy
--------------
4. (SBU) Stefanovic added that Russia was extremely unhappy when
informed of Serbia's stance, having presumed that Serbia would
support its candidate, Deputy Foreign Minister Yakovenko.
BRUSH