CAMBODIA SEEKS SUPPORT FOR WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000689 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, IO PARIS PLEASE PASS TO US MISSION TO UNESCO - AMBASSADOR KILLION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KTIA SCUL UNESCO DB SUBJECT: CAMBODIA SEEKS SUPPORT FOR WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE CANDIDACY REF: PHNOM PENH 505 ¶1. SUMMARY: Deputy Prime Minister Sok An formally announced his government's intention to seek a seat on the World Heritage Committee (WHC) and sought international support for its candidacy. Sok An cited Cambodia's deep cultural heritage and experience on the Angkor Wat International Coordinating Committee as justification for their candidacy. See action request in paragraph 5. END SUMMARY ¶2. In a ceremony at the National Museum on the evening of 9/7 Sok An announced Cambodia's candidacy for a seat on the WHC and appealed directly to the assembled Ambassadors for their support. He was joined by the head of the local UNESCO office Teruo Jinnai who expressed his support for the country's candidacy while noting that UNESCO did not have a voice in the decision. He noted that while Cambodia has been a member of UNESCO for over fifty years it has never served on the committee. He asserted that if selected, Cambodia would serve the full six years of the term but would not seek to extend its tenure. ¶3. Sok An highlighted his country's unanimous election to the UNESCO executive council and subsequent service along with the Cambodia's experience since 1993 with the Angkor ICC as qualifications for the position. He also stated that his campaign for the seat had started over a month ago and that he has spoken privately with a number of officials in an effort to gain their support (see reftel). ¶4. Sok An also expressed his country's strong commitment to the protection of cultural heritage and assured the guests that if selected Cambodia would fully support the 1972 convention and work to maintain the "balance and stability" of the World Heritage List. After his speech he told the Ambassador that he was "very hopeful" regarding U.S. support for Cambodia's bid. ¶5. Action Request: Post requests Washington guidance on responding to Cambodia's formal request for support. RODLEY