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Cablegate: Unesco -- Goi Seeks U.S. Support for Key Heritage

Published: Fri 25 Sep 2009 09:46 AM
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OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHJA #1609 2680946
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 250946Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3406
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHFR/USMISSION UNESCO PARIS FR
UNCLAS JAKARTA 001609
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, IO
NSC FOR D.WALTON
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL ID
SUBJECT: UNESCO -- GOI SEEKS U.S. SUPPORT FOR KEY HERITAGE
COMMITTEE
1. (U) SUMMARY: The GOI has sent Mission a diplomatic note
requesting that the USG support Indonesia's candidacy for the
UNESCO World Heritage Committee during upcoming meetings in
Paris. We urge that Department seriously consider
Indonesia's candidacy. END SUMMARY.
GOI PRESSES CANDIDACY FOR KEY UNESCO COMMITTEE
2. (U) Indonesia's Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU)
has sent Mission a diplomatic note requesting that the United
States support Indonesia's candidacy for the UNESCO World
Heritage Committee. The GOI notes that this issue will be
reviewed during October 23-28 meetings in Paris. (Note: The
dipnote is dated September 16, but Mission only received it
on September 24.)
INDONESIA DESERVES USG SUPPORT
3. (U) Mission recommends that the Department support
Indonesia's bid for the World Heritage Committee. Indonesia
takes great pride in its rich and diverse cultural heritage
and has a strong record of preserving that heritage. For
example, UNESCO recently added batik, one of Indonesia's most
distinctive artistic products, to its Intangible Cultural
Heritage list. Moreover, Indonesia is a moderate
Muslim-majority country with a tradition of respecting
religious tolerance and diversity, working to protect
heritage sites of all faiths and ethnicities. Mission
believes that Indonesia will bring a responsible and moderate
voice to the Committee and help further U.S. objectives in
UNESCO.
GOI DIPNOTE
4. (U) The text of the GOI's diplomatic note follows:
Begin text:
The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Indonesia presents its compliments to the Embassy of the
United States of America and has the honor to inform the
latter that the Government of Indonesia has decided to
present its candidature to the World Heritage Committee at
elections to be held during the 17th Session of the General
Assembly of States Parties to the Convention Concerning the
Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage 23-28
October 2009 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
The Government of Indonesia is strongly committed to the
protection and preservation of the world's cultural and
natural heritage. As member of the World Heritage Committee,
Indonesia will work to ensure that effective and active
measures are taken for the protection and conservation of the
cultural and natural heritage. Indonesia believes that its
role in the World Heritage Committee will contribute
significantly to the work of the Committee.
In view of the above, the Government of Indonesia would like
to request the support of the Government of the United States
of America towards Indonesia's candidature in the World
Heritage Committee.
The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Indonesia avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the
Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its
highest consideration.
Jakarta, 16 September 2009
End text.
HUME
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