Cablegate: Latvia Open but Noncommital On Unesco Holocaust Remembrance

VZCZCXYZ0023
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRA #0593 2151556
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 031556Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4252
INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0134
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 3895
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 4101

UNCLAS RIGA 000593

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNESCO
PARIS FOR USUNESCO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNESCO LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA OPEN BUT NONCOMMITAL ON UNESCO HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE
RESOLUTION

REF: STATE 99971

1. PolEconOff delivered reftel points August 2 to the MFA's Gints
Jegermanis, Head of Policy Planning Unit and Ambassador at large,
and Aiga Liepina, Director of the Department of International
Organizations and Human Rights. Both responded that the GOL is open
to the reftel resolution to explore the role UNESCO could play in
using education to promote Holocaust remembrance and combat
Holocaust denial. However, both asserted that Holocaust education
issues are already being addressed through a variety of
international fora; they wondered why UNESCO, too, should become
involved. Jegermanis stated that the GOL will discuss the issue
with its mission in Paris, ascertain other EU member states'
positions on the topic, and respond to Post by mid-August on whether
the GOL would co-sponsor the proposed resolution.

BAILEY

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