Cablegate: Sri Lanka Nominates Candidate for Unesco

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DE RUEHLM #1402/01 2831156
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O 101156Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6959
INFO RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0459
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 7446
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 5589
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1451
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 0125
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 8043
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 5657
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0654
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2370

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 001402

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS AND IO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL UNESCO CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA NOMINATES CANDIDATE FOR UNESCO
EXECUTIVE BOARD

1. The Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed Post
via diplomatic note on October 1 that the Government of Sri
Lanka has nominated Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha
for election to the UNESCO Executive Board. A document
outlining "Sri Lanka's Vision In and For UNESCO" was
attached. The full text of both documents is below. Post
will forward additional biographic information and curriculum
vitae by fax to SCA/INS.

2. Begin text of diplomatic note:

UN/UNESCO/E 07

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka presents its compliments to the Embassy
of the United States of America in Colombo and has the honour
to inform that the Government of Sri Lanka has presented the
candidature of the Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of
Education to the Executive Board of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at
the elections to be held during the 34th Session of the
UNESCO General Conference in October 2007. A curriculum
vitae of the Hon. Minister is enclosed.

The Government of Sri Lanka would greatly value and
appreciate the support of your esteemed Government for its
candidature to the Executive Board.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist
Republic Sri Lanka avails itself to this opportunity to renew
to the Embassy of the United States of America in Colombo,
the assurances of its highest consideration.

Colombo, 1st October 2007

End Text.

3. Begin Text of Sri Lanka's Vision In and For UNESCO:

Sri Lanka, through its nominee, Hon. Premajayantha, in the
Executive Board, pledges to:

Uphold UNESCO's constitutional mandate to build peace, the
eradication of poverty, ensure sustainable development and
intercultural dialogue, through education, the sciences,
culture, communication and information.

Bring to the forefront, quality education for all that
includes education for peace and sustainable development.

Promote UNESCO efforts at interfaith and intercultural
dialogue.

Work towards making the quality and relevance of UNESCO's
fields of competence felt at national levels.

Promote and strengthen a decentralized UNESCO, including the
strengthening of the UNESCO's unique concept of National
Commissions.

Encourage policies to inspire UNESCO staff to motivate
themselves to ensure enhanced delivery of services to Member
States.

Promote UN reforms to act as "one", to avoid duplication of
resources and strengthen delivery in the service of Member
States.

Strengthen UNESCO's position as a standard setter and in
providing evidence based policy research to Member States.

Improve cooperation in research, development and sharing of
best practices among Member States through South/South and
North South cooperation.

Strengthen intersectoral approaches, both at UNESCO and in
the Member States, in the implementation of programmes
related to UNESCO's field of competence.

Encourage continued reforms within UNESCO, to best serve the
interests of the Member States.

COLOMBO 00001402 002 OF 002

Above all, through UNESCO, promote the respect for human
dignity and right and respect for the environment, the
cornerstones for building peace, the very "raison d'etre" of
the organization.

End Text.
BLAKE

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