INTERVIEW: UNESCO-chief: We'll pull through - just - without US funds

By Ralf E. Krueger Nov 11, 2011, 17:08 GMT

Paris - UNESCO should not suffer from the way individual members vote on key issues, said director general Irina Bokova in an interview with dpa, after the United States withdrew its funding following last month's decision to admit Palestine.

'I don't believe an organisation should be punished for a decision taken by its members. UNESCO is the victim of unintended consequences of the decision by its member states,' the former member of the Bulgarian parliament told dpa on Thursday.

Bokova pledged that she would do everything to haul the United Nations' science and culture organization through the difficulties caused by the vote, which led the United States to block its contribution - almost a quarter of UNESCO's annual budget.

'My message is that we should all rally behind the organization. UNESCO is such an important platform,' she said.

A rumour that Germany - which voted with the US and Israel to reject Palestinian membership - would also stop its payments caused great concern at UNESCO's Paris headquarters, Bokova said.

'I was really worried when I heard the news about Germany cutting its funds. Germany is a much too important partner, not only as a contributor,' she said, pointing in particular to its role in schooling and training in Afghanistan.

The rumour turned out to be unfounded; Germany will pay its scheduled 15 million dollars next year.

Bokova was nevertheless unsure how the organization would cope with the huge drop in funding.

'It's much too early to say, but we have to make every possible saving from administration - going digital, for example, less expensive travel, et cetera.'

'I'm not sure it's enough. I'm not sure that core programs will not be affected,' she added.

Bokova hoped that other countries might increase their funding to compensate the losses in income from the US and Israel, which also ceased its contributions after Palestine was accepted as a member.

'I think we might get such help. The Chinese say risk is an opportunity. We see it as an opportunity to hasten our reform,' she said.

On Wednesday, the UNESCO chief aired plans to set up an 'emergency multi-donor fund' for states, companies and individuals to contribute towards UNESCO's core programmes, at the closing ceremony of its general assembly.

'I am confident we will trigger a lot of support from the private sector. It will come on board,' Bokova told dpa. 'I think we might come out of this situation stronger than before.'

She viewed partnerships with the private sector as an 'untapped source', and said the organization had recently adopted new guidelines in this regard.

'In Africa it works quite well. I would be happy to team up with some German companies in that field,' she said, citing an example of possible cooperation.

Bokova said UNESCO's work often reflected US national interests, and said the organization would make its case to Washington. She pointed in particular to its work on literacy projects in Afghanistan.

The UNESCO chief remained hopeful in the face of potential job cuts.

'I hope (there will be no job cuts) in the immediate future. We can maintain our core functions, but I will look very closely at vacancies, mobility et cetera,' she said.

'I cancelled all my missions in January and February for this - just to look at the structures.'

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