15 SEPTEMBER 2009
The long distance runner, Farouk Husni, Egypt's Minister of Culture, is soldiering on although
facing still opposition from influential sources. The real position of two key voters, the United States and France,
is not clear. A very active Ambassador of Egypt in Paris is optimistic, possibly overly optimistic, about the host
country. However, there are two versions: one is that President Sarkozy, influenced by the opposition of active
individuals like Elie Weizel and Jean-Bernard Levy, had sent a message to President Mubarak that he would
not support Mr. Husni. Another version is that the French Prime Minister supports the nomination but the Elysee is
more cautious. Foreign Minister Kouchner has indicated that since the winner will be its guest, France would not
wish to take sides. That would be a polite no, while keeping options open until 17 September, when 58 members of the
Executive Board will start a vote. Equally, the United States does not seem enthusiastic, although, again some Egyptian
sources say that a pitch on behalf of its Culture Minister was made to President Obama during his excursion to the
Pyramids. If so, no one has told the U.S. delegate to UNESCO.
Equadorian Minister Ivonne Abu Baqi, who obtained Latin America's backing, was making a special effort to get an
endorsement from her country of origin, Lebanon, which is officially committed to the Egyptian in accordance with an
Arab League decision. A Lebanese cabinet member and prominent Draze leader Prince Telal Arslan issued a public
statement urging the Lebanese "not to abandon their sister and daughter." But with enough trouble on the Prime
Minister-designate's plate and no unity government in near sight, a decision is very unlikely. Another candidate,
Algerian Mohammed Bedjaoni, is running under an African flag, although officially at least the African Union had
agreed on Egypt's proposal. There are several Europeans with very little chance, like Latvia's delegate or France's
ambassador to Bulgaria. But the serious one is European Commissioner Benito Waldner-Ferrero, whose varied international
experience, including a stint at U.N. Headquarters in New York, makes her the most qualified candidate. She is low key and very
careful not to offend, which may not work to her favour as she just recently joined the race. If elected, she would be
the first UNESCO female Director General.
While most decision making officials were on holiday during the month of August, all the candidates have descended
on Paris before what the French call "Rentree" (the re-entry) -- when offices start to hum again. It will be
days -- that is, 17 September -- before we know the real winner. But the fact that no real front runner had emerged
by the first week of September places everyone's candidature up in the air.
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