Kerry lobbies for U.S. to remain on UNESCO board despite funding arrears

[Little Tich]

Source: Yahoo! News / Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday lobbied for the United States to be reelected to UNESCO's board, promising to work with Congress to restore funding after Washington cut off its contributions in 2011 in protest over the Palestinians being admitted as full members.

In a speech at UNESCO's Paris headquarters, Kerry said the United States had led new initiatives and deepened its involvement with UNESCO, the United Nations' cultural and educational arm.

"The United States is a proud candidate for re-election to UNESCO’s executive board, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here just to talk with all of you ... but really to explain to you the depth of the commitment that the United States has to this body, as well as our high hopes for the future," Kerry told UNESCO ambassadors and officials.

"We so greatly value UNESCO as a platform for cooperation with you, our partners, in advancing so many of the goals that we share as nations," he added.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/kerry-lobbies-u-remain-unesco-board-despite-arrears-124038143.html

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. 2011?

We haven't paid our dues in 4 years, and they should re-elect us to the board? Bugger that.

[mpcamb]

2. "We so greatly value UNESCO..."

that we'll consider paying our long overdue debts.

[geek tragedy]

3. that's just pathetic

Not that UNESCO doesn't have its own issues, but the richest economy in the world begging pauper's relief . . .