UNESCO won't take on new projects this year

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"UNESCO won't take on any new projects until the end of the year, an official said Thursday, after the U.S. pulled its substantial contributions from the U.N. cultural agency to protest its acceptance of Palestine as a member.

Any projects already committed to will be carried out, the official said. No decisions have been made about how the organization will proceed next year.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

In a dramatic vote last month, Palestine won full membership at the agency, part of its push to win greater international recognition amid despair at the slow progress of peace negotiations with Israel.

After the measure passed, the room erupted in cheers, but reality quickly set in.

UNESCO, which protects historic heritage sites and works to improve literacy, access to schooling for girls and cultural understanding, is clearly scrambling after the loss of its biggest donor. Canada and Israel have also pulled funding, though they donate far less."

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/11/10/2495718/unesco-wont-take-on-new-projects.html#ixzz1dKEDCjeI

[Harmony Blue]

1. UNESCO has been a bright spot

ever since its inception. It is a shame that the U.S. chooses to be on the wrong side of history.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

2. That is why it was used as a test case...some people really believed the US would not follow its own

laws and cut them off.

Short of a change in the law, the funding will not be coming back and even the Secretary General has suggested that other organizations back off when it comes to the PA.

[Violet_Crumble]

10. Do you think the law should be changed?

If not, why not?

[Crunchy Frog]

3. Boy, we sure showed them!

[vminfla]

4. And where is the harm? Much ado about nothing

Which projects were delayed? Given the lack of details, it does not sound like anything significant was delayed until the vast amount of time that is left "until the end of this year".

[Harmony Blue]

5. It has long term ramifications based on the article

Which is why using UNSECO to try to make a political statement gives the United States of America a black eye. If I was working in public relations I would be overwhelmed by how to contend with this.

For those that do not know UNSECO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Basically, the United States is turning its back on what made it great once.

[vminfla]

6. UNESCO is going to simply have to be more judicious with its finances

It should not be directing cash into the privately held Gunung Munung National Park.

The United States is demonstrating fiscal responsibility as well as adherence to its core principles by following its stated laws. UNESCO can learn from the example set forth by Americans. After all, if UNESCO followed its own rules, the US would still be subsidizing it, despites its ongoing mismanagement.

[Harmony Blue]

7. There is not fiscal responsibility involved

when the U.S. is choosing to turn its back on science and education. It is mere political ploy and the history books will record it for what it truly is.

[vminfla]

9. Fiscal Responsibility is a side effect of the US adhering to its and UNESCOs rules

As I already stated, UNESCO is violating its own rules to accept the palestinian coterie. History will not view UNESCO, with its hypocrsy and ongoing scandals, well. Unlike the US' principled and reasoned approach.

[Violet_Crumble]

11. But the US hasn't withdrawn funding because of the Gunung Munung National Park...

It's done it purely because of snittiness at the idea of Palestine being a full member of international organisations and committees. It's yet another example of the bullyboy tactics of the US and its lack of interest in peace for Palestine and Israel...

[azurnoir]

12. yes the US has a law that focuses on Palestinians

but yet it seems that for some it is not a problem or something that should be questioned in fact I'd say there's a fair amount of glee for some over this

[Swede]

8. The chickens have come home to roost.

nt