By Cutting UNESCO Funding, 'Obama Has Lost Credibility'

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Der Spiegel


Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki speaking at UNESCO on Oct. 31.

The Palestinians succeeded in their bid to become full members of UNESCO and the Americans followed through on their threat to cut off funding. German commentators, however, are unsure whether either party will benefit from the dispute.

The reaction from the US seemed almost inevitable. Once the Palestinians succeeded in Paris on Monday in their attempt to become a full member of UNESCO, the United Nations' cultural organization, the response from Washington came quickly. The US cut off its funding to UNESCO.


State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US government was obliged under law to freeze its next UNESCO payment of $60 million (€43 million) which was due later this month. She said: "To admit Palestine as a member is regrettable and premature."

Previously, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon had expressed fears that the controversial inclusion of [...]



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