UNESCO / BOKOVA US WITHDRAWAL

STORY: UNESCO / BOKOVA US WITHDRAWAL
TRT: 02:07
SOURCE: UNESCO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

DATELINE: 12 OCTOBER 2017, PARIS, FRANCE

SHOTLIST:

FILE – PARIS FRANCE

1. Aerial shot, Paris
2. Wide shot, UNESCO headquarters exterior

12 OCTOBER 2017, PARIS, FRANCE

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Irina Bokova, Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization:
“After receiving official notification by the United States Secretary of State, as UNESCO Director-General, I wish to express profound regret at the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from UNESCO.”

FILE – PARIS FRANCE

3. Close up, UN flag
4. Wide shot, flags outside UNESCO headquarters

12 OCTOBER 2017, PARIS, FRANCE

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Irina Bokova, Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization:
“At the time when the fight against violent extremism calls for renewed investment in education, in dialogue among cultures to prevent hatred, it is deeply regrettable that the United States should withdraw from the United Nations agency leading these issues. At the time when conflicts continue to tear apart societies across the world, it is deeply regrettable for the United States to withdraw from the United Nations agency promoting education for peace and protecting culture under attack.”

FILE – PARIS FRANCE

6. Tilt down, flags outside UNESCO headquarters
7. Wide shot, UNESCO headquarters exterior

12 OCTOBER 2017, PARIS, FRANCE

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Irina Bokova, Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization:
“This is a loss to UNESCO. This is a loss to the United Nations family. This is a loss for multilateralism. UNESCO’s task is not over, and we will continue taking it forward, to build a 21st century that is more just, peaceful, equitable, and, for this, UNESCO needs the leadership of all States.”

FILE – PARIS, FRANCE

8. Med shot, UNESCO sign in conference room
9. Wide shot, conference room
10. Aerial shot, UNESCO headquarters exterior

STORYLINE:

UNESCO chief Irina Bokova today (12 Oct) expressed “profound regret” at the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from the Organization adding that this was a “loss for multilateralism.”

Bokova’s remarks came after receiving official notification by the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that his country would be withdrawing from UNESCO. She said, at the time when the fight against violent extremism calls for renewed investment in education, it was “deeply regrettable” that the US should withdraw from the UN agency leading these issues.

Bokova said the US withdrawal is a “loss” to UNESCO, the United Nations family, and for multilateralism. She noted however that the Organization would continue working “to build a 21st century that is more just, peaceful, equitable” adding that for this to happen UNESCO “needs the leadership of all States.”

UN Secretary-General António Guterres added his voice of regret for the US decision in light of the major role that the country has played in UNESCO since its founding.

A press release issued also today by the US mission to the UN said UNESCO’s “extreme politicization has become a chronic embarrassment.” The statement described UNESCO’s July decision designating the Old City of Hebron and the Tomb of the Patriarchs as part of Palestinian territory as “outrageous and politically based.”

In the press release, US ambassador Nikki Haley said, “Just as we said in 1984 when President Reagan withdrew from UNESCO, US taxpayers should no longer be on the hook to pay for policies that are hostile to our values and make a mockery of justice and common sense.” The statement added that US would continue to evaluate all agencies within the United Nations system through the same lens.