The Arab states have asked the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to “take measures in consequence” to safeguard what they term “Arab cultural and spiritual rights” on the Golan Heights.
A delegation representing most of UNESCO’s Arab member-states asked UNESCO’s Director General Amadu Mahtar M’bow to raise the matter before the organization’s executive board and to prepare appropriate measures to “protect Arab cultural rights” in the area. Egypt did not participate in the joint delegation.
M’Bow according to UNESCO spokesmen, told the delegation that it is UNESCO’s task to ensure “the respect for the cultural identity of individuals, nations and regions” and said that past resolutions adopted by the organization provide for the dispatch of study missions to “occupied Arab territories” to investigate cultural and educational conditions on the spot.
UNESCO’s Director General reportedly indicated that such a mission will leave as soon as possible for the Golan and will report to the next meeting of the executive board.
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