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Herald Reporter
Asian giants, Russia and China together with many African countries, Zimbabwe included, yesterday blocked an attempt by some Western countries led by Britain and the United States to have Kosovo admitted as a member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Kosovo has not been a member of the UN body as a result of a dispute between itself and Serbia.
However, Kosovo applied to be admitted into UNESCO through a draft decision supported by 46 countries, 15 of them members of the executive board present at the 197th Session of the executive board.
However, Zimbabwe that is represented by Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Dr Godfrey Gandawa, who is attending the ongoing 38th General Conference of UNESCO being held in the French capital Paris, yesterday said Asia and Africa blocked the West’s attempts to bring Kosovo into the UN body.
“The West, led by Britain and America wanted Kosovo to be admitted into the UNESCO. Russia, China and African countries, Zimbabwe included did not support Kosovo’s admission because it is not recognised as a sovereign state.
“We are saying in line with the UN resolution, Zimbabwe will not support the admission of a self-proclaimed state of Kosovo into the UNESCO,” said Deputy Minister Gandawa.
Out of the 170 members eligible to vote, 92 voted for Kosovo’s readmission, 63 members including Zimbabwe voted against, while 15 abstained due to fear of being bullied by stronger countries.
“The opposing countries won by a technicality. Those that wanted Kosovo admitted failed to amass a two thirds majority,” said Deputy Minister Gandawa.
Article 11 (2) of the UNESCO Constitution stipulates that a State that is not a member of the UN (Kosovo) may be admitted to the membership of the organisation upon the recommendation of the executive board by a two thirds majority vote of the general conference.
Opposing the admission, Russia, Cuba, Serbia and many African countries including Zimbabwe, argued that the UN Security Council resolution 1244 of 1999 re-affirmed the sovereignty of territorial integrity of the Federal Republic Yugoslavia (now Serbia).
UNESCO members are gathered at its headquarters in Paris to deliberate on matters affecting children globally.
Online Reporter