UNESCO Commissioner spells out global fallout from Palestine decision

The price the rest of the world is now being asked to pay for this diplomatic assault outside the negotiations agreed on by the Palestinian Authority with Israel seems to have had no place in Mr Maliki's thinking - nor those 107 states that voted for Palestine's admission knowing full well that it could lead to the loss of America's monetary commitment to UNESCO.

Like it or not - politics appears to have been an important factor in relation to Palestine's admission to UNESCO.

I first raised questions with UNESCO concerning the legality of Palestine's admission some two months ago.

I sought access to the reports of UNESCO's Executive Board recommending the admission of Palestine to UNESCO - which has been ignored. Six weeks ago I also prepared and submitted to UNESCO a submission on the majority vote I believed was required to admit Palestine. UNESCO continues to maintain a wall of silence - indicating it will not be commenting on my claims.

Is there any alternative to UNESCO undertaking such a review - which could help get American funding restored if the ICJ finds Palestine's admission was unlawful?

Ms Cachapero offers one alternative suggestion:

We encourage you to send messages to Members of Congress urging them to amend the laws and allow US funds to flow again to all impacted UN agencies

She acknowledges that such action is unlikely to have any effect by revealing that:

US Ambassador to UNESCO David Killion informed the US Commissioners that he is working with other State Department officials to encourage US legislators to amend the laws, which are not likely to be repealed.

Given this is an election year in America - Mr Killion's opinion is probably correct.

UNESCO has attempted to replace the lost American funding by establishing an Emergency Fund in November - urging its remaining 194 members to make up the shortfall.

The Emergency Fund has yielded very little in voluntary contributions to date.