By Lalit K JhaWashington, Oct 12 (PTI) The US today announced it willwithdraw from the UNESCO, accusing the UN cultural body of"anti-Israel" bias and cited the need for "fundamental reform"in the organisation.
The withdrawal will take effect on December 31, 2018. TheUS will remain a full member of the Paris-based United NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation until then.
"This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects USconcerns with mounting arrears at UNESCO, the need forfundamental reform in the organisation, and continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO," State Department Spokesperson HeatherNauert said in a statement.
She said the Department of State today notified UNESCODirector-General Irina Bokova of the US decision to withdrawfrom the organisation and to seek to establish a "permanentobserver" mission to UNESCO.
"The US indicated to the Director General its desire toremain engaged with UNESCO as a non-member observer state inorder to contribute US views, perspectives and expertise onsome of the important issues undertaken by the organisation,including the protection of world heritage, advocating forpress freedoms, and promoting scientific collaboration andeducation," Nauert said.
Bokova voiced "profound regret" over the US decision,calling it a "loss to multilateralism".
"After receiving official notification by the USSecretary of State, Rex Tillerson, as UNESCO Director-General,I wish to express profound regret at the decision of the US towithdraw from UNESCO," Bokova in a statement.
She said that at the time when conflicts continue to tearapart societies across the world, it is deeply regrettable forthe US to withdraw from the UN cultural body promotingeducation for peace and protecting culture under attack.
In 2011, under the Obama administration, the US cut offits budget contribution to the agency in protest at itsacceptance of Palestine as a member-state. President Donald Trump has criticised what he called adisproportionate contribution by the US to UN institutions.
The US funds 22 per cent of the UN's regular budget.
The US withdrawal is also motivated by a desire to savemoney, the Foreign Policy magazine reported.
This is not the first time the US has withdrawn from theagency.
The Ronald Reagan administration quit the organisation inthe 1984, and the US rejoined it in 2002 under the George WBush administration, the magazine said.
Paris-based UNESCO, which began work in 1946, is knownfor designating World Heritage sites. PTI LKJ ZH AKJZH.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.