's candidacy for the post of UNESCO director-general is coming under fire. Nevine El-Aref dodges the bullets Culture Minister , Egypt's candidate for the post of UNESCO's director- general, was in the spotlight last week as his campaign for the post came under scrutiny in foreign and Egyptian newspapers. Days ahead of the closing of UNESCO leadership nominations a group of well known French and German intellectuals raised objections to his candidacy, pointing to a comment he made last year in parliament. When asked by an MP about the presence of Israeli books in Egyptian libraries, Hosni responded by saying that he would burn such books if any were found. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel, director of Holocaust documentary Claude Lanzmann and writer Bernard Henri-Levy used the French newspaper Le Monde to call on the international community to block Hosni's candidacy. They described him as a racist and inciter of hate. Olaf Zimmermann, chief executive of the German Council of Culture, also announced his concern over Hosni's candidacy. He was quoted in the Times online as saying that "someone who failed to respect the diversity of the world's cultures should not be allowed to turn global cultural and education policy". Hosni responded in Le Monde with an apology, saying he regretted his comments, which were uttered in the heat of the moment. "Nothing is more distant to me than racism, the negation of others or the desire to hurt Jewish culture or any other culture," he wrote. He continued that his words should be placed in the context of Palestinian suffering, and added: "I am a man of peace and I know that peace comes through understanding and respect." Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has officially ended Israel's objection to Hosni's candidacy. Hosni's apology has triggered the anger of some Egyptian and foreign intellectuals who accuse him of flirtation with Israel in an attempt to secure the post. New candidates presented themselves two days before the deadline for nominations. European Union Commissioner for External Relations Benita Feraro-Waldner, former Ecuadorean ambassador to US Ivonne A-Baki, UNESCO's Assistant Director- General for Africa Noureini Tidjani Serpos, Bulgarian Ambassador to Paris Irina Bokova, and former Algerian foreign minister and head of the International Court of Justice in The Hague Mohamed Al-Bejawi, are all now running, while the African Union's fragile backing of Hosni has been shaken by the entry of Sospeter Muhongo, from Tanzania. Some observers suggest the entry of new candidates from Europe and Africa is an attempt to split European and African votes. Speaking to France Press news agency, Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said he understood that Hosni still had Paris's backing. But according to French Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevalier France has made no final decision yet. "The election will be held next October, so let's give each candidate a chance to explain their programme," he said. Hosni responded to the registration of new candidates by insisting that it was high time a candidate from the Arab region be allowed to head UNESCO. Europe should know this and give a chance for an Arab to lead the international organisation, he said. "The Arabs played a role in setting up UNESCO yet they have never headed it. We are on the verge of a fierce battle which we hope to win." Hosni called on everyone to behave reasonably so as to prevent the dialogue between civilisations from turning into a conflict among religions. A chance must be given to the southern world to head the UNESCO, Hosni said, as "if a Muslim Arab wins he will contribute to building bridges of understanding between Islam and the West and achieving the peace that everyone desires," said Hosni. Responding to critics who have accused him of coveting the post, Hosni said that being in charge of Egypt's culture portfolio for more than 20 years was a greater honour. Hosni told Al-Ahram Weekly that he needed the support of 30 out of UNESCO's 58 members to win. He pointed out that he already has the approval of the African Union, whose members have 13 votes, and of the Arab League, which commands seven votes. He conceded, however, that some African countries, like Benin, are "trying to take a backward step". Arab countries, he said, were bound by their earlier agreement. "There is a decision to support me from the Arab Summit and no one can breach it." Hosni refutes allegations that he is flirting with Israel. "I apologised as an artist and as a human being for words that are totally against my beliefs," he told the Weekly. Hosni says his apology, published in Le Monde, had met with positive reactions. He added that he had received a call from the conductor Daniel Barenboim telling him that he would write an article for the German press in response to those in the Jewish community lobbying against his candidacy. A report printed last week in the British newspaper The Times said that "Hosni had, until recently, been deemed an easy choice to succeed Koichiro Matsuura". But, it warned, "if the furore in France and Germany spreads he may lose."
