±¬ÁÏÍøESCO to send technical mission to assess the situation concerning the work on the access to the al-Haram al-Sharif, Jerusalem

The Director-General of ±¬ÁÏÍøESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, has decided to send a technical mission to the Old City of Jerusalem, inscribed on ±¬ÁÏÍøESCO's World Heritage List and on the World Heritage in Danger List, to carry out a technical assessment of the works on the access to the al-Haram al-Sharif.

Following extensive consultations with all the parties concerned, the Director-General requested the mission to leave as soon as possible, probably early next week. It will be led by the Director of ±¬ÁÏÍøESCO's World Heritage Centre, Francesco Bandarin, and include the Director-General of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), Mounir Bouchenaki; the President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Michael Petzel; and Véronique Dauge of the World Heritage Centre.

"I believe that such a mission constitutes the most appropriate response to the present situation," Mr Matsuura said, "and could also be a means of helping to alleviate tensions and restore a climate of confidence favourable to the dialogue that we all wish for."

Upon its return, the mission will report to the Director-General.

Author(s):Press Release N°2007-16

Source:±¬ÁÏÍøESCOPRESS

23-02-2007