Japan slams UNESCO in row over Nanjing Massacre documentsOctober 13, 2015 - 13:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - UNESCO, a top United Nations agency, has added Nanjing Massacre historical documents to its Memory of the World Register, a move welcomed by Beijing but slammed by Tokyo, CNN News reports. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga said it was considering protest measures, including suspending its funding contribution to the UN body. Suga also complained that the UNESCO selection process was not transparent. "The decision-making process for the Memory of the World is extremely obscure. We were not even allowed access to the contents of the document," Suga said. The documents include 11 sets of files on the Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking, ranging from film, photographs and text recorded between 1937 and 1948, Chinese state media reports. "China will ensure these valuable documents are protected and circulated, and make them play a positive role in remembering history, cherishing peace, looking into the future and safeguarding human dignity," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told Chinese state media outlet Xinhua. China filed the application with UNESCO more than a year ago. The UNESCO Memory of the World Register was established in 1992 with the aim of preserving documentary heritage. It includes everything from the archives of the Dutch East India company and the diary of Anne Frank to the music of Romantic composer Johannes Brahms. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |