786

Austria

C(i) (iv)

The Committee decided to inscribe the nominated property as an ensemble on the basis of cultural criteria (i) and (iv) considering that the site is of outstanding universal value being an especially well preserved example of the Baroque princely residential ensemble, which constitutes an outstanding example of a Gesamtkunstwerk. The Palace and Gardens are exceptional by virtue of the evidence that they preserve of modifications over several centuries that vividly illustrate the tastes, interests and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs.

It also congratulated Austria on their first inscription of two properties on the World Heritage List.

II.2 Following the proposal of the Chairperson and in order to respond to the requirements of the agenda and those of the States Parties, the Committee approved the agenda with the following modifications:

- Monday, 2 December and Wednesday, 4 December, from 17.00 to 18.00: Examination of the World Heritage Fund and Budget (Item 13 of the Agenda)

- Tuesday, 3 December and Thursday 5 December, from 17.00 to 18.00: Implementation of the Convention in the light of 25 years' practice (Item 14 of the Agenda)

- Monday, 2 December at 18.00: Meeting of the new Bureau to examine requests for international assistance.

VII.1 The Secretariat introduced the working document (WHC-96/CONF.201/6A)on this agenda item, emphasizing that, following the discussions during the nineteenth session of the World Heritage Committee, the matter of monitoring and reporting should be brought to the attention of both the Eleventh General Assembly of States Parties and the 29th General Conference of UNESCO.

VII.2 As to the Eleventh General Assembly, it was noted that the Committee at its nineteenth session had already prepared a draft resolution and that, as requested by the Committee, the Bureau prepared a report for examination by the World Heritage Committee at this session.

VII.3 The Committee adopted this report which is reproduced in Annex III.1.

VII.4 The Committee also examined a draft resolution for inclusion in the Committee's report to the 29th General Conference of UNESCO, which was prepared by the Bureau at its twentieth session. The Committee adopted the draft resolution which is reproduced in Annex 111.2 of this report, with the understanding that it could be modified in the light of the decisions of the General Assembly.

VII.5 The Committee requested the Secretariat to prepare the working documents for the Eleventh General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, as well as the report of the World Heritage Committee to the 29th General Conference of UNESCO accordingly.

VII.6 The Secretariat informed the Committee that, as requested by the Committee at its nineteenth session, it had circulated the proposed revised nomination form and format for World Heritage state of conservation reports to all States Parties and that comments had been received from thirteen States Parties as well as from the Nordic World Heritage Office.

Nomination form

VII.7 The Secretariat summarized the replies received from the States Parties and from ICOMOS and submitted a revised version of the proposed nomination form, which incorporated the observations expressed by them.

VII.8 Several of the Committee members, as well as representatives of the Advisory Bodies, proposed additional modifications to the nomination form, particularly:

- well as additional the reintroduction under item 2 of the comparative analysis as an option for the State Party;

- item 3. e to read: 'Policies and programmes related to the presentation and promotion of the property';

- the addition of mining activities as one of the possible 'factors affecting the site' under item 5;

- the deletion of the word 'inspection' from item 6;

- the revision of the last sentence of item 4.2. of the explanatory notes as follows: 'For example, it would be desirable to indicate who is responsible for ensuring that the nominated site is safeguarded, whether by traditional and/or statutory agencies, and whether adequate resources are available for this purpose.';

- the addition of the complete text of the 'Nara Document' as an annex to the explanatory notes.

VII.9 Considering that the revision of the nomination form is necessary in order to provide adequate baseline information at the time of inscription of properties on the World Heritage List and to enhance the evaluation and inscription process, and also considering that the nomination form could be revised independently from the introduction of the reporting on the state of conservation of World Heritage properties, the Committee:

a) adopted the revised nomination form (attached as Annex IV of this report);
b) decided to introduce the revised nomination form for all nominations which shall be examined from 1 July, 1998;
c) requested the Secretariat and the Advisory Bodies to widely distribute and announce the new nomination form and actively assist States Parties in its application.

Format for World Heritage state of conservation reports

VII.10 The Secretariat summarized the replies received from the States Parties and from ICOMOS, which were much more critical and fundamental than the ones regarding the nomination form.

VII.11 Therefore, considering that the matter of monitoring and reporting will be discussed at the Eleventh General Assembly of States Parties and the 29th General Conference of UNESCO, and considering the Committee's view that reports on the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List may be submitted in accordance with Article 29 of the Convention, and therefore would be included in the reporting on the application of the Convention, and considering the substantive comments from States Parties on the draft format for the periodic World Heritage state of conservation report, the Committee decided to:

a) defer its decision on the format for the periodic World Heritage state of conservation report awaiting the decisions of the Eleventh General Assembly and the 29th General Conference of UNESCO regarding the reporting procedures;

b) request the Secretariat jointly with the Advisory Bodies to prepare, for consideration by the Committee at its twenty-first session in 1997, a draft format for reporting on the application of the World Heritage Convention, taking into account the comments made by States Parties as well as the principles of monitoring and reporting reflected in the Committee's report and draft resolutions to the Eleventh General Assembly of States Parties and the 29th General Conference of UNESCO.

VII.12 In connection with the discussions on the nomination form and the reference made to the Nara Document in the explanatory notes, the Delegate of Japan proposed that for the next session of the Committee, the Secretariat prepares a document on how the principles of the Nara Document could be applied in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. The Representatives of ICCROM and ICOMOS offered their support in this respect.

The site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 because of negative impacts from a proposed iron-ore mining project and threats due to the arrival of a large number of refugees from neighbouring countries.

The Ministry for Energy and Environment, in collaboration with the "Mission Francaise de Cooperation et d'Action Culturelle", organized a Round Table on Mount Nimba which was held in Conakry (Guinea) on 17 and 18 April 1996 with participation from the Secretariat. The Round Table included representatives of the following donor countries and organizations: France, Germany, Japan, Canada, the Wallonian Region of Belgium, The World Bank, UNDP, the European Union, and USAID. The recommendations included that UNESCO consider the establishment of a working group to create an "International Foundation for Mount Nimba". Preliminary discussions of a reflection group began, including legal aspects of such a foundation, which are to be considered by the Legal Advisor of UNESCO.

The Committee discussed the threats to the site (mining proposal, refugees, lack of management) as well as the question of training of staff.

The Committee commended the states Parties for their efforts. However, given the uncertainties concerning the adequate management of the site, and the shortcomings with regard to the on-site management, the Committee decided to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The Committee recalled that the site was included in the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992. At the nineteenth session of the Committee, the Observer of India indicated that her Government was ready to welcome a mission by members of the World Heritage Committee and the Director of the Centre to New Delhi, Assam and Manas. In her recent letters, the Ambassador of India to UNESCO reiterated this information and advised that an updated state of conservation report would be available in due course; the latter has not been received to date. The Director of the World Heritage Centre met with the Ambassador to plan, schedule and prepare arrangements for the New Delhi, Assam and Manas mission and to provide related training at the Government of India's request. Subsequently, the Centre was advised that the mission would be welcomed at the end of November 1996. As this conflicted with the twentieth session of the World Heritage Committee and the preceding extraordinary session of the Bureau, alternative scheduling was necessary. Alternate arrangements to receive and review the Manas state of conservation report, together with other reports on the state of conservation of natural World Heritage sites in India and from the region, in the context of implementing the Natural Heritage Training Strategy, are being planned by the Government of India for early in 1997.

The Secretariat informed the Committee that a letter was received from the Government of India on 2 December 1996 indicating its agreement with scheduling the mission to Manas for the end of January 1997.

The Committee, having examined the information provided by the Secretariat: (a) asked the State Party for detailed information concerning the state of conservation of the site and (b) encouraged the State Party to further develop its consideration of hosting a regional World Heritage site managers training workshop in India in support of implementing the World Heritage natural heritage training strategy. In lieu of updated information on  the state of conservation of the site, the Committee  decided to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 at the request of Niger as it was affected by civil disturbances. The Committee recalled that a peace agreement was signed on 20 April 1995 and that it had encouraged the authorities to strengthen their efforts to safeguard the site. In 1995 the dialogue established between the Parties, allowed for a detailed evaluation of the state of conservation of the site as well as the development of an action programme for the recovery of the site.

The Committee took note of additional information provided by IUCN, that an IUCN/WWF project, which had already implemented US$ 6 million over the past ten years, continues at a reduced level to assist in re-establishing the management regime. This IUCN/WWF project will resume with funding from DANIDA and the Swiss Cooperation, when the security situation allows. A mission to the site by project staff is planned in February 1997.

The Secretariat informed the Committee of a meeting in Niger in October 1996, during which an encounter was arranged with the Minister of Environment and the Advisor to the President on the Air et Tenere region. At this meeting information was provided that the itinerary of the Rally Paris-Dakar (January-February 1997) would cross through the World Heritage site. Upon return, the organizer of the rally was contacted and an alternative route was proposed in coordination with the Permanent Delegation of Niger to UNESCO. A meeting was organized in the World Heritage Centre on 8 November 1996 and as a re suit, a new itinerary was agreed upon which does not enter the World Heritage site.

The Committee commended Niger and the Secretariat for this success to avert threats from the Rally to the area. The Delegate of Niger reiterated the request that a mission be organized to the Air et Tenere Region in February 1997 to evaluate the situation of the site inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. He also indicated that the situation in the Air et Tenere Region has improved since the peace agreement was signed.

The Committee decided to retain for the time being the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1993 and that at its last session, it examined the detailed monitoring report presented by the State Party, which outlined the precedent-setting long-term experimental restoration work necessary to restore the balance of the Everglades ecosystem. The State Party presented an interim monitoring report dated May 1996 outlining the Federal and State of Florida government's US$2 billion partnership efforts with the private sector to protect the World Heritage values of the site and that Everglades now has the largest science staff of any unit in the U.S. National Park System.

The Delegate of the United States of America informed the Committee that the President signed the Water Resources Development Act on 12 October 1996, which contains most of the components of the Everglades Restoration Plan. This includes the completion of a comprehensive plan to restore, preserve, and protect the South Florida ecosystem, a re-study of the water management system, an authority to design and construct projects that will accelerate the restoration effort, implementation of critical projects with funding of a total of US$ 75 million, strengthened partnership with the State of Florida and cost sharing of projects, establishment of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, full consultation of the public in the work of the Task Force, approval of US$ 12 million for the land acquisition, US$ 8 million for ecosystem research and US$ 2.8 million for the Shark River Slough restoration.

Despite significant progress made (acquisition of additional land, improved ecological indicators), the Park remains in danger.

Due to the long-term nature of the rehabilitation activities, the Committee (a) commended the State Party and the State of Florida and private sector partners for their extraordinary efforts to protect the World Heritage values of this site; (b) encouraged the State Party to consider sharing the knowledge and experience gained through this restorative effort in the rehabilitation of aquatic ecosystems with other State Parties with internationally significant wetlands, and (c) decided to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger until further rehabilitation progress is demonstrated.

The Committee recalled that at its nineteenth session it decided that, on the basis of both ascertained dangers and potential threats outlined by the State Party, Yellowstone National Park be inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger and that the State Party was invited by the Committee to provide information on the results of its required Environmental Impact Statement as related to proposed mining activity adjacent to the Park boundary and mitigating actions. In May 1996, the State Party advised the Centre about the remedial actions taken. These included long-term programmes to mitigate the impact of the non-native lake trout in Yellowstone Lake and to safeguard the Park's bison herds; initiation of public meetings to analyze and improve visitor management; selectively increase elements of the Park budget to correct deficiencies; minimize road repair and realignment impacts; and the continued preparation of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for the proposed Crown Butte/New World Mine. With respect to the latter, in September 1996, the President of the United States publicly announced his efforts to achieve a satisfactory resolution of the mining issue with a mutually to be agreed upon trade of land valued at US$ 65 million to fully remove this potential threat from Yellowstone.

The Delegate of the United States of America informed the Committee that substantial progress had been made since last year including the Interim Bison Management Plan and the creation of a State/Federal Interagency Committee, the "Greater Yellowstone Brucellos Committee.", in making significant progress in research and constitution of alternative management, as well as research on the lake trout.

The Committee (a) commended the State Party on the President's recent intervention and resolution initiative of the Crown Butte mining issue and for actions taken to mitigate other threats to Yellowstone, and (b) requested the State Party, by 15 September 1997, to outline the steps and schedule for threat mitigation which could be followed so that the site may be considered for removal from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The Committee recalled that at its nineteenth session it examined a monitoring report prepared by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention. This report indicated that the new water control structure allowed for an inflow of water on a small scale and that a colony of the Dalmatian Pelican had been re-established. The report concluded, however, that the integrity of the site had not yet been adequately restored.

As a result, the Committee decided at its nineteenth session to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger and requested the Bulgarian authorities to prepare a status report on their efforts to restore the site, to be presented in three years' time.

The Committee decided to retain this property on the List of World Heritage in Danger pending the threat mitigation status report which the Committee requested the Bulgarian authorities to submit in 1998.

The Committee took note of the results of a international rapid assessment mission organized by the Centre and the Croatian authorities from 5 to 9 May 1996. The mission made an interdisciplinary review of the state of conservation of the site and determined that the World Heritage values had not been adversely impacted by the armed conflict. To the contrary, the mission concluded the natural systems of the area were recovering from pre-war overdevelopment and over-use. The mission surveyed the war damage to Park commercial and administrative facilities and the neglected Park infrastructure and favourably reviewed the newly strengthened legislative framework adopted by the State Party. Par k management and administrative capability was evaluated and the socio-economic situation of the site was assessed with regard to post-war tourism potential. Summary recommendations were proposed and remedial actions are now being taken by the State Party. The Committee also took note of the specific recommendations made concerning the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Furthermore, the Centre informed the Committee that a report dated 26 November 1996 was received from Plitvice National Park on the situation of the Park. It indicated the use of the US$ 30,000 emergency assistance for communication equipment, which was installed in September 1996. The report mentioned the number of 239,500 visitors from 1 January to 20 November 1996 and the reconstruction of a sightseeing system. Boats, vehicles and the sanitary facilities have been operating. Promotional leaflets have been produced and journalists have been received. The reconstruction of the Plitvice Hotel will be completed by the end of the year. There are a number of problems to be solved, including public roads, reconstruction of homes of displaced persons, sewage system and new drinking water supply. The report indicated that a new Managing Director of the Park was appointed and the need for international assistance to support a system of fire precaution measures.

The Committee (a) commended the Croatian authorities for their initial rehabilitation activities; (b) took note of the full mission report contained in Information Document WHC-96/CONF.201/INF.14; (c) decided to maintain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger because, although there was no longer threat or damage to World Heritage values by armed conflict, there are now post-war potential threats such as visitor impacts, damaged infrastructure and other conditions identified in the mission report; (d) favourably considered possible management planning assistance and training requests to strengthen the management and staff capabilities, and (e) requested the State Party to provide a state of conservation report on the area by 15 September 1997.

At its nineteenth session, the World Heritage Committee called for an Environmental Impact Assessment of road construction activities in the Park and requested information from INEFAN, the National Park administration, on road modifications, a land tenure study and steps for an updated management plan. INEFAN informed the Centre that with respect to the road construction a meeting had been organized with the concerned political authorities and local communities. It was also noted that the road was declared of military interest. The Centre received a copy of the land tenure study which was concluded in March 1996 and the terms of reference for the elaboration of a new management plan were prepared during a workshop in December 1995.

Furthermore, the Secretariat informed the Committee that a report from INEFAN (Instituto Ecuadoriano Forestal y de Areas Naturales y Vida Silvestre) was received on 15 November 1996 on the situation in the Park, which indicated problems with the construction of the Guamote Macas Road, although an agreement was made with the construction firm. An update of the Management Plan is under preparation. The report concluded that the impacts of the road construction should be limited and that a monitoring mission by INEFAN, NGOs and UNESCO may be needed.

IUCN recalled the serious problems of the site, which led to its inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger, including road construction, poaching and colonization.

The Committee commended INEFAN on its actions and its report but at the same time reiterated the Committee's serious concerns about the road construction activities and its request for an Environmental Impact Assessment. The Committee requested the State Party to provide a report by 15 April 1997 for consideration by the Bureau at its twenty-first session.

The Committee recalled that Virunga National Park was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in December 1994, due to the tragic events in Rwanda and the subsequent massive influx of refugees from that country. Virunga National Park, situated on the border between Rwanda and Uganda, has been destabilized by the uncontrolled arrival of refugees, causing illegal extraction of wood and poaching at the site.

The Centre wrote to the authorities requesting that the World Heritage Committee be informed about any action to be undertaken to stop illegal operations within the site and to improve control in the Park. The Centre and IUCN are in contact with several NGOs working in the area and a mission was organized together with WWF to the site in order to evaluate its state of conservation and to strengthen cooperation between the different international assistance agencies working to protect the site. The mission was carried out from 15 to 30 April 1996 and the results were reported to the twentieth session of the Bureau, including priorities for granting international assistance.

The Secretariat informed the Committee on the current situation which has deteriorated due to the influx of refugees into the Park. Different UN and relief agencies present in the region were contacted by the Centre and a meeting with GTZ representatives was organized on 2 December 1996 in UNESCO Headquarters. Discussions were also held with the Canadian authorities on including a conservation specialist in the Canadian-led forces and UNHCR teams.

The Committee had considerable discussion on this human tragedy and recalled the opening speech by the Director-General in which he emphasized that while protecting natural and cultural sites, one should never lose sight of protecting human life, which is the top priority. The Committee underlined the special situation in Zaire and called upon the international community to help resolve this tragic situation.

Taking into account the presence of thousands of refugees, the Committee expressed its deep concern about the continuing degradation of the Park and the human tragedy and encouraged the Centre to work with the authorities for the coordination of international assistance and to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The Committee was informed of the Secretariat's report to the Bureau on the progress made by the Government of Cambodia in meeting the obligations made to the Committee at the time of the inscription of the site on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Committee was informed that it continues to assist the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia to prepare the decrees necessary for the enforcement of the Law for the Protection of National Cultural Heritage which was promulgated on 25 January 1996.

The Authority for the Protection of the Site and Management of the Region of Angkor (APSARA), which was created in fulfillment of one of the obligations, was provided with human and financial resources necessary for its functioning. All economic development projects, including tourism, are now being examined by this authority.

The Government of Cambodia has, furthermore insisted on the sacred character of the temples of Angkor which exclude, de facto, all activity or undertakings which do not respect the religious traditions of the area.

The Director of the Cultural Heritage Division of UNESCO's Culture Sector reported to the Committee that assurances have been given by the Government that APSARA will vigorously screen all development projects and ensure that the zoning regulations are strictly adhered to. He also provided an update on the projects being carried out by the international teams, notably the Japanese team from Waseda University and the French team, from the Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient. He also expressed his hope that the much appreciated training programme at the Fine Arts University in Phnom Penh which is funded under the Japan Trust Fund could be continued for the next academic year to ensure the development of a new generation of national experts. In the field of promotional activities he reported on the progress in the preparation of a major exhibition on Angkor being organized by UNESCO and the French 'Reunion des Musees Nationals' in Paris in 1998 as well as in the production of the CD-Rom on the exhibition. He informed the Committee that this exhibition will also be held in Washington D.C. He furthermore reported that the second edition of the successful publication '100 Disappeared Objects' is being updated with ICOM. The Committee commended the work of UNESCO in supporting the efforts of the Cambodian Government.

The Delegate of Japan added that Japan continues its support for the safeguarding of Angkor and emphasized the importance of training in this respect.

The Committee took note of the report presented by the Secretariat and commended the Government of Cambodia for its actions to implement the obligations set forth by the Committee at the time of inscription of Angkor on the World Heritage List. The Committee requested the Government of Cambodia to keep it informed of the progress made in its efforts to ensure the preservation of Angkor, especially concerning tourism control and promotion, and with regard to sustainable development, in harmony with the socio-cultural character of the region. Recognizing the still-prevailing exceptional conditions at the site, the Committee decided to retain Angkor on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

On September 5, 1996, the area of Dubrovnik was hit by an earthquake. In response to a request from the Croatian authorities, a fact-finding mission was sent to Dubrovnik late November to survey the effects of the earthquake. The expert mission reported that the earthquake caused minimum damage in Dubrovnik. Only some cracks dating back to the earthquake of 1979 had deteriorated.

Very serious damage, however, was caused to the historical town of Ston, which is on the Croatian Tentative List. Inside the city walls nearly all buildings were damaged and several of them had collapsed. The Committee expressed its concern about the state of conservation of the town of Ston.

As to Dubrovnik, the Committee requested the State Party to submit, by 15 September 1997, an overall state of conservation report, in order for the Committee to consider at its twenty-first session whether Dubrovnik could be deleted from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The Bureau at its twentieth session was informed that an expert mission would visit the site. This mission was undertaken in September 1996 and several recommendations were made regarding conservation techniques, proj ect management etc. All of these were accepted by the Omani Government.

After having examined the report of the Secretariat on the expert mission to Bahla Fort, the Committee thanked the Omani authorities for their efforts towards safeguarding the site and the satisfactory use of traditional materials, and to have adopted the recommendations of the mission concerning, in particular:

- the adoption of a restoration policy supported by precise scientific documentation and avoiding all reconstruction;

- the establishment of a site commission, the competence of which should also include the environment;

- the implementation of emergency safeguarding and consolidation work, especially at the citadel, at Bait el Hadith and in the two outer mosques, as well as the establishment of a preventive conservation team;

- the compilation of exhaustive scientific, historical and architectural documentation, indispensable for the the site restoration in accordance with international of standards.

The Committee encouraged the Omani authorities to implement this programme as rapidly as possible, as they have indicated their will to do so. The Committee requested them to keep it informed on a regular basis of the progress achieved in the implementation of these measures.

It was recalled that an extensive report on the state of conservation of Chan Chan was submitted to the Committee at its seventeenth session in Cartagena in 1993 which concluded that the issue of encroachment and land occupation needed to be addressed in order to reclaim and secure the site. In 1996, the Government of Peru initiated this process. Long-term protection of the site is now a concern for the site managers and several alternatives of securing the site are presently under study.

Furthermore, a Pan-American Course on the Conservation and Management of Earthen Architectural and Archaeological Heritage was held in Chan Chan in late 1996. This course was organized by ICCROM in cooperation with several other partners and received financial support from the World Heritage Fund.

The Committee was informed that the Peruvian authorities had submitted a request for technical cooperation to strengthen the management of the site.

The Committee commended the Government of Peru for its efforts to secure the site. It also requested the Peruvian authorities to submit, by 15 September 1997, a full report on the state of conservation of Chan Chan, including proposals regarding the future conservation and management of the site in order to enable the Committee, at its twenty-first session, in consultation with the state Party, to decide if additional measures are required to conserve the property. Awaiting the state of conservation report, the Committee decided to retain the Archaeological Zone of Chan Chan on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

At its eighteenth session in 1994, the Committee approved an amount of US$ 100,000 to purchase the dehumidifying equipment required for the preservation of the salt sculptures of this World Heritage site in Danger.

A contract to this effect was negotiated and signed between the Culture Sector of UNESCO and the Polish Permanent Delegation. The project is to be completed before the end of 1997.

The Committee commended the Polish authorities and the Marie Curie Foundation for their efforts in order to preserve the precious salt sculptures at Wieliczka, and requested to be kept informed about the outcome and results of the preservation project.

A UNESCO mission, undertaken in September 1996, revealed a number of major problems, including the complete halt of site excavations, lack of adequate maintenance of the site and the lack of a new generation of researchers.

The Committee took note of the report provided by the Director of the UNESCO Division for Cultural Heritage who attended the first international Technical Committee on the Peking Man Site from 25 to 27 November 1996. The Technical Committee recommended enhancement in the protection of the site, especially the Upper Cave, improvement of the site museum and research facilities as well as to further scientific research.