ROME - The United Nations´ culture agency plans to issue a public denunciation of the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion," dismissed by historians as a forgery to discredit Jews, amid criticism that the book had gone on display in Egypt and that an official there had made anti-Semitic remarks about it, The Associated Press has learned.

UNESCO has inquired with Egypt´s Alexandria Library about allegations of possible anti-Semitism in its display of the book and has asked the library to assure UNESCO that it hasn´t left itself open to possible racism charges.

The "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" tells of a Jewish plot to take over the world. Historians have long dismissed the work as a forgery concocted by Czar Nicholas II´s secret police to blame Russia´s troubles on Jews.

UNESCO´s director-general, Koichiro Matsuura, planned to issue a public denunciation of "Protocols" this weekend at a seminar in Venice pegged to the book´s 100th anniversary.

The seminar was organized in part by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which combats anti-Semitism around the world.

The Associated Press on Friday obtained an early copy of Matsuura´s statement to the conference in which he says that, despite its widespread refutation, the book "continues to exercise its terrible power as an instrument of anti-Semitism."

"It is instructive because it demonstrates yet again that, given the necessary mind frame, people can be induced to believe what has been formally refuted, which can then be used to justify the most unspeakable atrocities," his message said.

Matsuura´s statement made no reference to the Egyptian case, but it was being delivered after UNESCO received complaints about the Alexandria exhibit.

Matsuura´s spokeswoman, Muriel de Pierrebourg, said Friday that she had received 15 e-mails alleging that the book had been on display in an inappropriate manner at the Alexandria Library and that the head of the exhibit had made anti-Semitic comments in an interview.

Matsuura instructed officials at the Paris-based UNESCO agency to write a letter to the museum´s director, seeking a response to the allegations.

No one could be reached for comment at the library Friday because it was closed. (© Copyright 2003 Haaretz. 12/07/03)