The Texas Land Commissioner is responding to Internet rumors that the Alamo could be handed over to the United Nations if the San Antonio mission is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In a statement issued today, Commissioner Jerry Patterson said reports that a UN flag would fly over the Alamo are "horse hockey," by which he means nonsense.
The rumor gained steam when it wasposted this week to InfoWars, the website owned by nationally syndicated radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. It was picked up by other sites including Liberty News and Universal Free Press. And it appeared on forums like SurvivalistBoards and the Fal Files. But other bloggers were expressing concern about the UN designation at least since September.
Infowars points to a UNESCO manual called "Managing Tourism at World Heritage Sites," which in turn quotes an international convention on protecting historical sites that says, "it is the duty of the international community as a whole to co-operate" in their protection. Infowars concludes that "bureaucrats from China or France could oversee and influence the Alamo’s operation."
Not so, says Patterson, who is currently seeking the Republican nomination for Texas Lieutenant Governor.
"Some folks might think that getting on this list means the UN has some sort of influence at the Alamo. Those folks must not be from around here," Patterson said in his statement. "My legal team at the Land Office has reviewed this. I have personally met with the National Park Service staff working on this nomination and I am absolutely satisfied that a World Heritage Nomination will have no affect on the Alamo other than a possible increase in foreign tourists."
