UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY VOTE: EGYPT OPPOSED

UNCLAS CAIRO 008078 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EG UNGA UNSC UNESCO SUBJECT: UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY VOTE: EGYPT OPPOSED LINKS BETWEEN CONVENTION AND TRADE REF: A. STATE 192656 ¶B. CAIRO 7841 (NOTAL) This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please treat accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Post delivered reftel demarche and diplomatic note October 19 to MFA Assistant Minister for International Cultural Affairs, Ambassador Sallama Shaker, requesting GOE support for our position on the UNESCO Cultural Diversity vote expected to occur October 20 in Paris. Shaker's Chief of Staff, Ms. Heba Labib Zerd, told poloff that she would convey the U.S. message to her Minister and to the Egyptian delegation in Paris. During an earlier discussion on the same topic, Zerd conveyed that Egypt was opposed to any efforts that would link the Convention to limitations on trade. ¶2. (SBU) Econoff also delivered reftel demarche October 19 to Ministry of Foreign Trade and Industry First Assistant to the Minister, Dr. Samiha Fawzy, requesting a clear statement by the Egyptian delegation in Paris that the Convention will not be used to restrict trade or the free flow of information. RICCIARDONE