IRELAND TO ADOPT UNESCO DRAFT CONVENTION

UNCLAS DUBLIN 001158 SIPDIS IO/UNESCO JANE COWLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SCUL ETRD UNESCO SUBJECT: IRELAND TO ADOPT UNESCO DRAFT CONVENTION REF: SECSTATE 170909 On September 19, emboff delivered reftel points to Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) UN/Terrorism and Illicit Drugs section First Secretary Brian Cahalane. According to Cahalane, Ireland supports the EU position of adopting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) draft convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions. He added that Ireland does not support further negotiations and that delays on this matter are not deemed necessary. Upon prompting by emboff to consider the possibility of human rights infringement, Cahalane consulted with the human rights section of DFA. He relayed that though the human rights issues are relevant, the GOI will not challenge the EU consensus in the matter. KENNY