DEMARCHES ON UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY VOTE

UNCLAS KINGSTON 002384 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR, IO/T E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD PHUM SCUL UNESCO SUBJECT: DEMARCHES ON UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY VOTE REF: A. STATE 184292 ¶B. STATE 189518 ¶C. STATE 192656 ¶1. Post on October 13 conveyed Ref A letter from the Secretary to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson via diplomatic SIPDIS note. On October 18, we conveyed Commerce Secretary Gutierrez's Ref B letter to Foreign Minister K.D. Knight, also via diplomatic note. ¶2. On October 19, Polcouns conveyed Ref C points in their entirety by telephone to Amb. Vilma McNeish, Multilateral Affairs Office Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT). (Immediately following their conversation, he faxed her a copy of the talking points.) McNeish replied that the GOJ understands USG reservations about the UNESCO Convention, but emphasized that "We believe the draft is a fairly good text." Then, in what she said was a personal observation, McNeish described as "not valid in this context" USG concerns about the Convention's potential for being used to restrict trade and the free flow of ideas. TIGHE