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