DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY

UNCLAS KUWAIT 004427 SIPDIS FOR IO, NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD PREL SCUL KU UNESCO UN SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY CONVENTION REF: A. SECSTATE 189518 ¶B. KUWAIT 4397 ¶1. In response to reftel, Ambassador delivered demarche and passed a letter from the Secretary of Commerce to Foreign Minister Shaykh Dr. Mohammed Al-Salem Al-Sabah during an October 15 meeting. Ambassador emphasized the U.S.' objections to the proposed convention, namely that aspects would be harmful to free trade and free speech. The FM accepted the letter and said the GOK would take the request into consideration. ¶2. We delivered the same demarche (from SecState) last week in person (point by point) and via dip note. The MFA's Americas Department pledged to get the issue before the Legal Affairs and International Organizations Departments before distributing to appropriate ministries. After ECON Chief called Saturday morning. the IO shop is instructing GOK Geneva-based interlocutors to meet with U.S. reps to discuss the matter. LEBARON