UNESCO: Cultural Diversity Convention:

UNCLAS PARIS 008610 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FROM USMISSION UNESCO PARIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNESCO SCUL ETRD CJAN TBIO FR SU AF SUBJECT: UNESCO: Cultural Diversity Convention: Proponents Proceed With Ratification Strategy REF: A) Paris 8280; B) Paris 6814; C) Paris 7715 ¶1. (SBU) The Cultural Diversity Convention's proponents continue to carry out a multi-faceted ratification strategy (Refs A and B). Kader Asmal, who advocated for the Convention from his position as Chair of the UNESCO negotiations, is reportedly to "consult" with developing countries and urge ratification of the Convention. Meanwhile, proponents plump for the Convention at meetings around the world. End summary ¶2. (SBU) Kader Asmal, the South African Chair of UNESCO Cultural Diversity talks is rumored to be lined up for UNESCO-financed consultancies with developing countries to assist in the development of cultural policies, including ratification of the Cultural Diversity Convention. (Note. Official UNESCO sources deny the rumors. End Note.) --French President Jacques Chirac personally awarded the prestigious French Legion d'Honneur to Asmal 20 December, citing Asmal's role in the formation of the Convention. ¶3. (SBU) UNESCO Secretary General Matsuura will lead a 12-15 person delegation to Khartoum, which UNESCO has named as the Arab Cultural Capital for 2005 (Ref C),to attend a 23-24 January African Culture Summit, organized by the African Union, and likely to feature encouragements to ratify the Convention (Refs A and B). ¶4. (SBU) East Asian meetings are also part of the picture. --Vietnam. Reports of a 14-15 November Conference in Hanoi on the Cultural Diversity Convention indicate that French and Canadian speakers pitched the Convention --China. A 9 November conference in Hangzhou, styled in news reports as the third Globalization Forum, reportedly drew 180 attendees and focused on cultural diversity. ¶5. (SBU) However, in separate 2 December meetings, Chinese and South Korean UNESCO reps predicted to poloff that the Cultural Diversity Convention would not be ratified in the near future in their respective countries, given complex ratification procedures. The South Korean rep also cited a standoff between South Korean trade officials, who opposed to the Convention, and Culture officials and domestic lobbying groups, who favored it. End note.) ¶6. (SBU) We are fairly certain that we catch only glimpses of the full ratification efforts, the bulk of which now take place in capitals. Many of poloff's normally voluble African contacts evaded inquiries about the African meetings. ¶7. (SBU) Comment. Now that the Convention has been formally adopted, the action on this seems to have shifted from UNESCO Paris headquarters to capitals considering ratification of the Convention. Koss