CZECH REPLY TO DEMARCHE ON UNESCO CONVENTION

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001503 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD PREL SCUL EZ UNESCO EUN SUBJECT: CZECH REPLY TO DEMARCHE ON UNESCO CONVENTION REF: A. STATE 192656 ¶B. PRAGUE 1491 ¶C. PRAGUE 1461 (SBU) On Oct 19 post delivered reftel A dip note urging Czech government to make a statement regarding concerns that the UNESCO Cultural Diversity Convention not be used to restrict trade. In a discussion on Oct 20, Czech MFA UN Department Director Jan Kara noted that the GOCR was still considering the US request, and would be consulting as well with other EU members. However, reiterating previous statements (refs B C),Kara said he did not expect that the final Czech position (the actual vote or accompanying statement) would differ from that of other EU countries. CABANISS