LETTERS ON UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY CONVENTION

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002857 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT PASS USTR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD ES PREL SCUL UNESCO SUBJECT: LETTERS ON UNESCO CULTURAL DIVERSITY CONVENTION DELIVERED REF: A. A) SECSTATE 184292 ¶B. B) SECSTATE 170909 ¶1. Post delivered ref A letter to the office of the Minister of Economy on October 17. A key aide to the Minister agreed to inform the Minister of Secretary Gutierrez' letter as the Minister was in Guatemala to attend events related to the Secretary's visit to the region. Post also delivered ref A SIPDIS letter, through Charge, on October 7 to the Foreign Minister. The Foreign Minister was on travel during the week of October 10; neither he nor his staff have been available to comment on the issue. ¶2. Contacts by Econcouns indicate that there is concern in the private sector about the convention. The Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce told Econ Counselor that the he had been contacted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce about the UNESCO issue and would seek an appointment with GOES officials to express AmCham concerns. The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador listened with interest when Econcouns raised the issue. Post is sharing information with these organizations to encourage them to weigh in on the issue with the GOES. Barclay