BELIZE: UNESCO CONVENTION ON CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS

UNCLAS BELIZE 000147 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN - MELISSA KOPOLOW DEPT FOR IO/UNESCO - M. CHRISTINA NOVO DEPT FOR IO/PPC - RICHARD WILBUR DEPT FOR EB/TPP/MTA - LINDSAY CHASON SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD SCUL UNESCO BH SUBJECT: BELIZE: UNESCO CONVENTION ON CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS NOT ON LEGISLATIVE AGENDA REF: SECSTATE 19851 ¶1. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (the Convention) has not been included on the agenda for cabinet discussion or the next meeting of the Belizean National Assembly. ¶2. Generally the public agenda for cabinet and the National Assembly is released to the public the week of a National Assembly meeting. Meetings are scheduled somewhat irregularly, depending on issues before the government, but generally occur once a month. Speaking privately with Poloff, cabinet member has indicated that the issue is not on the legislative agenda. ¶3. The Convention also has received no media attention. Local media currently are focused almost exclusively on the nationwide municipal elections scheduled for March 1; therefore, a public diplomacy campaign probably would not be effective. ¶4. The following is keyed to para eight reftel: ¶I. Legislative agenda - d) Not currently on the legislative agenda, and not likely to be put on the agenda in 2006. II. Media attention - a) No published/broadcast opinion for or against ratification since October. III. Public debate - a) No NGO, university or other civil society discussions since October. DIETER