GOC HAS TAKEN NO STEPS TO RATIFY THE CONVENTION ON

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000194 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS IO/UNESCO FOR M. CHRISTINA NOVO; IO/PPC FOR RICHARD WILBER; AND EB/TPP/MTA FOR LINDSAY CHASON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETRD SCUL UNESCO CY SUBJECT: GOC HAS TAKEN NO STEPS TO RATIFY THE CONVENTION ON THE DIVERSITY OF CULTURAL EXPRESSION REF: STATE 19851 ¶1. (SBU) In response to reftel, we have made a number of discrete inquiries regarding the status of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. As far as we have been able to determine, the issue of the convention has not been put on the agenda of the Council of Ministers and there is no timeframe for action in the Parliament. There has been no public debate about this issue and the convention is receiving no media coverage in either the Greek Cypriot or Turkish Cypriot press. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: Post's assessment is that it is better to let this sleeping dog lie. We recommend against conducting a public campaign against the convention in Cyprus, as it may be counterproductive. SCHLICHER