UNESCO MARTI PRIZE, REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 000891

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/10/2016
TAGS: VE CU UNESCO
SUBJECT: UNESCO MARTI PRIZE, REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE

Ref: Paris 850

Classified by DCM Andrew Koss, reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) This is a request for guidance?see para. 4.


2. (C) Though the newly arrived Brazilian ambassador has
told Ambassador Oliver that he wants to put the negative
atmosphere of the cultural diversity convention behind us
and work with USDEL, his nomination of Hugo Chavez for
the Marti prize indicates a continuing willingness to
score points at US expense. (Note: Brazil worked hand-
in-glove with the French to push for the convention and
the former ambassador was openly antagonistic to US
positions during negotiations.) The same seems to be the
case of the Panamanian ambassador who told us during the
cultural diversity saga that he wanted to work with us.
(Note: The Panamanian is French educated and does not
speak English.) We have not had much contact yet with
the newly arrived Uruguayan who serves with us on the
bureau of the Executive Board. The Venezuelan ambassador
has let loose with anti-American diatribes at the
Executive Board, so we do not expect anything better from
him.


3. (C) Thus far, there has been virtually no discussion
of the Marti prize at UNESCO. This corresponds with the
UNESCO secretariat?s desire to downplay its involvement
in the prize, which included no UNESCO representation at
the awards ceremony in Havana.


4. (C) Guidance requested: Having only just learned
which delegations participated in the choice of Chavez,
Mission has not yet engaged in any conversations with
those delegations. Given the under-handed support of the
Brazilian, Uruguayan, Panamanian and Argentinian
delegations for the choice of Chavez for the Marti prize,
Mission requests guidance on dealing with these
delegations. Should they be demarched? If so, at what
level? If action is requested in Paris please provide
talking points.

OLIVER