CHILE: NO RECENT ACTION ON UNESCO CONVENTION ON

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000387

SIPDIS

IO/UNESCO M. CRISTINA NOVO
IO/PPC RICHARD WILBUR
EB/TPP/MTA LINDSAY CHASON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD SCUL CI UNESCO
SUBJECT: CHILE: NO RECENT ACTION ON UNESCO CONVENTION ON
CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS

REF: A. SECSTATE 19851

B. SANTIAGO 0094

C. SANTIAGO 00218

D. 05 SANTIAGO 1761

E. 05 SANTIAGO 2068


1. Per ref A, EconOff spoke with Jose Miguel Concha,
Multilateral Affairs Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on
Chile's approach to the UNESCO Convention on Cultural
Expressions. Concha confirmed that the Government of Chile
(GOC) supported the Convention during the October 2005
meeting in Paris. However, the current administration of
President Ricardo Lagos decided not to submit the Convention
to the Chilean Congress for immediate ratification.


2. Chile elected a new president, Michelle Bachelet, in
January and her inauguration will take place on March 11th
(ref B). According to Concha, the UNESCO Convention will be
submitted for Congressional consideration by the new
administration. Concha indicated it was doubtful that this
will be considered an urgent or high-priority matter for the
new government.


3. President-elect Bachelet has already named her new
Minister of Culture (ref C). Paulina Urrutia Fernandez is a
well-known actress, drama professor, and a proponent of the
rights of actors and artists. Urrutia has referred to IPR as
"the great theme of the future." She has also criticized
Chilean IPR legislation for not being up to par, and stated
that without improvements, Chile will miss out on
international cooperation and growth of the cultural
industry. Fernandez has not made any public statements about
the Convention, but the Ministry of Culture had the lead on
this issue in the Lagos Administration (ref D). Concha
believes Fernandez will be a key player in the months to
come.


4. Post also conducted a recent media search on this topic.
Foreign Minister Walker's September 2005 speech on the
Convention (ref E) generated some interest in the Chilean
press, but there have been no stories or public debate in the
last few months. Given that Chile will have a new congress
and cabinet, the Embassy will take this opportunity to
educate critical players on U.S. concerns with the Convention
and would welcome Washington input for this targeted
informational briefing.
KELLY