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