Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ZAGREB198
2006-02-14 14:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
CROATIA AND UNESCO CONVENTION ON CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS
how-toVZCZCXRO6629 RR RUEHAG RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHVB #0198 0451415 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 141415Z FEB 06 FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5703 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000198
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD SCUL UNESCO HR
SUBJECT: CROATIA AND UNESCO CONVENTION ON CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS
REF: SECSTATE 19851
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLAS ZAGREB 000198
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD SCUL UNESCO HR
SUBJECT: CROATIA AND UNESCO CONVENTION ON CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS
REF: SECSTATE 19851
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. (SBU) Croatia has not yet ratified the UNESCO Convention on
Cultural Expressions. The GOC has made no public statements in
support of the Convention or its eventual ratification since its
adoption last October. Ratification is not currently on the
parliamentary agenda and our contacts assess that there is little
likelihood that it will be tabled in the near term.
2. (SBU) Media attention has likewise been scant following the
Convention's adoption. The few press stories focused less on the
specifics of the convention itself than on the fact that the U.S.
opposed it, with one paper proclaiming "Croatia Says No to the
U.S. for the Fourth Time." There has been no further mention of
the Convention since November.
3. (SBU) There has been no public debate about the Convention
since its adoption and general interest is minimal. However,
public perceptions of UNESCO are extremely positive in Croatia,
which would likely extend to this Convention, were it more widely
discussed. Croatia's difficult history and relatively small size
combine to produce an acute sense of cultural and linguistic
vulnerability.
4. (SBU) Comment: The GOC supported the Convention's adoption and
is not concerned that it will be misused to protectionist ends.
Should the Convention be tabled for approval in the parliament, we
assess that it would pass by a wide margin. End Comment.
FRANK
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD SCUL UNESCO HR
SUBJECT: CROATIA AND UNESCO CONVENTION ON CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS
REF: SECSTATE 19851
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. (SBU) Croatia has not yet ratified the UNESCO Convention on
Cultural Expressions. The GOC has made no public statements in
support of the Convention or its eventual ratification since its
adoption last October. Ratification is not currently on the
parliamentary agenda and our contacts assess that there is little
likelihood that it will be tabled in the near term.
2. (SBU) Media attention has likewise been scant following the
Convention's adoption. The few press stories focused less on the
specifics of the convention itself than on the fact that the U.S.
opposed it, with one paper proclaiming "Croatia Says No to the
U.S. for the Fourth Time." There has been no further mention of
the Convention since November.
3. (SBU) There has been no public debate about the Convention
since its adoption and general interest is minimal. However,
public perceptions of UNESCO are extremely positive in Croatia,
which would likely extend to this Convention, were it more widely
discussed. Croatia's difficult history and relatively small size
combine to produce an acute sense of cultural and linguistic
vulnerability.
4. (SBU) Comment: The GOC supported the Convention's adoption and
is not concerned that it will be misused to protectionist ends.
Should the Convention be tabled for approval in the parliament, we
assess that it would pass by a wide margin. End Comment.
FRANK