[Ecommerce] Reuters on UNESCO...

[Manon Ress]

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?
type=worldNews&storyID=2005-10-21T043432Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-22036
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UNESCO backs cultural diversity accord, despite U.S.
Fri Oct 21, 2005 4:42 AM IST172

By Timothy Heritage

PARIS (Reuters) - The United Nations cultural body adopted a treaty
to protect and promote cultural diversity on Thursday despite
opposition from the United States, which fears it will hit its film
and music exports.

The Paris-based U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO) overwhelmingly approved the accord, which
supporters such as France say will help defend linguistic and
cultural diversity from the negative effects of globalisation.

The convention won the backing of 148 countries and was opposed by
only two, Israel and the United States, at a UNESCO plenary meeting.

U.S. officials fear the treaty will restrict free trade and the free
flow of ideas, but France hailed it as a victory that would help
countries defend their national culture and arts.

It also sees the convention as a weapon to fight what many French
people regard as a threat of American cultural domination and an
onslaught of Hollywood films.

"This is major progress in a world which must protect cultural
diversity and organise a dialogue of cultures that respects all,"
French President Jacques Chirac said in a written statement.

"This convention provides hope for a globalisation that is more
respectful of the identities of peoples."

France, which subsidises the arts heavily and sets quotas on national
and foreign films, was a driving force behind the convention.

Chirac led international opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq
in 2003 but has been trying since then to mend U.S.-French ties. He
said France should ratify the convention quickly and be vigilant in
enforcing it.

The "Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of
cultural expressions" affirms the sovereign right of countries to
shape cultural policies with a view to protecting and promoting
cultural diversity.

Countries could seek to use this as justification for quotas to
defend the national film industry and cultural identity.

The convention also promotes the rights of women, various social
groups, minorities and indigenous peoples to cultural expression. It
becomes binding three months after at least 30 countries have
ratified it.

The United States has said UNESCO does not have the authority to
enforce the agreement but was left isolated when it failed to win
support for a series of amendments to the text.


************************************************
Manon Anne Ress
manon.ress@cptech.org,
www.cptech.org

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