Cablegate: Costa Rica On Unesco Convention: It's All in The

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 002493

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CEN JASON MACK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA ON UNESCO CONVENTION: IT'S ALL IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION

REF: A. STATE 192656

B. STATE 189519
C. STATE 184292
D. SAN JOSE 2437

SUMMARY
-------
1. In a follow-up meeting on the UNESCO Convention on
Cultural Diversity on October 21, MFA Chief of Multilateral
Affairs Carlos Cordero expressed Costa Rica's receptiveness
to U.S. input on implementation if and when the convention
comes into effect. He acknowledged U.S. concerns over
implementation and the potential abuse by repressive regimes,
but indicated that the GOCR considers the likelihood of this
happening too remote to worry about unduly. When asked about
recent comments by a GOCR official that the convention
could conflict with the U.S.-Central America-Dominican
Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), Cordero agreed to
research the comment, but assured Poloff that as far as the
MFA was concerned, CAFTA-DR will trump the convention. End
Summary.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY: IT'S A DONE DEAL, LET'S WORK TOGETHER
--------------------------------------------- ------------
2. Poloff met with Chief of Multilateral Affairs Carlos
Cordero and his deputy, Victor Murillo, on October 21 to
discuss, among other things, the UNESCO Convention on
Cultural Diversity. Cordero conceded that ratification by
thirty countries can be assumed, though he would not
speculate on whether, or when, Costa Rica might ratify the
convention. Given the likelihood of ratification and
adoption, Poloff expressed the hope that the GOCR will be
mindful of USG concerns during implementation of the
convention. Cordero intimated that since Costa Rica itself
was unlikely to be negatively impacted by the convention,
there was no compelling reason to oppose it. He
acknowledged USG concerns about the convention, especially
in a regional context and the potential for abuse that
could arise in certain Latin American countries, but
implied that while certain governments could use the
convention to supress access to information, he did not see
this as a likely outcome or cause for serious concern.

3. Poloff expressed some concern over comments attributed
to Costa Rica's ambassador to UNESCO, in which he indicated
that the Convention on Cultural Diversity could conflict
with CAFTA-DR and that adoption of the convention could
necessitate renegotiation of the trade agreement. While
neither of our interlocutors were aware of these comments,
they indicated that they would research the matter.
However, both indicated that in their estimation, CAFTA-DR
would trump the UNESCO convention in the event of a
conflict, and the convention implementation would have to
be tailored to fit within the context of CAFTA-DR.

COMMENT
-------
4. While Costa Rica's failure to oppose the convention was
disappointing, its recognition that the convention takes a
back seat to U.S.-Costa Rica trade agreements was
heartening. At the very least, this can be taken as an
indication that the GOCR values free trade and bilateral
agreements over the vague, protectionist declarations in the
UNESCO convention. Post does not anticipate that any
disputes will arise in Costa Rica over the convention, and
expects to receive at least tacit support from Costa Rica
in the event of any regional implementation disputes.
FRISBIE

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