U.S. in Lone Opposition to UN Cultural Diversity Pact (So much to dislike: France/UN/Lib Agenda)

chosun.com ^ | Oct 19,05

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

A French-led cultural diversity pact transparently designed to stem U.S. cultural hegemony is likely to be ratified by an overwhelming majority at UNESCO's 33rd plenary meeting opening this Friday. But in an echo of the Kyoto treaty on climate change, the U.S., which rejoined the UN cultural agency only two years ago, is miffed because it believes the pact would allow countries to erect trade barriers against lucrative American exports like Hollywood blockbusters.

A ballot on Monday at UNESCO headquarters in Paris found the pact endorsed by a resounding 151: 2 with two abstentions. The only refuseniks were the U.S. and Israel, with Australia and the tiny island nation of Kiribati abstaining. South Korea voted in favor.

Washington submitted a resolution asking for several amendments that would have removed references to trade and had support from Japan, Hong Kong, Chile, Turkey, and Israel but was voted down.

The draft pact draws attention to the "distinctive nature" of cultural goods and services, and gives countries a right "to maintain, adopt, and implement policies and measures that they deem appropriate for the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions on their territory" when they feel that diversity is under threat. It aims to acknowledge each country’s uniqueness in the face of globalization.

[End Times Sentinel]

The only refuseniks were the U.S. and Israel

You can always count on Israel.  God bless 'em!

Owl_Eagle

(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
it was probably sarcasm)

[The Electrician]

The draft pact draws attention to the "distinctive nature" of cultural goods and services, and gives countries a right "to maintain, adopt, and implement policies and measures that they deem appropriate for the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions on their territory" when they feel that diversity is under threat.

By my reckoning, due to the distinctive nature of and unbreakable link with American culture of certain goods, the US had better immediately adopt measures to protect them. Of course I am referring to steel, automobiles, softwood lumber, intellectual property of all kinds, computers, televisions, the Internet, you know, all of that kind of stuff...

[Moral Hazard]

"By my reckoning, due to the distinctive nature of and unbreakable link with American culture of certain goods, the US had better immediately adopt measures to protect them. Of course I am referring to steel, automobiles, softwood lumber, intellectual property of all kinds, computers, televisions, the Internet, you know, all of that kind of stuff..."

Personally I don't think destroying the US economy is a good response to UN multicultural inanity.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

distinctive nature" of cultural goods and services

Would unconditional surrender monkeying be considered as one of these cultural things they wish to protect?

[ghitma]

And the slavery and murder in the Sudan goes on.

[Unam Sanctam]

So I guess all the other countries in the world have so little confidence in the worth of their own cultures that they don't think they will hold their own in a free market?

[Panic in the Streets]

Because French companies cannot compete with US companies, they need Saddam's Iraq and Iran to do business with, and pacts like these that would give them an edge.

[processing please hold]

Sloooooooooooow FR today.

Yes, God bless Israel.

[mad puppy]

"...measures that they deem appropriate for the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions on their territory."

I assume that the US will be the only Country NOT permitted do this.

[Congressman Billybob]

I had exactly the same thought when I read this. Any nation we want to "punish" (not that we would ever say such a thing in public), we could just fashion a "cultural" restraint against whatever that nation seeks to sell, or buy, as the case may be.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column: "Racially-Based, Academic Nonsense"

[Billthedrill]

A French-led cultural diversity pact transparently designed to stem U.S. cultural hegemony...

And the UN sinks still lower into a morass of irrelevance. The people of Darfur will no doubt be glad to know they're protected from Mickey Mouse as they're being shot by the Janjaweed.

[joebuck]

I'll bet the first thing France does under this new agreement is enact measures to protect its domestic wine industry. They will mouth some sophistry about how french wine is essential to french culture and place restrictions on the importation of foriegn (ie. californian) wines.

[CaptRon]

Remember when 'diversity' was a harmless little word that was rarely even used?

Now it's gone and let itself be used to justify all types of phoney stuff.

I hear the meteoric rise from obscurity has really gone to its head.

[The Electrician]

Is it really necessary for me to put a < sarcasm> tag on everything that I write that should obviously be interpreted that way (he wondered rhetorically)...

[JamesP81]

The only refuseniks were the U.S. and Israel

When it's time stand up and be counted, we see who is really on our side.