UNIVERSAL DELIGHT AT CONVENTION ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY EXCEPT IN THE UNITED STATES.

The UNESCO Convention freeing culture from trade rules, adopted on October 20 in spite of the virulent opposition of the United States, has been welcomed by its backers. France, which generously supports its music and film industries, stood in the front line in defending the text. "This is the first time that culture per se has been integrated into international law", said a delighted French culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres.

The Convention, which will enter into force once ratified by 30 countries, is regarded by some of its supporters as a rampart against American "cultural imperialism". Article 20 gives the Convention the same legal standing as bilateral treaties and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) framework. France and Canada have spoken of a "binding" Convention, a supranational law that can be set against the WTO, though the text is rather vague and may give rise to different interpretations.

Speaking after the vote on behalf of the European Union - and despite the fact his country had expressed initial reservations - the UK's Unesco representative Timothy Craddock spoke of "a great day for Unesco". He suggested the Convention will ensure that "cultural diversity becomes a universal right".

US representative Louise Oliver...

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