This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. UNCLAS ABU DHABI 000575 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS:        
SUBJECT: UNESCO CONVENTION ON CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS UPDATE 
AND INFORMATION REQUEST 
 
REF: SECSTATE 19851 
 
  1. (SBU) It is difficult to determine the exact level of 
activity with regard to ratification of the UNESCO convention 
in the UAE, because the UAE does not generally publicize its 
efforts on treaty ratification, until the treaty has either 
been ratified -- or at the very least has received cabinet 
approval for ratification.  Based on the complete lack of 
discussion of this issue in the media since last October, 
however, and the fact that treaty approval in the UAE is a 
long, laborious process, involving both the federal 
government and the individual emirates, we do not believe 
that the UAEG is likely to move quickly on this issue. 
Without discussing this with the UAEG, however, we do not 
know for certain.  We were not able to find any references to 
this issue in the media since October.  We found one 
reference in May of 2005, when the  Undersecretary of the 
Ministry of Information and Culture, who headed the 
delegation to the UNESCO meeting, said that the convention 
was crucial to the issue of sustainable development. 
 
 2. (SBU) Ratification Efforts Categories 
 
Treaty Approval Agenda - Unknown. 
 
Media Attention - a) No published/broadcast opinion for or 
against ratification since October. 
 
Public Debate - a) No civil society debate since October. 
OLSIN-WINDECKER