Locke and Load

“The US is a multicultural society that fully supports the diversity of cultural expressions at home and abroad. We are committed to free trade and we regret that the convention reflects the efforts of some countries to advance an agenda of trade protectionism under the disguise of protecting cultural diversity."

Vigorously championed by France and Canada, the diversity convention is held up by supporters as a vital tool for combating English-speaking cultural standardisation.

For the French government — which has successfully fought to keep cultural items such as films, music and publishing exempt from the general drift towards freer trade — the text is an important international marker ahead of a new round of talks at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

But defying a near total international consensus, the United States refuses to see the convention as a force for cultural variety — but instead as a charter for governments to put up new trade barriers and suppress the free flow of information.

“America’s honeymoon at the UN’s culture arm didn’t last long,” said the Wall Street Journal, recalling that it was Bush’s wife Laura who represented the United States in the 2003 re-entry ceremony. Washington now contributes 22 percent of UNESCO’s budget.

However in Paris the press could hardly contain its glee at America’s isolation in the 60 year-old forum, which was set up after World War II to promote peace via the interchange of ideas.

“They have reaffirmed loud and clear that culture is not just another commodity."

Canadians widely regard their culture as heavily influenced by the US economic behemoth, with which it has a free-trade agreement.

“Canada’s rich diversity, its two official languages and its aboriginal heritage, which are key to the country’s common identity, have nurtured numerous and varied cultural expressions that give meaning to what it means to be Canadian."

Israel was alone in joining the United States in opposition...