( una carta en la ayuda del cuota de la película Koreano)

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Frannie Wellings <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: March 22, 2006 11:22:23 AM EST
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [cc-mediareform] letter on korean screen quota - sign on by 
> March 23!
>
>   Hi everyone,
>
>  I'm hoping organizations on this list can sign on in support of the 
> attached letter prepared by the International Network for Cultural 
> Diversity. The letter concerns the Korean Screen Quota which protects 
> the Korean film industry and Korean culture and is currently 
> threatened by free trade negotiations between the United States of 
> America and the Republic of Korea. 
>
>  In January 2006, Korea announced it is reducing its movie theater 
> screen quota system by 50 percent, effective July 2006.  As the letter 
> states, the INCD believes the US negotiation "interferes with the 
> democratic will of the Korean people to have their political 
> representatives protect and promote Korean culture." For more 
> information, read the letter below from Garry Neil and James Early.
>
>  To sign on or if you have any questions, contact Garry Neil at 
> [log in to unmask] or 416.268.5665.  Deadline for signatures is 
> tomorrow, March 23rd!
>
>  Thank you,
>
>  Frannie
>
>  
>  
>  



> 19 March 2005
>  
> URGENT APPEAL FOR LETTERS OF SUPPORT
> FROM U.S. ORGANIZATIONS
>  
> The United States is about to launch negotiations for a free trade  
> agreement with the Republic of Korea.  The Office of the U.S. Trade  
> Representative has called for public comments on the proposed talks,  
> which must be received by noon on March 24th.
>                                                                         
>                     
> The INCD is inviting you to sign on to an important submission it will  
> file on the deadline.  We urge you to read this material and indicate  
> your support no later than the end of the day March 23rd, by replying  
> to this email.  Include a brief description of your organization, or  
> indicate if you are signing as an individual.
>  
> What are the issues?
> The price for opening negotiations for a free trade agreement was  
> Korea’s agreement to accede to U.S. pressure to reduce its successful  
> cinema screen quota.  The 50 percent reduction will take effect in  
> July 2006.  Since it was implemented in 1993, this quota has fuelled a  
> rapid growth of the Korean film industry which increased its share of  
> the domestic market from 16 percent to more than 47 percent in 12  
> years.  Korean films have achieved international acclaim and their  
> availability has increased choices for movie goers everywhere.  The  
> reduction in the screen quota will threaten this remarkable record and  
> the Korean film industry believes U.S. pressure will continue in the  
> upcoming talks in an attempt to completely eliminate the quota.
>  
> U.S. movies continue to have strong access to Korean cinemas: foreign  
> movies can be shown 60 percent of the time on each screen.  Further,  
> the quota has driven a tremendous growth in overall attendance, from  
> 58 million in 1999 to more than 130 million in 2004, which has  
> benefited U.S. movies.
>  
> This issue highlights the huge gulf between the United States and the  
> rest of the world on cultural diversity.  The U.S. was one of only two  
> countries which opposed the adoption in October 2005 of the new UNESCO  
> convention on cultural diversity.  INCD and its U.S. members believe  
> that there is need for civil society and governments in the United  
> States to be leaders in promoting diversity and cultural equality,  
> both within the U.S. and globally.  The U.S. needs to confirm its  
> sovereign right to implement policies on the arts, culture and the  
> media, including the promotion of diversity in the media. 
>  
> What is the submission calling for?
> The submission urges the United States government:
>       •     To propose an unrestricted and unlimited exemption for cultural  
> goods and services from the terms of the free trade agreement with the  
> Republic of Korea.
>       •     To exercise leadership to promote cultural diversity  
> internationally, and within the United States itself, by ratifying the  
> UNESCO Convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of  
> cultural expressions.
>  
> We know this is a late request, but we only just received the  
> information.  We hope you will send your letter of support to us  
> quickly.
>  
> In solidarity,
> James Early, Smithsonian Institution and INCD Steering Committee
> Garry Neil, INCD Executive Director
>  
> For more information:
> Garry Neil 416.268.5665
>  
>  *  *  *  *
>  Frannie Wellings
>  Free Press
>  (202) 265-1490 x 21
> http://www.freepress.net
>
>  Media is the issue.
>  
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