PARIS, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)'s culture commission passed Monday a resolution aiming at protecting and promoting cultural diversity.

    The 40-page resolution reaffirms the "sovereign right of countries" to pursue policies aimed at "protecting and promoting the diversity of cultural expressions on their territory" and in international trade.

    Most of UNESCO's 191 member states see it as an important tool to protect local languages, arts and culture against English-speaking globalisation and US "cultural imperialism".

    It is opposed however by Israel and the United States, Australia and the Pacific island state Kiribati abstained.

    For the United States, which submitted 20 amendments to the text, the resolution could be used by governments to suppress freedom of expression and the interchange of ideas.

    "We are extremely disappointed by the decision that has just been taken," US envoy Louise Oliver said.

    The resolution is to be handed over a UNESCO plenary session ofsome 2,000 delegates on Thursday. Enditem