SPECIAL 301 INITIATIVE: GOK SAYS IT WANTS

UNCLAS KUWAIT 001311 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EB/TPP/IPE JBOGER, NEA/ARP; PASS TO USTR JBUNTIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIPR ECON ETRD PGOV ADCO KU SUBJECT: SPECIAL 301 INITIATIVE: GOK SAYS IT WANTS PROGRESS, LEGISLATION REMAINS STALLED REF: A. SECSTATE 107629 ¶B. KUWAIT NON-PAPER FROM JGROVES 8 AUG EMAIL ¶1. (SBU) In a 28 August meeting between CDA and Acting Under Secretary of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) Hamad Al-Ghanim, SIPDIS and in a separate meeting on 29 August with Shaykh Ali Khaled Al Sabah, Director of the Economic Department and Acting Director of the Americas Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Econoff delivered Ref A and Ref B talking points and left Ref B non-paper. Al-Ghanim said he was well aware of the need to pass new and more comprehensive IPR legislation as well as the importance of more IPR raids, seizures, prosecutions, and convictions with more severe sentencing. (Note: Al-Ghanim was the GOK's lead negotiator for the first round of TIFA talks.) He expressed frustration that draft IPR legislation has stagnated in the National Assembly which he characterized as "crippled." Al-Ghanim blamed ongoing tension between the Assembly and the Government and complained that some MPs still do not understand the importance of passing stringent IPR laws. He said he had spoken about IPR legislation as well as other important economic reform legislation on 27 August with the Prime Minister, who, according to Al-Ghanim said he would undertake efforts to get the legislation moving. Al-Ghanim seemed unaware of the WIPO treaties and asked for more information. He suggested the Embassy continue to work with Assistant Under Secretary of Commerce for Foreign Trade Abdulaziz Al-Khaldi on technical issues. ¶2. (SBU) Shaykh Ali said the Economic Department at the MFA has recently been tasked by the Foreign Minister to get more involved in tracking and coordinating the activities of the various GOK agencies involved in IPR issues. He said a GOK IPR delegation had made a recent visit to Bahrain and plans to make a subsequent visit to Oman to share IPR lessons learned and discuss best practices. Shaykh Ali also encouraged the Embassy to continue to work closely with MOCI Assistant Under Secretary Al-Khaldi on technical points, and said that Al-Khaldi should be willing to participate in the DVC proposed in Ref A. Al-Khaldi is currently out of the country and due to return in early September. Shaykh Ali also requested the Embassy's assistance in identifying NGOs and/or private consultants to help the GOK to quickly enhance its IPR regime. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * MISENHEIMER