RUSSIA: COMMERCE SECRETARY GUTIERREZ'S APRIL 3

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 001684 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RUS - MWARLICK, AHOLMAN, SGUHA AND EB/TPP/BTA STATE FOR EB/CIP/MA - DGROSS, AGIBBS STATE PASS USTR FOR SDONNELLY, LERRION, LMOLNAR NSC FOR MKLECHESKI, TMCKIBBIN USDOC FOR 1000/SEC/SECRETARY GUTIERREZ USDOC FOR 4231/IEP/EUR/JBROUGHER USDOC FOR 4231/EIP/EUR/MEDWARDS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2016 TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR KNNP RS WTO SUBJECT: RUSSIA: COMMERCE SECRETARY GUTIERREZ'S APRIL 3 MEETING WITH MINISTER REIMAN Classified By: Ambassador William Burns for Reasons 1/4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: During a meeting on April 3, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez and Minister of Communications Leonid Reiman discussed a broad range of topics, including the Russian cell phone market, Motorola, cooperation on information technology, IPR, and biometrics. The Secretary asked for support in clarifying or resolving several issues, including new regulations for importation of encryption technology, closing down pirate music website www.allofmp3.com, and the status of express delivery. During their discussion, Minister Reiman assured the Secretary that express delivery is not subject to Russia's universal postal code. End summary. Russian Communications Market -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Minister Reiman observed that the Russian economy is growing rapidly, bringing new wealth and greater interest in and access to new technologies such as the Internet, from a broader spectrum of people. He noted, however, that one of the biggest challenges facing his Ministry, in terms of both communications and universal postal services, is the growing digital divide between cities and large, less-populated territories. Motorola -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Secretary thanked Minister Reiman for his help in solving problems connected to the February 2006 seizure of Motorola cell phones, and noted that the company was very appreciative. Reiman responded that he was glad to help, and hoped the situation would not repeat itself. He observed that Motorola had come early to the Russian market, established a research center and a strong customer base. He added that Motorola's sales are second only to those of South Korean firms. When Secretary Gutierrez noted that he had been to the Motorola flagship store on Red Square, Reiman commented that Motorola has a good perspective on the Russian market. He said that Russians love new technology, and like to upgrade their phones every six months or so. Given this trend and that fact that there are currently about 150 million cell phones in use in Russia, he sees great market potential. IT Roundtable and Working Group -------------- ¶4. (C) Reiman explained that he was still very keen to do an IT roundtable with U.S. and Russian companies as each are increasingly interested in the other's market. He noted that President Putin had indicated his interest in increasing cooperation in the IT sector by appearing at the second information and communications technology roundtable in the United States via DVC, the only time that he had used this technology. Reiman suggested that it would be useful for the companies to have a "format" or mechanism for the exchange of information, and proposed a bilateral working group. The Minister also invite U.S. participation in Russia's InfoCom exhibit, October 24-27, 2007. www.allofmp3.com, Encryption Imports, and Express Delivery -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) While noting that Minister Reiman was not directly responsible for these issues, Secretary Gutierrez raised pirate music website www.allofmp3.com, the need for new regulations on the importation of encryption technology, and express delivery services. He suggested that the problem of www.allofmp3.com bears some similarity to Napster, which had also been viewed as an IPR violator, and offered to provide information on that case. He asked the Minister for any support he could provide on closing down the illegal website. The Secretary then turned to regulations for encryption imports, which affect the availability of products ranging from personal computers to blackberries. He noted that USTR Schwab and Minister Gref had included a timetable in the WTO bilateral agreement for transitional import regulations. Reiman responded that he was not familiar with the issue, but would look into it and do what he could. He added that he was aware that banks in Russia were importing systems for use MOSCOW 00001684 002 OF 002 with credit cards and ATM machines, and that more people are interested in using blackberries. The Minister noted that it is more expensive to use blackberries in Russia at this time, because without a local provider it is necessary to use roaming. He knew from speaking with MTS and Megafon that each had conducted talks with Western companies, but that they had not yet been able to reach agreement. ¶6. (SBU) With regard to express delivery, the Secretary pointed out that it would be WTO in-consistent to subject express delivery to postal controls. The Minister suggested the possibility of some misunderstanding, explaining that current legislation, the "universal postal code", pertains to only letters, pay phones, public Internet points and small parcel post, all of which are subject to low set prices under the regulatory control of the Committee on Tariffs. The Minister indicated that, given these parameters, express delivery is not subject to the "universal postal code." IPR and Civil Code -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Minister Reiman reported that, following his discussion with Secretary Gutierrez in Washington, he had informed himself on Part IV of the Civil Code on IPR. His impression was that at the end of the legislative process, some adjustments had been made in the law to make it more compliant with WTO and international norms. He said that the piracy situation seemed to be improving to some extent, relaying that his son had told him that in St. Petersburg it has now become almost impossible to find pirated CD's, which are no longer visible on the streets. The Minister noted that in Moscow there are fewer dealers setting up tables and selling on the street, and more stores selling legal optical disks, with holograms. He ventured that stores are not able to move around easily, and, therefore, must be prepared to face inspections. Additionally, people in Russia are now demanding more quality, and therefore, want legal products. He expressed optimism that more could and would be done. Biometrics -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Secretary and Minister Reiman observed that both governments are working on incorporating biometrics into identity documents. The Minister noted that Russia is currently issuing 8-9 biometric passports per day as a beginning, using only digital photo information and information in the passport, as they await international application of a standard in regards to what can be included. Referring to the potential inclusion of eye and fingerprint data, he noted several caveats and said that concerns had been raised with regards to disclosure of private information. (Note: Recently, Russian media have reported problems with the technology for the biometric passports. End Note) ¶9. (U) The meeting concluded with Secretary Gutierrez inviting the Minister to visit him again in Washington. BURNS