GOI RELUCTANT TO PUSH FOR WIPO DG IDRIS'S

UNCLAS ROME 002024 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE PASS TO IO/T F ZICHY AND E/B A/S SULLIVAN, EB/TIPP/IPE URBAN, GREEN, BOGER, HOWLAND USDOC FOR USPTO SALMON USTR PASS TO DONNELLY, WILSON, YANG, MCCOY, BAE, CHOE GROVES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC ETRD KIPR PGOV WIPO IT SUBJECT: GOI RELUCTANT TO PUSH FOR WIPO DG IDRIS'S RESIGNATION REF: SECSTATE 128336 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Government of Italy (GOI) is reluctant to support USG's call for the resignation of Kamil Idris, Director General (DG) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The GOI fears that forcing Idris to resign would provoke WIPO members from developing countries to vote for a new DG candidate who would be averse to strong Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Emboffs met with Fabrizio Mazza, Head of MFA's Intellectual Property Office, regarding current and cumulative evidence of Idris's corruption (ref A). Upon reading our non-paper Mazza focused on Idris's birth date switch, saying "apart from switching the birth date, his (Idris's) behavior is fairly standard practice in international and UN organizations." Mazza observed that in addition to his personal behavior, Idris's actions as DG have stymied WIPO, and have frustrated the GOI and other developed countries in their efforts to enhance IPR protection internationally via WIPO. Mazza noted that as a Sudanese, Idris has aligned himself with what Mazza referred to as "the development group"--developing countries which do not support strong IPR protections. He noted that Idris and the development group already label any criticism of him as racist. ¶3. (SBU) Mazza did not indicate that the GOI is considering taking any action on Idris's birthday switch, and gave no indication that the GOI intends to discuss the switch with Idris. The GOI fears that if Idris is forced to resign now the development group will maintain a grudge against developed countries, and will support a DG candidate in the next election who favors weaker IPR standards instead of stronger ones. ¶4. (SBU) According to Mazza, the next 10 years will be crucial for improving international protection for intellectual property within the WIPO context. Therefore, if Idris should actually retire at the end of his current term in 2009 (as he claims he will),the next WIPO DG will hold the key to WIPO's future either as an effective organization for setting IPR norms, or as an irrelevant, moribund talking shop. Mazza would like to see a new DG from a moderately developed country somewhat in favor of strong IPR protection, such as Mexico or Singapore. He would not like to see a DG from a still-developing country such as Brazil or India. ¶5. (SBU) Although reluctant to help push Idris out, Mazza said the GOI has grown impatient with WIPO. Mazza noted that the development group often stalls concrete action by deferring decisions or using abstract language. He indicated that Britain's WIPO Delegate is also fed up with Idris and WIPO's stalling, and Britain may take action on its own. Mazza did not say how. ¶6. (SBU) Since Italy is preparing two presentations for the WIPO Assembly meeting--one as Group B President and one on its recent signing of a WIPO agreement, Mazza asked to be informed of any actions or statements USG intends for the Assembly regarding Idris. Any USG action at WIPO could influence the GOI's comments. Again, he did not say how. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: Post believes that the GOI is open to influence on this issue, and wants to continue a discussion of actions to take at WIPO and on Idris; sharing more information on USG's views and intentions at WIPO may encourage Italy to support our position. Information addressing GOI concerns about WIPO's leadership after a potential forced resignation by Idris would be especially useful. END COMMENT. BORG