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