BANGLADESH CHIEF ADVISER WRITES TO WHITE HOUSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 000477 SIPDIS SIPDIS USMISSION GENEVA FOR US REPRESENTATIVE TO WIPO E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2023 TAGS: ECON POL ETRD PREL KIPR BG SUBJECT: BANGLADESH CHIEF ADVISER WRITES TO WHITE HOUSE SEEKING SUPPORT FOR WIPO DIRECTOR GENERAL CANDIDATE REF: A. DHAKA 00468 ¶B. DHAKA 00288 ¶C. DHAKA 00380 ¶D. DHAKA 00266 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) During his introductory call on the Foreign Secretary (REF A),the Ambassador was presented with a letter from Bangladesh,s Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed to POTUS requesting support for Bangladesh,s candidate for WIPO Director General. This is the latest move in an unusually aggressive GOB campaign to support its candidate for the WIPO position. It follows an initial diplomatic note on the issue (REF B) and a demarche delivered to the Acting DCM (REF C) pressing for USG support. ¶2. (U) The Chief Adviser,s letter formally requests the USG to support Dr. Toufiq Ali for WIPO Director General at the upcoming WIPO Coordination Committee elections on 13-14 May. The full text of the letter is transcribed in paragraph 4. A scan of the letter (and the original) will be sent to SCA/PB. ¶3. (C) The aggressive nature of this campaign has been notable. It stands in marked contrast to the GOB,s lackluster efforts to support two recent candidates for high profile U.N. Peacekeeping positions. We suspect that Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who previously served as Bangladesh,s Permanent Representative in New York and Geneva, is the force pushing this candidacy behind the scenes. No doubt, the Foreign Ministry sees itself supporting one of its own in advancing another career diplomat,s candidacy. We still believe the USG would send mixed signals supporting a candidate for WIPO Director General from a country with a poor record of intellectual property protection (REF D). ¶4. (SBU) BEGIN LETTER TEXT 15 April, 2008 Excellency, You are perhaps aware that the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is about to select a Director General for the next six years. It is our view, and you will doubtless agree, it is important that the next leadership of this organization leads it in a way that it is best able to respond to the evolving needs of the membership. You will also agree that WIPO, with its mandate related to intellectual property must be at the forefront of the development of related issues. The exponential growth of knowledge in these areas have transformed the world, and WIPO,s stewardship in these respects would be critical if their benefits are to reach all of us. As a candidate to fill the vacant post of Director General of WIPO, Bangladesh has nominated Dr. Toufiq Ali, former Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Offices in Geneva. It is our view that his vast administrative experience, diplomatic skills and deep understanding of the broader issues involving intellectual property adequately equips him for the position. His profile description which details his qualifications is enclosed. (NOTE - Resume not transcribed here. END NOTE) Your country,s support to our candidacy at the WIPO Coordination Committee elections to be held on 13-14 May 2008 would be invaluable and I would be deeply grateful for the same. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Sincerely yours, (SIGNED) (Fakhruddin Ahmed) H.E. Mr. George W. Bush President United States of America END LETTER TEXT Moriarty