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