Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OTTAWA637
2008-05-08 16:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
CANADA EQUALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WIPO DIRECTOR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHOT #0637 1291611 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 081611Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7824 INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1274
UNCLAS OTTAWA 000637
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CAN AND EEB/TPP/IPE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD AORC WIPO PREL KIPR CA
SUBJECT: CANADA EQUALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WIPO DIRECTOR
GENERAL ELECTION
REF: STATE 47559
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLAS OTTAWA 000637
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CAN AND EEB/TPP/IPE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD AORC WIPO PREL KIPR CA
SUBJECT: CANADA EQUALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WIPO DIRECTOR
GENERAL ELECTION
REF: STATE 47559
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. (U) On May 6 Econoff delivered reftel points to Doug
George, Director, Intellectual Property, Information and
Technology Trade Policy Division, Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade. George (protect) said
Canada shares the USG's concern regarding the upcoming WIPO
DG election. Canada believes that the ideal DG candidate
needs to have significant relevant experience, be well
respected in the IP community, and have a clear vision for
the direction of WIPO. He explained that the current
situation is a critical time for WIPO and if the election
"goes the wrong way, it might not be possible to recover."
2. (SBU) George's office has advised the Minister of
International Trade that it has four "preferred" candidates
and that the other candidates are either "acceptable" or
"unacceptable." The Minister has not yet decided which
candidate Canada will support. George said there is
"significant overlap" between Canada's four preferred
candidates and the USG's five recommended candidates.
3. (SBU) The candidates that currently have the most support,
George believes, are Australia's Dr. Gurry, Japan's Yo
Takago, and Pakistan's Ambassador Khan. George said that the
amount of support that he sees for Ambassador Khan is
particularly troubling. Khan is not a preferred candidate or
an acceptable candidate to Canada.
4. (SBU) George believes that any candidate who can not speak
English or does not have credibility within the IP community
will likely be eliminated very quickly from the DG race.
George said that he is not impressed by Enrique Manalo, the
candidate from the Philippines or Dr. Gjorgji Filipov, the
candidate from Macedonia. He also commented that he does not
believe that Dr. Bojan Pretnar of Slovenia has much support
and is surprised that he is on the U.S. recommended list.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
RODDY
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR WHA/CAN AND EEB/TPP/IPE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD AORC WIPO PREL KIPR CA
SUBJECT: CANADA EQUALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WIPO DIRECTOR
GENERAL ELECTION
REF: STATE 47559
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
1. (U) On May 6 Econoff delivered reftel points to Doug
George, Director, Intellectual Property, Information and
Technology Trade Policy Division, Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade. George (protect) said
Canada shares the USG's concern regarding the upcoming WIPO
DG election. Canada believes that the ideal DG candidate
needs to have significant relevant experience, be well
respected in the IP community, and have a clear vision for
the direction of WIPO. He explained that the current
situation is a critical time for WIPO and if the election
"goes the wrong way, it might not be possible to recover."
2. (SBU) George's office has advised the Minister of
International Trade that it has four "preferred" candidates
and that the other candidates are either "acceptable" or
"unacceptable." The Minister has not yet decided which
candidate Canada will support. George said there is
"significant overlap" between Canada's four preferred
candidates and the USG's five recommended candidates.
3. (SBU) The candidates that currently have the most support,
George believes, are Australia's Dr. Gurry, Japan's Yo
Takago, and Pakistan's Ambassador Khan. George said that the
amount of support that he sees for Ambassador Khan is
particularly troubling. Khan is not a preferred candidate or
an acceptable candidate to Canada.
4. (SBU) George believes that any candidate who can not speak
English or does not have credibility within the IP community
will likely be eliminated very quickly from the DG race.
George said that he is not impressed by Enrique Manalo, the
candidate from the Philippines or Dr. Gjorgji Filipov, the
candidate from Macedonia. He also commented that he does not
believe that Dr. Bojan Pretnar of Slovenia has much support
and is surprised that he is on the U.S. recommended list.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
RODDY