[A2k] Canadian Press: Leadership tussle threatens to derail UN intellectual property organization

[Thiru Balasubramaniam]

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[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]


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The United States is currently examining a range of responses if WIPO
member states continue to protect Idris from scrutiny. Possible
withdrawal from the organization is being examined, though such a move
is not imminent, said a U.S. official, speaking on condition of
anonymity because of the sensitivity of discussions.

Washington withdrew from the UN labour agency from 1977 to 1980,
claiming it was under communist and Arab domination. Washington quit
UNESCO in 1984, calling it corrupt and anti-western, then rejoined in
2003.

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http://canadianpress.google.com/article/
ALeqM5joG9UthHhHrHON2zZPnIeagoRVqA

Leadership tussle threatens to derail UN intellectual property
organization

15 hours ago

GENEVA - The United States and Switzerland threatened Wednesday to
block the World Intellectual Property Organization's two-year budget as
rich and poor countries locked horns over allegations surrounding the
UN patent and copyright chief who used a false birth date for over two
decades.

While African and other developing countries rallied behind WIPO
Director General Kamil Idris, the European Union told the 184-country
body that it was suffering from an "institutional crisis."

U.S. officials said privately that Washington was examining all
options, including a possible withdrawal from the UN organization.

WIPO has hesitated for months to act on an internal audit alleging that
Sudan-born Idris received jobs and won promotions partly on the basis
of records he provided indicating he was born in 1945.

He changed his birth date to 1954 last year - 24 years after he joined
the agency - possibly enhancing his retirement benefits, the report
said. The Associated Press has learned that Idris also made inaccurate
claims about his qualifications when he applied for jobs.

Idris has not been present in any discussions over alleged infractions
at the WIPO assembly. He is not talking to the media, WIPO officials
said.

"No one can barricade himself behind silence," Miguel Vecino Angel of
Spain said at Wednesday's plenary session. "It is unacceptable that the
future of an organization should be held hostage by anyone or by
anyone's conduct."

Referring to the developing countries that have blocked discussion of
the allegations against the WIPO chief, Vecino said: "To conceal a
possible legal irregularity is to participate in it."

Nigerian Ambassador Martin Uhomoibhi, president of the WIPO assembly,
said the disagreement between countries would be recorded. But "as far
as this current chair is concerned, the matter is now closed," he told
reporters.

However, some of the powerful group of UN member states that met last
month to discuss whether to push for Idris' removal said they would
continue to demand serious discussions about allegations of impropriety
and a culture of mismanagement at WIPO.

The United States and Switzerland said that meant holding up the budget
until they were satisfied. "If this issue is closed, then all issues
are closed," Swiss Ambassador Blaise Godet told reporters.

The United States is currently examining a range of responses if WIPO
member states continue to protect Idris from scrutiny. Possible
withdrawal from the organization is being examined, though such a move
is not imminent, said a U.S. official, speaking on condition of
anonymity because of the sensitivity of discussions.

Washington withdrew from the UN labour agency from 1977 to 1980,
claiming it was under communist and Arab domination. Washington quit
UNESCO in 1984, calling it corrupt and anti-western, then rejoined in
2003.

Western diplomats are keen to restore confidence in WIPO, which is
viewed as an increasingly important organization within the UN system
because of the growing economic value countries place on copyrights,
patents and other means of protecting intellectual property.

WIPO is scheduled to conclude its assembly Wednesday. It is unique
among UN agencies because it achieves a multimillion-dollar surplus by
charging fees on patent registrations and other commercial services,
rather than having member states paying all operating costs.

WIPO's internal audit report was completed in November and subsequently
was leaked to the media. It found that Idris' earlier birth date would
have helped him get his first job at WIPO in 1982 and later promotions
until 1997, when he landed the post of director general. The audit
lists documents, including drivers licences and identity cards, some
using one birth year and others using the other.

Idris has always denied he tried to profit from the age change, blaming
the discrepancy on a typographical error.

The audit report also raised other questions. Idris' 1982 application
said he obtained a master's degree in international law from Ohio
University in 1978. But Jessica Stark, spokeswoman for the university,
told The AP that Idris attended from Sept 12, 1977, to June 10, 1978,
when he received a Master of Arts in African Studies.

Adding to the confusion, the audit said Idris registered at the
university with a third birth date - August 26, 1953, a year earlier
than the revised date.=92

=A0

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Thiru Balasubramaniam
Geneva Representative
Knowledge Ecology International (KEI)
voice +41.22.791.6727
fax +41.22.723.2988
mobile +41 76 508 0997
thiru@keionline.org
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