[A2k] Pakistani envoy strong candidate to head WIPO

[Malini Aisola]

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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C05%5C13%5Cstory_13-5-2008_pg7_58

Pakistani envoy strong candidate to head WIPO
May 13, 2008

GENEVA: Pakistan's Ambassador to United Nations Rights Council Masood
Khan is a strong candidate in the race to head the UN World Intellectual
Property Organisation (WIPO), diplomats say.

Many diplomats predict that one of the final two candidates could be
Khan, who has led an increasingly fierce assault of the Organisation of
Islamic Countries (OIC) on Western 'Islamophobia' and "oppression of
Muslims". WIPO faces a potentially bitter North-South battle this week
over who will steer it through the next six years.

A total of 14 candidates are on the list to replace Director General
(DG) Kamal Idris of Sudan, who is stepping down a year early after
accusations that he faked his birth date to win quick promotion within
the body. "This is very important for business because WIPO plays a key
role in managing global patent and trademark pacts which underpin many
trade agreements. And the DG can certainly influence the line it takes,"
said one IP analyst.

Facing off against Khan could be Australia's Frances Gurry, seen as the
architect of WIPO's Internet domain name dispute settlement system as
well as being a deputy director general, and another Idris deputy,
former French ambassador Philippe Petit. Some diplomats who follow UN
activities in Geneva say the WIPO election could reflect a wider
struggle for influence in the world body between Western nations and
Islamic countries and their allies -- African states, Russia, China and
Cuba. 'North' countries have 30 seats on the committee, the OIC has 18
and non-Islamic African and Asian states -- including China, North Korea
and Russia -- that normally line up with the OIC in the Rights Council,
have 20.

Voting by secret ballot begins on Tuesday, with each round eliminating
two candidates until nine are left. Then one will be eliminated each
round, leaving room, WIPO officials say, for negotiations on withdrawal
and switching support. reuters

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Malini Aisola

Knowledge Ecology International

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