[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 19 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1253-S1254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 WELCOMING DR. KAMIL IDRIS, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL 
                         PROPERTY ORGANIZATION

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to welcome to the United 
States Dr. Kamil Idris, the Director General of the World Intellectual 
Property Organization (WIPO). As many of my colleagues know, Dr. Idris 
was elected Director General in November 1997, succeeding Dr. Arpad 
Bogsch, who served in that capacity for 25 years. As Director General, 
Dr. Idris is responsible for overseeing WIPO's strong efforts in 
promoting intellectual property protection across the globe.
  Dr. Idris has had a long and distinguished diplomatic career on 
behalf of his native Sudan. He is particularly well-known in 
international intellectual property circles through his 16 years of 
effective service to WIPO, most recently as Deputy Director General. I 
was pleased to visit with Dr. Idris informally shortly after his 
election as Director General and once again wish him success in his new 
position.
  I would note that Dr. Idris is taking the helm of WIPO at a critical 
juncture in the evolution of international intellectual property 
protection. Nations throughout the world will look to his leadership in 
promoting a global fabric of intellectual property protection in the 
ever-explosive digital age. The WIPO Copyright Treaty and the WIPO 
Performances and Phonograms Treaty, both signed in Geneva in December 
1996, are important components of that fabric. The United States has an 
opportunity to set standards for the world to follow by ratifying and 
implementing these treaties in a timely fashion. I have joined with my 
colleagues Senator Leahy, Senator Thompson, and Senator Kohl to 
introduce legislation to do just that. I look forward to Dr. Idris' 
support of similar efforts to implement these treaties in an effective 
manner in the remainder of the WIPO member countries.
  Dr. Idris' visit today marks his first official visit to the United 
States. He will be accompanied by the Commissioner of Patents and 
Trademarks, Bruce Lehman, who will join Dr. Idris in meetings with the 
Secretary of Commerce and other agency officials who play important 
roles in safeguarding and promoting American ingenuity. Dr. Idris will 
also have the opportunity to meet with many of the leaders of our 
creative sectors, among them the pharmaceutical, motion picture, 
software, information technology, broadcasting, publishing, and 
recording industries. Each of these industries depend on the work of 
WIPO to assist them in securing effective protection for their 
intellectual property in the international marketplace.
  I am pleased that Dr. Idris has made this important visit. I am sure 
I am joined by my colleagues in welcoming him today and in wishing him 
the best in his activities here. I look forward to

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continuing to work with him in a close and cooperative relationship.

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