This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRASILIA 000927
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR WHA/BSC AND EB/TPP/IPE
STATE PASS TO USTR FOR SCRONIN, LYANG AND BPECK
STATE PASS TO USPTO/OLIA
USDOC FOR 4332/ITA/MAC/WH/OLAC/JANDERSEN/ADRISCOLL/MWAR D
USDOC FOR 3134/ITA/USCS/OIO/WH/RD/DDEVITO/DANDERSON/EOL SON
NSC FOR KBREIER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIPR ETRD KJUS BR
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM BRAZIL'S CONGRESSIONAL FRONT FOR THE
FIGHT AGAINST PIRACY AND TAX EVASION
REF A) BRASILIA 599, B) BRASILIA 487 (NOTAL) C) SAO PAULO
174
1. (U) Eight Brazilian congressmen, members of the
Congressional Front for the Fight Against Piracy and Tax
Evasion, visited the Embassy on March 30 to deliver a letter
addressed to the Ambassador regarding Brazil's inclusion on the
Special 301 list and possible removal of GSP benefits. (Note,
one was delayed and so did not sign the letter). An unofficial
translation of the text of the letter follows in paragraph 4;
original will be filed at Post.
2. (SBU) During the meeting with DCM, the deputies emphasized
their commitment to enhancing IPR protection in Brazil in
partnership with the GoB and the newly formed National Council
to Combat Piracy and Intellectual Property Crimes, as well as
with the private sector. They conveyed their view that a USG
withdrawal of GSP benefits from Brazil at this time would be
counterproductive to Brazil's efforts to improve its
enforcement of intellectual property rights.
3. (SBU) In response, DCM noted that USG dialogue with the GoB
on these issues over the past 10 months has been frank and
constructive, adding that we are paying particular attention to
the development of the National Council and the extent to which
it activities will make systemic improvements in copyright
protection in Brazil. DCM also observed that the USG has been
encouraged by the recent increase in seizures in the Foz de
Iguacu area.
4. (U) Start Text of Letter.
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES
CONGRESSIONAL FRONT FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST PIRACY AND TAX
EVASION
Mr. Ambassador,
Faced with information divulged by the national and
international press that Brazil has been included on the
Special 301 list (list of countries that do little to fight
piracy) and, because of this is facing sanctions by the
North American government, including the possible removal
of Brazil from the list of countries included on the
"Generalized System of Preferences - GSP", please be
advised of the following:
On July 8, 2004 representatives of the Congressional
Investigative Committee (CPI), founded for the purpose of
investigating facts related to piracy against
industrialized products and tax evasion - Piracy CPI of the
Chamber of Deputies, made an official visit to the U.S.
Congress and presented an Open Letter to "The International
Congressional Anti-Piracy Caucus", communicating the
results of the CPI's Final Report as well as initiatives
taken by the Brazilian Government in the fight against
piracy, smuggling, tax evasion and embezzlement.
We should emphasize that since then, various actions have
been taken for this purpose, in the area of enforcement
with intensified customs inspections and creation of
specialized anti-piracy sections in the Federal Police, and
in the institutional area with the installation of the
National Council for the Fight Against Piracy, which is
already fully functioning.
We should point out that we are concerned with keeping
Congressional actions alive, because piracy causes serious
harm to our country through tax evasion, unemployment and
paralysis of technological development among other things.
Once the CPI work was concluded, we created the
Congressional Front For the Fight Against Piracy and Tax
Evasion, which developed an intense agenda of activities.
Around 100 private entities, forming the National Forum of
Entities against Piracy and Illegality, came together with
our support with the same objective.
We therefore come to you for the purpose of manifesting our
concern regarding threats of sanctions since the Brazilian
government has been taking a firm stand in the fight
against piracy, with the support of the Brazilian Congress.
We take the liberty of expressing our opinions in an effort
to ensure the continued good relationship between Brazil
and the United States of America, and we hope the Office of
the U.S. Trade Representative - USTR will review their
position.
Brasilia, March 30, 2005
(signed)
Deputy Vanessa Grazziotin, General Coordinator of the Front
Deputy Josias Quintal
Deputy Sandes Junior
Deputy Laura Carneiro
Deputy Luiz Antonio Medeiros
Deputy Julio Lopes
Deputy Julio Semeghini
End Text.
CHICOLA