US Official Calls For Continued Scrutiny Of WIPO

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

19 December 2005

Despite the recent completion of a report by Ernst & Young which appeared to clear the World Intellectual Property Organisation of any wrongdoing, a US official has called for continued scrutiny of the international body.

In a statement released last Tuesday, WIPO announced that:

"Ernst & Young, the international audit and consultancy firm, has submitted its report to the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dr. Kamil Idris. The firm was requested by the Director General last September to conduct an independent external review, under the supervision of WIPO’s External Auditor, the Swiss Federal Audit Office, into allegations concerning WIPO.

"While the report makes a number of recommendations to the Organization, it does not support any of the allegations made in the news media. The report makes absolutely clear that "we cannot conclude that certain employees of WIPO and third parties concerned might have committed any fraud or dishonest acts." The report suggests that the recommendations of the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit on practices in respect of staff matters and the External Auditor’s recommendations on project management should be implemented.

"The WIPO secretariat has already implemented most of the relevant recommendations made by the Joint Inspection Unit and the External Auditor, as reported to the WIPO member states at their annual meetings in September-October 2005.

"This report brings to an end the recent allegations and unfounded attacks on the Organization that have appeared in a few news media."

However, speaking to the Associated Press on Thursday, Brooks Robinson, spokeswoman for the US Mission to the United Nations, announced:

"We note that (the) Swiss authorities are still investigating the allegations, and it's important to allow that investigation to be concluded before we reach any judgement about accused wrongdoers."

She went on to allege that the E&Y report "makes it clear that management weaknesses at WIPO do make it possible for financial irregularities to be committed".

WIPO was accused of financial irregularities and mismanagement in connection with various projects, and concerns were additionally raised by the US and other governments over the use of WIPO resources to build a swimming pool on director-general, Kamil Idris's property.

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