Wipo in Geneva continues to draw fire

May 27, 2008
Geneva Lunch News 
Original Source: http://www.genevalunch.com/genevalunchrethink/2008/05/wipo-in-geneva.html
Geneva, Switzerland (Tribune de Geneve, Fre) - The Tribune today runs a detailed story about police visiting the Wipo (World Intellectual Property Organization) offices Monday to take DNA samples from the saliva of a dozen persons whose diplomatic immunity has been lifted. The newspaper notes at the end of the article that Wipo, the police and cantonal attorney Daniel Zappelli all refused to comment on - or verify or deny - what the Tribune calls a visit that was supposed to remain secret.
The DNA story is the latest in a long string of critical reports by journalists and internal gossip and innuendo that have plagued the organization for months. The DNA story relates to a series of malicious letters reportedly circulated internally, among managers, making accusations against Deputy Director General Francis Gurry and his wife, both lawyers from Australia. Gurry was nominated 13 May to succeed Kamil Idris as director general. His nomination will need confirmation in September from Wipo's general assembly. Idris has headed the organization since 1997, but his term is ending a year early.
The Swiss government has been in the lead in efforts by member countries to renew Wipo's management, saying the organization has lost credibility because of its management problems.