This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS  ROME 002171 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
USDOC FOR 4220/ITA/MAC/EUR/DDEFALCO 
USDOC FOR 3133/USFCS/OIO/EUR/ESLETTEN/PBUCHER 
STATE FOR EB/TPP 
USTR FOR JAMES SANFORD 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD IT ECIP
SUBJECT: Commerce DAS Eric Stewart Visit to Rome 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED  NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION 
 
¶1. (U) Summary and Introduction.  On May 25, 2004, Deputy 
Assistant Secretary (DAS) of Commerce for Europe, Russia, 
and the Independent States Eric Stewart held discussions 
with Government of Italy (GOI) counterparts and met with 
local business representatives on trade and market access 
and compliance issues of intellectual property rights 
(IPR), pharmaceutical pricing, and the Trans-Atlantic 
Business Dialogue (TABD). 
 
 
¶2. (U) DAS Stewart met with representatives of the Prime 
Minister's Office; Ministry of Productive Activities 
(Foreign Trade); Ministry of Economy and Finance (Treasury 
Police); Ministry of Culture; Business Software Alliance 
and film and music industry; and pharmaceutical company Eli 
Lilly.  In addition, DAS Stewart was interviewed by Italy's 
business magazine "Italia Oggi" (Italy Today).  During his 
meetings, DAS Stewart raised the issue of the Trans- 
Atlantic Barrier-Free Marketplace, which has been discussed 
informally among several Atlantic trade partners. 
 
¶3. (SBU) DAS Stewart expressed U.S. concerns about IPR 
enforcement and the lack of dialogue between the 
pharmaceutical industry and GOI Ministries.  The visit 
helped to underscore U.S. Government (USG) interest in 
resolving outstanding market and compliance problems with 
Italy and to strengthen contact with host government 
officials on trade and business issues of common interest. 
End Summary and Introduction. 
 
¶4. (U) Prior to his meetings with Italian officials, DAS 
Stewart met with Ambassador Mel Sembler and was briefed by 
members of the country team.  The DAS was accompanied to 
his meetings by officers and staff of the Economic and 
Commercial Sections. 
 
-------------------------------- 
ELI LILLY PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (U) Karim Bitar, General Manager, Eli Lilly Italy, and 
Augusto Ciampi, Corporate Affairs Director, briefed DAS 
Stewart on the Italian business environment, based on their 
company's active involvement in the Rome-based Italian- 
American Pharmaceutical Group (IAPG), whose role is to 
facilitate U.S.-Italian dialogue on pharmaceutical matters. 
The Eli Lilly representatives reported that executives from 
their U.S. headquarters will meet with Ministry of Health, 
and possibly other, officials on/about June 10 on the issue 
of GOI investment policy. 
 
¶6. (U) Like other U.S. pharmaceutical companies, Eli Lilly 
wishes to increase its dialogue with the Italian 
Government.  Although the firm meets regularly with the 
Ministry of Health, Eli Lilly believes that contact with 
the Ministry of Economy and Finance and other agencies is 
also necessary.  Eli Lilly maintains that GOI influence 
over pharmaceuticals is spread thin among various agencies 
and that discussions in Italy could be more informed. 
Embassy officers noted that upcoming local and European 
Parliament elections may have politicized recent 
discussions on pharmaceuticals. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Over the long term, Eli Lilly is interested in 
investing about $250 million in its Italy operations, which 
would create 400-800 new jobs locally.  However, there are 
disincentives such as unfavorable tax rates and rigid price 
controls, which constrain the company's ability to reinvest 
its earnings in research and development (R&D) and 
innovate.  (Normally the company seeks to invest about 20 
percent of what it earns from its sales.)  Eli Lilly would 
urge Italian authorities to let patient/customer needs and 
science drive its pharmaceuticals policy.  As an example, 
the company representatives cited the delay in bringing to 
the local market new, effective drugs that counter 
osteoporosis and cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. 
 
¶8. (U) Eli Lilly officers also complained that, in Italy, 
the Regions pay 40 percent of pharmaceuticals overspending, 
while the pharmaceutical industry pays 60 percent.  They 
said that there is no "payback" system like this in the 
world and called for a more equitable sharing of costs. 
They also regretted that Italy is the only country in 
 
Europe that does not have a "co-payment" system.  This, 
according to them, contributes to the escalation of health 
care costs and complicates Minister of Economy and Finance 
Giulio Tremonti's efforts to contain central government 
spending.  In addition, in Italy, unlike in the United 
States, generic (in contrast to patented) drugs are not 
popular.  They noted that, within the IAPG, a full 
alignment on how to promote cost-saving generics remains 
difficult. 
 
¶9. (U) DAS Stewart responded that the American 
Pharmaceutical Association, or Pharma, whose interests are 
represented by the IAPG in Italy, continues to explore with 
the USG establishing a U.S.-Italian bilateral working group 
to address the issues above.  He agreed to discuss 
industry's concerns with the GOI.  He encouraged Eli Lilly 
to continue to engage the Health Ministry and noted that, 
in many other European countries, such positive contact 
with the Ministry of Health is not possible.  DAS Stewart 
also said that public misperceptions of the pharmaceutical 
industry hinder company efforts and urged that the company 
and the industry in general emphasize their contributions 
to good governance and corporate stewardship (e.g., in 
African nations). 
 
-------------------------- 
ITALIA OGGI BUSINESS DAILY 
-------------------------- 
 
¶10. (U) DAS Stewart was interviewed by Giampiero Di Santo, 
business editor of "Italia Oggi" (Italy Today), Italy's 
widely-circulated business daily.  (A translation of the 
interview, which was published in the daily's Saturday, May 
29, issue, will be transmitted separately.)  DAS Stewart 
alluded to the importance and breadth of U.S.-Italian 
relations, confirmed by the recent visit of Prime Minister 
Silvio Berlusconi to the United States.  DAS Stewart said 
that the USG wishes to resolve the few remaining 
differences on this front, as they represent billions of 
dollars and euros in missed business opportunities.  He 
stated that reducing barriers and merging standards will 
bring Americans and Italians significant, tangible 
benefits. 
 
¶11. (U) Asked about the U.S. Foreign Sales Corporation 
(FSC) policy and its deleterious effect on U.S.-E.U. trade 
relations, DAS Stewart replied that legislation is moving 
forward in the U.S. Congress.  He expressed optimism that 
the issue will soon be resolved to everyone's benefit.  He 
also pointed out that this issue is bigger than just FSC 
and that tax legislation of any kind is never easy to pass. 
 
¶12. (U) The business editor inquired about American-Italian 
and U.S.-European trade priorities.  DAS Stewart underlined 
the USG commitment to safeguard IPR, and noted Italy's 
interest in protecting its great cultural heritage and 
innovation.  He explained how IPR protection can positively 
protect jobs, increase tax revenues, and reward creativity. 
He also maintained that the U.S.-Italian trade 
relationship, already robust, can be further expanded, for 
example, in the pharmaceuticals sector. 
 
¶13. (U) In addition, DAS Stewart described the goals of the 
Trans-Atlantic Business Dialogue, citing, inter alia, the 
advantages of creating common international accounting 
standards, "one set of books," which would greatly enhance 
business services.  Lastly, he reiterated the importance 
that the United States places on World Trade Organization 
negotiations and infrastructure and container security to 
foster trade. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
BUSINESS SOFTWARE AND MUSIC AND AUDIOVISUAL INDUSTRY 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶14. (U) DAS Stewart met at the Embassy with Simona 
Lavagnini, Attorney, ALGV Avvocatti (representing the 
Business Software Alliance, or BSA); Enzo Mazza, Director 
General, Italian Music Industry Federation (Federazione 
Industria Musicale Italiana, or FIMI); and Luciano 
Daffarra, Secretary General, Anti-Piracy Audiovisual 
Federation (Federazione Anti-Pirateria Audiovisiva, or 
FAPAV) to review the Italian business environment with 
respect to IPR. 
 
¶15. (U) The industry representatives told DAS Stewart that 
IPR enforcement remains a problem at the judicial level 
because of the slow pace in processing cases and a tendency 
not to jail egregious violators (reportedly more than 90 
percent of prison time is suspended).  The representations 
claimed that, thanks to new, solid legislation, judges have 
the means to apply stiff penalties, but are not doing so. 
They gave the police high marks, but said that time devoted 
to anti-piracy efforts was insufficient.  The Guardia di 
Finanza, or Treasury Police, can only raid so often. 
 
¶16. (U) The software, film, and music representatives 
stated that the GOI has issued helpful press releases, 
including from the Prime Minister's Office, and will 
soon 
embark on an IPR leaflet campaign to increase public 
awareness.  Unfortunately, a disconcertingly large number 
of Italians continue to think that buying illegal CDs is 
all right.  Apparently, blank CDs enter Italy from East 
Asia legally, but are then used to "burn" music or programs 
illegally.  Broadband communication is expected to increase 
by 200 percent per year, which will exacerbate the problem. 
Another area of continuing concern is the length of time 
required to obtain waivers from stickering requirements for 
software. 
 
¶17. (U) In sum, the industry representatives were positive 
about existing legislation (except for that pertaining to 
trademarks, which dates back to 1922) and enforcement, but 
expressed concerns about the judicial process. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
MINISTRY OF PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES (FOREIGN TRADE) 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶18. (U) At his meeting with Amedeo Teti, Director General 
(DG) for International Trade, Ministry of Productive 
Activities), DAS Stewart echoed USG appreciation for the 
GOI's steadfast support in the war against terrorism and in 
creating a stable and prosperous Iraq.  The DAS said he was 
fortunate to have attended the recent dinner in Washington 
hosted by the Sons of Italy in honor of Prime Minister 
Berlusconi and was moved by the latter's remarks on the 
vitality of U.S.-Italian ties.  DG Teti remarked on the 
closeness and resilience of American and Italian relations 
and observed that there are more than 25 million Italian- 
Americans. 
 
¶19. (U) On IPR protection, DAS Stewart called for a 
redoubling of U.S. and Italian efforts, given its 
implications for tax revenues, commercial sales, and each 
nation's cultural patrimony.  He suggested building on 
recent progress spurred by bilateral educational 
conferences and training of judges. 
 
¶20. (SBU) DG Teti hoped that political leaders could do 
more to encourage understanding of the need for IPR 
protection, but noted difficulties in bridging cultural 
gaps.  For example, the GOI remains concerned about 
"agropiracy" and thus is pushing for international 
recognition of geographic indicators (GIs), although, he 
detected, the USG does not see a problem in this regard. 
DG Teti believes that IPR matters should be raised from a 
technical to a political level and that the timing is right 
for a joint "commission" to elevate them to their proper 
place.  "Would the Italian Government be willing to invest 
more financial resources" in such an undertaking," DAS 
Stewart asked?  Because of the link between IPR and 
national R&D capabilities, "yes," replied DG Teti. 
 
¶21. (SBU) When asked about the apparent lack of penalties 
for IPR crimes, DG Teti said that judges do not understand 
that such transgressions are not "victimless."  He again 
recommended that the IPR issue be handled as a political 
one and that political leaders, not just judges, receive 
training on the various dimensions of IPR. 
 
¶22. (U) On pharmaceuticals, DAS Stewart voiced concern 
about the perceived lack of access by American companies to 
Italian authorities and regulators, citing cases in which 
innovative makers of new drugs could have benefited Italian 
consumers markedly, but were hampered by delays of 10-17 
months.  He also stated that one American firm wishes to 
invest a quarter of a billion dollars, but is concerned 
about investment disincentives that exist in the Italian 
market.  DG Teti, with some sympathy to DAS Stewart's 
 
point, said Ireland's own exports had burgeoned, thanks to 
the exports of U.S. pharmaceutical firms that had invested 
in Ireland.  DG Teti asked if he could be provided with 
practical, or pilot, cases/examples to bring to the 
attention of his government contacts to determine where 
U.S. firms are encountering problems in finalizing their 
investment plans in Italy. 
 
¶23. (U) Turning to the TABD, DAS Stewart asked how trade 
partners such as the United States and Italy might get the 
European Commission to accelerate a reduction of barriers. 
DG Teti believes that a "bilateral" (i.e., U.S.-Italian) 
system could help, given the difficulty in coordinating 
E.U. policies and regulations.  He also finds merit in 
individual country efforts, such as Spain's recent move to 
reduce the value-added tax on media products from 20 
percent to four percent. 
 
--------------- 
TREASURY POLICE 
--------------- 
 
¶24. (U) General Nino Di Paolo, Chief of Staff, Treasury 
Police (Guardia di Finanza), received DAS Stewart at the 
group's headquarters with an honor guard.  General Di Paolo 
said that illegal activities have grown more complex, 
posing serious challenges to financially-constrained law 
enforcement entities. (For example, cigarette smugglers 
have turned to piracy.)  Nonetheless, the GOI is better 
prepared to meet these.  He applauds new, more effective 
legislation, which, together with directives from Economy 
and Finance Minister Tremonti, gives enforcers more tools 
to counter illegal activities.  His agency has also 
undergone a reorganization, a reflection of the importance 
that the GOI attaches to IPR enforcement.  He also welcomes 
Italians' new attitude toward IPR:  they better understand 
the need for enforcement. 
 
¶25. (U) General Di Paolo noted that, for the first time, 
the Guardia di Finanza is assigning officers to Italian 
diplomatic missions, beginning in Washington.  This, he 
said, is consistent with the will of Parliament.  He 
welcomes intelligence sharing and cooperation with the USG 
on container security. 
 
¶26. (U) DAS Stewart thanked the Guardia di Finanza for its 
outstanding contributions to anti-piracy efforts and 
stressed the importance of educating the public on the 
interrelationships among criminal elements, including those 
who counterfeit products in violation of IPR laws.  He said 
that, as a result of piracy, both the United States and 
Italy are losing billions of dollars in potential revenues, 
which might be used to improve public welfare. 
 
¶27. (SBU) The General placed a premium on not just 
countering criminal organizations, but also teaching 
citizens that "cloning" someone else's work without 
permission has deleterious consequences.  He urged "360- 
degree" education, engaging all government ministries. 
When asked whether GOI agencies had encountered software 
piracy problems, the General responded that a project on 
this serious question has been undertaken previously for 
all public administration to ensure compliance with the 
norms and that all software use is "legitimate." 
 
¶28. (U) With respect to the lack of significant jail time 
or fines for IPR crimes, General Di Paolo indicated that it 
is a matter that Parliament, which reflects popular 
beliefs, needs to address.  He also prefers "fiscal" rather 
than "criminal" penalties in such cases, given law 
enforcement's funding limitations.  What matters for each 
country, he said, is to achieve the ultimate goal of IPR 
protection, even if it is by different means. 
 
----------------------- 
PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE 
----------------------- 
 
¶29. (SBU) DAS Stewart met with Mauro Masi, Deputy Secretary 
General (DSG), Office of the Prime Minister, for a wide- 
ranging discussion on trans-Atlantic commerce.  DAS Stewart 
highlighted the "barrier-free trade initiative" as one of 
Secretary of Commerce Don Evans's top priorities and 
 
SIPDIS 
mentioned that the Irish, Danish, Dutch, British, and 
Swedish Governments have expressed interest in it. 
 
However, due to political sensitivities, European 
governments, and both business communities, rather than the 
USG, should be seen as driving such an initiative.  DAS 
Stewart also said that the TABD has embraced the idea and 
will raise this issue at the upcoming U.S.-E.U. Summit.  He 
said that harmonization of standards (e.g., in accounting) 
and regulations should be a central focus of the United 
States and Europe, given their large impact on trade.  The 
above would be consistent with the goals of the Doha round 
of international trade negotiations and E.U. Lisbon 
conference on competitiveness goals. 
 
¶30. (SBU) DSG Masi expressed keen interest in the barrier- 
free trade initiative and in the TABD recommendations.  He 
asked for background on U.S. recommendations and said that 
he will bring them to the attention of Under Secretary 
Gianni Letta (Prime Minister's Office), Minister of Foreign 
Affairs Franco Fratini, and Minister of Economy and Finance 
Tremonti. 
 
¶31. (U) DAS Stewart reiterated the need to solve remaining 
problems in the already strong U.S.-Italian commercial 
relationship, citing IPR enforcement and pharmaceuticals 
policy concerns.  DSG Masi explained that the systemic 
independence of judges accounts for the relatively small 
number of sentences and suggested that he will speak to 
Minister of Justice Roberto Castelli about USG concerns. 
He also recommended that the USG and GOI approach the 
Italian magistrates' association on this matter. 
Nonetheless, he thinks that law enforcement entities (the 
Defense Ministry's Carabinieri, the Interior Ministry's 
Polizia di Stato, and the Economy and Finance Ministry's 
Guardia di Finanza) are doing a great job, given their 
challenges and constrained human and financial resources. 
DSG Masi also said that Italy needs a law for IPR 
protection on the Internet. 
 
¶32. (SBU) Regarding USG concern about the lack of 
pharmaceutical companies' access to Italian agencies beyond 
the Health Ministry (DAS Stewart again noted that drug 
policy is not just a health issue, but also one with major 
fiscal implications), DSG Masi said that he can be 
contacted directly by the concerned firms and that he will 
seek to facilitate their access to other Ministries.  He is 
sensitive to American company interest in investing in 
Italy. 
 
------------------- 
MINISTRY OF CULTURE 
------------------- 
 
¶33. (U) Minister Fabio De Nardis, Diplomatic Adviser to the 
Minister of Culture, and Ornella Giustini and Giuseppina 
Spina, Office of Intellectual Property, briefed DAS Stewart 
on "historic," new Italian legislation, including the 
Urbani Law, named after Minister of Culture Giuliano 
Urbani.  They maintain that Italy is much more aware of the 
need to protect intellectual property and better equipped 
than before to fight piracy.  In keeping with new Italian 
laws and E.U. directives, the Culture Ministry has also 
been reorganized. 
 
¶34. (SBU) DAS Stewart thanked the Ministry for its 
continuing support in emphasizing the seriousness of IPR 
violations and asked for its assistance in getting 
magistrates to make the connection between piracy and 
crime.  Italian laws appear to be strong, but need to be 
more widely enforced.  Asked what could be done to counter 
illegal products from China, DAS Stewart urged his 
interlocutors to encourage their Ministers to press E.U. 
counterparts.  The Ministry representatives also promoted 
the idea of establishing protections for all intellectual 
property on the Internet, with penalties for copyright 
violators.  Speaking of fines, the officials favor 
"administrative and monetary" over "criminal" penalties. 
 
¶35. (SBU) On business and game software, DAS Stewart 
indicated that, although American business appreciates the 
GOI's exemption from the onerous stickering (bollino) 
requirement, U.S. firms find waiver application procedures 
burdensome.  Moreover, American companies are concerned 
that their legitimate products are being seized by mistake 
after removal of duly obtained stickers. 
 
¶36. (SBU) Would the Ministry be willing to exempt American 
 
firms from this administrative procedure, DAS Stewart 
asked?  At first, the Ministry representatives implied that 
there is little they can do, given that IPR legislation is 
already in force.  However, later during the discussion, 
when DAS Stewart inquired whether the Ministry can meet 
with BSA to discuss the stickering issue, the officials 
were receptive and agreed to review any BSA position paper 
on this matter.  A significant and encouraging development, 
the officials reasoned that there is time and GOI 
willingness to look at the stickering issue again, given 
that the Ministry must draft implementing regulations. 
 
¶37. (SBU) At the end of the meeting, while the Ministry 
officials expressed satisfaction with anti-piracy progress, 
they also raised Italy's inclusion on the 301 Watch List 
with respect to IPR protection and industrial impact.  DAS 
Stewart and an Embassy officer assured them that the USG 
prepares the list after a careful and thoughtful 
interagency review. 
 
¶38. (U) This cable has been cleared by DAS Stewart. 
 
 
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 2004ROME02171 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED