09.07.11
Cablegate: Microsoft Uses Drug Addicts in Ski Lanka to Spread Microsoft, Liaises with American Chamber of Commerce to Change Laws (Updated)
Summary: Colonisation in Ski Lanka using Microsoft and the American Chamber of Commerce, who make the poor country dependent on American rules and proprietary/non-free software from America
IN THE FOLLOWING promotional Cablegate cable (remember that these are US officials in foreign countries), Microsoft is described as using miserable people to spawn new ‘microdrones’, i.e. people whose main skill is serving the Microsoft monopoly, with supposed knowledge in “computers” (Windows). The same type of thing is done to turn teachers in Ski Lanka into 'microdrones' and last but not least, the abhorrent front group known as Chamber of Commerce helps Microsoft change Ski Lanka’s law to be more in alignment with the conqueror, the United States. This is consistent with what we have seen in other countries; the embassies and consulates use Microsoft to expand their empire and made foreign countries assimilated even when it is against their interests (e.g. being dependent on proprietary software from another country). Here is the promotional cable:
VZCZCXRO5985 RR RUEHBI RUEHLMC DE RUEHLM #0852/01 1660321 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 150321Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6272 INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1098 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0208 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 7191 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 5298 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 2204 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 7777 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 5437 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2130 RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000852 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EEB/EPPD NSMITH-NISSLEY AND SCA/INS DOL/ILAB FOR TINA MCCARTER MCC FOR S. GROFF, D. TETER, D. NASSIRY AND E. BURKE TREASURY FOR LESLIE HULL GENEVA PASS USTR FOR EEB ASSISTANT SECRETARY SULLIVAN FROM AMBASSADOR BLAKE E.O 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON, BEXP, ETRD, ELAB, KSEP, SENV, AMGT, CE SUBJECT: SRI LANKA - NOMINATION OF MICROSOFT FOR CORPORATE EXCELLENCE AWARD REF: A) STATE 47222 B) COLOMBO 754 1. I am pleased to nominate Microsoft-Sri Lanka for the Secretary's Award for Corporate Excellence in the multinational enterprise category. While meeting all eligibility requirements for this award, Microsoft-Sri Lanka has demonstrated outstanding corporate citizenship by enabling reformed drug addicts to obtain better jobs through information and communication technology (IT) training. It has helped contribute to the advancement of Sri Lanka's scientific and technology policies by conducting seminars for developing IT-enhanced curricula and counseling students in their career paths. Microsoft-Sri Lanka has contributed to rule of law by sponsoring an intellectual property rights (IPR) training program for judicial officials. CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP: EXPANDING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND OBJECTIVES OF EX-DRUG ADDICTS 2. In 2005-06, Microsoft-Sri Lanka partnered with the Sri Lanka Anti Narcotics Association (SLANA) to attempt to integrate ex-drug users back into society, by providing them with IT skills to facilitate employability. Microsoft donated $113,000 to help SLANA set up three centers and directly train 400 people. This project is designed to positively influence over 1,500 people over two years. The plan has already begun working. A 25-year old former heroin addict wrote that the program "made me realize that I could pursue numerous avenues...I further understood what I could do with the support of new technology." A 20-year old ex-drug user who completed the program wrote, "I realized that there is a world beyond drugs. [The program] exposed me to many things I could do in life. It also created a special interest in computers." CONTRIBUTING TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL POLICIES: CURRICULUM REDESIGN AND IT TRAINING; PROMOTING IT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES 3. Sri Lanka has identified IT as a potential growth sector, and seeks to encourage its growth. In Sri Lanka, mainly upper-class urban residents have access to the Internet, while rural communities are left without IT training or access - tools that are essential for economic advancement in today's world. In 2004-05, Microsoft-Sri Lanka provided a grant of $110,000 to set up 12 telecenters island-wide, to enable rural youth to access IT and to receive training. Microsoft estimates that the grant has trained 3,500 young people, and affected the lives of an additional 10,000 people. 4. In 2006, Microsoft-Sri Lanka urged and coordinated with other IT companies, including IBM, HP, IDM, and Suntel, to contribute to the development of four rural IT projects. This practice has evolved into a Global Best Practice for Microsoft, which has adopted it in over a dozen countries within the past year. 5. Microsoft-Sri Lanka also identified the need to reduce "fear of technology" among Sri Lanka's teachers. The company, together with the Ministry of Education, launched the National Teacher PC Drive, aimed at enabling 50,000 teachers to own PCs. It provided several subsidies for this initiative, including provision of free training to any teacher who buys a PC, and free lesson plans. Approximately 6,900 teachers have received this training delivered by the company, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. This represents a total classroom size of approximately 332,000 students. 6. Microsoft-Sri Lanka co-sponsored with USAID/Sri Lanka a job fair in June 2007. The fair featured prominent Sri Lankan local and internationally based businesses, seminars on applying for jobs and where opportunities lie in the job market, and counseling services on how to interview and which technical fields are most appropriate for the skills of the students. One of the 900 student participants commented that this job fair provided him with more knowledge and practical experience about the job market than all of his years of education combined. COLOMBO 00000852 002 OF 002 CONTRIBUTING TO RULE OF LAW: JUDICIAL TRAINING IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS 7. Microsoft-Sri Lanka partnered with the local American Chamber of Commerce in a multi-pronged intellectual property rights campaign. In addition to its non-publicized financial contributions to a public-awareness component of the campaign, Microsoft staff conducted training on Sri Lanka's Intellectual Property Act and the importance of IPR enforcement for judiciary staff who rule on intellectual property rights cases. One American Chamber of Commerce member reported a significant increase in the size of fines imposed on IPR violators following the training. Due to the success of this program, Microsoft executives have expressed interest in supporting continuing training programs within the court system. Additionally, the Embassy requested funding (Ref B) to support continuation of this program. BLAKE
When they write “IT TRAINING” and “IT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES” they actually refer to helping Microsoft. █
Update: The same US-backed, self-congratulatory ‘honour’ can be seen emerging in Brazil as well. it’s very promotional and they also use kids for their marketing. One cable (advertisement) goes like this:
VZCZCXRO8659 PP RUEHRG DE RUEHBR #1131/01 1691742 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 181742Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRASILIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9268 INFO RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO 0161 RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 4605 RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 6823 UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRASILIA 001131 SIPDIS EB/CBA FOR SMITH-NISSLEY RM FOR PINEDA WHA/EPSC FOR SALAZAR SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON, BEXP, ELAB, ETRD, BR SUBJECT: AMEMBASSY BRASILIA NOMINATES FORD AND MICROSOFT BRAZIL FOR THE SECRETARY'S 2007 CORPORATE EXCELLENCE AWARD (MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISE CATEGORY) 1. (U) Based upon their leadership and commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), Ambassador Sobel nominates the U.S. multinational companies Ford and Microsoft Brazil, as representatives of the 50 U.S. multinational companies that support the U.S. Embassy Brazil CSR Initiative, for the Secretary's 2007 Corporate Excellence Award. 2. (U) Begin Text of Award Nomination In October 2006, the U.S. Ambassador, together with Microsoft, Ford, and a select group of American companies founded a U.S. Mission Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, aimed at leveraging the assets of U.S. companies doing business in Brazil. This initiative, which has expanded and now brings together 50 U.S. companies, has focused on encouraging CSR partnerships and joint investments while increasing the visibility and recognition of U.S. development efforts overseas. It has shown that partnerships have the power to increase both the effectiveness and efficiency of public and private sector development assistance. This whole effort began when the U.S. Mission in Brazil sponsored a CSR roundtable, in conjunction with 31 U.S. companies in Brazil and the Sao Paulo American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham). That represented the first step towards the development of an innovative Public/Private-based model for corporate social responsibility. However, none of this would have been possible without the commitment of the movement's principal private sector leaders: both Microsoft and Ford Brazil. These two companies chair initiative's two main committees: visibility (Ford) and partnership (Microsoft). Accordingly, the Ambassador nominates the U.S. multinational companies Ford and Microsoft Brazil, representing the group of the 50 U.S. multinational companies that currently support this initiative. Their exemplary efforts in guiding this group have been key to making this campaign a best practice to be replicated worldwide. -------------------------- ----------------------------- Corporate Citizenship and Exemplary Employment Practices -------------------------- ------------------------------ The group of 50 companies sponsors a wealth of social responsibility projects, in such diverse fields as education, the environment, and health. Combined annual investments are estimated at $250 million (cash) and another $250 million in in-kind contributions. Additionally, 48 of these companies support a volunteer network of over 100,000 individuals. Their 200+ projects benefit all of the 26 Brazilian states and the country's Federal District. Specifically, the group has: -- Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the AmCham to promote employment of "Youth Ambassadors" - a U.S. Embassy-funded program targeting young leaders from low income families/schools across the country that has produced outstanding results. Over fifteen companies are now in the process of hiring several Youth Ambassadors. -- Collaborated in the establishment of the U.S.-Brazil Higher Education Program, yet another example of the power of partnerships. This program, jointly funded by Ford, Microsoft, and the USG, aims at revitalizing vocational education. This effort has been welcomed by the Government of Brazil's Ministry of Education and is already serving as a model of how industries and governments can cooperate to meet social and economic needs in a sustainable way. -- Sponsored a highly-regarded speech/media event, featuring noted economist Jeffrey Sachs, for companies participating in the initiative. We have invited Microsoft CEO Bill Gates as the next speaker. Several other activities are currently being designed under the CSR Initiative and will be launched soon. These include: -- the design of a CSR Challenge Fund, which will combine USG and private sector resources for programs in youth employability, entrepreneurship, and the environment; -- the development of a CSR Best Practices Catalogue; -- a survey of member companies on their individual CSR activities and willingness to partner with the Mission and others (this series of surveys resulted in a matrix of CSR activities by member companies); -- a volunteer day during which Consulate Sao Paulo personnel can participate in community activities (planned for July 2007); and BRASILIA 00001131 002 OF 002 -- a CSR Workshop, which would bring together the 50 member companies with speakers from local/international institutions such as the Rockefeller Foundation and the Kellogg Foundation. ------------------------- ------------------------------- Contribution to the Overall Growth and Development of the Local Economy. -------------------------- ------------------------------ Member companies are highly committed to the development of the Brazilian economy. -- the group of 50 directly employs an estimated 1 million workers; -- they lead several value chains in Brazil across the entire economy; -- the combined annual income of this group is estimated at US$100 billion; -- their presence in Brazil is on average 50 years. Companies like Ford have been responsible for the development of an entire industry; -- newcomers such as Microsoft have taken the lead in key areas such as education. Many of these companies have established policies to promote minority suppliers, and the group is working towards institutionalizing the following new activities: -- the implementation of a minority suppliers development program. This work will be launched in August during the visit of the head of the American Minority Suppliers Development project. -- there are several ongoing initiatives related to responsible sourcing, including a partnership between the U.S. Embassy and Wal-Mart to source fair-trade coffee from Brazilian small farmers. -- In addition, work is proceeding on the design of an innovative minority suppliers development program focusing on cooperatives of people living with HIV. --------------------------- ------------------------- Development of Competitive and Innovative Activities --------------------------- ------------------------- Other group activities aimed at fostering competitiveness and innovation include: -- the development of a report to measure the combined social and economic impact of the CSR projects supported by the U.S. corporate sector in Brazil; -- planning for a joint volunteer day to take place in August 2007; -- the design of a public outreach web site within the U.S. Embassy Brasilia portal; and -- various CSR-related meetings and planning sessions to take place in CY 2007. End Text of Award Nomination Sobel
Here is another bit of promotion of the company from around the same time in Hanoi. Watch how US diplomats serve as Microsoft de facto PR agents:
VZCZCXRO8620 RR RUEHHM DE RUEHHI #1451 2251734 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 131734Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY HANOI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6089 INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 3526 UNCLAS HANOI 001451 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MLS AND EEB/EPPD NSMITH-NISSLEY USDOC FOR 4431/MAC/AP/OPB/VLC/HPPHO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT, BEXP, ECON, ELAB, ETRD, KSEP, SENV SUBJECT: DUE DILIGENCE: MICROSOFT 2007 AWARD FOR CORPORATE EXCELLENCE REF: STATE 109403 1. (SBU) Could there possibly be any downside or embarrassment caused by the selection of your post's nominee? Embassy Vietnam is not aware of any information that might prove embarrassing to Post, to the U.S. Department of State, or to the USG with regard to the nomination of Microsoft for this award. 2. (SBU) Do you have any information concerning job creation in the United States resulting from the operations of the company you nominated? Microsoft had 20,561 employees in 1996. In 2007, the company employs over 76,000 employees worldwide with 46,700 employees in the United States. Microsoft is a leading software developer whose bread and butter is its intellectual property. By expanding its activities in Vietnam, it is promoting the export of U.S.-origin product, which creates jobs, directly and indirectly, in the United States. Just recently, Microsoft concluded an agreement with the Government of Vietnam (GVN) under which government offices will buy legitimate software from Microsoft for hundreds of thousands of computers. While this means a direct increase in sales for the company, Microsoft's success has wider implications for all U.S. IPR interests because it shows the GVN can improve the situation for IPR when there is political will. 3. (SBU) What is your assessment of the company's trade and investment activities with regard to helping stimulate economic growth in the U.S. and increasing American exports (what is the U.S. content of its products)? In 2006, Microsoft earned $12.6 billion on global revenues of $44.28 billion. Microsoft is the world's leading software developer with products such as Microsoft Office, Windows XP, and Windows Vista. Founded in 1975, Microsoft has played a major role in establishing the global dominance of the U.S. software and information technology sectors. 4. (SBU) What is the state of labor conditions in the company's facilities and are workers unionized? Labor conditions are generally excellent for Microsoft Asia Pacific employees. Microsoft Vietnam employees are nonunion. The company has low employee turnover, pays high wages (typically $1000-$1500 per month for a mid-level manager), and has employee benefits that include health insurance, education reimbursement, and work/life balance considerations. 5. (SBU) Are you aware of any litigation pending in local courts involving the company? Post is not aware of any Microsoft-related litigation pending in local courts. 6. (SBU) Please confirm that the Chief of Mission and others involved in the nominating process do not hold shares of stock or have other financial interests in the company. Neither the Chief of Mission nor others involved in the nominating process hold shares of Microsoft stock or have other financial interests in the company. MARINE
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