09.07.11
Cablegate: Bill Gates Uses AIDS to Bring Microsoft Windows to Indonesia at Expense of Linux-based OLPC (Updated)
Summary: HIV/AIDS and avian influenza a back-door Trojan for a computer deal with Microsoft deal written all over it
USING malaria to attack GNU/Linux is not uncommon. Gates loves using “health” as an excuse to lobby politicians and then have them commit to Microsoft Windows at the same time. It’s a clever trick. If someone berates Gates for suppressing GNU/Linux adoption, then his PR people will accuse the critics of leading to deaths of people.
In what initially seems like another Cablegate cable about AIDS (see these two cables), there is actually a part which says that “The Ambassador requested a meeting with Bakrie after learning of his proposed February 5 visit to the Gates Foundation through a Microsoft contact.”
Notice how the Gates Foundation and Microsoft remain inseparable. Then it says: “Bakrie hopes that Microsoft can help Indonesia expand access to computers in schools and throughout the country. [...] software for one million computers. Bakrie also hopes Microsoft will use its contacts to help persuade other information technology companies to provide hardware. The Ambassador noted that Nicholas Negroponte leads One Laptop per Child and offered to help make contact.”
Well, we all know what Microsoft did to OLPC.
Here is the cable from 2008:
VZCZCXRO7588 RR RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #0126/01 0220921 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 220921Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7703 RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI//J07/CATMED/CAT// RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 8296 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1899 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1075 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 7717 UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000126 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, G/AIAG AND OES USAID FOR ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL DEPT ALSO PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/ABHAT/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH GENEVA FOR WHO/HOHMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO, AMED, CASC, EAGR, AMGT, PGOV, ID, SUBJECT: BAKRIE DESCRIBES GATES FOUNDATION AGENDA REF: Jakarta 68 1.(SBU) Summary. Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Aburizal Bakrie told the Ambassador on January 21 that a five-member delegation planned to visit the Gates Foundation in Seattle on February 5 to discuss health concerns and Indonesia's interest in expanding access to computers. Bakrie noted that the Indonesian delegation would make presentations to the Foundation's Global Health Program on HIV/AIDS and avian influenza and may also discuss tuberculosis. The Ambassador described growing concerns about Indonesia's handling of avian influenza, noting that the Foundation may be more receptive to other health collaboration. Bakrie expressed interest in joining the delegation if the Foundation could change the date. End Summary. Proposed Visit to Gates Foundation ---------------------------------- 2. (SBU) The Ambassador requested a meeting with Bakrie after learning of his proposed February 5 visit to the Gates Foundation through a Microsoft contact. Bakrie told the Ambassador that the Indonesia government had exchanged letters with Dr. Tadataka Yamada, President of Global Health Program, and planned to send a five-member delegation to visit the Foundation on February 5. Bakrie explained that Indonesia is seeking programmatic support from both Microsoft and the Gates Foundation on computer and health concerns. Increasing Access to Computers ------------------------------ 3. (SBU) Bakrie hopes that Microsoft can help Indonesia expand access to computers in schools and throughout the country. Indonesia currently has one computer for every 1,000 people. With a goal of providing one computer for every 20 people, Indonesia will seek Microsoft assistance in providing software for one million computers. Bakrie also hopes Microsoft will use its contacts to help persuade other information technology companies to provide hardware. The Ambassador noted that Nicholas Negroponte leads One Laptop per Child and offered to help make contact. Health Challenges of AI, HIV/AIDS, and Tuberculosis --------------------------------------------- ------ 4. (SBU) Bakrie described Indonesia's planned presentations to the Foundation on both avian influenza and HIV/AIDS. The Ambassador noted that Indonesia and the Gates Foundation could benefit from a friendly but frank discussion of health issues. The Ambassador cautioned that the Gates Foundation may not be receptive to proposed collaboration on AI, noting growing international concerns about Indonesia's continued refusal to share samples while its avian influenza fatality rate is increasing and cases continue to occur in Tangerang, the district adjacent to the international airport. Bakrie noted that sample sharing would need to be worked out in accordance with Geneva talks and dismissed the severity of the AI problem, stating that tuberculosis is really the bigger crisis that continues to be ignored. The Ambassador encouraged Bakrie to raise tuberculosis concerns with the Foundation. Delegation Members ------------------ 5. (SBU) Bakrie expressed interest in joining the GOI delegation if the Foundation could change the date. Current members of the delegation include: -- Dr. Nafsiah Mboi, Secretary to the National AIDS Commission -- Dr. Broto Wasisto, Head of the Ministry of Health Committee on Drug Control -- Tantri Yuliandini, National AIDS Resource Center Coordinator -- Bayu Krisnamurthi, Executive Secretary, National Committee on Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness JAKARTA 00000126 002 OF 002 -- Dr. Heru Setijanto, Secretary, National Committee on Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness. HUME
Notice how Microsoft and AIDS somehow make it into the same cable. Is it about helping people or just corporations with patents (including those who sell very expensive drugs, not just Windows)? █
Update: Also see the following cable from around the same time. The subject is “Bill Gates Visits Indonesia for Global Leadership Forum”.
VZCZCXRO1698 PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #0927 1330653 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 120653Z MAY 08 ZFR FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8966 RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RUEAWJB/DOJ WASHDC RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 7778 UNCLAS JAKARTA 000927 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, G/AIAG, L/DL, EAP/EX, EB/CIP AND OES/IHA USAID FOR ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL DEPT ALSO PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH GENEVA FOR WHO/HOHMAN USDA/FAS/OSTA BRANT, ROSENBLUM USDA/APHIS ANNELLI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO, EAGR, KFLU, ECPS, AMGT, PGOV, ID SUBJECT: Bill Gates Visits Indonesia for Global Leadership Forum //////////////////ZFR/////////////ZFR//////// /ZFR PLEASE ZFR THE ABOVE JAKARTA MRN 927 IMI PLEASE ZFR THE ABOVE JAKARTA MRN 927 AND BLANK ALL ASSOCIATED MCN'S. MESSAGE WAS CANCELLED PER DRAFTER. MESSAGE WAS SENT IN ERROR. WE ZOB. //////////ZFR////////////////ZFR//////////ZFR HEFFERN
Here is another cable of interest. “Government Leaders Forum Asia” includes Bill Gates, even though he is not a government leader (or maybe he is a de facto one). Once again we see how HIV/AIDS and avian influenza are being used to help Microsoft.
VZCZCXRO1610 PP RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHJA #0932 1330854 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 120854Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8969 RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RUEAWJB/DOJ WASHDC RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 7779 UNCLAS JAKARTA 000932 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, G/AIAG, L/DL, EAP/EX, EB/CIP AND OES/IHA USAID FOR ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL DEPT ALSO PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH GENEVA FOR WHO/HOHMAN USDA/FAS/OSTA BRANT, ROSENBLUM USDA/APHIS ANNELLI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO, EAGR, KFLU, ECPS, AMGT, PGOV, ID SUBJECT: Bill Gates Attends Government Leaders Forum Asia 1. (U) During the May 8-9 Microsoft Government Leaders Forum (GLF) in Jakarta, Bill Gates praised President Yudhoyono for personally leading Indonesia's national committee on information technology and for setting ambitious goals. Gates said that while not all of Indonesia's goals in information technology will likely be achievable in current timeframes, having lofty goals in itself is a best practice as it serves as a driver towards achievement. Yudhoyono highlighted the USAID/MCC-supported E-Procurement system as an example of Indonesia's effort to promote electronic governance in order to streamline processes and improve transparency. Over 200 government leaders and private sector participants from other Asian countries attended the forum that focused on education, health and economic development. 2. (SBU) During the forum, Microsoft President Director for Indonesia Tony Chen told Embassy staff that hosting the GLF Conference in Jakarta was a boon to both Microsoft Indonesia and to the Indonesian government. He thanked Embassy staff for assistance, emphasizing the important role Ambassador Hume played in allaying Microsoft leadership's security concerns. Hume's trip to Redmond, Washington was one of the important factors in Microsoft's decision to hold the forum in Jakarta. 3.(SBU) On the sides of the forum, a Gates Foundation official queried Embassy staff on latest developments in avian influenza sample sharing and on recent Ministry of Health actions barring NAMRU-2 from receiving samples. He noted that Indonesian media had mischaracterized the Gates Foundation's interest in avian influenza assistance to Indonesia. The Gates Foundation was interested in working on new vaccine development technologies that would ultimately eliminate chronic global vaccine shortages years from now. The Foundation was not planning on specific assistance to Indonesia to develop an avian influenza vaccine. 4. (SBU) On May 9, Bill Gates spoke to 2,000 assembled government officials and students at a Presidential Lecture organized by the Kadin Secretariat. During the event, Gates recognized a student group from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) as the national of a Microsoft sponsored innovation competition and also announced that Universitas Pelita Harapan has been named the fifth Indonesian university that will host a Microsoft innovation center. HEFFERN
Michael said,
September 7, 2011 at 12:16 pm
“USING malaria to attack GNU/Linux is not uncommon.”
There goes the idea that Linux is immune to viruses.