Iraq, counter-terrorism, the World Trade Organization, U.S. visa policy and intellectual property protection were just some of the topics discussed at a July 24 breakfast in Moscow with the U.S. Undersecretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs Alan Larson.

The breakfast, attended by dozens of business leaders, was hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia and sponsored by The PBN Company and our client, the Coalition for Intellectual Property Rights (CIPR).

Larson, a key player for U.S. economic issues involving Russia and the former Soviet Union, told the audience that the U.S. remains strongly supportive of Russia's accession to the WTO. "We [the U.S.] want to work on this issue just as quickly as the Russian side is able to work it," he said.

Larson stated that enforcing intellectual property rights is a key to Russia's economic reform. "You can't have an innovation-driven economy if you don't have strong protection of innovation and intellectual property. The United States has a strong commercial interest in this, but I think it is equally important to recognize that Russia has a very strong interest itself in having not just an acceptable level of intellectual property rights, but a world-class level of intellectual property protection."

During the Q&A, several U.S. business leaders raised the growing problem of obtaining U.S. visas for Russians traveling to the United States for business. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the U.S. Government made changes in processing visas for visitors that have caused lengthy delays for many Russians in obtaining a U.S. visa. The situation is expected to worsen, as of August 1, 2003, virtually all non-immigrant visa applicants worldwide will be required to appear in person before a U.S. consular officer.

Many business leaders cited examples of delays exceeding two to three months in obtaining visas for Russian business leaders and other citizens. Secretary Larson encouraged those in attendance to notify the U.S. Embassy of any difficulties that are preventing business people from making reasonable travel arrangements to the U.S.

In response, PBN Chairman and CEO Peter B. Necarsulmer underscored that U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow has been sensitive to the issue and volunteered PBN to work with the Embassy and AmCham to compile a report of problems encountered with the visa process. Secretary Larson welcomed the idea and pledged to work with Secretary of State Colin Powell to address the issue.

For a complete transcript of Secretary Larson's remarks, visit: http://www.amcham.ru/page.php?pageid=211624286558520

American Chamber of Commerce in Russia: http://www.amcham.ru