WilkiLeak US cable about Microsoft and Tunisian Government

[D. Hugh Redelmeier]

<http://wikileaks.org/cable/2006/09/06TUNIS2424.html>

(This government has been overthrown, the first to fall in the Arab
Spring.)

I found this from 
<http://www.winrumors.com/microsoft-shared-windows-source-code-with-overthrown-tunisian-gov/>

Microsoft did a deal with the Tunisian government to ditch their 
open-source policy.

    "future GOT tenders for IT equipment will specify that the 
    equipment must be Microsoft compatible, which is currently 
    prohibited by the Tunisian open software policy. "

    "The fact that the government relied on open source software
    drastically limited business in Tunisia and prevented Microsoft
    from participating in GOT tenders."

    "even though Microsoft will be investing in Tunisia, the sum of
    investment will be lower than the cost of GOT purchases."

    "7. (C) Comment: Although the agreement has been hailed as a
    triumph for intellectual property rights, the negotiations and the
    brokered deal itself reveal a more complicated reality.  Microsoft
    was able to broker the final agreement by appealing to GOT
    unemployment sensitivities as well as by adapting to the realities
    of doing business in Tunisia.  Even as the goal of expanding
    employment opportunities for handicapped Tunisians is worthy, the
    program's affiliation with Leila Ben Ali's charity is indicative
    of the backroom maneuvering sometimes required to finalize a deal.
    Microsoft's reticence to fully disclose the details of the
    agreement further highlights the GOT emphasis on secrecy over
    transparency.  In theory, increasing GOT law enforcement
    capability through IT training is positive, but given heavy-handed
    GOT interference in the internet, Post questions whether this will
    expand GOT capacity to monitor its own citizens.  Ultimately, for
    Microsoft the benefits outweigh the costs.  End Comment."
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