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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-NZ link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>During the last month a number of people have commented to me<span style='color:#1F497D'> about the recent tone has some posts.</span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D'>It is important when we debate these issues to concentrate on issues and not personalities. It is easy to get distracted if there are personal comments about another contributor, which can sometimes lead to a trail of discussion on the problems between the individuals rather than the more important work. I have noticed such comments, and would ask contributors to think carefully before they criticise another person, or even use humour about that person. In my experience cross-cultural humour can be a risky course and not always understood by the recipient. I am always ready to discuss matters with individuals who feel concerned, and try to resolve these by mediation techniques. Such contact will always be confidential."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>I am happy to discuss this with anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'>Regards<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>Chris LaHatte<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>Ombudsman<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>Blog <a href="https://omblog.icann.org/"><span style='color:blue'>https://omblog.icann.org/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>Webpage <a href="http://www.icann.org/en/help/ombudsman"><span style='color:blue'>http://www.icann.org/en/help/ombudsman</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>Confidentiality<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-NZ'>All matters brought before the Ombudsman shall be treated as confidential. The Ombudsman shall also take all reasonable steps necessary to preserve the privacy of, and to avoid harm to, those parties not involved in the complaint being investigated by the Ombudsman.The Ombudsman shall only make inquiries about, or advise staff or Board members of the existence and identity of, a complainant in order to further the resolution of the complaint. The Ombudsman shall take all reasonable steps necessary to ensure that if staff and Board members are made aware of the existence and identity of a complainant, they agree to maintain the confidential nature of such information, except as necessary to further the resolution of a complaint<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>