[registrars] RE: WSIS Business Registration Requested - ONE FURTHER THOUGHT

[Elana Broitman]

Next week in Geneva there is a preparatory meeting for WSIS.  It would also be effective to contact your governmental representatives who are going to be at this meeting and tell them that you are concerned about the language that is in the working documents under consideration that address Internet governance, ICANN, and the role of the ITU in the Internet.  

The delegates will be drafting changes in the working documents over next week, and the most contentious areas may be simply dropped out. If you agree with the concerns raised about WSIS or ITU encroachment, you should urge your government to express concern about including such language in the working documents.  

The actual WSIS which takes place in Geneva in December is likely to have documents already more or less finalized. That is the usual approach to summits of this nature.  I will keep you informed as I learn more. 

Regards,

Elana Broitman
Register.com
575 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Phone (212) 798-9215
Fax   (212) 629-9309
ebroitman at register.com 


-----Original Message-----
From: Elana Broitman 
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 11:27 AM
To: 'registrars at dnso.org'
Subject: FW: WSIS Business Registration Requested
Importance: High


Dear registrars - as you know, a UN body -the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) - has been working on issues regarding ICANN and whether or not the DNS should be governed by a new UN-based or other inter-governmental body, like the ITU.  Many of us believe that ICANN is the better alternative to a potentially bureaucratic and government-heavy alternative.  The concern is that an inter-governmental alternative may impose more or heavier requirements on our business, increasing our costs and impacting our business models.  WSIS will be meeting in Geneva on December 10-12, 2003 to work on language regarding DNS governship.  

It is important for the business community to weigh in to this government process.  The way to do this is to have your country's government accredit you as part of the country's business delegation.  The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has such recognition and can facilitate your registration if you contact the ICC office in your country.  In order to ensure that you can be accredited through ICC, you must indicate your interest in participating by no later than November 20, 2003.  

I am attaching two briefing notes to the private sector prepared by the WSIS Executive Secretariat which might be of assistance to you in your decision-making process.

Regards,

Elana Broitman