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

[Tim Ruiz]

Time is short to do a lot with this. Fortunately, it looks like David Gross
and Kim Holmes, and the US government in general, support the idea that
government should not be directly involved in the management of the
Internet. David especially has repeatedly spoken out against that idea in
favor or the private sector.

There may not be time to draft and adopt an RC position, and certainly not a
GNSO position, but perhaps we could post a statement here on this list and
let any registrar interested sign on to it, and then submit it to the ITAC.

I'd be happy to draft the initial copy and post it for comments.

Tim

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-registrars at gnso.icann.org
[mailto:owner-registrars at gnso.icann.org] On Behalf Of Elana Broitman
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 11:41 AM
To: registrars at dnso.org
Subject: [registrars] RE: WSIS Business Registration Requested - ONE FURTHER
THOUGHT

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