[CS Bureau] Next GFC Meetings

Sat Jun 25 22:49:15 BST 2005

Dear CSB menbers, Dear Adam & Renate

>> What have been the motives of this non-inclusive decision ?

> 
> I think it would be helpful if someone (I think probably Renata best 
> situated) spoke with the WSIS secretariat and Mr. Karklins and asked why.

I believe that before engaging in grandiose drafting,
   we should know not only
the facts but the inner motives.
It is needed for responsbile action.

What is currently annonced on the ITU sites are the following dates :
Fifth meeting*
27 June 2005, Geneva (Switzerland) 	
Sixth meeting
4 July 2005, Geneva (Switzerland)
Seventh meeting
11 July 2005, Geneva (Switzerland)
*Meeting open to representatives from GFC Members and observers from 
governments.
Nothing is said concerning CS participation to GFC6 and GFC7

According to Renate:

-------------------------------
 > However, during the ITU (so-called open) Consultation on follow up on 
 > 2 May (not officially part of the WSIS process) those of us who were 
 > >there demanded quite strongly to have official consultations within 
WSIS
 > on follow up for all stakeholders.
Yes indeed, I may witness this, and I have more things to add
to the report made by CONGO, but I am too busy now.

 > The Governmental Bureau then decided to have another round of the 
GFC, beginning with the open meeting on June 13 (you all have received 
our notes), followed by three closed meetings June 27, July 4, July 11 
and another open meeting if needed on July 18.

 > When at the end of the June 13 meeting Karklins announced the next 
closed round on June 27, he mentioned that (as established for the GFC) 
other Governments could sit in as silent observers and (!) he would not 
throw out any silent CS representative, should any be there. Apparently 
there was another Bureau meeting during which this last part was revoked.

In fact, this was not so clear to me, and I would like
other attendees to confirm.
Karklins was more vague and spoke in terms of Civil Society
participation.
Let me remind everybody that previous "Open" GFC meetings were
meetings Civil Society could take part as speaking observers.
"Closed" meetings were completely closed.
Now, it seens that we are entering the twilight zone of
"Semi-closed"/"Semi-Open" meetings.
I have no objections that previously "Closed" GFCs meetings could
become open to some silent states observers. What I strongly object
is that there should no other "Open" GFCs meetings at all, at least
in a decent proportion,  33% to 50% seem acceptable, while
100% would seem unrealistic.
Now, it would be good that CS silent observers be
admitted in all the "Closed" meetings, I believe this was the exact
meaning of the remark of Karklins, and not that all next GFC meetings
be "semi-closed" with CS as silent observers.

 > So in general what we are now facing is not a new situation (throwing 
CS out) but rather the rebuke for Karklins who had tried his best to be 
more open to CS.

First I would like to have exact and official
  confirmation concerning the 4 and
11 July meetings.
If indeed the  4 and 11 July meetings are either closed or
semi-closed ( with no CS observers ) then it would be a new
and critical situation in the sense that it would be break with the
previous CFCs.

Now, lets us put in the shoes of the states that are no GFCs members,
paradoxically, few of their representatives are taking the floor
on Open Meetings, while mostly GFC members and CS representatives
are doing the talking. Are they unhappy ?

My feeling but,  is that the ITU and some other UN specialized agencies,
may be some states, are unhappy that the Civil Society is there to 
witness their fight for influence and for controlling the implementation
and followup, and even worse to become the arbiters.
Al this must be confirmed.

May be could Moncef bring also some lights on this.

At this stage, writing a grandiose letter full of excitement and 
indignation ( the Civil Society cliché )  to
Karklins is premature
and might be completely counterproductive because it would
highlight the rebuttal ( if any ) of Karlklins which would further
weaken his position.
Some states might say that Karklins has made promises without
asking the states.

I suggest that we must known exactly what our enemies are first,
and do not destablize our friends.
When this would have been done, we can then write a subtle
letter to Karklins praising our friends, while making
allusions to our enemies.

Concerning the CSB role, since we are dealing with procedural
manners, the CSB must show calm, responsible and resolute
leadership. So far Renata has been designated as the CSB liaison
officer with Viola as alternate. Since they are both in Geneva,
they should ask for a meeting with Karklins and Geiger to
have clarification and possibly negotiate a better deal
for the CS.

In summary, we need more information, if the informations
that were given by CONGO and Moncef are confirmed, then we
are facing a new situation, where we must identify our oponents
first. Renate and Viola should have a meeting with Karklins
and Geiger.

Best regards

Francis

> 
>> That the fight for power between ITU and UNESCO is too dirty to
>> be witnessed by innocent eyes ?
>>
>> That this was at the request of the UN specialized agencies
>> that notoriously less inclusive than the WSIS ?
>>
>> We would like to know the real motives of this most stupendous
>> decisions.
>>
>> Best regards
>>
>> Francis
>>
>>
>>> Dear all,
>>>
>>> In spite of what was proposed by President Karklins, during the GFC 
>>> Informal Consultation (13 June), the WSIS Bureau decided *not to 
>>> invite Civil Society observers to attend the next GFC meetings* (27 
>>> June, 4 July and 11 July 2005).
>>>
>>> These meetings will be open to representatives of GFC Members and 
>>> observers from governments *ONLY*.
>>>
>>> I just discussed this with Moncef Achour (ITU) who confirmed this 
>>> decision.
>>>

-- 

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