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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Thank you Philippe for sharing these notes with us. It is
very insightful to see what will happen to ITU in light of WSIS and the openness
to change. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Meanwhile, also thanks Jean-Louis Fullsack
for reminding us on the process (in the email before this) to
make changes at the ITU - i.e. through delegations and the Plenipot to have
the Constitution and Convention amended. This will indeed be a very interesting
year that may give a new window for more change to ITU. As you correctly pointed
out, the World Telecom Development Conference, is the once every four year
conference. For sure though, the WSIS results will and should impact the
delegates reviewing the next 4 year plan for ITU-D and so some interaction or
feedback process through delegations or otherwise may be useful. They do have
much to accomplish there though, reviewing the last 4 years and planning ahead,
so CS should give some thought to what inputs it would like to make to have it
"listened to".</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>WRT to the point raised on ITU-D, it may be
interesting for some to note that the concept for an ITU-D was only officially
adopted at 1989 Plenipot (before that they only had a technical cooperation
division, working mainly through UNDP) and only as a political compromise (many
delegates did not feel that ITU should be involved in development). This ITU-D
still struggles for wider financial support for its role in development
from especially the developed countries, and is usually asked to focus on
telecom infrastructure and regulatory development. I know they suffered a major
cut in budget at the last Plenipot. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Meanwhile, UNDP and other agencies have now also got
involved in bridging the digital divide (including the World
Bank). Keep in mind, ITU's real mandate used to be primarily to
focus on "interoperability and interconnectivity" (its founding values since
1865) and so it focused on infrastructure issues of quality of service,
standards, frequency coordination (not even allocation) etc and NOT content or
development(new Internet and ICT4D issues). It was the Maitland commission
report in 1984 and other pressures to "bridge the missing link" (it was called
back then, and yes, digital divide has a broader implication than missing
link) brought this "development" agenda into the ITU. So this is
still relatively new in the history of the ITU and it is not as fully funded or
"developed" as many developing countries would like it to be, and so it still
requires the support of other agencies and private sector to make projects
happen at a greater scale than they have monies for. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>I found it therefore interesting therefore to see most of
the comments from some government delegates was to limit CS to ITU-D.Perhaps
they don;t see CS having issues in ITU-T and ITU-R traditionally looking at
standards for telecom and radio. CS will therefore need to articulate this
better if it wants greater involvement. Funding overall for ITU also remains a
challenge compared to its past history, and it would indeed require a
creative mechanism to see how things go forward for CS involvement, e.g. fee
exemptions or ad hoc participation based on interest as suggested in the notes
below. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Bill noted that governments don;t seem to know what CS
needs are, and this could also be because they see ITU as an "infrastructure"
organisation focused on "interoperability and interconnectivity". Whilst there
is some "development of infrastructure work for the least developed
countries" , they may not be quite sure how and when CS would like to
be involved, perhaps, Yes, ITU is new to CS, I would say compared to their
working with private sector since its early days of formation back in
1865.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Meanwhile, also found Amb Klarkins statement to remind
that ITU should not be the only organisation to be involved in WSIS
follow-up. To large extent, each agency may need to focus on its core
competence and coordinate with the rest. If ITU widens its scope at WTDC or ITU
Plenipot, how will this be supported, impact and need coordination with others.
I know the others are already widening their mandates e.g. UNESCAP. For
sure each still needs to review and change to reflect new players and
new voices, to ensure that useful and effective solutions are brought about
for effective implementation.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Thanks again Philippe for sharing
this.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=694152518-02022006><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Laina</FONT> </SPAN></DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org
[mailto:plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>CONGO - Philippe
Dam<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, February 02, 2006 8:15 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
plenary@wsis-cs.org; bureau@wsis-cs.org<BR><B>Cc:</B>
rbloem@ngocongo.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> [WSIS CS-Plenary] ITU reform consultation
(1 Feb. 2006)<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Dear all,
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Please find below a summary of the
discussion during the consultation on ITU Reform (1 February 2006, ITU,
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City></st1:place>). With
regard to better inclusion of civil society in the work of the ITU and although
some delegations and Chairman Grin showed their reticence towards any change for
better inclusiveness, two ideas were brought into the
discussion:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 53.25pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2"><![if !supportLists]><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">-<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><![endif]><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Opening up of sector
membership within ITU-D to civil society with no or much lower fees (Private
sector, NGOs, and at the end of the meeting <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-LEFT: 53.25pt; TEXT-INDENT: -18pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2"><![if !supportLists]><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">-<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><![endif]><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">New modalities for
participation or consultation beyond / in addition to existing modalities for
ITU membership (NGOs, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Switzerland</st1:country-region>, <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Information on this meeting: <A
href="http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html">http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html</A><FONT
color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy">, <A
href="http://www.itu.int/reform">http://www.itu.int/reform</A>
</SPAN></FONT> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The on-line forum will remain open
to collect new ideas on this issue (<A
href="http://www.itu.int/jive/forum.jspa?forumID=428&start=0">http://www.itu.int/jive/forum.jspa?forumID=428&start=0</A>).
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Best
regards<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<DIV
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0cm; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0cm; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0cm; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 2.25pt double">
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Consultation on
ITU Reform<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">ITU Council WG on
WSIS<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">1 February
2006<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A few delegations expressed some
general comments at the beginning of the meeting. <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
mentioned that WSIS would impact on the evolution of ITU terms of reference. New
approaches should be considered for tackling WSIS action lines, and <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
insisted on the need to broaden ITU’s mandate to replicate all WSIS issues under
the ITU. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place> later on also stated that
Internet Governance issues should also be dealt with by the ITU. Ambassador
Karklins answered to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place> that ITU should focus on its
own mandate for themes and actions lines, though playing an important role in
the implementation and follow-up process, based on ITU Council Decisions. He
highlighted the need for deeper interactions to be established with civil
society, NGOs and the private sector. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on" ProductID="Renate Bloem"><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Renate
Bloem</SPAN></FONT></st1:PersonName><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> (Conference of NGOs) drew attention
to the last-minute possibility for some non-ITU member NGO representatives to
attend the meeting, stressing their willingness to also be much more deeply
involved in this overall reflection on ITU reform. <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>
answered that non State actors are already involved in the work of the ITU
through Sector membership for more than 600 entities, <I><SPAN
style="FONT-STYLE: italic">provided that they pay their dues</SPAN></I>.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">ITU
Vital Activities<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">There is quite an agreement to
recognise that, although ITU-T (Telecommunication Standardisation) and ITU-R
(Radio-communication) should not be abandoned, WSIS would have a strong impact
on the work of <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">ITU-D
(Development)</SPAN></B>, taking into account the provisions of WSIS outcomes
and reconsidering the structures of this sector. <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>
proposed that ITU-D should also deal with processing, in addition to
infrastructures, and stressed that ITU-D should be in charge of Action Line 5 on
security. <st1:country-region w:st="on">Vanuatu</st1:country-region> and
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Japan</st1:country-region></st1:place> stressed ITU-D role in bridging
the digital divide. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Canada</SPAN></FONT></st1:country-region><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place> pointed out the <B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">member driven</SPAN></B> approach and the importance
of ITU member inputs. <st1:country-region w:st="on">USA</st1:country-region> and
<st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region> mentioned that a
strong reference should be given to <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">paragraph
64 of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Geneva</st1:City></st1:place>
Declaration</SPAN></B> of Principles to define the up-coming core activities of
the ITU. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">ITU member Private Sector (Cisco
System, Compass Rose) and non-for-profit (AfriNIC) highlighted the need for more
strengthened <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">relationships with other
actors</SPAN></B> in the post-WSIS environment with private sector, small
companies, civil society and NGOs to increase the <B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">inclusiveness and cooperation</SPAN></B> in the vital
activities of the Union. On the question of membership fees, Compass Rose called
for more consideration to the financial situation of potential members: ITU-D is
a portal for sector members from developing countries, gender agencies, youth
organisations, so that a new participation approach should be made more
affordable for all and more efficient. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">ITU
activities that must be cutback</SPAN></FONT></I></B><FONT face=Arial
size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Only minor activities should be
abandoned, in line with the content of the ITU strategic, operational and
financial plan to be adopted at the next Plenipotentiary Conference. Lower
priority issues as established in this strategic plan would have to
automatically be abandoned by the ITU, depending on available resources.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Civil
society participation</SPAN></FONT></I></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The first delegations to take the
floor expressed their preference for a statu quo. Indeed <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>
mentioned that ITU is already open to all legal entities, and that non members
could also participate through their national delegations. <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>
proposed that all civil society should appear under the appellation of sector
members as well, with the same conditions for membership, including ITU rules
for fee exemption when applicable. Max-Henri Cadet, head of ITU External Affairs
Unit, clarified the various memberships and related fees (4.000 CHF for ITU-D
Sector members, 2.000 CHF for ITU-D associate members) and the conditions for
fees exemption (the entity must represent a specific value for the ITU), as well
as why it is a ‘<I><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic">good investment</SPAN></I>’
for civil society to become ITU member. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:PersonName w:st="on" ProductID="Renate Bloem"><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Renate
Bloem</SPAN></FONT></st1:PersonName><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> underlined the change which had
come to the ITU being the leading agency in the WSIS process and embracing the
new multi-stakeholder approach. This approach was the logical consequence of
former UN World Conferences of the 90ies, each time more open, reflecting thus a
change of mindset in society and to some extent of the UN, as pointed out by
Kofi Annan last week in Davos<FONT color=navy><SPAN
style="COLOR: navy">.</SPAN></FONT> The WSIS process had clearly raised the
expectations of CS to also engage with the ITU in all follow up mechanisms. In
order to do this the ITU needs to adopt some consultative arrangement with CS
similar to other agencies. Membership fees – even the lowest – are still out of
range for most of CS. The ITU, in wanting to help bridge the digital divide,
would gain from civil society expertise on the ground and also from technical
expertise in many areas. After WSIS it would be quite anachronistic for the ITU
to fall back into its old patterns. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Switzerland</SPAN></FONT></st1:country-region></st1:place><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
supported that point of view, stressing ITU should find its own way for civil
society participation, taking into account ITU financial problems and in
accordance with ITU rules. Civil society approach could indeed allow for more
concrete and efficient projects for ITU. Chairman Grin distinguished CS in WSIS
implementation and CS in core ITU sectors. <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region></st1:place>
took the floor a second time to clarify that civil society views would be more
useful in societal issues, which are more concentrated within ITU-D, whereas the
other ITU sectors are much more technical in nature. <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>
also proposed to evaluate further possibilities to better involve in WSIS
implementation, which could be limited to ITU-D sector. WSIS implementation
activities should also reinforce ITU capacity to build networks. Compass Rose
(Private Sector) also supported a broader opening of at least ITU-D to civil
society and small companies. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">William Drake (CPSR) highlighted
that ITU is the only organisation both within and outside of the UN where civil
society has so many access problems. He stressed that ITU membership should
actually be changed in terms of fees and criteria. However civil society
entities do not only want to be sector members but would like to be able to come
in workshops and conferences as observers in a more flexible way, without
having any additional cost for the ITU. AfriNIC also supported additional ways
of participation for civil society, beyond the current membership. That is what
Chairman Grin interpreted as a willingness to <I><SPAN
style="FONT-STYLE: italic">participate without obligation</SPAN></I>. However
the discussion opened some alternative options to membership for participation
of civil society. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Change
in the name of ITU<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:country-region w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Syria</SPAN></FONT></st1:country-region><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Russia</st1:country-region></st1:place> supported the change of ITU
name, as proposed by the Arab Group, to adapt to new realities of the expended
role of the organisation. But there was no support for such an initiative,
because of the cost it would imply and the questioning of ITU well-established
<I><SPAN
style="FONT-STYLE: italic">trademark</SPAN></I>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><I><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">External
aspect: ITU activities to implement <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Summit</st1:City></st1:place> decisions</SPAN></FONT></I></B><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Syria</SPAN></FONT></st1:country-region></st1:place><FONT
face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
proposed that ITU should more focus on internet issues, because member states
should play a leading role in this area. <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Syria</st1:country-region></st1:place>
suggested the organization of an ITU Internet Forum in April 2007 about the role
of governments in the internet governance. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">There is a general agreement that
ITU should have a leading role in only implementing the Action Lines and themes
as defined on the Annex to the Tunis Agenda (<st1:City
w:st="on">Cisco</st1:City>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Latvia</st1:country-region>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Bulgaria</st1:country-region></st1:place>). The ITU work program
should reflect these key areas on specific projects that can be implemented with
the available budget (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Alcatel</st1:City>, <st1:country-region
w:st="on">Bulgaria</st1:country-region></st1:place>). Ambassador Karklins
(<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Latvia</st1:country-region></st1:place>) insisted on the fact that ITU
should not impose its leading role on issues which naturally belong to other
organisations, but contribute and collaborate with international agencies.
Referring to the up-coming meeting on 24 February, he also stressed that ITU
should not infringe on the establishment of the leading facilitating role to be
played by the ITU, UNESCO and UNDP, to be set up by the UN SG, and on the ECOSOC
activities, which only belongs to member States. Chairman Grin, answering this
remark, noticed that ITU, UNESCO and UNDP were asked by the UN SG to hold some
consultation about that.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">At the end of the meeting, Max-Henri
Cadet announced the on-line open consultation forum would remain active for
additional comments on the ITU reform from non ITU members. The ITU Secretariat
will therefore continue to collect ideas in this regard, until better solution
for civil society participation would be established within the ITU
structures.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><B><FONT
face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Philippe
Dam<BR><U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><U3:COUNTRY-REGION
u1:insAuthor="Inter" u1:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u1:endInsAuthor="Inter"
u1:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z"><U3:PLACE u1:insAuthor="Inter"
u1:insDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z" u1:endInsAuthor="Inter"
u1:endInsDate="2005-06-07T16:35:00Z">CONGO
-</U3:PLACE></U3:PLACE></U3:COUNTRY-REGION> WSIS CS Secretariat
<BR></U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE><U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION
u2:st="on"></U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE><st1:place
w:st="on"></st1:place><st1:country-region w:st="on"></st1:country-region>11,
Avenue de <U1:PERSONNAME ProductID="la Paix" u2:st="on"><st1:PersonName
w:st="on" ProductID="la Paix" ns1_x003a_ProductID="la Paix">la
Paix</U1:PERSONNAME></st1:PersonName><BR>CH-1202 <U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:CITY
u2:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Geneva</U1:CITY></U1:PLACE></st1:place></st1:City><BR>Tel: +41 22 301
1000<BR>Fax: +41 22 301 2000<BR>E-mail: </SPAN></FONT></B><A
title=mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch href="mailto:wsis@ngocongo.org"><B><FONT
title=mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
title=mailto:hhumanrights@hyprolink.ch><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">wsis@ngocongo.org</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></B></A><B><FONT
face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><BR>Website:
</SPAN></FONT></B><B><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A
title=http://www.ngocongo.org href="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org"><FONT
title=http://www.ngocongo.org color=navy><SPAN
title=http://www.ngocongo.org><SPAN lang=FR
style="COLOR: navy">www.ngocongo.org</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></A></SPAN></FONT></B><B><FONT
face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></FONT></B><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><B><FONT
face="Times New Roman" color=red size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: red; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><B><FONT
face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The
Conference of NGOs (<U1:PLACE u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION
u2:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">CONGO</U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE></st1:country-region></st1:place>)
is an international, membership association that facilitates the participation
of NGOs in United Nations debates and decisions. Founded in 1948, <U1:PLACE
u2:st="on"><U1:COUNTRY-REGION u2:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">CONGO</U1:COUNTRY-REGION></U1:PLACE></st1:country-region></st1:place>'s
major objective is to ensure the presence of NGOs in exchanges among the world's
governments and United Nations agencies on issues of global concern. For
more information see our website at <A title=http://www.ngocongo.org/
href="BLOCKED::http://www.ngocongo.org/"
target=_blank>www.ngocongo.org</A></SPAN></FONT></B><B><FONT color=red><SPAN
lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: red"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>