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<DIV><SPAN class=240380609-15022006><FONT face="Book Antiqua">Hi
Parminder,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=240380609-15022006><FONT
face="Book Antiqua"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=240380609-15022006><FONT face="Book Antiqua">Actually, I did
briefly mention the high cost of ITU materials and their limiting effects on
information access in the course of listing CS concerns and ITU non-compliance
with the WSIS principles; Philippe's quick summary didn't purport to be a word
for word record. But there was not any focused discussion on the
point in this meeting. Anyway, the issue has been debated off
and on within ITU for at least fifteen years, especially since they shut
down Carl Malamud's Bruno experiment (free gopher access to the CCITT red book,
many thousands of downloads), and there have been various proposals from members
and staff on the point. It will undoubtedly resurface at the fall
Plenipotentiary Conference, and I would guess there's a good chance of a change
with respect to technical standards. Printed, bound materials, such as
treaties and SPU studies, may be a different story. It would be useful to
submit a strong CS sign-on letter that proponents of change could point to in
supporting their position. Post-WSIS, there is unprecedented sensitivity
to CS criticisms, and that can be leveraged.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=240380609-15022006><FONT
face="Book Antiqua"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=240380609-15022006><FONT
face="Book Antiqua">Best,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=240380609-15022006><FONT
face="Book Antiqua"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=240380609-15022006><FONT
face="Book Antiqua">Bill</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=240380609-15022006><FONT
face="Book Antiqua"></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT
face="Book Antiqua"></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></P><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></SPAN></DIV><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org]<B>On Behalf Of
</B>Parminder<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, February 14, 2006 3:43 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
plenary@wsis-cs.org; 'CONGO - Philippe Dam'<BR><B>Subject:</B> RE: [WSIS
CS-Plenary] ITU reform consultation (1 Feb. 2006)<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><FONT face=Arial
color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Hi Philippe,
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><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=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><FONT face=Arial
color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Thanks a lot for your
report. Just had one question. The official meeting summary (attached) at
</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><A
title=http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html
href="http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html">http://www.itu.int/reform/Council-Res-1244/index.html</A>
submitted by the chair of the meeting does mention
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Point 5.3
ITU publications and standards should be freely available for
downloads.----<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><FONT face=Arial
color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">So apparently the
issue of open access to ITU publications did come up – and was discussed in a
positive light. This appears encouraging. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><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=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><FONT face=Arial
color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">But I do not find the
mention of this issue in your report. Apparently, the two interventions by the
CS that you describe in your report did not raise this issue. Do you remember
who really did raise the issue, and how did the discussion on it go. And if it
was not discussed how come the issue is mentioned in such straight-forward
terms in the chair’s meeting summary. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><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=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><FONT face=Arial
color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Thanks once again,
and best regards<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><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=MsoBodyTextIndent style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0in"><FONT face=Arial
color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=EN-GB
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Parminder
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=gray size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'">________________________________________________</SPAN></FONT><FONT
color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=gray size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'">Parminder
Jeet Singh</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN
style="COLOR: navy"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=gray size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'">IT for
Change</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN
style="COLOR: navy"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><EM><I><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=gray size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'">Bridging
Development Realities and Technological
Possibilities</SPAN></FONT></I></EM><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=gray
size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'">
</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN
style="COLOR: navy"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=gray size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'">91-80-26654134</SPAN></FONT><FONT
color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" color=navy size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: navy"><A title=http://www.itforchange.net/
href="http://www.itforchange.net/"><EM><I><FONT
title=http://www.itforchange.net/ face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; TEXT-DECORATION: none">www.ITforChange.net</SPAN></FONT></I></EM></A></SPAN></FONT><FONT
face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<HR tabIndex=-1 align=center width="100%" SIZE=2>
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">From:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">
plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin@wsis-cs.org] <B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">On Behalf Of </SPAN></B><st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">CONGO</st1:place></st1:country-region> -
Philippe Dam<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Thursday,
February 02, 2006 9:45 PM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B>
plenary@wsis-cs.org; bureau@wsis-cs.org<BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Cc:</SPAN></B> rbloem@ngocongo.org<BR><B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> [WSIS CS-Plenary] ITU reform
consultation (1 Feb. 2006)</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<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="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN lang=FR
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: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 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: -0.25in; mso-list: l1 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: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; 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 lang=FR
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: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><SPAN lang=FR><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></SPAN><B><FONT
face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN lang=FR
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 lang=FR
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; LINE-HEIGHT: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> </SPAN></FONT></B><SPAN
lang=FR><o:p></o:p></SPAN></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 lang=FR
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 lang=FR
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>