AW: AW: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Re: [CS Bureau] Next GFC Meetings and talk with Karklins

Sun Jun 26 23:59:33 BST 2005

Wolfgang, Francis and all,

Still in New York, I had a phone talk with Ambassador Karklins earlier this
afternoon. 

Following the June 13 meeting in which we as CS were so prominently
talkative, some governments apparently reacted that we were not focused
enough on the agenda and at the end we overshot. We have heard the complaint
(and Mr. Utsumis's warning to talk to the agenda items) already several
times during PrepCom2. So we should better listen.

Regarding the upcoming GFC meetings, they will be held in the same way as
between PrepCom1 and PrepCom2. Two open meetings* and three closed meetings
(with silent Government Observers). However, Mr. Karklins own position has
not changed. Should there be a silent CS or other observer, he would not
throw them out, but would have to do it if some governments would ask
specifically for it.

* The second open meeting around 18 July (after or before WGIG) will depend
on the necessity to hold such a meeting.
Best
Renata

-----Original Message-----
From: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org [mailto:plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org] On Behalf
Of Dr. Francis MUGUET
Sent: dimanche, 26. juin 2005 21:15
To: plenary at wsis-cs.org
Subject: Re: AW: AW: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Re: [CS Bureau] Next GFC Meetings

Dear Wolfgang

>Thanks Francis, for the further development of our reaction. I agree, first
we have to have a F2F talk with Karkelins to find out, whether this is a
U-turn or only a burocratical matter.
>
Lets hope for the latter

> In case it is a burocratical matter, we should call for a limited number
of "silent observers" (in the WGIG we called them "onlookers"). 
>  
>
Thanks for the suggestion.
This is a good name that avoids ambiguity,
 although it might be difficult to translate the nuance in other languages,
 for example in French, it is translated by "spectateurs"
which is translated again in French as "spectactors", giving away
the implicit context of a show...
but onlookers is not much different that spectactors !

> 
>But if we realize, that this is the start for a new approach, we should
made our protest public. 
> 
>  
>
Of course !

I also noticed in the CONGO speech before the general assembly the 
absence of reference
to the WSIS.  I do not know Renate's reasons for this, but Renate could 
always underline
this omission in the next F2F meeting,  because it was no longer 
appropriate to quote the WSIS,
by reasons of this surprising non-inclusive GFC new procedure...
bringing some moral pressure?
With the recent events in New York, Renata should be a stronger position 
to negotiate and
to show that the recent GFC procedural move
 is out of sync with was is happening in New York.

Hopping for the best

Francis

>Best
> 
>w
> 
>
>________________________________
>
>Von: plenary-admin at wsis-cs.org im Auftrag von Dr. Francis MUGUET
>Gesendet: So 26.06.2005 00:24
>An: plenary at wsis-cs.org
>Betreff: Re: AW: [WSIS CS-Plenary] Re: [CS Bureau] Next GFC Meetings
>
>
>
>
>Hello,
>
>The CS must react strongly  but wisely.
>
>Currently on the ITU site we have :
>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
>
>Let me remind everybody that previous "Open" GFC meetings were
>meetings Civil Society could take part as speaking observers, and this
>was really great.
>
>"Closed" meetings were completely closed to Civil Society,
>as far as I remember.
>
>Now, it seens that we are entering the twilight zone of
>"Semi-closed"/"Semi-Open" meetings.
>It is good that previously "Closed" GFCs meetings could
>become open to some silent states observers.
>
>What would be a severe blow to the CS
>is that there should no other "Open" GFCs meetings at all, at least
>in a decent proportion,  33% to 50% seems acceptable,
>
>It would better that CS silent observers be
>admitted in all the "Closed" meetings, this
> was my understanding of the closing remarks by
>Karklins, at the June 13 meeting
> and not that all next GFC meetings should be
>be "semi-closed" with CS as silent observers.
>
>If there is such a non-inclusive and sad evolution,
>the CSB, since we are dealing with procedural matters,
>and speciffically Renate and Viola, the elected CSB liaison officers,
>should have ASAP a meeting with Karklins and the executive secretariat
>to have further explanations and possibly negotiate
>a better deal.
>
>If the situation is locked, and hopefully
>knowing who are the true responsables of this
>surprising non-inclusive evolution,
>then the CSB can draft a letter to be proposed to the CS plenary to be
>discussed.
>Writting a letter without knowning the real motives and without
>identifying the puppet masters, could paradoxically destabilize our
>friends,
>those who, like seemingly Karklins, are supporting the multi-stakeholder
>approach,
>because their enemies could bring our protest letter as a sign
>of "mismanagement" and further weaken their positions.
>Our strong protest letter must be on target, the right target.
>
>Best regards
>
>Francis
>
>
>  
>
>>Dier List,
>>
>>if CS is excluded officially from the GFC, we should write an official
letter of protest to both Mr. Karkelins and Mr. Utsumi (probably also to Mr.
Annan), arguing, that while we recognize the intergovernmental nature of the
WSIS process, we insist, that principle 1 of the WSIS Declaration of
Principles has to be implemented by all sides, and in particular by
governments.
>>
>>Principle 1 reads :   
>>
>>"1)    The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of
ICTs for development
>>
>>1.        Governments, as well as private sector, civil society and the
United Nations and other international organizations have an important role
and responsibility in the development of the Information Society and, as
appropriate, in decision-making processes. Building a people-centred
Information Society is a joint effort which requires cooperation and
partnership among all stakeholders."
>>
>>
>>
>>Principle 1 says clearly, that CS has to be included into policy
development and, as appropriate, also in the decision making processes.
While we recognize, that in this phase, when we move towards a decision
making process, it can be not appropriate, that CS is included (but even
this is a questionsmark), we call for our "right to be informed" which is
part of Article 19 of the Univeral Declaration of Human Rights. We can refer
to the WGIG practice, where "closed sessions" has been open for "onlookers",
that is parties who have a special interest but have no right to speak. The
practicie worked and did not underminde the efficiency of the work of the
group.
>>
>>
>>
>>It would be a great step backwards, a violation of the WSIS principles by
the governments and a provocation which could lead to (unwanted) alternative
actions in the preperation of the Tunis summit which could undermine the
constructive involvement of all stakeholders bnoth in further development of
the WSIS process and the implementation of the Plan of Action. And it would
be in sharp contrast to the emerging spirit of mutual trust and cooperation.
>>
>>
>>
>>The letter should be signed officially by the President of the CS Bureau
and the Spokespersons we have elected during PrepCom2.
>>
>>
>>
>>Best
>>
>>
>>
>>wolfgang
>>
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>>
>>
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>
>
>--
>
>------------------------------------------------------
>Francis F. MUGUET Ph.D
>
>MDPI Foundation Open Access Journals
>Associate Publisher
>http://www.mdpi.org   http://www.mdpi.net
>muguet at mdpi.org       muguet at mdpi.net
>
>ENSTA   Paris, France
>KNIS lab.  Director
>"Knowledge Networks & Information Society" (KNIS)
>muguet at ensta.fr   http://www.ensta.fr/~muguet
>
>World Summit On the Information Society (WSIS)
>Civil Society Working Groups
>Scientific Information :  http://www.wsis-si.org  chair
>Patents & Copyrights   :  http://www.wsis-pct.org co-chair
>Financing Mechanismns  :  http://www.wsis-finance.org web
>
>UNMSP project : http://www.unmsp.org
>WTIS initiative: http://www.wtis.org
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>
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>  
>

-- 

------------------------------------------------------ 
Francis F. MUGUET Ph.D 

MDPI Foundation Open Access Journals
Associate Publisher
http://www.mdpi.org   http://www.mdpi.net
muguet at mdpi.org       muguet at mdpi.net

ENSTA   Paris, France
KNIS lab.  Director 
"Knowledge Networks & Information Society" (KNIS)
muguet at ensta.fr   http://www.ensta.fr/~muguet

World Summit On the Information Society (WSIS)
Civil Society Working Groups
Scientific Information :  http://www.wsis-si.org  chair
Patents & Copyrights   :  http://www.wsis-pct.org co-chair
Financing Mechanismns  :  http://www.wsis-finance.org web

UNMSP project : http://www.unmsp.org
WTIS initiative: http://www.wtis.org
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