[WSIS CS-Plenary] RE: US re-opens agreed para in the political chapeau

[Parminder]

Dear All, 

This is regarding US re-opening the para 39 of the political chapeau on
wednesday after it was agreed by all at the prepcom 3. 

39. We recognize the central role of public policy as the main framework in
which resource mobilization can take place. Governments should intervene, as
appropriate, to correct market failures, to maintain fair competition, to
attract investment, to enhance development of the ICT infrastructure and
applications to maximize economic and social benefits, and to serve national
priorities. [Agreed]

The line 'We recognize the central role of public policy as the main
framework in which resource mobilization can take place' had come from the
submission by the 'CS coalition on financing'. 

It is an very important statement in the political chapeau which lays out
the primacy of public policy over market structures - a issue that underlies
the threat of neo-liberal ideology led globalization. 

US and Brazil have been asked to submit alternative text for para 39 now. 

The re-opening of this agreed para is just one another instance of US's
attempt to scuttle most progressive languages in the WSIS documents till
date. current Information Society discourse instead of facilitating new
paradigms of development has been used to strengthen the stranglehold of
neo-liberalism over the entire world.  

I think CS should have something to say at Tunis on how WSIS - like all
other global policy negotiations - have been compromised by US and its
supporters. 

Parminder 

_________________________________________________
Parminder Jeet Singh
IT for Change
Bridging Development Realities and Technological Possibilities
91-80-26654134
www.ITforChange.net