Hello All, The recent cover letter from Paul Twomey to the ICANN available at: http://www.icann.org/correspondence/jeffrey-to-tarmizi-04may06.htm includes the following text: Consistent with the ICANN Bylaws at Article XI, Section 2, Paragraph 2 (j) and (k), the ICANN Board will formally recognize any public policy advice provided by the GAC and if the Board intends to move forward with the agreement, it must first determine whether the board action is consistent with any GAC public policy advice. If such approval of the agreement is determined not to be consistent with the GAC public policy advice than ICANN will be required to inform the GAC and state the reasons why it decided not to follow that advice. The Governmental Advisory Committee and the ICANN Board will then try, in good faith and in a timely and efficient manner, to find a mutually acceptable solution. If no acceptable solution can be found than the ICANN Board will state in its final decision the reasons why the Governmental Advisory Committee advice was not followed, and such statement will be without prejudice to the rights or obligations of Governmental Advisory Committee members with regard to public policy issues falling within their responsibilities. This may help the Council in dealing with GAC advice in future. If the GNSO Council recommends a particular policy that seems to conflict with GAC advice, the GNSO Council can assist the Board in responding to the GAC by providing reasons why the advice was not followed. It would also be useful for the Council to attempt to "find a mutually acceptable solution" prior to submitting a policy to the Board for approval. Regards, Bruce Tonkin