I feel that we almost agree on what should be done but disagree on how we should do it .. I believe, but stand to be corrected, that the below, sort of overarching principles, has been already agreed at the beginning of the process:

1 – "that the work was going to be done in the operating communities and," [Lynn]

2 – "that there were existing (and fairly long-standing) processes in place which were known to and had been vetted by those communities allowing them to arrive at their proposals." [Lynn]

3 – "the fine line we have to walk is to not replace the communities' judgement with our own" [Joe]

We have already accepted to receive direct comments from the community .. I feel, and again stand to be corrected, that there is some agreement along the following lines:

1 – "We should read all the comments." [Daniel]

2 – "We should take action on the substance from comments that we consider relevant for producing an acceptable document. [Daniel]

3 – "Of course we will observe what the OCs do with comments about the substance of their responses or their procedures. If we determine that action by an OC is needed we can decide to request it, via our normal process." [Daniel]

How? I think this is the question we are debating .. What is the mechanism to observe what the OCs do with comments?

In an earlier message, I've tried to list all possible categories of comments we may receive, but I believe Patrik has concisely and accurately described them as follows:

a. "The process OC use is flawed and that is pointed out to us." [Patrik] .. My understanding is that nothing we can do here, based on Lynn (2) above ..

b. "The process OC use is ok, but not applied correctly (i.e. violated by the OC themselves)." [Patrik] .. I believe this implies a process/substance problem .. And this is where I believe we may need a response based on Daniel (2) & (3) above and bearing in mind Joe (3) above ..

c. "The process OC use is ok, applied correctly, but someone is not happy with the result." [Patrik] .. My understanding is that nothing we can do here, since the person her/himself admits the agreed process has been followed ..

So what is the mechanism to observe what the OCs do with comments of category (b) .. Are the below suggestions (not alternatives) agreed?

"It would help ICG's process if timelines for responses are determined and communicated to the community in question." [Mary]

"highlight if we believe that the comment addresses a missing element of the application." [Joe]

"The Operational Communities should carefully consider all comments/complaints and should confirm with the ICG that they have done so." [Jon] 

I believe all we need is to have a common understanding on how we will do things in a consistent and predictable manner..

Hope this helps us to converge .. Apologies for yet another long email but at least it spares you multiple separate replies J !!

Kind Regards

--Manal