Dear Kathy and all,
For the record, I find it
essential to rectify a slight misunderstanding I perceive from your first
bullet point. The topic of Cartagena activities was on our agenda for the second
call, but meeting time ran out before it could be properly addressed and the
meeting agreed that staff should provide it’s working assumptions in that
regard to the list. That was done by email (attached) on 1 Nov and staff
proceeded to request facilities accordingly, since that had to be done before
the deadline of 4 Nov. This was done in order to enable activities in
Cartagena, should the Review Team so decide. This in order to keep
the Review Team’s options open, knowing that it is much easier to change,
reduce or cancel such bookings, according to the Review Team’s wishes,
than to introduce them after the deadline. The purpose was certainly not to
impose the arrangements. I hope (and trust) that the above clarifies any
lingering misunderstanding about this practical matter.
As to the London venue, I’ve
been in contact with Sharon – it turns out that the meeting room has no
wireless Internet and the possibilities for conference calls are under
investigation. Hope to be able to give a further update on the call tomorrow.
Very best regards
Olof
From:
rt4-whois-bounces@icann.org [mailto:rt4-whois-bounces@icann.org] On Behalf
Of Kathy Kleiman
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 2:08 PM
To: rt4-whois@icann.org
Subject: [Rt4-whois] Withdrawing offer to function as Chair
Dear All,
There are some real issues around the Whois Review that need
to be resolved, sooner rather than later, in order to make our process work. It
requires constructive collaboration among the appointed Members, and close work
with supporting ICANN staff. And it needs to be clear that this Review is to
carry out its tasks led by the appointed Members, supported by the ICANN staff.
In particular, two things need to be done, in my view:
-
I am deeply concerned about the unexpected scheduling
by ICANN staff of a full day Whois meeting during the Cartagena ICANN meeting,
plus a public session, without having consulted the selected Members first, not
even during the two meetings we already had (on 10/13 and 10/20). I do not
think this is the way the process should be run;
-
We do need support to set up the meeting in London, on
which we did agree. As quickly as possible the following things should be
arranged by ICANN Staff to ensure that as many selected Members as possible can
be present during this meeting we agreed on, in principle, earlier:
o
A doodle of dates – combining a two-day
combo of weekdays and Friday/Saturday covering most of the second and third
week of January to see what dates are best for the most number of RT
people.
o
Guidance from ICANN to Sharon Lemon
regarding the minimum and maximum remote participation requirements the other
review teams have used, allowing her the time and opportunity to check that the
Docklands can provide the accommodations that allows this to take place,
effectively;
o
Quickly organize a block of rooms at a hotel
nearby the Docklands for the Review Team and Staff, and make reservations for
dinner on arrival night and the evening between the two days of meetings;
Considering all this, I also don’t see how I can
effectively function as a Chair. What I can bring to the table is structure to
the content discussion, ensure fairness, depth and outreach. However, what is
needed from the Chair right now is getting a positive and constructive process
in place and ensuring the independence of the RT, and I herewith withdraw
my offer to function as Chair.
My commitment to participate as a member of our team and
work hard on our core issues, of course, remains.
In closing, just because
the Whois issues are difficult and controversial does not mean that our
relations have to be. If we can find a way out of this difficult issue by, then
we will have done our job. Nobody said it would be easy, but if we try together
in a positive, constructive way, it can be done, well. It requires commitment
and willingness to listen to each other, and
to talk from insights, rather than from positions. It also requires a
strong commitment from ICANN to actively support, but not lead.
Let’s work together and make this full, fair and
robust review happen – together.
Best wishes,
Kathy Kleiman
Kathy Kleiman
Director of
Policy
.ORG The
Public Interest Registry
1775 Wiehle
Avenue, Suite 200
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Virginia 20190 USA
Main: +1 703
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E: kkleiman@pir.org
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