Although I'm glad Mr. Bolton is headed that way and will hopefully pound some sense into the UN, the UN is becoming a useless relic by it's inept handing of everything it touches.
Posted on 08/01/2005 3:55:40 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative
Senator Norm Coleman today submitted a statement into the Congressional Record denouncing a final report issued by the United Nations' Working Group on Internet Governance (WGIG) suggesting that the U.N. assume global governance of the Internet. Since its inception and creation in the United States, the U.S. has assumed the historic role of overseeing the Internet's growth and has overseen its development. The U.N. taskforce report suggests that in addition to terminating the U.S.'s leadership role, the authority and functions of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), a non-profit organization overseen by the U.S. Department of Commerce, should be transferred as well. Senator Coleman strongly opposes these measures.
"My probe of the U.N. as Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations revealed management that was at best, incompetent, and at worst corrupt," said Coleman. "The first priority for the United Nations must be fundamental reform of its management and operations rather than any expansion of its authority and responsibilities. The Internet has flourished under U.S. supervision, oversight, and private sector involvement. This growth did not happen because of increased government involvement, but rather, from the opening on the Internet to commerce and private sector innovation. Subjecting the Internet and its security to the politicized control of the UN bureaucracy would be a giant and foolhardy step backwards."
"Recently, I introduced UN reform legislation with the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations, Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN), known as the Coleman-Lugar UN Reform Bill, to help put an end to a culture of corruption that was exposed by the Oil for Food scandal, peacekeeping sexual abuse scandals, and other instances of organizational failures at U.N.," Coleman said. "Putting the U.N. in charge of one of the world's most important technological wonders and economic engines is out of the question. This proposal would leave the United States with no more say over the future of the Internet than Cuba or China-countries that have little or no commitment to the free flow of information."
The WGIG taskforce report will be discussed at the next World Summit on the Information Society Tunisia in November.
"In light of this report, I also plan to consult with experts and stakeholders regarding Internet governance, and will assess whether legislation is needed as a remedy," Coleman continued. "The U.S. is willing to work with other countries that have an interest in the management of their own country code domains but UN control is out of the question. We will continue a dialogue with the rest of the world on these issues as we go forward."
Excellent!! The UN is having a bad day. Bolton and this report. I, on the other hand, am really enjoying this day. Screw the corrupt UN.
But . . . but . . .they must take the internet away from us -- on behalf of the common good!
WhyTF should the UN have ANYthing to do with the internet?
The UN probably wants a better way to spread terrorism and would host this site:
www.terroristRus.ter
Although I'm glad Mr. Bolton is headed that way and will hopefully pound some sense into the UN, the UN is becoming a useless relic by it's inept handing of everything it touches.
so will the Democrats....
and the UN.......
patience........
who goes first?
Castro or Carter?
2 parties to plan......but I don't mind the work.
The day that the internet falls under ANY govt. control, either U.N. or U.S. is the day I cancel my service.
BIG Kudos to Norm
The U.S. government has de facto control of the Internet. It just chooses not to exercise such control to interfere with commerce.
Typical of them, though, to see something of value built by someone else, then demand to be given control of it.
Torch the UN, and drive the diplomats into the East River!
After reading Coleman's comments, I think even Al Gore would agree with him that the UN should never have control of the 'net.
Big bump!
another reason to shut down the UN
We don't want the virus that has plagued the U.N. for years to infest the internet too!
All leftists would love to control the internet, especially Hillary before the '08 election.
The problem with the UN is not that it is managed badly.
Ya think???
Article 29.
3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
"2 parties to plan......but I don't mind the work."
I always make it my business to hold people to their word when they start talking about parties.
So, please be kind enough to send me an invite to either or both.
I don't think Castro's is too far off. One can only hope.
Just send me a ping.
;>)
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