2006 INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM: AMBASSADOR MEETS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 003162

SIPDIS

PASS TO DAVID GROSS, EB/CIP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/12/2015
TAGS: ECON ECPS GR IGF
SUBJECT: 2006 INTERNET GOVERNANCE FORUM: AMBASSADOR MEETS
WITH GREEK TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER LIAPIS


Classified By: Ambassador Charles Ries for reason 1.4 (b) and (c)


1. (U) Summary: On December 12, Ambassador met with GoG
Minister of Transportation and Communication, Michalis Liapis
to discuss Greece's offer to host the 2006 UN Internet
Governance Forum in Athens. Ambassador stated USG desire for
a successful and open forum with a balance of issues and
offered USG assistance with the process and planning. Liapis
welcomed USG assistance and pledged his office's cooperation
in the planning process. End Summary.

A Forum Primer
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2. (C) Following Greece's offer to host the 2006 UN Internet
Governance Forum at the conclusion of the November WSIS
summit in Tunis, Ambassador met with Liapis to discuss USG
concerns and to offer assistance and support in the planning
process. Ambassador noted the importance the USG places on
a successful forum and that we were prepared to assist the
GoG in any way possible. Ambassador reviewed the key
priorities for the Forum, to include a substantive agenda
with equal representation for public and private sector
interests, and an open ended discussion on issues such as
spam, cyber-crime and viruses, in addition to the domain name
issue that so dominated Tunis. The Ambassador also stressed
the USG desire for the Forum to be a free exchange of ideas
and not be another WSIS negotiating prep.

"We want your help"
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3. (C) Liapis responded strongly that "we want your help,"
and added that Greece had volunteered to host the Forum
knowing that they would have USG support. Liapis indicated
that he would be sending a letter to SG Annan soon, asking
the Secretariat to make some planning decisions. In
particular, the GoG needs the UN to decide on dates. In
particular Greece would prefer the host the event in May, as
hotel rooms and facilities may be scarcer in June.
Comment
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4. (C) Ambassador offered to facilitate communication from
Washington and New York to assist GoG in managing the
political expectations and pressures from both the UN and the
EU as the Forum process moves forward. Post will stay close
to Liapis' team in the planning phase to ensure parity and
balance on the issues as the political pressure on the GoG
from member countries may be brought to bear in order to
shape the agenda of the Forum in favor of the broader EU and
UN positions. End Comment.
RIES