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 -------------- ¶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" -------------- ¶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 -------------- ¶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