[WSIS CS-Plenary] Summary of the B2B Meeting - 21 Sept. 2005

[wsis at iprolink.ch]

Dear all,

Just for your information, please find below a summary of the meeting between
the CSB and the intergovernmental WSIS Bureau (21 Sept., 14:00-15:00).

Best,

Philippe Dam


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CSB Meeting with the WSIS inter-governmental Bureau
21 Sept. 2005

Further to the invitation from Canada to make specific proposals for civil
society integration in the on-going process, coordinators of the civil society
tracks A and B presented some additional comments.

Bertrand de la Chapelle specified that civil society would like to see that
flexibility demonstrated so far should be used as much as possible for
up-coming negotiations and to allow for a better interaction between civil
society and governments.

Adam Peake argued that civil society should participate in negotiation drafting
groups as silent observers.

States answers to civil society discussion points raised by Civil Society

1.  Mutli-Stakholder Approach
The USA reminded its availability to enter in direct contact to discuss
specific, and openly supported the presence in the negotiation room of civil
society so that there is no surprise coming out of this process.

Canada seconded the USA for better transparency of the process and to find a
relevant way to hear the views of all stakeholders.



Samir Labidi, permanent representative of Tunisia, stated that agreement must be
reached between all stakeholders and that Tunisia would do its best to ensure
that all parts would get a positive result from the Summit. Further, he
responded to CS concerns regarding internet connectivity, financing, immunity
and Visas:

2. Connectivity at WSIS, Tunis
Free Internet was not promised. As Tunisia connectivity costs are among the
lowest in the world, internet connections at the Summit would be for the very
cheapest price. 1000 computers would be set up in the Kram Center. A cybercafé
would also be installed, where Internet connection would be free.

5. Financing of Civil Society
The Tunisian pledge to commit 400.000 Dinars ($ 370.000) for civil society
participation was reinsured, mainly for LDC participants and specific
categories. In a few days, a document would be published stating the
conditions. Ambassador Labidi mentioned the UNDP/ONUDI programme for civil
society participation to be specified soon as well. Further, the delegate also
welcomed the contribution of Belgium and appealed that other governments would
also support CS participation with economic contributions.

Charles Geiger added later on this issue that ITU has spent practically all
money for fellowships at PrepCom-3. Therefore, unless ITU receive additional
money from governments, there will be no ITU fellowships for civil society
participation in the Summit.

8. Liaison with WSIS Executive Secretariat
Immunity and Visas: Host Country Agreement will be signed on Friday Morning. The
document will guarantee visas free of charge and free movement on Tunisian
territory to all participants mentioned in article two. Article four of the
document deals with immunity.
Charles Geiger clarified that Civil Society was mentioned in article two and
included everywhere in the agreement.


Charles Geiger, Executive Director of the WSIS ES, also stated that he foresaw
transmission from Plenaries, High Level Panels and Roundtable discussions,
whereas it would not be possible to transmit from the parallel events, as the
transmissions are extremely costly.


Finally, Renate Bloem on behalf of Civil Society also appealed for the help of
governments to fund CS participation.