Discussion Draft of Letter to Governments Regarding ccTLD Managers
12 November 2000

One of the steps in the process of privatizing technical management of Internet functions is the achievement of stable and appropriate contracts between ICANN and the organizations operating country-code top level domains (ccTLDs). In its communiqué presented in Yokohama, the Governmental Advisory Committee "invite[d] ICANN, as a first step, to write to the relevant governments and public authorities to ascertain their views concerning the current delegation for the ccTLDs that correspond to their jurisdictions."

Since then, ICANN staff has been discussing such a letter with various governmental officials and ccTLD managers. Differing views as to the letter's appropriate language have been expressed. As a means of coming to closure on the form of the letter, ICANN staff has prepared the following discussion draft for final comment during the annual meeting this coming week in Marina del Rey.

Dear ____________:

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is an international, not-for-profit, private organization to which the United States Government is transferring responsibility for various functions associated with the technical management of the Internet. One aspect of these functions is the coordination of the domain-name-system root zone, including the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority's traditional responsibilities for coordination of delegations of country-code top-level domain registries (ccTLDs).

One step that must be accomplished before ICANN can complete its assumption of these responsibilities is the entry of stable and appropriate contracts between ICANN and ccTLD managers. ICANN wishes to complete these contracts as soon as possible. These contracts will facilitate implementing the ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee's "Principles for Delegation and Administration of ccTLDs", 23 February 2000, which is posted at: <http://www.icann.org/gac/gac-cctldprinciples-23feb00.htm>

These contracts will likely follow one of two forms. One form we anticipate will apply to ccTLD managers in jurisdictions where the relevant government or public authority has already implemented the GAC Principles. We anticipate a second form will apply to ccTLD managers in countries where these Principles have not yet been implemented.

To assist us in determining whether to enter a contract with the ccTLD manager for your country and in formulating appropriate contract terms, we would appreciate to learn from you whether your government or public authority is satisfied with the current ccTLD manager. Also, please let us know your intentions concerning the implementation of the ICANN-GAC principles. In the event that your delegation is the subject of a dispute, ICANN does not intend to enter into a contract with a ccTLD manager until an agreeable resolution has been achieved.

To avoid undue delays in this process, we ask that you provide any comments you have within sixty days of the date of this letter. In the absence of a response on your part we will assume your agreement with the current delegation for the time being. In this case, please let us know if there is any change in this situation in the future.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Very truly yours,

Michael M. Roberts
President and Chief Executive Officer

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