Ooops, I am not among the ones who rush to register, but after reading this msg from Bill & Adam, I did my registration right away. However, I think this number will not be the main deciding factor. frt rgds --c.a. William Drake wrote: > I don't know whether all NCUC people are aware of the debate going on > about the Nairobi meeting, and how many are planning on attending. > But below with apologies to Adam is a useful cross posting from the > extended Nairobi discussion on the ALAC list. > > Apparently only 300+ people have registered so far. The board is > having a call tonight to make a decision; it seems cancelation is a > real possibility. I sat next to one boardie at dinner last night (at > the ICANN Studienkreis in Barcelona) who said he was for canceling > and repurposing the funds to allow AC/SOs to hold their own, > disaggregated meetings. > > Bill > > Begin forwarded message: > >> From: Adam Peake <[log in to unmask]> Date: January 21, 2010 8:48:50 >> AM GMT+01:00 To: ALAC Internal List >> <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: >> [ALAC-Internal] ICANN meeting and security concerns Reply-To: ALAC >> Internal List <[log in to unmask]> >> >> Rebecca's posted a follow-up to her article. Worth a look, not >> about security, but ICANN and Africa in general >> <http://wanjiku.co.ke/eng/articles/main/uxn1264057592/> She also >> reminds us there's an AFTLD meeting planned the week before the >> ICANN meeting, important training for the region. (I should have >> remembered, I hope to go to a few of the sessions :-)) >> >> I have a couple of projects with people in Kenya and East Africa so >> hear some general comments. The following is not a security >> assessment! >> >> Background: There was a demonstration in the city last Friday over >> the deportation of a Muslim cleric, Abdullah al-Faisal, who was in >> the country illegally. Faisal >> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdullah_el-Faisal> was convicted of >> racial hatred (I am not sure that's the name of the actual crime) >> in the UK, jailed and then deported. He found his way to Kenya >> around New Year and was preaching. He is now being jailed in Kenya >> while awaiting deportation and this led to demonstrations by some >> of the Muslim community in downtown Nairobi that turned violent >> with about 7 people being shot, one killed. The Kenyan police are >> not subtle, though they claim shots were fired from the >> demonstration. >> >> The demonstrations were pretty violent with gangs of Kenyan youths >> seeming to have joined in on the side of the police, and all this >> happened in the downtown area close to where a number of the ICANN >> hotels are and the conference center where the meeting will be >> held. The central Mosque is in downtown, that's why people were >> there. The area where the demonstration happened seemed to be >> quite constrained. The concern for ICANN seems to be that the >> trouble was in downtown near the meeting location and hotels >> (although my understanding is the demonstration did not reach >> either.) ICANN knows there are areas of the city where you simply >> do not go, and these are the areas where there was violence after >> the elections a couple of years ago, but last Friday's violence was >> in downtown and this is new. >> >> That said, three friends were out to dinner in downtown Nairobi >> last Friday and they didn't know of the troubles until one of them >> got some calls about ICANN's concerns! Sometimes news footage can >> make things look much worse than they are, and perhaps this is the >> case here? >> >> Not trying to pretend this isn't serious, just that more >> information would be helpful. The UN has a very large office in >> Nairobi, location of the UN Environment Programme and UN-Habitat, >> both global programs. It would be good to know what the UN security >> assessment is, particularly if it has changed since last Friday's >> violence. >> >> People in Nairobi seem to think it's a one off, although there >> might be a demonstration this coming Friday (which would be bad >> timing for the board meeting!) But my very non-expert sense is >> further demonstrations in downtown are not likely to continue, they >> can't afford the city center to be disrupted, its the hub of the >> city, the area around the law courts, administration etc. That >> said, there is certainly ongoing tension with the Muslim community. >> >> >> There is some talk of moving the ICANN meeting to the UN center. >> There are a couple of problems with this. The UN center is out of >> the city, not many hotels near, and it is on a road known for >> traffic jams (traffic during rush hour in Nairobi is bad >> generally). And that road has construction planned for the next >> few months so the jams at the moment are terrible. It will be a >> nightmare to get to. As it's out of the city, and is also seen by >> many Kenyans as a bit of a separate 'country' (it's not easy to get >> in, all the usual UN security clearances needed) any meeting held >> there would not see many locals. Not good for the meeting >> generally, very bad for At Large in particular. >> >> I think the article Patrick forwarded makes clear that there's a >> feeling that ICANN's concerns are a typical over reaction to events >> in a developing country. The demonstrations probably the only >> piece of news about Kenya the world's press has picked up on in >> weeks. And violence in Africa is often the only news we see. It >> becomes a stereotype. I am not trying to downplay the seriousness >> of this situation, but be aware of that point of view. Comments >> from African colleagues on this general point might he helpful. >> >> Unless the security assessments have changed, assessments by the UN >> or perhaps major embassies such as the EU, I am happy to stick to >> arrangements in place (and no doubt anyway being updated to reflect >> any changes.) >> >> For what it's worth, a very high level of security has been planned >> for the conference center and hotels. The conference center is used >> to handling high level meetings, ICANN is quite small by comparison >> to many. >> >> If there's any change, a move from Nairobi to another city, or a >> change of planned conference venue in Nairobi, let it be based on a >> fact based independent assessment. ICANN owes Kenya and Africa >> that. >> >> Thanks, >> >> Adam >> >> >> >>> Perhaps it would be useful to Vanda in the upcoming Board >>> meeting on this issue (Friday) for us to have IN THIS LIST, >>> some opinion / discussions on this issue... >>> >>> For example it is My view that unless serious and substantial >>> *security risks* exist (and I assume the Board will have some >>> access to proper briefings on any that do) AND I do NOT mean >>> street crime that can happen any where in my view... Then we >>> should hold the Nairobi meeting either as planned (or with >>> relevant modifications / precautions arranged... >>> >>> *IF* however for what ever good reason there is the meeting is >>> moved (and it should be MOVED *not* Cancelled we have way too >>> much to do we need this F2F opportunity... Then it must be clear >>> that this is not for any phobic reason rather a matter of real >>> risk mitigation or management AND if that did happen then >>> significant effort into outreach and regional activities MUST be >>> undertaken by ICANN (in partnership with others perhaps) to also >>> effectively mitigate the 'opportunities lost' by the meeting Not >>> being held as planned... >>> >>> What are your thoughts?? >>> >>> And Yes I will go wherever it is held... Preferable in Nairobi... >>> >>> >>> CLO >>> >>> 2010/1/21 Patrick Vande Walle <[log in to unmask]> >>> >>>> FYI >>>> >>>> http://wanjiku.co.ke/eng/articles/main/pte1263978626/ >>>> >>>> In March 2008, Nairobi was supposed to host Internet >>>> Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) meeting. >>>> This is a huge meeting, ICANN uses about $ 2 million for these >>>> meetings, am sure you know what it means for the economy. >>>> >>>> But the events that followed the 2007 elections meant that the >>>> meeting was cancelled, it was such a shame but that was >>>> understandable; after all, you do not want the people who >>>> control internet resources to fall into the traps of rival >>>> tribal gangs or to be caught in the cross fire. >>>> >>>> After another round of presentations last year, the Kenya >>>> delegation led by Kenic and the Communications Commission of >>>> Kenya was able to convince the ICANN community that Kenya is >>>> safe enough, and they agreed to host the meeting this March. >>>> >>>> We have been busy sweeping the roads and upgrading the hotels >>>> just to make sure that the most important ICANN community is >>>> happy, but they have never been, and I do not think they will >>>> ever be, if you ask me. I have been talking to sources within >>>> the organizing committee and ICANN has always had one niggling >>>> problem after another. >>>> >>>> Last Friday's fracas with the muslims seems to have tipped the >>>> balance; ICANN now is contemplating moving the meeting to >>>> another safer city. >>>> >>>> But if you ask me or any other ordinary Kenyan, I think ICANN >>>> does not understand the country and how it operates. Since >>>> 1998, Kenya has never been secure, according to US and UK >>>> embassies, yet its their installations that make us targets. >>>> >>>> For whatever reasons, the country has always been rated poorly >>>> security wise, but which city is safe? New York? J' Burg? >>>> Cairo? Cassablanca? Am sure this is open to debate. >>>> >>>> I think ICANN has its double standards; if they were truly >>>> concerned about the security, the meeting in Seoul would not >>>> have taken place; South Korea is always under alert because of >>>> North Korea nuclear intentions. >>>> >>>> The meeting in Mexico city would not have gone on, after all >>>> every one there is said to carry a gun and the senior >>>> executives within ICANN membership were at risk of kidnappings. >>>> But the meetings took place. >>>> >>>> So, why all the security farce about Nairobi? >>>> >>>> I would love to point out a similar incident during the 2005 or >>>> around there Cricket world cup, where New Zealand forfeited >>>> their match with Kenya in Nairobi because of security >>>> situation. Sri Lanka agreed to play their match in Nairobi >>>> provided they were given top notch security, the government >>>> obliged. >>>> >>>> By the time the plane carrying the Sri Lanka cricket team >>>> entered the Kenyan air space, they were escorted by helicopter >>>> gunships and all the other stuff you see in the movies. But Sri >>>> Lanka soon realized that no one was bothered with them; we >>>> whipped them and by the time they were going back to the >>>> airport, they took taxis and realized that no one cares. >>>> >>>> In short, ICANN should know that they will come, they will hold >>>> their meeting, they will go away, and no one will probably >>>> remember they were here. How many people know about ICANN and >>>> what it does? How many people know that the people present are >>>> online millionaires? >>>> >>>> ICANN has made demands that the meeting be moved to the UNEP >>>> Complex in Gigiri, and that the government should pay for all >>>> the charges bla bla... I think this is a move to alienate >>>> themselves from the ordinary kenyans. Getting to Gigiri is >>>> hectic let alone getting through the mean UN security staff. >>>> >>>> Trust me, I have had my share of security incidences in >>>> Nairobi, but I do not think its worth canceling a meeting. >>>> >>>>> From my sources, I am told the government is paying for the >>>>> gala dinner >>>> and all that, in other countries, ICANN has paid for that. So I >>>> think this is just a way for ICANN to make their demands and >>>> demonstrate their authority. >>>> >>>> I am not saying that security measures should be ignored, but >>>> just know that poor security rating means more hardship >>>> allowance for the UN and embassy staff, so its in their >>>> interest to show Kenya on fire all the time. >>>> >>>> One thing you should know that Kenya is a highly political >>>> company, all year round, stupid politics and we the media love >>>> it and exalt it, so deal with that. When you come and when you >>>> go, we will remain the same, and it does not mean ICANN will >>>> change anything, so get over it. >>>> >>>> By the way, most people who will come will be holed up in >>>> lavish 5-star hotels where the thugs will not reach. The >>>> insecurity problem is for people like us who will have to walk >>>> home and deal with the neighborhood thugs. >>>> >>>> The upshot of it is that ICANN should come, hold their meeting, >>>> give us the revenue, visit Maasai Mara and all the other areas, >>>> and go home. I am sure there will be enough cops guarding >>>> everywhere. >>>> >>>> So, insecure or not, I think the meeting should go on. If you >>>> guys are not convinced, then you can move the meeting to >>>> wherever you want! >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ ALAC-Internal >>>> mailing list [log in to unmask] >>>> >>>> http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac-internal_atlarge-lists.icann.org >>>> >>>> >>>> ALAC Wiki: http://st.icann.org/alac At-Large Website: >>>> http://atlarge.icann.org >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- Cheryl Langdon-Orr (CLO) >>> _______________________________________________ ALAC-Internal >>> mailing list [log in to unmask] >>> http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac-internal_atlarge-lists.icann.org >>> >>> >>> ALAC Wiki: http://st.icann.org/alac At-Large Website: >>> http://atlarge.icann.org >> >> _______________________________________________ ALAC-Internal >> mailing list [log in to unmask] >> http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/alac-internal_atlarge-lists.icann.org >> >> >> ALAC Wiki: http://st.icann.org/alac At-Large Website: >> http://atlarge.icann.org > > *********************************************************** William > J. Drake Senior Associate Centre for International Governance > Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies Geneva, > Switzerland [log in to unmask] > www.graduateinstitute.ch/cig/drake.html > *********************************************************** > > > -- Carlos A. Afonso CGI.br (www.cgi.br) Nupef (www.nupef.org.br) ==================================== new/nuevo/novo e-mail: [log in to unmask] ====================================