[ncdnhc-discuss] GAC Transparency

[James Love]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joop Teernstra" <terastra at terabytz.co.nz>
: >Is there any known reason why the GAC has almost zero transparency?
:
: Relations between governments can be sensitive.
: Diplomacy and transparency are to an extent mutually exclusive.

     Well, this isn't true, IMO.   There is a huge push globally to make
trade negotiations more transparent, in the WTO, WIPO, WHO, the Hague
Conference, ITU, everywhere.  There is still plenty of room for diplomacy.
People avoid transparency to avoid accountability.    The GAC is now chaired
by a non government persons who apparently is in business with Ira
Magaziner.  They have all of these secret discussions.  The didn't even put
the last meeting on their web page:
http://www.noie.gov.au/projects/international/DNS/gac/meetings/index.htm  .
The papers presented are secret.   Many of the GAC members probably want
secrecy to avoid accountability at home, not for diplomacy, which they can
do in lots of ways, such as through embassies, in information discussions,
etc.

   Jamie

--------------------------------
James Love mailto:james.love at cptech.org
http://www.cptech.org +1.202.387.8030 mobile +1.202.361.3040