This message posted at ICANNWATCH:Senator Burns seems to be trying to place the
administration of the DNS directly back under Congress control, on the grounds of
"national security" and ICANN's own admitted failures:
March 6, 2002
The Honorable
Ernest F. Hollings
Chairman Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
125
Russell Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510-0001
Dear Mr. Chairman:
I am
writing to formally request an oversight hearing regarding the Internet Corporation
for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
Given the recent stunning admission by
ICANN President Stuart Lynn that the organization has been mired in endless debates
and missed deadlines, this hearing is extremely timely. In fact, Lynn went so far
as to recommend comprehensive structural reform of ICANN, given that it is "losing
sight of effectiveness in accomplishing our real mission."
In the wake of such
statements, I strongly believe it is time we re-visit the issue and find some solutions
to the serious problems facing ICANN and the future of Internet governance. While
ICANN is currently a fundamentally flawed and ineffective governing entity, proper
oversight by the Committee could help redirect it back to its core mission of ensuring
the stable and secure management of the Internet domain system. Obviously, more fundamental
questions also need to be addressed, such as whether ICANN is even the most appropriate
organization to be tasked with such a critical mission, which is central to our national
security.
Thank you for your consideration and your leadership as Chairman of the
Senate Commerce Committee.
Sincerely,
/s/
Conrad Burns
United States Senator