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Links: Administering Iraq's Internet
Posted by Lea Bishop on Sunday, June 27 @ 12:25:48 EDT News
The Internet country code for Iraq is ".iq" - but try searching for websites within that domain and you won't find any.

In 1997, ICANN assigned management responsibility for the domain to InfoCom, a Texas-based company, now on trial in Dallas for terrorist connections. Since the war, several Iraqi groups have applied to take over administration of the name, but ICANN has delayed, citing political instability and uncertainty. Symbolically, it's a major sovereignty issue. Newly reorganized government agencies have to register their websites as .com or .org -- domains maintained in the US.

All this is according to an AP story written by reporter Brian Bergstein. I read the article at Salon.com, but you have to watch a Flash-animated advertisement to read the whole story unless you're a subscriber. A more accessible link to the same story comes courtesy of the Salt Lake Tribune.

For more details about InfoCom - a very interesting story of ICANN intrigue - check out Kieren McCarthy's article at the British paper, The Register. You can also read a copy of the actual indictment online at FindLaw. A more sympathetic portrayal of the men arrested appears here.

Reporters without Borders also has a report on internet freedom in Iraq.

What I think is a more interesting question, after reading the article, is to what extent is the internet being used in Iraq as a site for public debate -- and is this being allowed to occur freely or is there "monitoring" going on -- either by the U.S. or the incoming Iraqi government. If democratic self-governance is actually going to happen, there need to be forums where the populace can debate and discuss. In light of the insecurity, and many people afraid to leave their homes, particularly women, the Internet might be a place where this type of civic discussion can occur.
 
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Re: Administering Iraq's Internet (Score: 1)
by mll on Sunday, June 27 @ 15:40:41 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://WeMatter.com
Please add my name to the petition assuming that there are no Got-ya's.

My thoughts is that Asaad Alnajjar should:

1) take a reasonable profit for his hosting, say 1-5% of something.

2) Ensure that any person/group that applies for a reasonable domain will get it -- Perhaps there are reasonable ICANN guidlines.

3) Provide a transfer plan so that if, after 6-12 months ICANN can get their act together they can "Take over" the domain adminstration.

Obviously Asaad Alnajjar should be paid for his effort in transfering the domain... but I would think that this could be done on a reasonable basis.

THUS, I'd like him to be UP AND RUNNING NOW, and then in a while the details can be worked out, and if needed transfered...


[ Reply to This ]


typographical correction (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Sunday, June 27 @ 17:22:41 EDT
"internet freedom" should be "Internet freedom"


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