Please include our organization as a signatory to the statement:
Foundation for Media Alternatives (Philippines)
Thanks
Al
----- Original Message -----
From: patcha <patcha@patcha.jinbo.net>
To: <communication@wsisasia.org>
Sent: Tuesday, December 31, 2002 12:03 PM
Subject: [communication 198] Joint Statement about North Korea Issue to WSIS
Tokyo Conference
> Dear All,
>
> Japanese government decided not to invite North Korea to
> Asian Regional Conference for WSIS, Jan. 13 to 15, 2003.
> Jinbonet send an email to Japanese government and got
> a response about the North Korea issue.
> but we found out that they have unfair attitude to North Korea.
>
> So, Jinbonet made a statement about North Korea issue,
> And now we are gathering signatures from other organizations.
> If you want to join or endorse it, please let me know.
> This is very urgent because Tokyo Meeting is forthcoming soon.
> So please send the signature in this weekend (Jan. 5, 2003)
> I attach the statement below.
>
> And I hope Great New Year 2003 to all.
>
> Thanks,
> PatchA
> ---------------------------------------------------
> [Statement]
>
> Japanese Government should invite North Korea to Asian Regional Conference
for WSIS immediately.
>
> We have very serious concerns that the Japanese government decided not to
invite North Korea to the Asian Regional Conference for World Summit on the
Information Society (WSIS) and we urge that Japanese government should
invite North Korea to the conference immediately.
>
> World Summit on the Information Society is very important opportunity to
discuss the better world established by the rapid development of information
and communication technologies (ICTs). Especially, forthcoming information
and communication societies promise fundamental changes in all aspects of
our lives all over the world such as economic, political and social affairs,
education, media, knowledge dissemination and human rights & development in
the future.
>
> WSIS should be a place where all the stakeholders related to information
and communication societies including governments, private sectors and NGOs
(non-governmental organizations) can participate in without any conditions.
The United Nations (UN) already expressed, ＾The World Summit on the
Information Society will provide a unique opportunity for all key
stakeholders to assemble at a high-level gathering and to develop a better
understanding of this revolution and its impact on the international
community. It aims to bring together Heads of State, Executive Heads of
United Nations agencies, industry leaders, non-governmental organizations,
media representatives and civil society in a single high-level event.￣
>
> Asian Regional conference for WSIS is important place to discuss the Asian
Response for WSIS with all the stakeholders in Asian region. There is no
reason that Japanese government decided not to invite North Korea.
>
> We are very sorry for the response from Japanese government (Ministry of
Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications), ＾There was
no diplomatic relation between two countries. That is why we had to give up
inviting North Korea.￣ We think that this excuse is irresponsible for their
fulfillment of obligations. Moreover, WSIS is not just related to the
affairs of Japanese government, but UN affairs. Furthermore, North Korea is
also a member of United Nations, which is fair ground that North Korea
should be invited to the conference.
> We can¨t understand that Japanese government couldn¨t find the contact
points to North Korea.
>
> We heard very bad news from our NGO colleague in Japan. He sent us the
information related to North Korea issue from the meeting on December 16
about response of Japanese government regarding the reason why they refuse
to invite North Korea; "We does not invite North Korea by requirement from
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MFA said that to invite North Korea is very
difficult under present political circumstances.￣
>
> We strongly criticize the double attitude of Japanese government and
unfair affairs to North Korea. Japanese Government should invite North Korea
to Asian Regional Conference for WSIS immediately.
>
>
> Signature:
> Korean Progressive Network, Jinbonet
>
>
>