Adam, I think the first version is better.
Leelangi
At 01:30 PM 2/13/03 +0900, you wrote:
>I think we should send a letter of thanks to the Japanese government.
>Sorry for being so slow, I sent a draft to the list quite a while ago
>(January 23) and then got a little busy with other work.
>
>I don't think there's time for signatures, and I would anyway hope
>that we can all agree that saying "thank you" is a generally positive
>thing!
>
>I think it is important to get a note on the record with the Japanese
>government and WSIS that recognizes the multi-sector drafting
>process. This is a real step forward. And asks for further similar
>support. Despite the mess that arose over Taiwanese participants, the
>Asia regional meeting seems to be regarded as the best event to date
>as far as civil society participation is concerned.
>
>Note. There are 2 versions of the first sentence.
>
>1. We are writing to you [on behalf of the] NGOs and civil society
>organizations that attended the Asian Regional Conference for WSIS
>
>2. We are writing to you [on behalf of our friends among the] NGOs
>and civil society organizations that attended the Asian Regional
>Conference for WSIS
>
>I am concerned some of you may object to us writing on everybody's
>behalf, hence the second version. "Friends" is used in a the broad
>diplomatic sense and is not intended to imply any favoritism (it
>means "ally" or someone with the same cause.)
>
>Comments please. OK to send? Which version, 1 or 2?
>
>Many thanks,
>
>Adam
>
>
>
>Dear Minster/Vice Minister (cc to Mr. Samassekou)
>
>We are writing to you [on behalf of the] [on behalf of our friends
>among the] NGOs and civil society organizations that attended the
>Asian Regional Conference for WSIS, Tokyo January 13-15, 2003, the
>organizations and members of the Asia and Pacific region NGO and
>civil society mailing list (communication@wsisasia.org), and members
>of the Asia and Pacific NGO Coordinating Committee (AP-NGO-CC.)
>
>We would like to congratulate you on a successful conference and the
>valuable contribution all participants were able to make to the WSIS
>process. The innovative multi-sector declaration drafting process you
>introduced was in the true spirt of the WSIS. It was a pleasure to be
>able to work with our colleagues from government and the private
>sector in creating the Tokyo declaration.
>
>We would like to thank your staff for the excellent support they gave
>to NGOs and Civil Society throughout the preparation for the
>conference, and particularly while so many visitors from overseas
>were in Tokyo. Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts
>and Telecommunications (MPHPT) staff were highly professional, acting
>with consideration at all times.
>
>As a result of your efforts at Ministry of Public Management, Home
>Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
>and all organizers and contributors, the Asia and Pacific region has
>been able to make a significant contribution to the World Summit on
>the Information Society. We hope we can look forward to your
>Ministry's continued support for NGOs and civil society to be able to
>participate to the fullest extent possible in the WSIS process.
>
>Yours sincerely,
>
>pp GLOCOM
>--
>
>