US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE1568

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001568 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EB/CIP (GROSS), EUR/ERA, EUR/UBI 
STATE PLEASE PASS FCC AND FTC 
STATE PLEASE ALSO PASS USTR 
COMMERCE FOR NITA (CSPECK) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECPS, ETRD, ECON, EINT, ETTC, EZ, EUN 
SUBJECT: CZECHS AND THE WSIS: WHY FIX IT IF IT AIN'T BROKE? 
 
REF: SECSTATE 196384 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: All of the Czech players involved on WSIS 
echo the refrain "why fix it if it ain't broke?" and seek to 
maintain the status quo on internet governance.  The GOCR is 
preparing to argue this point at COREPER in Brussels on 4 
November, but are resigned to follow the final decision of 
the EC on this issue.  The Czechs are actively engaged in 
bridging the digital divide through outreach, and on 
transforming the country into a center for information 
technology, so they are pre-disposed to close cooperation 
with the U.S. on this matter.  END SUMMARY 
 
2. (U) Econoff met with the Ministry of Informatics Director 
of the Policy and International Cooperation Department Jan 
Prosik, and his WSIS action officer Antonin Chlum.  They 
stated bluntly that their government's preference was to 
maintain the status quo on internet governance, and that they 
have no problems with the existing system.  They noted that 
telecommunications in the Czech Republic has been labeled as 
"critical infrastructure" and that the government was 
unwilling to undertake any radical changes, such as EU's 
proposal at the WSIS, that might effect their ability to 
protect and improve this infrastructure or that might impose 
additional costs. 
 
3. (SBU) Nevertheless, they said that the final decision 
would be in the hands of the EC, and that the COREPER meeting 
would be 'very interesting.'  The Czechs are going to push 
publicly and privately against the suggestions of introducing 
internet governance, but stated that there will likely be a 
battle if the issue enters the political arena, instead of 
'mere' discussion among experts.  Two countries within the EU 
that the GOCR is wary of are France and the UK.  The GOCR 
views France as a country looking for a trump card to 
increase the relative strength and profile of their friend 
Tunisia, and is slightly concerned that the UK, since it 
holds the EU Presidency, may be willing to engage in 
horse-trading on this issue to garner support for other 
problems. 
 
4. (U) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which does not have 
the lead on this issue but is in close coordination with the 
Ministry of Informatics, is in complete agreement with the 
preference for a status quo.  Ales Zdimera from the MFA 
Department of Internal Market and Related Policies said that 
the government is speaking with one voice on this issue: as 
long as it's working, there is no need to alter the current 
method of internet management. 
 
5. (U) The Czech Republic has a burgeoning software/IT 
industry and an educational pipeline of computer-industry 
workers.  They also have seen a 380 percent growth rate in 
internet usage over the last 5 years, which is well above 
average and has led to a boom in business and media websites. 
 The government, which is attempting to sell an "eGovernment" 
platform for everything from business registration to tax 
payments and is working hard on outreach programs 
(specifically in Africa) to bridge the digital divide, is 
loath to see any changes in internet management which would 
potentially disrupt their plans for future success in this 
area. 
CABANISS