Norm Coleman: No UN control of Internet

From DRUDGE (no linking b/c it's a flash post that Drudge will remove later) comes word of this statement Norm Coleman put into the Congressional Record in response to the report of the UN Working Group on Internet Governance. The UNWGIG wants the UN to assume control over the Internet, terminate the US's leadership role, and assume the role of ICANN. Essentially, the UNWGIG wants a corrupt organization with no historical or philosophical support for free speech and democratic rule run by corrupt bureaucrats to take control of the Internet from the one country founded upon the Lockean values of liberty, property and democracy.

Won't happen.

Here's the Coleman statement:

My probe of the U.N. as Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations revealed management that was at best, incompetent, and at worst corrupt. The first priority for the United Nations must be fundamental reform of its management and operations rather than any expansion of its authority and responsibilities. The Internet has flourished under U.S. supervision, oversight, and private sector involvement. This growth did not happen because of increased government involvement, but rather, from the opening on the Internet to commerce and private sector innovation. Subjecting the Internet and its security to the politicized control of the UN bureaucracy would be a giant and foolhardy step backwards.

Recently, I introduced UN reform legislation with the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations, Senator Dick Lugar (R-IN), known as the Coleman-Lugar UN Reform Bill, to help put an end to a culture of corruption that was exposed by the Oil for Food scandal, peacekeeping sexual abuse scandals, and other instances of organizational failures at U.N. Putting the U.N. in charge of one of the world's most important technological wonders and economic engines is out of the question. This proposal would leave the United States with no more say over the future of the Internet than Cuba or China-countries that have little or no commitment to the free flow of information.

In light of this report, I also plan to consult with experts and stakeholders regarding Internet governance, and will assess whether legislation is needed as a remedy. The U.S. is willing to work with other countries that have an interest in the management of their own country code domains but UN control is out of the question. We will continue a dialogue with the rest of the world on these issues as we go forward.

Good.