COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Brussels, 16 March 1998

Vice-President of the United States

Mr Albert Gore

Old Executive Building

Washington D.C. 20501United States of America

Subject: US Green Paper on Internet Governance

Dear Sir,

Following the publication in the US Federal Register on 20 February 1998 of the "Proposal to Improve Technical Management of Internet Names and Addresses", the European Community and its Member States have considered this matter and have agreed to entrust us with forwarding to you their initial observations, which are contained in the Annex to this letter.

The Community, and its Member States look forward to hearing from the US Administration about how it intends to proceed with its proposal and the comments submitted by the various interested parties.

Yours faithfully,

For the Council of the European Union

B. ROCHE

President of the Council of the EU

M.BANGEMANN

Member of the Commission

cc. Mr W. M. Daley, US Secretary of Commerce