[registrars] Monopolistic actions of Network Solutions -- under Government Contract.

["Robert F. Connelly" <rconnell@psi-japan.com>]

11 July 1999

The Honorable Shelley Berkley
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC  20515

Dear Representative Berkley:

On June 16th, I stopped by your office to meet your staff.  Unfortunately, 
no one was available at the time.  I left my card and signed your register.

My business on the Hill has come to a head.  Our firm is a member of the 
Internet Council of Registrars (CORE) and I am on the Executive Committee 
of CORE.  The CORE logo was on my business card.  Perhaps you are aware of 
the process which the Administration has launched to put the control of 
Internet domain names into the private sector.

Under the DoC plan, as detailed in the "White Paper", control of the domain 
name system (DNS) is presently transitioning from a monopoly (created by 
the NSF) to a not-for-profit corporation, Internet Corporation for Names 
and Numbers (ICANN).  The "interim" board of ICANN has been selected from 
distinguished experts in computer matters.  The Chair, Ms. Esther Dyson, is 
well known for her even handed, open approach to the governance of the 
Internet.  She and her board are doing an excellent job navigating the 
shark infested waters that have been presented to them.

Opposing ICANN, there is the government created monopoly, making egregious 
profits from managing the DNS.  Network Solutions Inc. (NSI) was a wholly 
owned subsidiary of SIAC until SIAC took NSI public a year ago -- they 
still hold controlling interest in NSI. Officers of SIAC have profited 
greatly from their personal transactions with shares of NSI.

It is well known that SIAC has on its staff many former CIA 
operatives.  They are the nations largest privately held government 
contractor.  Many of their contracts are with the CIA.  For more details, 
visit the following URL:

	http://www.newhavenadvocate.com/articles/raiders.html

So here we have the classic mismatch.  Esther Dyson, known for her gentle, 
even handed and open dealings --- and "in the other corner", the CIA, 
trained at dirty tricks, covert acts and espionage.

"As the twig is bent, so will the tree incline".   CIA has fifty years of 
obfuscation, operating in camera, corrupting government officials, waging 
wars.  CIA's alumni in SIAC have learned their lessons well and bring them 
to NSI.   Ester Dyson has gained an impressive reputation for working in 
the open, gaining consensus.

It's as though they put you or me in the rink with Mike Tyson:-(

NSI, which is domiciled in Herndon, VA, has gotten Representative Thomas 
Bliley, 7th District of Virginia, to call for a hearing before the House 
Commerce Committee, which *he* chairs.  As I understand it, the hearing is 
to be held the week of July 12th.  If prior acts of the Honorable Bliley 
are any clue to the future, the hearing can be expected to throw stumbling 
blocks in the path of ICANN.

I would appreciate it if you could bring these matters to the attention of 
Senator Reid and to such other "movers and shakers" on the Hill who could 
throw some weight behind the laudable plans and actions of ICANN.

Personal regards,
Bob Connelly


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robert and Jane Connelly
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Internet: rconnell@teal.csn.net
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