[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 169 (Tuesday, September 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46393-46394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23165]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice No. 2598]


Ad Hoc on the 1998 International Telecommunication Union Policy 
Forum; International Telecommunications Advisory Committee (ITAC) 
Meeting Notice

    The Department of State announces the establishment, under its 
International Telecommunications Advisory Committee (ITAC), of an Ad 
Hoc Group to prepare for the Second World Telecommunication Policy 
Forum (WTPF). The first three meetings will be held at the Department 
of State, 2201 ``C'' Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., as follows:


[[Page 46394]]


Wednesday, September 17, 1997, 1:30-4:00 p.m., Room 1107
Wednesday, September 24, 1997, 1:30-4:00 p.m., Room 1408
Wednesday, October 8, 1997, 1:30-4:00 p.m., Room 1207

    The purpose of ITAC is to advise the Department on policy, 
technical and operational matters and to provide strategic planning 
recommendations, with respect to international telecommunications and 
information issues. To assist in preparations for certain meetings of 
the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Department 
establishes ad hoc groups open to any and all government, industry or 
other interested participants in accordance with the ITAC advisory 
committee charter. The purpose and agenda of this ITAC Ad Hoc Group is 
to develop and recommend positions and, as appropriate, written 
contributions for submission by the United States in connection with 
the 1998 WTPF, as described below. Questions regarding the agenda or Ad 
Hoc activities in general may be directed to the chairman, Richard 
Shrum, State Department, at 202-647-0050; Fx: 202-647-7407, e-mail 
(uuencode):[email protected].
    The ITU will convene the second Policy Forum in Geneva, March 16-
18, 1998, in order to discuss and exchange views on the theme of trade 
in telecommunications services. The agenda will include: (a) the 
general implications for the ITU membership of the World Trade 
Organization (WTO) agreement on trade in basic telecom services, with 
respect to telecom policies, regulations and regulatory structures, and 
the implications for developing countries, particularly with respect to 
financial strategies to promote network and service, development; (b) 
actions to assist ITU membership in adapting to changes in the telecom 
environment including analysis of the current situation and possible 
cooperative actions to facilitate transition; and (c) the evolution of 
the international telecom environment, particularly the current 
accounting and settlement system. Discussions at the WTPF shall be 
based on a report of the Secretary-General, incorporating contributions 
and comments of the ITU membership, which will serve as the sole 
working document of the Forum. Preparations for WTPF will include an 
informal group of experts convened by the Secretary-General to assist 
in developing the report, and a working group of representatives of the 
ITU-T and ITU-D Sectors and the ITU Secretariat to conduct case studies 
in developing countries.
    All participants may join in discussions, subject to instructions 
of the chair. In this regard, entry to the building is controlled. If 
you wish to attend, please send a fax to 202-647-7407 at least 24 hours 
before the scheduled meeting, providing name, affiliation, date of 
birth and social security number, to arrange for pre-clearance. One of 
the following valid photo ID's is required for admittance: U.S. 
driver's license with picture, passport, Government ID (company ID's 
are not accepted). Enter through the ``C'' Street Main Lobby.

    Dated: August 26, 1997.
John T. Gilsenan,
Acting ITAC Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 97-23165 Filed 8-29-97; 8:45 am]
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