On Tue, 15 May 2007, Ray Plzak wrote:
The US DoC has as much say for ARIN as it does for the RIPE NCC.
The US DoC, through IANA functions, says, e.g., what IP Address blocks each can allocate. That seems to qualify as 'much say' You seem to be confusing delegation of authority with loss of authority. The DoC has contracted the IANA function to ICANN and doesn't involve itself much, and ultimately plans to get out altogether. However, the IANA operator (ICANN) then has 'much say'. But the DoC 'get out altogether' event hasn't happened yet. So you can't write out the DoC just yet.
The RIRs existed before ICANN. The relationship between the RIRs and ICANN is defined in the ASO MoU, an agreement between ICANN on the one hand and the NRO on behalf of the RIRs on the other. There is no mention in the ICANN bylaws of the RIRs.
The fallacy of this claim was already stated: RIRs get their authority and IP Address Allocations, etc from IANA. The fact that RIRs existed before ICANN is irrelevant, because IANA existed before the RIRs. And, as I noted, IANA functions are now contracted to ICANN. Technically, it is in fact the IANA (not ICANN) that has direct control over RIRs. But, as I pointed out, ICANN has full control over IANA functions by contract with the US Government. And, as I pointed out, the IETF is a technical consultant to ICANN. The MoUs are just that: Memoranda of Understanding. MoUs can be terminated, and don't supercede the contracts with the US Government. So, it is possible for ICANN/IANA to disregard the technical advice of its technical consultant and so it is possible for ICANN/IANA to allow the RIRs to do something which the IETF doesn't approve. There is nothing the IETF can do about it. The IETF can't fire ICANN as IANA operator, but ICANN could fire the IETF as its technical consultant. Of course, the IETF can also quit as the technical consultant. The IETF has no exclusive monopoly on technical experts. The practical effect of a break with the IETF is to get rid of only the people in the IESG and IAB. Roughly ~25 experts are easily replaced. BTW, it is not the case that I think any of this _will_ happen, but it clarifies the relationships to know what is possible under the current contracts. I expect that people will reach reasonable accomodations with all the stakeholders involved. Of course, sometimes that doesn't happen. But, probably people are more reasonable when they realize the consequences of unreasonable intransigence. --Dean -- Av8 Internet Prepared to pay a premium for better service? www.av8.net faster, more reliable, better service 617 344 9000