Ambassador warns against demonizing the UN in negotiations over Internet treaty

US Ambassador Terry Kramer argued that the United States will have to address the concerns of other countries during negotiations over an international telecommunications treaty. He warned that refusing to participate in discussions or demonizing the United Nations will only prevent the United States from having a seat at the negotiating table.

"Our messages need to be issues-orientated and fact-orientated — not taking shots at the U.N., not taking shots at leadership," he said during a speech at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington. Kramer said the United States will have to remain open to proposals that would improve security or expand Internet access to areas that have little or no access. But he emphasized that certain proposals are non-negotiable, including a plan pushed by European telecommunications companies that would allow them to charge more to carry international traffic.