[ppml] Policy Proposal 2003-15: IPv4 Allocation Policy for th e Africa Portion of the ARIN Region

[Gregory Massel]

> Part of what bothers me here is that 6 or 12 months ago when 2002-3
> discussion was going on I don't recall many (or any, really) of the
> "Africa People" who have been supporting 2003-15 stepping up to
> voice their support.  There were proposals for a policy that did
> exactly what African's seem to want, and the 2002-3 proposal (which
> seems to not include assignments and allocations as desired), and
> yet no one came forward to help.

Leo, maybe I'm misreading you, but the impression I get is that you're saying 
you're concerned to support "Africa People" because they were not vocal 
earlier in the year.

I think you may be overlooking the fact that until recently very few "Africa 
People" were aware of the ARIN public policy mailing list, 2002-3, etc. I, 
for example, only joined it a few weeks ago and at the time posted messages 
to a few popular African networking lists to create awareness of the PPML.

I have not yet seen a single posting from any one of the "Africa People" 
rejecting 2002-3, although I have seen quite a number supporting it.

> felt 2002-3 would be defeated because the "big bad backbones" in
> the US would never let it happen here, but they might be indifferent
> enough to let Africa get away with it.

It's not about indifference. There are different issues at stake. Both 
proposals have merit, but for different reasons.

> that conclusion.  Clearly people have strong opinions one way or
> the other, and I see no clear majority.  The only way to win is to
> not split the vote, joining up and outvoting the "big bad backbones".

What you're talking about here, is obtaining consensus.

Just a hypothetical question for you...

If both 2002-3 and 2003-15 were passed, who would be unhappy? (aside from 
possibly the "big bad backbones")

So if were talking about standing united, then it means we all have to give 
and take a bit. The best compromise I've seen to date is that we all stand 
united in support of both 2002-3 and 2003-15. This is the only win-win 
situation for all that does not involve the excessive delays that amending 
either or both policies would introduce.

If you tell Africans to dump or amend 2003-15 or North Americans to dump or 
amend 2002-3, then you'll struggle to get a united stance. Supporting both 
simultaneously is the only compromise that benefits all.

-Greg