If we accept that RIPE has a duty to its members and is under the obligation to serve them, and as such that this mailing list is for its members, then messages to local-ir/lir-wg shouldn't really be considered as public, but as informational for the members of RIPE. In other words, INTERNAL. Or are non lir individuals allowed on these lists? Having said that, the allegations we have just read are serious enough to warrant some statement of clarification from the board. Possibly this statement should even be public due to the seriousness of the allegations. This particular LIR would like more information on the issue so as to dispell any questions about the fairness and open-ness (sp?) of RIPE NCC operations. It is not good enough to BE fair and open, but one must also APPEAR to be fair and open. More so an entity in the position that RIPE NCC is in. Yours, John Broomfield. JCB1-RIPE
Dear mailing list members,
As you may be aware, we have a longstanding policy of not discussing internal matters of the RIPE NCC in public.
In this spirit I shall not expand on the content of recent mails addressed to this list concerning the RIPE NCC staffing issues. Equally, this does not imply any statement about their truthfulness.
I do, however, encourage discussion of the services we provide to our members at any time. All of our staff, including myself, are open and willing to discuss any issues relating to the RIPE NCC services.
The Executive Board of the RIPE NCC Association, as the ultimate members' representation, will be happy to discuss any issue you feel you cannot bring up with the Managing Director.
Sincerely,
Axel Pawlik Managing Director RIPE NCC