Public Meeting With Interested Parties for the Department of State and Other Agencies To Receive Views on Proposals To Modify and Expand the Role of the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO)

Resumo

The International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) Assembly of Parties (member governments) has created an Intersessional Working Group (IWG) to undertake a detailed study of a possible extension or expansion of IMSO's mandate. The issue to be addressed at this meeting is the role of IMSO in respect of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), aeronautical safety services, and service to rural and remote areas of developing countries, including the principle and the legal methodology of a possible extension or expansion of IMSO's mandate. The Department of State wishes to receive the views of the public on the issues that will be addressed by the IWG, the first meeting of which is scheduled for January 20-24, 2003. The two principal issues that have given rise to the creation of the IWG are: (1) Questions concerning the criteria for and potential consequences of the recognition by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of additional service providers for the satellite component of the GMDSS and any possible role for IMSO with respect to such additional providers (currently, only Inmarsat Ltd. Of London is recognized as a satellite service provider of GMDSS)