To: Internet Architecture Board <iab@isi.edu>
From: IESG Secretary <iesg-secretary@CNRI.Reston.VA.US>
Subject: Character Sets and other issues of Internationalization
Date: Thu, 24 Mar 94 19:10:13 -0500
Message-Id: <9403241910.aa22138@IETF.CNRI.Reston.VA.US>
Work in either character set (or coding) development or
"internationalization" has major long-term architectural and policy
implications for the Internet. It is clear that the work is important;
it is clear that others, including several ISO/IEC JTC1 committees, are
working parts of the issue. Much of the work and the success criteria
for it are cultural and political, not engineering/technical.
The IESG believes these issues need to be addressed by the IAB, and
requests that they advise the IETF on architectural frameworks, and on
what should be done within IETF and what should be done elsewhere.
The IESG also requests the IAB to initiate liaisons with other groups
(e.g. ISO/IEC JTC1 subgroups, especially SC2 and SC22, APCCIRN, RARE,
CEN, French Ministry of Culture, etc.) as they believe would facilitate
the work and reduce the odds of redundant or conflicting work and
recommendations, and of concerned parties "shopping" for a standards
body who can be persuaded to adoped approaches rejected elsewhere.
Pending availability of this advice and recommendations, the IESG will
refer any proposals to initiate standards-track character set work,
other than requirements to narrowly profile existing and deployed
standards for Internet use, to the IAB for your deliberations.
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