Preparing France's entry into the inform@tion society Government action programme Contents Introduction 3 Key issues involved in the information society 4 Six priority areas 6 1. New information and communications technology tools in the education= sector 8 2. An ambitious cultural policy for new networks 14 3. Information technology as a tool for modernising public services 24 4. Information technology, an essential tool for companies 36 5. Meeting the challenges of industrial and technological innovation 44 6. Encouraging the emergence of effective regulation and a protective= framework for new information=20 networks 57 Implementation method 64 1. Well-coordinated action at national and international level 66 2. Engaging public debate on France=92s entry into the information= society 72 Appendix 1 75 Appendix 2 80 Introduction Building an integrated information society Key issues involved in the information society BUILDING AN INTEGRATED INFORMATION SOCIETY The emergence of the information society is reflected by a variety of= profound transformations. With the use of=20 information technology and networks becoming widespread, the computerisation= of our society, which has been=20 heralded since the end of the 1970s, is now a reality concretely reflecting= the concept of the =93information society=94. The digitisation of information, the computerisation of production and= information exchange methods, the growth in=20 percentage of the country=92s wealth represented by non-material goods and= the development of new networks, such as the=20 Internet, have serious consequences for our economy, and also for the lives= of our people.=20 Marked by increasingly rapid technological developments, the IT revolution= is being accompanied by an=20 internationalisation of information flows, in which the new multimedia= networks know no boundaries. France=92s entry into the information society represents=20 an issue of decisive importance for our future These transformations, which are leading to fundamental changes in our= society, mean that the conditions for France=92s=20 entry into the information society are of decisive importance for our= future. The economic issues are obvious. The multimedia industry - which includes= the computer, telecommunications and=20 audiovisual sectors - is now one of the driving forces for economic growth= and offers a promising pool of jobs. Information is becoming a strategic commodity, one of the conditions of our= competitiveness. Products resulting from intellectual activity already represent a key= percentage of our collective wealth, and will do so=20 even more in the future. To a great extent, international competition in the= next century will be a battle of intelligence.=20 The profound changes brought about by information technology go far beyond= straightforward economic issues: the=20 increase in new information and communications networks offers promising= social, cultural and, ultimately, political=20 prospects. The transformations in relationships with space and time caused by these= information networks lead to a wide variety of=20 democratic prospects, whether these involve access to knowledge and the= arts, national and regional development or the=20 participation of the people in local life. Technology must be used for the benefit of society The development of new worldwide information networks like the Internet= represents a considerable challenge for=20 States, used to intervening in a well-controlled national context. The rise= in the circulation of personal data and the=20 increasingly important place of information and communications technology in= the professional environment are giving=20 rise to numerous concerns. However, the promise inherent in the information society justifies an= optimistic vision of our future. Entry into the=20 information society may lead to a more integrated, more open and more= democratic society. This is why the government is offering the people of France a project and a= political vision of information and=20 communications technology founded on the ambition to create an integrated= information society. The government thus intends to act to facilitate the development of the= information society in France, which can be=20 accessed by the greatest possible number of new services. An action programme to mark the Government=92s commitment The government action programme for the information society marks the= State=92s commitment, stressing, sector by=20 sector, the issues and priorities, accompanied by concrete proposals. This document, which mixes medium-term strategic orientations and= operational measures, aims to outline the directions=20 to be taken by government action in this area in years to come. The government action programme will act as a reference for government= departments, but also, and in particular, for=20 the other players in society who are calling for determined and sustained= State intervention. The government=92s approach aims to make a clear distinction between those= areas in which direct State intervention is=20 required, such as modernising public services or developing information and= communication technology in education,=20 and areas in which the State can simply set an example, offer encouragement= and increase awareness. The State cannot do everything in this field. It is therefore essential that= society itself takes the initiative, through the=20 involvement of individual citizens, companies, local authorities and= associations. Government action is based on listening to public debate The government is fully convinced that solutions in this field cannot be= imposed on society by the public authorities.=20 Thus this programme, although it represents a general framework for public= action, should not be set in stone. On the contrary, it must be improved on the basis of the public debate which= should result from the main options=20 outlined for France=92s entry into the information society. Six priority areas=20 To be effective, public action must concentrate on certain priorities To be effective and properly understood by the people of the country, State= action must concentrate on a limited number=20 of priorities. Government initiatives to prepare France=92s entry into the= information society will thus respond to the main=20 concerns:=20 1. New information and communications technology tools in the education= sector=20 2. An ambitious cultural policy for new networks=20 3. Information technology as a tool for modernising public services=20 4. Information technology, an essential tool for companies=20 5. Meeting the challenges of industrial and technological innovation=20 6. Encouraging the emergence of effective regulation and a protective= framework for=20 new information networks 1- New information and communications technology=20 tools in the education sector=20 The intelligence battle begins at school, where the development of= information and communication technology responds=20 to a twofold objective: ? equipping our future citizens with the expertise necessary to use these= new communications tools, which will be=20 essential to them,=20 =09 ? using the wide variety of multimedia tools to modernise teaching methods.= =20 To meet these objectives, the State will devote extensive resources to this= key area for the future over a three-year=20 period. This exceptional contribution will affect all education sectors, at= all levels and will cover teacher training, the=20 equipping and bringing on-line of teaching establishments, along with the= production and distribution of appropriate=20 material.=20 Thus, for the school sector, although expenditure on equipment is the= responsibility of local authorities, the State may,=20 using suitable methods, encourage these to guarantee equal access of pupils= to information and communications=20 technology. To this end, in 1998 the Ministry of Education, Research and= Technology will offer specific support to=20 establishments in priority education zones (=93ZEPs=94) and rural schools. Specific aid will also be given to further education establishments, on the= basis of a plan to be drawn up by them in=20 spring 1998, to allow all students access to information tools and networks. Particular efforts will be devoted to increasing awareness among teachers= and providing them with training, an area of=20 absolute priority. A GLOBAL APPROACH TO EDUCATION Teaching using information and communications technology The potential uses of information and communications technology must be= explored, with respect to both pupils and=20 teachers, but also with respect to training methods themselves. The activities of pupils and students using multimedia tools must be further= developed Computers can lead to pupils having a more active approach; the diversity= and richness of the media available (text,=20 images, audiovisual material) stimulate their creativity. Using databases available on CD-Rom or on the Internet, pupils have easy and= interactive access to information, and can=20 thus produce individual work which is richer and built around projects. Using internal school networks, pupils can exchange information and work in= groups, breaking the usual inherent=20 restrictions of their class and level of education. E-mail enables exchanges= to take place both at local and international=20 level. Multimedia products can help pupils who have difficulties with more= traditional methods of accessing information, by=20 offering them new learning tools (vision in space, presence of sound, other= relationship to written text, etc.). Information networks can encourage exchange of ideas between teachers Division into subject groups on the Internet, working partys, sharing of= experience: these are just some of the ways in=20 which teachers could benefit from the increased circulation of information,= in terms of ongoing training and personal=20 development. In addition to these working methods, information and communications= technology tools could promote the=20 development of distance learning and made-to-measure teaching= (self-teaching, tutored learning, etc.) which make both=20 pupils and students the focus of teaching.=20 To encourage these new practices, several actions are planned: ? the introduction of information and communications technology tools into= teaching programmes,=20 =09 ? the development of resource centres in teaching and academic= establishments,=20 =09 ? aid to start up distance learning (creation of virtual campuses) and= made-to-measure teaching.=20 Giving priority to training=20 teachers and managers=20 An emergency plan for teacher training establishments has been set up=20 With respect to initial training, a two-year emergency plan, aimed at= developing the use of this technology in teacher=20 training establishments (=93IUFMs=94) is currently being set up and should= come into effect at the start of the 1998 academic=20 year. One hundred posts for teaching and technical staff and 1000 jobs for= young people will be allocated to these=20 establishments to aid integration of this technology into teaching practice. Ongoing training will be developed Ongoing staff training, for those already in the profession, will be= developed, making the best possible use of the=20 potential offered by information and communications technology. Increasing awareness among management staff is a priority Management staff (establishment principals, inspecting bodies, etc.) are= prime players for increasing awareness of the=20 issues and piloting training tools integrating information and= communications technology. Initiatives will be set up at=20 inter-academic level and will be open, if required, to management staff from= other ministries. Suitable information=20 guides and self-teaching tools will be developed for these managers. THE CREATION OF EDUCNET: THE SYNERGY OF A DECENTRALISED NETWORK=20 Equipping all teaching establishments and bringing them on-line By the year 2000, the use of this technology in schools and universities= will be widespread By the year 2000, the majority of schools and universities will be equipped= with networked computers, linked to the=20 Internet and will have e-mail addresses. Equipment-rental solutions should be given priority Teaching establishments, and the local authorities to which they are= attached, will be free to decide what equipment they=20 require to use information and communications technology tools. However,= given the rate at which the computer sector=20 is developing, equipment-rental solutions should be given priority.=20 Students must be encouraged to have their own personal equipment Initiatives will be continued to make it easier for students to have their= own personal equipment, so that computers and=20 the Internet become usual and accepted working tools. Agreements with operators making it possible to offer favourable conditions= for connecting establishments to the=20 Internet With respect to connection, we are currently seeing the development of= alternative solutions, such as cable and soon=20 satellite, increasing the telecommunications tools options available. So= that it is possible to offer all those establishments=20 who so wish, particularly favourable conditions for access to the Internet,= agreements will be sought with the operators=20 present on the market, in particular France Telecom, the public operator= offering a universal service. Discussions will be organised in all teaching establishments on the subject= of their options with respect to=20 information and communications technology equipment=20 Before summer 1998, every school, of whatever type, will organise a debate= at staff meetings or board of governors=20 meetings, to discuss the options for going on-line and equipping themselves= with information and communications=20 technology tools. The local authority to which the establishment is attached and a= representative of the director of education will be=20 included in these discussions, which must be conducted as part of the= academic development plan. Similarly, every further education department will organise debate on this= matter with all its partners. Debate at the most decentralised level possible is all the more necessary= given that the heterogeneous nature of both the=20 objective situations of establishments and the initiatives already agreed by= local authorities for equipping schools=20 prohibit any definition of global technical solutions on a national scale. Ensuring balanced and coherent development Directors of education will draw up an information and communications= technology development plan To ensure coordination between teaching establishments, local authorities= and the State, directors of education will draw=20 up a 3-year information and communications technology development plan. In= their plans, they will indicate their=20 equipment and network-connection choices, planned teaching programmes and= tools for assisting and training users, for=20 their education authority. In particular, the information and communications technology development= plan will be based on the results of=20 consultation within each teaching establishment. A =93resources person=94 will be appointed by each establishment or school= group A teacher or librarian qualified to act as a =93resources person=94 in= charge of information and communications technology=20 must be appointed by each establishment or school group. Plans for ensuring that students have access to information and= communications technology will be developed University chancellors will draw up a plan for ensuring student access to= information and communications technology in=20 the first half of 1998. Developing an active partnership with local authorities and industry The State will set up a system to encourage favourable financing solutions= for local authorities=92 expenditure Provision will be made to help finance projects within establishments using= information and communications technology=20 tools. In particular, its implementation ought to help balance equipment= levels nationally. Agreements will encourage companies to offer attractive rates for equipping= teaching establishments Agreements will be signed at national level with manufacturers, software= suppliers and training organisations to=20 encourage them to offer attractive rates for equipping teaching= establishments. These agreements could also be at local=20 level. THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF TEACHING AND SCIENTIFIC MATERIAL=20 FOR EDUCATION The actions of the Ministry of national Education, research and technology= in this area essentially target two main=20 themes: ? supporting the French multimedia industry,=20 =09 ? encouraging innovation and production by teachers.=20 Supporting the French educational multimedia industry A single office will be set up for educational multimedia products The setting-up of a single office within the Technology department of the= Ministry of national Education, research and=20 technology will make it possible to concentrate expenditure on educational= multimedia product projects. A policy for=20 labelling, call for tenders and purchasing will cover all multimedia= sectors: analogue and digital audiovisual products,=20 CD-Roms, Internet, etc. Use of La Cinqui=E8me=92s Programmes and Services Bank in the world of= education will be promoted The Ministry of national Education, research and technology intends to= promote the distribution of high-speed digital=20 audiovisual funds. In this context, its support of the BPS (=93Banque de= Programmes et de Services=94 - Programmes and=20 Services Bank) created by the television channel, La Cinqui=E8me, will= result, in 1998, in assistance to create and=20 distribute adapted teaching material and the monitoring of 200 experimental= school sites. This increase in digital distribution should, in particular, enable the= development of ongoing training and distance=20 learning. These actions will be conducted in close cooperation with the= Ministry for Culture and communication. Encouraging individual production To encourage educational production and innovation, several actions will be= undertaken to support teaching projects and=20 encourage the industrialisation of know-how. A call for projects will be launched with DATAR and local authorities A call for projects will be launched by the Ministry of national Education,= research and technology, in collaboration=20 with DATAR (=ABD=E9l=E9gation =E0 l=92am=E9nagement du territoire et =E0= l=92action r=E9gionale=BB - Delegation for national and regional=20 planning and regional action) and local authorities, to support teaching= projects. Financed by the national and regional=20 planning fund, the budget allocated to this operation (10 million French= Francs in 1998) will give priority to medium- sized projects to encourage numbers and diversity. ANVAR will launch a call for teaching project proposals ANVAR (=93Agence nationale pour la valorisation de la recherche=94 -= National agency for the economic development of=20 research) will launch a call for proposals to aid financing of teaching= projects which would make it possible to=20 industrialise the know-how acquired by certain teachers. This initiative= would make it possible to develop new=20 enterprises in the educational multimedia sector. Bringing together multimedia industry players and teachers The conditions will be created to make it easier to bring together= industrial players and teaching staff involved in this=20 field, and to facilitate mobility of teachers towards companies, for a given= duration of time. Promoting the distribution of resources The Educasource project will offer a guide for access to educational= multimedia resources The Educasource project which is currently under development will offer all= teachers and trainers an orientation point,=20 in the form of a web site, allowing them to identify, amongst all the= multimedia resources available on-line and off-line,=20 that with the greatest teaching value. Direct distribution of information by teachers must be encouraged Teachers, and more especially further-education lecturers, will be= encouraged to publish part of their teaching courses in=20 a form which they deem to be suitable, on the various digital media. Aid= will be provided for the development of the=20 French on-line supply of unpublished documents, representing =93grey-matter= literature=94: theses, research reports, articles,=20 etc. Integration of information and communications technology into documentation= services will be developed All resource centres, and more especially university libraries, will= intensify their efforts to integrate information and=20 communications technology into their services, to create new material and to= better manage their resources.=20 Documentation services are, in fact, an ideal place to provide pupil,= student and teacher access to information and=20 communications technology. Moreover, bringing these services on-line makes= it possible to considerably extend the=20 amount of information available on the Internet and to facilitate distance= learning. The collective catalogue of all further education libraries will be= completed and made available on the Internet The production of a complete collective catalogue of all further education= libraries, which can be accessed on the=20 Internet, must be speeded up, so that it is completed in the next five= years. The Ministry of national Education, research=20 and technology will lend its support to the digitising of non-copyrighted= library material, an initiative which will be=20 based on cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Communication. NEW INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY TOOLS IN THE=20 EDUCATION SECTOR: A EUROPEAN ISSUE France has circulated a memorandum on school access to the Internet to the= other European Union members In autumn 1997, France circulated a memorandum on school access to the= Internet to the Commission and its European=20 partners. In France, this extensive access will be implemented in compliance= with community law, which it would=20 nevertheless seem both necessary and legitimate to adapt. It is hoped that= it will be possible to redefine the idea of=20 universal service, to ensure an equal playing field for all schools and to= create the opportunity of mobilising universal=20 service resources to this end. On the basis of this memorandum, on the 1st of December 1997, the= Telecommunications Council held a debate on the=20 role of the Internet in schools, stressing the need for a convergence of= objectives of member States. All of our partners stressed the importance, to the competitiveness of the= European economy, of equipping our young=20 people with the tools to access the skills and knowledge enabling them to= benefit from the potential of the information=20 society, without excluding anyone. 2- An ambitious cultural policy for new networks=20 The digital revolution has made computers and information networks into= tools for creation and communication - media=20 in the true sense of the word. This boom in the information industry has= been accompanied by rapid development in=20 materials and programmes, in particular those with a cultural flavour. The degree of material and services currently available on the Internet in= the French language is inadequate. Given our=20 rich heritage, it is particularly paradoxical that we should be falling= behind in the field of the arts, in which the Internet=20 plays an essential distribution role. Information and communications technology is giving rise to new skills and= new artistic approaches, leading to profound=20 changes in the arts and media industries. Entry into the information society and appropriation of information and= communications technology thus represent a=20 major component in an ambitious cultural policy. The Government intends to increase its support for the creation of= multimedia material and services, digitising France=92s=20 cultural heritage and using arts training and access sites to facilitate= mastery of information technology tools. The new information networks represent an ideal tool to help reinforce the= international presence of France and the=20 French language, and their use must be encouraged to promote France=92s= cultural influence. SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF MULTIMEDIA MATERIAL AND SERVICES Directing financial aid towards information and communications technology The existing systems for providing aid for creation, which rely mainly on= the actions of the CNC (=93Centre national de la=20 cin=E9matographie=94 - National Cinematography Centre) and the IFCIC= (=93Institut de financement du cin=E9ma et des=20 industries culturelles=94 - Institute for the financing of cinema and arts= industries) will be strengthened and adapted. Aid awarded by the CNC will be increased by 50% in 1998 In 1998, more than 25 million French Francs will be allocated to assist= multimedia programmes, given in the form of=20 reimbursable advances. This initiative will make it possible to meet the= development needs of the multimedia publishing=20 sector and to respond to a new, rapidly growing need for on-line services. A new system has been set up to encourage the press to develop its= multimedia activities Developments in information and communications technology and the rise of= the Internet represent major challenges for=20 the future of the written press. A multimedia aid fund for the press, worth 15 million French Francs, has= been created to promote trials of new products=20 and services, the economic development of editorial resources and the use of= networks by journalists. In addition, the Fund to aid modernising of the daily and allied press, to= be set up in 1998, should benefit multimedia=20 projects. The arts industry guarantee fund managed by the IFCIC will be more widely= accessible to multimedia=20 production The arts industry guarantee fund managed by the IFCIC is aimed at multimedia= publishing and production companies. In=20 1998, the resources available will make it possible to guarantee outstanding= bank credit for a total sum of 60 million=20 French Francs. Public aid for the use of information technology in the publishing sector= will be developed The resources of the CNL (=93Centre national du livre=94 - National Book= Centre), which acts in tandem with the CNC to=20 support multimedia scriptwriting proposed by the publishing sector, will be= significantly increased in 1998.=20 Developing information and communications technology in the public= audiovisual=20 industry The digital audiovisual industry represents the perfect convergence of= computer, telecommunications and audiovisual=20 technology. Several major projects will be started in 1998 in the public audiovisual= sector. The Programmes and Services Bank will be operational in 1998 La Cinqui=E8me=92s BPS (=93Banque de Programmes et de Services - Programmes= and services bank) will fulfil the=20 audiovisual documentary needs of initial and ongoing training, offering= programmes on request, broadcast by satellite=20 following selection via the Internet. Following the trial conducted in 1997, almost 400 sites will be equipped in= 1998 and will have access to more than 3000=20 audiovisual programmes. The Ministry of Culture and communication has made BPS a priority,= allocating this project a budget of 22.5 million=20 French Francs The INA will develop its multimedia applications and archive digitisation Developments in information and communications technology are leading to= fundamental changes in the archiving tasks=20 of the INA (=93Institut national de l=92audiovisuel=94 - National= audiovisual institute). This institute is continuing to digitise its=20 archives and will set up a multimedia production studio. These= modernisations will be allocated a total budget of=20 17 million French Francs. The public audiovisual sector will develop its presence on the Internet The Internet is an ideal tool for developing the public audiovisual sector= and, in particular, its international distribution. The web site of RFI (Radio France International), voted the best media site= in 1997, makes it possible to extend RFI=92s=20 audience and to supplement the information that it offers. In 1998, it will= be improved with the addition of a database on=20 French songs. The reorganisation of TV5=92s web site, and in particular its linking-up to= the educational programmes site, will be another=20 example in 1998 of the potential represented by the Internet for the= audiovisual sector. Continuing action at EU level to harmonise taxation levels for cultural= products Cultural products are currently the subject of varying VAT levels: 2.1% for= the daily press, 5.5% for others, such as=20 books, and, finally, 20.6% for multimedia products. With respect to VAT, France cannot unilaterally decide to make changes to= the categories of products to which reduced=20 rates are applicable. Any application of a reduced VAT rate to all cultural products or services= would thus require revision of the EU list of=20 products and services eligible for this reduced rate, which, in turn, would= require a European Commission initiative and=20 the unanimous agreement of all member States. To date, the European= Commission has opposed any modifications to=20 this list. However, on the 24th of November 1997, at the Council of ministers meeting= on culture and the audiovisual industry,=20 the European Commission announced that a study on the effects of reducing= VAT on CD-Roms and interactive compact=20 disks (ICDs) is to be launched. France will pursue its efforts to convince its partners of the advantages of= harmonising taxation levels for=20 cultural products. Organising the protection of copyright in a digital environment The organisation of protection of copyright is not just a traditionally= important issue in cultural policy and intellectual=20 property laws. It is also a key condition to encourage multimedia creation= and expression and the development of=20 corresponding industries and services. Government action to protect copyright is concentrating on the international= context To a great extent, government action with respect to protection of copyright= is being conducted within a framework of=20 international negotiations. In October 1997, France signed two treaties, on copyright and related= rights, which were prepared in 1996 as part of the=20 World Organisation of Industrial Property (WOIP). These treaties extend the= scope of protection of work, by including=20 digital forms. France will play an active part in European negotiations to be held in 1998 In 1998, France will play an active part in negotiations on the draft= directive relating to =93copyright and related rights in=20 the information society=94 adopted by the European Commission on the 10th of= December 1997. Europe-wide ratification=20 of the 1996 WOIP treaties will be dependent on the results of these= negotiations. Transposition of the European directive relative to databases is being= undertaken In 1998, a law will be brought before parliament to enable transposition of= the European directive relative to databases,=20 which aims, in particular, to define the guarantees offered to database= producers. The setting-up of an identification system for digital work must be= encouraged Application of the existing and future legal framework relative to= protection of copyright presupposes the setting-up of=20 standardised identification systems for digital work and the authors of such= work, in which the French organisations=20 concerned will act as a driving force. Procedures for managing rights must be simplified The development of multimedia works, in compliance with copyright= regulations, requires significant simplification of=20 authorisation procedures for the use of published works. In 1998, the public authorities will act to support the organisation of= professionals and to require the public bodies=20 involved to instigate more efficient management of rights.=20 DIGITISING FRANCE=92S CULTURAL HERITAGE AND DISTRIBUTING CULTURAL=20 DATA ON THE INTERNET The public policy on digitisation of our cultural heritage must fulfil two= aims. It must first of all promote the access of=20 the greatest possible number of people to our heritage, in particular to= compensate for problems related to geographical=20 distances and restrictions related to the physical presentation of works. In= addition, this policy must also guarantee=20 public control of our heritage and avoid any attempt to =93privatise=94 our= national cultural heritage in digital form. An ambitious policy to digitise cultural collections Digitisation of cultural collections will be extended Operations to develop the artistic heritage of museums in the form of= digital databases and multimedia programmes will=20 be continued and reinforced according to three main themes: ? cultural development by the publishing of products for the general public;= =20 =09 ? scientific development by the creation of digital iconographic= collections;=20 =09 ? commercial development by sale of digital reproductions and the operation= of a fees system.=20 The total budget allocated to digitisation of artistic heritage in 1998 will= be 12 million French Francs. The digital collections of France=92s National Library will be enlarged Following opening of the Gallica Internet service in October 1997 by= France=92s National Library, a second phase will be=20 undertaken in 1998, to make more than 50,000 public-domain works accessible= on the Internet. Accelerating the distribution of cultural data on the Internet The Internet will represent a spectacular tool for making access to our= libraries=92 and museums=92 cultural heritage more=20 democratic. Its worldwide nature will also make it a relatively inexpensive= tool for promoting our cultural resources. A plan for distributing public cultural data on the Internet will be= developed A Ministry of Culture and Communication working party will develop a plan= for distributing public cultural data on the=20 Internet before the end of the first half of 1998 for each department of the= Ministry. The proposals submitted by this working party will be the subject of= extensive discussions. France will relaunch the =93Universal Library=94 project In addition to distribution of a reference literary collection= free-of-charge on the Internet, largely composed of National=20 Library non-copyrighted digital collections, France, in partnership with= UNESCO, will relaunch the =93Universal Library=94=20 project started in the context of G7 in 1995. A study commission will study the effects of digitisation on literary= publishing and creation A study commission on =93digital books=94, made up of representatives from= the entire book chain and public authorities,=20 will be set up in 1998. This commission will identify the effects of development of the Internet and= digitisation on book and reading policy,=20 will specify the positions of the various partners and will propose ground= rules to encourage better cooperation. PROMOTING THE MASTERY OF CULTURAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TOOLS=20 AND MULTIMEDIA CREATION=20 Appropriation of information and communications technology tools by the= country=92s citizens is in itself a cultural=20 objective. To prevent the development of a two-speed information society,= the State must encourage public awareness of=20 these new tools for expression and access to the arts and knowledge. The development of training in the use of multimedia tools within the arts= branch of education is also of key importance. Creating Multimedia Arts Centres for public information =93Espaces Culture Multimedia=94 or Multimedia Arts Centres will be created= throughout the country, to educate the public=20 in information technology, with a cultural flavour. 100 Multimedia Arts Centres will be created in 1998 These local centres will be situated within existing bodies, such as public= libraries or media libraries, and also in a wide=20 variety of cultural or sociocultural structures. A call for projects will be= launched jointly by the Ministry of Culture and=20 Communications and the Delegation on national and regional development and= regional action. In this way, it will be possible to create or support around a hundred= centres in 1998, with a total budget of 10 million=20 French Francs. Jobs for young people could be created in Multimedia Arts Centres These Multimedia Arts Centres could rely largely on jobs for young people to= lead and train the public in the use of=20 multimedia tools, and also to provide technical support to computer= management. In compliance with the recommendations formulated in the report by Mr.= Bernard POIGNANT, Mayor of Quimper,=20 relative to jobs for young people in the arts sector, the young people= employed in these Multimedia Arts Centres will be=20 given genuine professional training during the course of their contracts. Facilitating the cultural appropriation of information technology, using= public=20 libraries Public libraries represent the most extensive network of cultural= institutions in France. More than 6.5 million people are=20 public library members. Internet distribution may make it possible to= achieve a cultural re-balancing of the country,=20 along with wider and more equal access to knowledge and the arts. Libraries in which multimedia documents, both on-line and off-line,= gradually supplement collections of printed and=20 audiovisual documents, may thus become one of the major sites for cultural= appropriation of information and=20 communications technology by the public. They will rely on specific training= programmes which will have to be=20 developed, like those given by France=92s national school for further= education in information sciences, which prepares=20 future professionals in the use of information technology. Multimedia equipment levels in public libraries will be improved Financing, in the form of specific aid from the general decentralisation= grant fund, must be given to enable libraries to=20 acquire the equipment required to turn them into ideal sites for Internet= access. The same equipment could be used for=20 consultation of electronic-publishing products (CD-Roms). =20 What is required is to promote both library access to the Internet and= Internet access to libraries. With respect to=20 distance access to libraries, numerous added-value services could be= envisaged, such as the option of consulting the=20 catalogue of works on-line or accessing communication services. France=92s collective catalogue will be brought on-line in 1998 The first section of France=92s collective catalogue will be available on= the Internet by the end of 1998. It will include the=20 national list of public libraries and documentation centres, with a= description of French libraries. The catalogues=20 themselves will be brought on-line by the end of 1999. Making the most of the skills offered by the country=92s network of art= schools The expertise required in the field of information and communications= technology is inter-disciplinary. Thus, the new=20 professions associated with the development of material, interfaces and= information access tools combine artistic=20 training with knowledge obtained from the computing, telecommunications and= audiovisual fields. High-level training in multimedia tools will be extended High-level training is required, not only to prepare specialists, but also= designers, in all forms of new medias and to=20 prepare trainers to organise and pass on this new expertise. In 1998, further training in multimedia tools is to be proposed in all= sectors of artistic and cultural education: plastic=20 arts, television, cinema, digital images, cartoon strips, book and heritage= industries. Training already available and the organisations giving it will be= strengthened and developed. Training in multimedia=20 tools will be gradually extended to all art schools. A system for= consultation and programme-setting will be set up to=20 speed up development of teaching skills and to guarantee rational use of= equipment. In 1998, the Ministry of Culture and communication will prepare a specific= training programme for =93development=20 managers in cultural information technology=94. In 1998, discussions will be conducted into the setting-up of a research= network based on digital audiovisual and=20 multimedia tools In 1998, the Ministry of Culture and Communication will launch preliminary= discussions into the setting-up of a=20 research and design network based on media, in which digital audiovisual= tools could be the chief component. In the immediate term, a technological monitoring network will be set up to= provide information on research and=20 technology in the cultural multimedia field, both in France and abroad. The support given to research and development in multimedia cultural= technology will be reinforced Mastering the multimedia professions is dependent on the digitisation of= material and also on mastery of tools to access=20 and process information. The initiatives of the Ministry of Culture and= Communication have made it possible to support=20 projects such as automatic indexing of films, translating aid programmes,= tools for multimedia scriptwriting or=20 hypertextual reading software packages for scientists. These important= initiatives will be further developed in 1998.=20 A study will be made of the contribution of information technology to= education in the use of graphics Current cultural practices in our society are characterised by a marked= division between the written word, on the one=20 hand, predominant in school education and graphics, on the other, which are= widely dominant in youth culture. This=20 divide can lead to communication difficulties between social groups or= generations in the passing-on of knowledge. Education in the use of graphics is one of the ways of mending this split,= by helping to create a modern graphics culture=20 relying on the aid of information and communications technology tools. A study ought to be conducted into this important issue, based on a brief= assigned to an individual by the Ministry of=20 Culture and Communication. Promoting creation where art, science and technology converge A united system will be set up under the management of Mr. Jean-Claude= RISSET to promote research into art,=20 science and technology Brand new creative possibilities are being opened up using the new media,= involving multiple skills at the point where=20 several disciplines converge. On the basis of this, the Ministry of national= Education, research and technology and the=20 Ministry of Culture and Communication hope to promote research into the= synergy between the worlds of art, science=20 and technology. A steering committee has been created to implement a united system to study= this subject from 1998 onwards, which=20 will be managed by Mr. Jean-Claude RISSET, research director at the CNRS= (=93Centre national de la recherche=20 scientifique=94 - France=92s national scientific research centre), composer= and computerised music research scientist. USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY TOOLS TO=20 REINFORCE THE INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE OF FRANCE AND THE FRENCH=20 LANGUAGE Information and communications technology and the rise of the Internet are= sometimes presented as a possible threat to=20 cultural identity, leading to homogenisation of behaviour and language.= However, even if this risk exists, it is certainly=20 not inevitable. Rapidly changing techniques, the decentralisation of the= players involved and the development of=20 information networks can, on the contrary, offer new opportunities for the= distribution of cultural products and services=20 and for the expression of the wealth and diversity of different cultures. The Government intends to adopt a totally positive strategy, based on the= conviction that entry into the information=20 society offers new opportunities to reinforce the international presence of= France and the French language. In addition, France will also make sure that the support systems for= cultural and linguistic diversity are retained, such as=20 creative assistance and European work quotas in the audiovisual industry. Mr. Patrick BLOCHE will be responsible for a parliamentary brief on the= presence of France and the French=20 language on information networks Mr. Patrick BLOCHE, member of Parliament and chairman of the National= Assembly study group on new information=20 technology tools, will be responsible for a parliamentary brief on the= contribution of information and communications=20 technology, and in particular the Internet, to reinforcement of the= international presence of France and initiatives to=20 promote the French language. Promoting access to French resources and encouraging their= internationalisation The international dimension of French Internet sites must be reinforced The Internet now represents and ideal tool to help distribute French= knowledge and culture. In order to encourage=20 certain categories of French web site (universities, local authorities,= etc.) to grasp the essentially worldwide dimension=20 of the Internet, a labelling mechanism and, if applicable, financial= incentives are planned by the Ministry of Foreign=20 Affairs. What is needed, in fact, is to integrate the international= dimension of the Internet as far upstream as possible,=20 when the French web sites are first created. The State must lead the way in terms of multilingualism Promoting the role of the French language throughout the world presupposes= that the public authorities set an example=20 with respect to translations. When translations exist on their web sites,= government departments must offer at least two=20 foreign languages,=20 The required presence of the French language in international organisations= must be a reality for the=20 information made available on-line by these organisations The presence of the French language on-line must be maintained by the= international organisations of which we are=20 members and in which French is one of the official languages. France will= make determined efforts to obtain French- language distribution of the information made available on-line by these= organisations. Appropriation of information and communications technology tools by the= greatest possible numbers of people is=20 dependent on determined promotion of the use of French-language terms Quebec, which has led the way in terms of determined commitment to the use= of the Internet, serves as an example to=20 our country: French-language terms adapt easily to the development of terms= specific to the Internet. Especially since=20 information and communications technology tools are becoming an integral= part of society, it is important that the=20 terminology on which they are based is accessible, and thus comprehensible,= to the public as a whole. Thus, although they were the subject of scepticism to begin with, terms such= as " navigateur " (in place of browser) or=20 " logiciel " (in place of software) are now quite natural. Others, such as,= for example, " pare-feu " (firewall),=20 " partagiciel " (shareware), " graticiel " (freeware) or " page d'accueil "= (home page), can be promoted.=20 The DGLF (=93D=E9l=E9gation g=E9n=E9rale =E0 la langue Fran=E7aise=94 -= General French language delegation) already offers a glossary=20 of equivalent terms, the use of which must be encouraged. To this end, the= general terminology Commission will also=20 draw up regular recommendations for the various government departments. With the aim of ensuring clarity, the use of certain terms will be made= mandatory by the government. Thus, for example,=20 e-mail address references must begin with the term "M=E9l." (for "messagerie= =E9lectronique" - electronic mail).=20 Linguistic resources enabling automatic information processing and= electronic production will be developed Making available automatic linguistic resources is an essential condition to= the development of a large number of=20 software packages, applications and interfaces requiring language analysis.= The rise of the Internet has emphasised the=20 importance of research and indexing tools, resources of which there are= still too few in French-language form. The DGLF will lend its support to the production and distribution of= multilingual resources in which French is one of=20 the languages, in the context of the =93Multilingualism and the information= society=94 programme set up by the European=20 Commission. It will back up the actions of the European Association for= linguistic resources. The Ministry of Culture and Communication will implement a specific= initiative to clarify user rights for research=20 scientists in certain existing bodies, such as the =93Institut national de= la langue fran=E7aise=94 (National French Language=20 Institute), the CNRS or the National library. Simplifying searches for French resources: the " France.fr " site In the face of the rapid and continuing growth of the Internet, users= sometimes have difficulty quickly accessing=20 reference information. The implementation of an Internet site with the= address =93France.fr=94, managed by the=20 Government=92s information service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,= proposing an address with an obvious name, will=20 provide a simple answer to this need. Through various headings such as= =93Voici la France=94 (France here), =93Tourisme=94=20 (Tourism), =93Droit=94 (Law) and =93Culture=94 (Arts), this multilingual= site will propose a variety of connections to other=20 reference sites, in partnership with those involved. The various organisations representing France abroad could also give this= single Internet address. Promoting Internet access to France tourism heritage in 1998 Information and communications technology can help to adapt tourism for both= French people and foreigners. Joint=20 study by all the major tourism organisations will lead to the setting-up of= a national information and reservations site on=20 the Internet in the first half of 1998. This tool will make the tourism= options available in France more accessible to tour=20 operators and travel agents, along with French and foreign customers as a= whole. Developing the use of information networks by French diplomatic missions= abroad The information distribution role of diplomatic posts and specialised= organisations will be reinforced Diplomatic posts are a precious link to improve information for French= players and spread the word of French=20 achievements abroad, in cooperation with specialised organisations such as= the =93Agence pour la diffusion de=20 l=92information technologique=94 (ADIT - Agency for the distribution of= technological information). Information and=20 communications technology offers new tools which can make a major= contribution to this type of activity. A network will be set up at the initiative of the Ministry of foreign= affairs, to link up diplomatic posts and the French=20 players involved in areas such as, for example, university cooperation or= exchanges between administrative departments.=20 It should make it possible to accelerate the circulation of information and= to improve coordination. The ADIT site will also offer French companies free access to a database on= international technology. Using information and communications technology tools for the benefit of=20 integrated development and the French language In the field of cooperation and development, information and communications= technology tools can be used for the=20 benefit of increasing documentary resources, improving technical expertise= and creating material. This policy is largely=20 based on a community initiative, given the name =93Initiative Diderot=94,= resulting from a convergence of views between=20 players involved in international cooperation in various fields (research,= government departments, United Nations=20 Organisation, non-governmental organisations). The various actions undertaken in 1998 will represent an overall financial= commitment of around 25 million French=20 Francs. Developing shared resource bases for French-speaking countries The collection and digitisation of scientific, technical and cultural= records for southern French-speaking countries is of=20 key importance. The actions undertaken within the framework of French= language promotion aim to encourage the=20 networking of documentary resources (such as the FORCIIR ongoing training= and documentalist network programme, or=20 the bibliographic database on development, IBISCUS), the development of= virtual libraries or the creation of sites=20 devoted to cultural creation in southern countries (such as the site= =93Afrique en Cr=E9ation=94 - The Creation of Africa). Promoting exchange and communication between French-speaking countries via= the Internet France is supporting several of our partners=92 projects aimed at increasing= the distribution of French material on the=20 Internet, thus helping to extend the influence of the culture and knowledge= of French-speaking countries. The following can be cited: ? distance-learning projects, such as the African distance-learning network= (RESAFAD) which is currently operational=20 in five countries to train school heads; =09 ? the setting-up of databases, such as the ARCHE project to harmonise= teaching programmes in French, mathematics=20 and physics, which concerns 17 countries;=20 =09 ? the use of information and communications technology tools to aid= administrative decentralisation (as is the case for=20 the Ivory Coast Ministry of Education); =09 ? the creation of thematic networks (such as the project to distribute the= French-language press via the new networks=20 which will come into operation in March 1998 in Burkina Faso).=20 The creation of funds for the development of information highways As an extension of the resolution on the information society adopted at the= Cotonou Summit, a fund for the development=20 of information highways was created at the Heads of State Summit in Hanoi,= covering all those sectors likely to benefit=20 from the contribution of information and communications technology, with the= exception of infrastructures. The aim of this fund is to encourage concrete projects to be set up in= French-speaking countries, to give them an=20 incentive to commit themselves to the information society on the basis of a= North/South partnership. Priority will be given to the production of material on the Internet, of new= sites and service centres, of research units,=20 software, teleservices and CD-Roms, but also to technological monitoring and= cooperation between French-speaking=20 countries in international specialised bodies.=20 3- Information technology=20 as a tool for modernising public services=20 The new information networks offer particularly promising prospects with= respect to State reform, whether in terms of=20 improving relationships with the general public and companies or increasing= the efficiency of its internal operation. Information technology thus makes it possible to envisage new ways of making= available information which is useful to=20 the general public, in digital form and thus at a reduced cost. They also= offer the opportunity to deal with the=20 administrative authorities at a distance, i.e. by means of automatic data= procedures, thus avoiding the restrictions=20 imposed by opening times of public services or by geographical distance. In addition, the use of information and communications technology and new= networks within government departments=20 increases efficiency and makes it easier to exchange information.=20 These changes call for in-depth study on how to modernise working methods= and organisation. A voluntarist policy to=20 increase awareness and train government employees is essential if optimum= use is to be made of these tools, progress=20 which must be made in cooperation with union organisations. In this way, the State can be made more transparent and more efficient for= its citizens. However, in an environment=20 characterised by accelerated information circulation, the government must,= more than ever before, ensure the protection=20 of personal data and privacy. By making widespread use of information and communications technology, the= State, a major player in the economy of=20 the country, must, by its own example, act as a driving force in speeding up= France=92s entry into the information society. FACILITATING THE GENERAL PUBLIC=92S ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT=20 DEPARTMENTS USING THE INTERNET As the leading producer of information in the country, the State must use= communication networks to extend its=20 distribution of public data and to offer new interactive services. Extending digitisation and on-line access to public data The State must take advantage of the new conditions offered by the= development of the Internet to act as a driving force=20 in reinforcing France=92s presence on the world net and making it easier for= both the general public and companies to=20 access public information. The information produced by the government represents a major resource to= inform our market players and to improve=20 the competitiveness of our economy. An active policy to digitise public data= and make it available on-line is thus an=20 issue of prime importance.=20 In this way, the Government aims to meet the ever-increasing expectations of= its citizens, for whom greater=20 administrative transparency is a key democratic issue. A digitisation plan for each ministry will be drawn up in 1998 By the end of the first half of 1998, in an effort to improve public access= to administrative information and the various=20 types of public data, each ministry will draw up a plan for digitising and= placing its public information on-line, in=20 cooperation with the =93Commission de coordination de la documentation= administrative=94 (CCDA - Commission for the=20 coordination of administrative documentation). To do this, each ministry= will prepare a preliminary inventory of the=20 pools of information available and will define the type of information which= it would be useful to distribute. The distribution of unpublished information will be given priority The ministry digitisation plans will, in cooperation with the French= Documentation service, particularly concentrate on=20 =93grey-matter=94 literature, that is reports, studies and public documents= which are not available to the public in paper=20 form. New Internet services will be developed The advantages of the Internet, which are, largely, its interactivity, its= multimedia character and its simplicity of use,=20 must be exploited to enable the development of new general Internet= services. Initiatives have already been started in this area: the web site of the= Ministry in charge of facilities, transport and=20 housing, for example, offers information on traffic conditions in the Paris= region. The National Employment Agency has=20 been broadcasting all of its vacancies since the Autumn. The Ministry of= foreign affairs makes available reference=20 information on our country. The Ministry of the economy, finance and= industry offer on-line question-and-answer=20 services on the Internet for all the economic and financial issues in which= taxpayers, consumers and companies are=20 interested. The Ministry of Culture and Communication offers virtual= exhibitions and access to large-scale arts databases=20 on its web site. These services must be rapidly developed, with the aim of providing a= genuine public service. Thus, before spring 1998,=20 the Ministry of Agriculture is to offer up-to-the-minute information on= prices for agricultural products, then, at a later=20 date, its warning service to provide urgent information to farmers. Developing a clear doctrine with respect to the distribution of public data The development of networks has led to a profound shift in the traditional= distinction between access to public=20 information and its distribution. The development of the Internet is= reflected by a further fundamental change in the=20 economic conditions of this distribution. Beyond essential public data, which the Internet now makes it possible to= distribute free-of-charge, there is a=20 considerable variety of data, access to which is one of the essential= conditions to the development of industry and the=20 French information market. An independent person will be appointed to propose to government departments= the elements of a clear doctrine on the=20 scope and charging conditions for public data. Maintaining the confidentiality of personal data and the protection of= privacy When the 1995 community directive relative to personal data was transposed= into French law, the Prime Minister=20 assigned Mr. Guy BRAIBANT, Chairman of the higher codification commission, a= brief to study and make proposals on=20 any changes required to the legislative framework of 1978, which, in= particular, led to the creation of the =93Commission=20 nationale de l=92informatique et des libert=E9s=94 (National commission on= the freedom of access to computerised=20 information). Mr. BRAIBANT=92s conclusions, soon to be released, will help give direction= to public choices in this essential area. The=20 government=92s increased use of information and communications technology= tools, an instrument to provide a better=20 service for its people, must not actually lead to less protection of= personal data and privacy. Moving the State=92s Minitel services onto the Internet Thanks to Minitel, France already has a considerable history of using= on-line services, of which government services are=20 a large part. This resource is an asset which the State must exploit, by= leading the way in moving over from Minitel to=20 the Internet. Offering these services will act as a major incentive to encourage homes and= companies to acquire personal computers=20 fitted with communications tools. The services currently available on Minitel will remain so long as it is= widely used by the general public. Moving of the States=92 Minitel services onto the Internet must be completed= within two years All the public information and government services which are today available= on Minitel must also be accessible on the=20 Internet by the end of 1999. Transferral to the Internet must be accompanied by improved service Moving the State=92s Minitel services onto the Internet must also be seen as= an opportunity to study ways to improve the=20 service offered to users, making use of multimedia tools and the ease of use= of the Internet. In 1998, each Ministry will draw up a schedule for moving its services onto= the Internet Before the 1st of June 1998, each ministry will draw up an exhaustive plan= for moving its Minitel services, detailing=20 existing services and how often these are consulted by the general public. Distributing essential public information free-of-charge Alongside those data produced by the government which could be sold,= essential public data must be available on the=20 Internet free-of-charge. In particular, this concerns major legal texts,= public administrative information, main public=20 documents and essential cultural data. Clear, reliable and complete administrative information is a key element in= improving the service offered to the public.=20 The aim of the data to be distributed free-of-charge on the Internet is not= simply to provide greater information on the=20 various facets of the government=92s activities, but, more especially, to= provide concrete information on legal rights,=20 initiatives and formalities affecting the country=92s citizens. The opening of government department web sites must be seen as an= opportunity for ambitious application of the=20 principle of free access to essential public data, which will lead to new= services from 1998 onwards. In 1998, each ministry will identify the scope of its essential public data When developing their public data digitisation plan, each ministry will= provide a list of their essential data, indicated by=20 field of activity. LEGIFRANCE, the web site for free distribution of major French legal texts,= will open in January 1998=20 A web site called " LEGIFRANCE " will be opened on the 1st of February 1998,= on which will be available, free-of- charge, in addition to the =93Journal Officiel de la R=E9publique Fran=E7ais= e=94 (French Republic Official Journal), the main=20 laws and legislative texts, as well as all the major decisions made by the= administrative and judicial authorities.=20 ADMIFRANCE, the general web site for free administrative public information= on the Internet, will open in=20 spring 1998=20 A general web site for administrative public information will offer, in= addition to an exhaustive directory of the public=20 web sites already in place, a platform for questions and a database of= information relating to dealings that the public=20 have with government departments. It will also provide direct access to all those forms included in the list= of the =93Centre d=92enregistrement et de r=E9vision des=20 formulaires administratifs=94 (CERFA - Centre for registration and revision= of administrative forms), which will be=20 digitised accordingly. Finally, it will offer access to the French government catalogue which= already exists on paper and on Minitel (Admitel=20 service). The Government=92s Secretary General will be responsible for= coordinating the various services brought into=20 effect as a part of this project. At a later date, the remit of =93Centres Interminist=E9riels de= renseignement administratif=94 (CIRA - Inter-ministerial Centres=20 for administrative information) could be extended to offer an on-line query= service, by electronic mail, and thus a tailor- made information service for users. Making the government accessible by e-mail Information and communications technology tools do not just make it possible= to improve distribution of information to=20 public service users. They also represent opportunities for new types of= interactivity, thanks to the development of=20 electronic mail. Every public administrative service will be given an e-mail address by the= year 2000 All administrative services related to users must be gradually given e-mail= addresses, to enable them to receive=20 electronic mail from the public and to respond in the same way. Government departments must be made aware of the importance of electronic= mail The impact of the development of e-mail on work in administrative= departments must not be under-estimated. As for any=20 organisation adopting this kind of technology, the efficient processing of= electronic mail is dependent on the adaptation=20 of existing procedures. In particular, these procedures must guarantee= specific legal rights to protect citizens in their=20 dealings with government departments, such as a demand for reasons or the= existence of time to appeal. An inter-ministerial working party will meet in the first half of 1998,= under the auspices of the Directorate General of=20 administration and civil service, to formulate organisational= recommendations which will be the subject of a=20 methodological guide issued to all government departments. Dematerialising administrative procedures and developing automatic data=20 procedures The dematerialisation of administrative procedures will make it possible to= improve the service offered to users. For=20 companies, the resulting simplifications will help to reduce the costs= involved in administrative procedures. Simplification of administrative formalities is one of the Government=92s= key concerns. It is in this spirit that the =93Commission pour la Simplification des= Formalit=E9s=94 (COSIFORM - Commission for the=20 Simplification of Formalities) developed a set of inter-ministerial= guidelines on automatic data procedures in 1997 and=20 that the Government recently decreed a set of administrative simplification= measures for SMEs. Numerous trials on automatic data procedures have already yielded promising= results, in particular with respect to social=20 affairs (annual declaration of social security contributions), tax affairs= (submission of tax and accounting data) or=20 customs affairs (declaration of inter-community trade of goods). Mention can= also be made of the automatic data=20 procedures implemented by the Ministry of the Interior for the acquisition= of car registration papers, which concerned=20 20% of new vehicles in 1997. The Government has decided to move on from trials to a strategy of gradually= extending these applications. All administrative forms will be available on the Internet by the end of= 1998 Digitisation of all administrative forms should be completed, under the= aegis of CERFA, by the end of 1998. It will be=20 possible to automatically print these forms on the ADMIFRANCE site, which= will be available at the start of spring=20 1998 and is likely to develop very rapidly. The first automatic data transmission trials will be set up in 1998 The option to send administrative forms to the authorities by e-mail will be= a natural extension of dematerialisation in=20 this area. An initial set of automatic-transmission forms, which respect the= open standards of the Internet, will be=20 proposed for declarations involving both private individuals and companies,= before the end of 1998. On-line help and=20 explanatory notes will be offered at the same time as the electronic forms. A list of=20procedures for priority dematerialisation will be drawn up On the basis of the recommendations made in the report on electronic= commerce which the Ministry of the Economy,=20 finance and industry asked Mr. Fran=E7ois LORENTZ to prepare, a list of= priority procedures will be drawn up for fiscal=20 and social declarations and public trade and an implementation schedule will= be published.=20 Preparing for the gradual extension in the use of automatic data procedures On the basis of the proposals made as a result of Mr. LORENTZ=92s report,= before the end of the first half of 1998, each=20 Ministry will prepare a 3-year plan for the development of automatic data= procedures specific to its own ministerial=20 department. This plan will indicate a list of priority procedures to be= dematerialised and will set a schedule. It must be=20 coherent with the inter-ministerial guidelines on automatic data procedures,= in particular with respect to compliance with=20 EDIFACT standards for electronic data interchange (EDI). Declarations and payments for Social Security contributions will be given= priority in this dematerialising process By the start of 1999 at the latest, companies will have the option of= sending in their declarations by electronic mail after=20 processing wages. In anticipation of this service, from the end of the first half of 1998, the= Social Security contributions single declaration=20 service on Minitel, which to date has been operating on a trial basis, will= be extended to all employers. To be=20 subsequently linked up with an electronic remittance system, this service= will enable companies to dispense with sending=20 mail by conventional means, to complete all of their declarations at one= time and to have assistance in calculating their=20 contributions. Defining the technical and legal conditions for recognising electronic= signatures in=20 dealings between administrative authorities and the general public The development of electronic transactions and the dematerialisation of= procedures poses problems with respect to=20 authentication, security and confidentiality. Similarly, the value as= evidence of digitised documents raises various issues. Thus, if automatic data procedures are to be fully exploited, satisfactory= solutions must be found with respect to the=20 authentication, security and confidentiality of transactions. The= interactive services offered by government departments=20 will be required to develop in the context of the Internet, which is an open= network, a situation which will demand,=20 therefore, the increasing use of electronic signature and cryptology. Standards for electronic signature must be offered to users in 1998 The Ministry of the Economy, finance and industry will lead an= inter-ministerial working party, jointly with the=20 Secretariat General for national defence, which will be responsible for= proposing technical and legal conditions for the=20 athentification and validation of electronic signature by the government= before the end of 1998. This group will also=20 make proposals relative to the required legislative and regulatory= modifications. Equipping public services with Internet access points The increase in the number of services offered to the public on electronic= networks must not lead to a deepening of the=20 divide separating those of our fellow citizens who have personal computer= terminals at home from the rest of the=20 population. Thus, the government will be committed to developing the number of access= points to the State=92s on-line services in=20 public places, to make sure that the information society is within the grasp= of the greatest possible number of people.=20 1000 post offices will be equipped with Internet access in 1998 At the request of the Secretary of State for Industry, the Post Office will= act as an example by providing the public with=20 Internet-access terminals. By the end of 1998, this will involve 1000 post= offices, both in rural and urban areas,=20 particularly where social deprivation exists. The jobs for young people= created by the Post Office could be used to help=20 provide the public with information on how to use these terminals. Trials will be conducted in 1998 on public access points to government= electronic services The public reception areas of the main local administrative authorities= (sub-prefectures, public service agencies, public=20 libraries, tax offices, local job centres, etc.) will, as of 1998, provide= the public with Internet access points, to make it=20 easier for them to consult the information sites offered by the government. The State will encourage trials on public automatic data services The electronic =93visioguichet=94 (visio-booth) trials providing distance= access to administrative and expert services using a=20 personal computer will be extended. Thus, following trials conducted by the= Ministry of the Economy, finance and=20 industry in 1998, initial installations may be made in rural and suburban= areas in 1999. The State will offer its support to local authorities with respect to= electronic administrative information for the=20 public The Government=92s information department and =93Documentation Fran=E7aise= =94 (French Documentation Organisation) will=20 set up an inter-ministerial working party, in partnership with the local= authorities, to study ways to provide electronic=20 access to administrative information which are tailored to local= requirements. This information is for use by=20 intermediation structures (public offices, associations, etc.), as well as= interactive terminals situated in public areas and=20 on the Internet. MODERNISING HOW THE STATE OPERATES Computerisation of government procedures is already underway, both for the= main management applications and from=20 the point of view of office equipment used by staff. However, in its role as= an example to lead France into the=20 information society, the State is faced with a threefold challenge: ? bringing government on-line, taking into account the new requirements= related to increasing Internet use,=20 =09 ? modernising existing information systems and major management= applications,=20 =09 ? providing staff with training in information and communications= technology.=20 The increasing use of all forms of communication by the government is an= issue made all the more important by the fact=20 that it reinforces the State=92s capacity to contribute to national and= regional development by extending the use of=20 teleworking. But the government will not be able to propose genuine automatic data= procedures unless it adapts its internal working=20 methods, which presupposes close adherence of staff to these changes. Bringing government on-line to enable the State to benefit from the= solutions=20 offered by development of the Internet The implementation of public policies by central and decentralised= departments of the State, and by the organisations=20 dependent on it, requires exchanges of information to which the traditional= compartmentalization of government is not=20 conducive. Bringing government departments on-line thus means making a commitment to= decompartmentalise the State, giving it=20 the tools essential for such exchange, giving staff greater responsibility= and also making day-to-day work more efficient. Electronic mail and the pooling of information thus represent an opportunity= to envisage new, more collective, more=20 flexible and more reactive ways of organising work. In particular, skills= spread over several sites or several departments=20 could be used in synergy with one another. In the face of the difficulties involved in inter-connecting existing= networks, the progressive extension of use of Internet=20 standards represents an essential requirement and will enable substantial= economies to be made. The Internet must become standard for government departments When installing new systems or renewing existing information systems, the= use of solutions compatible with Internet=20 standards will be mandatory from now onwards. Openness towards public networks will be given priority The use of public telecommunications networks must be given priority over= specialised networks. Public networks,=20 which are benefiting from rapid developments in technology and falling= costs, are in fact a key factor in openness,=20 efficiency and economy. In an increasingly open context, the State=92s information systems must now= incorporate new requirements to guarantee=20 their security and the integrity and confidentiality of data exchanged.=20 The development of intranet-type solutions will be encouraged Thanks to the use of Internet standards, intranet sites (i.e. internal to= government departments) will make it easier to=20 share and access information within a government department. intranet-type= trials will be set up in 1998, to demonstrate=20 the system=92s potential for shared work and interactivity and to emphasise= the key importance of better circulation of=20 information within the department. Internal electronic mail systems will be commonplace Each Ministry will finish equipping its departments with electronic mail= systems, providing secure access to the Internet=20 before the end of 1998. Each Ministry will make sure that all its members of staff using a computer= in their work will have access to the=20 electronic mail systems and an e-mail address. The use of electronic mail standards compatible with the Internet will be= mandatory For electronic mail projects still to be implemented, the use of solutions= compatible with Internet standards is now=20 mandatory. Ministerial electronic mail systems will be interconnected in 1998 An inter-ministerial working party led by the Government=92s Secretariat= General is responsible for ensuring that a secure=20 inter-ministerial electronic mail system is set up before summer 1998, by= interconnection of existing electronic mail=20 systems in most ministries, which are currently characterised by their= heterogeneity. This solution is an interim phase, governed by the desire to act rapidly to= fill in the most obvious gaps, leading towards=20 the eventual setting-up of a genuine intranet within the State. A prefiguration study of the future government intranet will be conducted in= 1998 Ultimately, all the State=92s departments, both central and decentralised,= along with all French diplomatic posts, are to be=20 linked by a vast information network, within which employees can not only= use the electronic mail system but also=20 access shared multimedia databases or use video-conferencing technology. The Secretariat of State for Industry is responsible for conducting a= prefiguration study into the future public intranet=20 (which will also include Extranet-type elements, to encourage the use of= public networks), the results of which are=20 expected before the end of 1998. To aid the strategy to encourage the use of the Internet by government= departments, a brief has been assigned to=20 Mr. Jean-Paul BAQUIAST Before the end of April 1998, the Ministry of Civil service, State reform= and decentralisation will ask Mr. Jean-Paul=20 BAQUIAST, State Inspector and chairman of the Admiroutes association, to= compile a report on the contribution of the=20 Internet to modernisation of the State. An operational part of this report must, in particular, contain method= recommendations for departments involved in=20 intranet projects, along with suggestions on how to process electronic mail= received from the public. Defining inter-ministerial security specifications While the networking of government departments is now imperative, the= security of information exchanges=20 (confidentiality and integrity of data, authentication of partners) and the= protection of networks against intrusions and=20 sabotage must obviously be guaranteed. The security of information systems will be the subject of a guide issued to= government departments Before summer 1998, the =93Service central de la s=E9curit=E9 des syst=E8mes= d=92information=94 (Central Department for the=20 security of information systems) and the Secretariat of State for Industry= will develop a guide to make recommendations=20 to government departments on secure use of the Internet and security= products (in particular, cryptology). The State=92s employees must be made aware of the issue of security of= information systems In the face of development of the State=92s information systems and= electronic mail, the risks of sabotage and intrusion are=20 increased. Training of employees in the use of information and= communications technology will have to place more=20 emphasis on the reality and extent of these threats and the need for secure= use of modern communications tools. Developing regional information systems The development of regional information systems will be accelerated The efforts to bring the State on-line will only make sense if modernisation= of central and regional government=20 departments is accompanied by a gradual extension of regional information= systems, aimed at improving information=20 exchange between the State=92s decentralised departments within a given= =93d=E9partement=94 or region. The setting-up of electronic mail systems linking central government and= decentralised departments should make it=20 possible to improve the efficiency and coherence of State action at local= level, coordinated by the prefect of the=20 =93d=E9partement=94 or region. The use of Internet standards will be mandatory at decentralised level Regional information systems will be required to comply with the rules set= by the government in terms of Internet=20 standards. Participating in European Union initiatives to develop exchanges between=20 governments France will support trials on electronic information exchange between= European governments France will support initiatives undertaken at European level to set up the= IDA programme, relative to trans-European=20 governmental networks. This programme specifically aims to enable= development of electronic methods for exchanging=20 information between governments. Adapting employees=92 tasks and anticipating the consequences of information= and=20 communications technology on working methods within the State The Plan=92s General Commission will set up a working party on the State and= information and communications=20 technology To aid deployment of the use of information and communications technology= and the new networks within the State, the=20 Plan=92s General Commission has been assigned a brief to conduct a= prospective study. In particular, this brief will aim to study the consequences, for both the= government and the public, of the State operating=20 as a network, anticipating prospective changes in internal working methods. The development of teleworking in government departments must be encouraged A call for projects to develop teleworking in government departments will be= launched in the first half of 1998 by the=20 Ministry of Civil Service, State reform and decentralisation, in cooperation= with the Ministry of National and regional=20 development and the environment. To this end, a charter for distance-working in government departments will= be developed before the end of the first half=20 of 1998. Training staff in the use of new information and communications technology= tools The ability to use information and communications technology tools will be= included in government recruitment=20 policy Civil service recruitment policy will be adapted to place more emphasis on= tests related to the use of information=20 technology. The Ministry responsible for the civil service will coordinate= these changes. Mandatory training in the use of information and communications technology= must be incorporated into the=20 programmes of civil servant training establishments The teaching programmes of the various establishments for training civil= servants will be revised, to provide future civil=20 servants with training in the theory and practice of information and= communications technology. In particular, it will be=20 important for future senior civil servants to have mastered the use of= personal computers and the Internet. Ongoing training for all staff will be adapted >From 1998 onwards, each Ministry will develop staff-awareness and training= initiatives relative to the use of information=20 and communications technology and the surrounding issues. This theme will be= among the priorities of the inter- ministerial initiatives for ongoing training implemented at central and= decentralised level.=20 Specific training for management will be set up >From 1998 onwards, ongoing training courses, particularly aimed at= management staff, on issues related to the=20 information society and the Internet in government departments, will be= organised. The Ministry of Civil Service, State=20 reform and decentralisation will define the programme and material, in= cooperation with the Ministry of Regional and=20 national development and the environment. Modernising the State=92s computer systems The State=92s computer systems represent an efficiency tool of growing= importance. They must be more receptive to new=20 technology and the information systems of their partners, more adaptable to= changes in management methods, more=20 decentralised and more effective at clarifying public decisions. To modernise its information systems, the State must give priority to the= use of open solutions available on the=20 market The quality and sheer number of software solutions available on the market= lead to the recommendation that, as a=20 general rule, the government should abandon development solutions involving= specific computer applications which are=20 frequently costly, cumbersome and difficult to up-date. The State must thus= give priority to the use of the solutions=20 available on the market wherever possible. The government must adapt its computers to change to the year 2000 and the= Euro The State must meet the challenges of changing to the year 2000 and the Euro= if it is to successfully modernise its=20 computer systems. Its example in this area will be of particular importance.= =20 The senior civil servants responsible for modernisation and decentralisation= in each department will ensure that these=20 major challenges are understood. Computerised monitoring of expenditure will be updated Before spring 1998, the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry, in= cooperation with the Ministry of Civil Service,=20 State reform and decentralisation will publish a guidance document on the= ACCORD project relative to the=20 modernisation of computer applications for State budget management. The new application will start to become operational in the year 2000.=20 Computerised State personnel management systems will be adapted Before the end of the first half of 1998, on the basis of the conclusions of= the specially created inter-ministerial working=20 party, the Ministry of Civil Service, State reform and decentralisation will= publish a strategy for the coordinated=20 adaptation of computerised State personnel management systems. This should= make it possible to better monitor=20 personnel movements and management of projected staffing levels, jobs and= skills.=20 Modernising information systems in the public health field Certain fundamental areas of our public services will undergo a period of= profound change in coming years as a result of=20 the introduction of information and communications technology. The public= health field will be one of the most=20 important examples of this, with the implementation of a social health= network in 1998. The social health network is one of the essential elements involved in the= modernisation of the health and social sector.=20 It must provide a global response to the need for exchanges of information,= beginning with that related to health=20 insurance, and will unite existing network initiatives. A complete network of health services, accessible throughout the country,= will become operational in 1998 The social health network will link the main players involved in the health= sector, at the same cost throughout the=20 country. In particular, it will make it possible to send health forms by= automatic data transmission, to consult medical=20 information banks and to circulate drug-monitoring data or health alerts. This network will be used to back up relationships between outpatient and= hospital medicine, in particular for=20 communication between health professionals using, specifically, an= electronic mail service. The social health network=20 will thus be one of the tools used to improve the quality of care offered to= patients. The social health network will provide a tool for simplifying administrative= procedures By making it easier for very diverse institutions to work together, the= social health network will encourage the=20 simplification of procedures required of the public: looking after an= elderly person at home following hospitalisation,=20 sending of medical information, applications for reimbursement of= prescriptions, etc. The social health network is based on partnership between various players Rapidly encouraging the emergence of communication services adapted to these= needs requires the involvement of the=20 State. A public service delegation for the implementation and operation of= the network led to a call for tender, as a result=20 of which the operator, C=E9g=E9tel, was selected. The social health network will respect Internet standards The social health network will be both standardised and unifying: ? standardised, because it will respect Internet standards and will make it= possible for service companies, institutions=20 or professional bodies to open up a wide range of on-line services,=20 =09 ? unifying, because it should make it possible to link up existing networks= and services.=20 The social health network will incorporate the need to respect a high level= of security in an open environment Particular attention has been paid to the question of security, given the= absolute necessity of respecting the principles of=20 medical secrecy, confidentiality of private life and the freedom of the= individual. The ideal tools to provide this security=20 are: ? the insured person=92s card, which is essential when creating information= concerning this person, =09 ? the health professional=92s card which incorporates mechanisms to identify= the user and digitise confidential=20 information circulating on the network (use of cryptology).=20 The first users of the social health network will be connected in 1998 The first users, health professionals and state health insurance offices,= will be linked up to the social health network in=20 1998. 4- Information technology,=20 an essential tool for companies=20 THE COMPUTERISATION OF COMPANIES, A KEY ISSUE FOR THE FUTURE A growing awareness of companies of the huge opportunities offered by the= use of new information and communications=20 technology tools in the management of production lines, the securing of= markets, financial management or human=20 relations is essential. This can only come from the companies themselves; it= is thus private initiatives which will be the=20 primary driving force for the computerisation of companies. The State must nevertheless attempt to respond to any hesitation to invest= in computer equipment on the part of=20 companies, by means of initiatives to increase awareness and offer support.= It can also lead the way by offering an=20 example of ambitious use of information and communications technology to= modernise public services, on the basis of=20 the priorities detailed in this action programme. Increasing the use of information and communications technology by SMEs French SMEs have been particularly slow to start using information= technology although these tools are in fact a key=20 factor if they are to remain competitive. In fact, new technology and new information networks make it easier to= monitor technological developments and=20 competitors, encourage the networking of partners with similar centres of= interest and provide access to human resources=20 or remote consultancy. These technology tools can also be an efficient way= of simplifying administrative procedures.=20 It is SMEs that can most benefit from the market opportunities represented= by the development of electronic commerce=20 on the Internet. Seizing these opportunities often means complete= reorganisation of the company, which requires a=20 gradual approach to the use of these types of technology and specific= assistance. As electronic commerce on the Internet is still a largely experimental area,= the best way of encouraging SMEs is to=20 highlight the success stories and to promote the sharing of experiences. The system for increasing awareness and training SMEs will be strengthened The system for increasing awareness and training SMEs will be strengthened,= with the support of national centres of=20 expertise such as AFCEE (=93Association Fran=E7aise pour le commerce et les= =E9changes =E9lectroniques=94 - French Association=20 of electronic commerce and exchange) and EDIFRANCE (Association of= computerised data exchange users) and on the=20 basis of strong regional dynamism. These regional centres will initially be= required to improve their own skills with=20 respect to information technology. The expertise of technical establishments will be exploited Technical establishments will lend their assistance, by providing training= for staff active in the SME environment. A budget of 50 million French Francs has been set aside in 1998 to help SMEs= to join the Internet In addition to initiatives to increase awareness and provide training,= individual or collective projects may be able to=20 receive more direct support, by making use of existing procedures in= electronic commerce and using the new system set=20 up by the Secretariat of State and Industry to help SMEs acquire Internet= technology. An allocation of 50 million French=20 Francs has been set aside for this initiative in the 1998 budget; with= management of the system being largely=20 decentralised to regional industry, research and environment departments. A guaranteed sum and specific assistance of 20 million French francs will be= set up to encourage the development=20 of the presence of French exporters on the Internet To make companies aware of the specific role of the Internet in exporting,= the Junior Minister for external commerce=20 will give a guaranteed sum, which may be supplemented by specific= operational assistance for SMEs, for developing the=20 presence of French exporters on the Internet along with the use of the= simplest communications methods provided by=20 this tool. This operation will be allocated 20 million French Francs over= two years, obtained by redeployment of=20 external trade funds. Specific help is planned for small companies in rural zones Within the context of the national and regional development policy, and with= the aim of helping small companies in=20 rural zones, training schemes for very small companies in these= disadvantaged areas will be undertaken on the initiative=20 of the Ministry for national and regional development and the environment= and the Ministry of national Education,=20 research and technology, based on the use of school computer equipment= outside of class times. This initiative has already been started with the support of a budget of 5= million French Francs released for this by the=20 Ministry of national and regional development and the environment as part of= the National Fund for national and=20 regional development. Changing to the year 2000 and the Euro, a twofold challenge for companies Old and even recent software packages, whether they are operated in computer= processing centres or installed in=20 equipment controlled by electronic systems have not generally been designed= to go beyond the date of 31/12/1999. In=20 fact, year codes in software packages have generally been limited to the= last two digits; moving from 1999 (99) to the=20 year 2000 (00) could therefore lead to major malfunctions in all of the= software=92s functions. Some of these software packages have already been identified as a result of= recent incidents occurring in the course of=20 their use. Many more could, in the event of malfunction, have serious= consequences on our society after 1999. The governments of the main industrialised countries are taking these= threats very seriously: threats which could affect a=20 large percentage of SMEs, which may find themselves unable to issue= invoices, print out pay slips or update their=20 accounts after the 1st of January 2000. In certain production processes,= microchips could block robots, programmable=20 automatons, sensors or testing equipment. In public services, the management= of hospitals, social security systems or=20 some types of transport could be affected by the computer change to the year= 2000. The country has only partially realised the importance of this issue and of= the challenges posed by changing computers=20 to the year 2000. France has been notoriously slow with respect to other= countries in analysing its domestic situation and=20 in starting the mechanisms to correct its software. Even once the problem= has been identified, dealing with it is usually=20 put off due to an under-estimation of the workload involved. The State is calling those involved to act rapidly in the face of the= challenges represented by the incompatibility=20 of a large number of software packages to changing over to the year 2000 and= the Euro The State cannot ignore this kind of situation, as it is responsible for: ? helping to ward off a threat to the national economy, which many observers= believe to be of huge dimensions and=20 totally without precedent,=20 =09 ? making sure that public computer systems retain their operational= integrity so that the State=92s services are not=20 interrupted,=20 =09 ? ensuring the safety of its citizens.=20 The computer consequences of changing to the Euro must be anticipated As of the 1st of January 1999, our currency will be the Euro, although coins= and notes in Euros will only be introduced=20 on the 1st of January 2002. The period between 1999 and 20002 will be used= to familiarise ourselves with the Euro.=20 Companies who so desire may keep their accounts in Euros, pay their taxes in= Euros, and make tax declarations in Euros=20 from January 1999 onwards. The vast majority of private citizens will,= however, only be affected by the changeover to=20 Euro as the 1st of January 2002 begins to draw near. However, the interim period will see the gradual development of twofold= information: on pay slips, on invoices on price=20 labels in shops. A considerable number of management software packages will have to be= adapted or replaced, therefore, to enable both=20 public and private entities to deal with the changeover to the Euro under= the best possible conditions. An initiative to increase awareness and mobilise those affected has been= undertaken Changing computer systems over to the year 2000 and the Euro are computer= challenges which are, it is true, very=20 different, but which require concomitant awareness campaigns aimed at the= same public. The government has thus decided to increase awareness and mobilise public= and private entities, so that they can quickly=20 take preventive steps against the threats related to changing computer= systems to the year 2000 and adapting software to=20 the single currency. A brief will be assigned concerning the challenge of changing computers to= the year 2000 and the Euro To ensure coordination between the various public initiatives to be= undertaken in these areas, the Ministry of the=20 Economy, finance and industry and the Secretary of State for Industry will= appoint an individual to head a brief entitled:=20 =93Changing computers to the year 2000 and the Euro=94. At the start of= April 1998, he/she will submit proposals on the=20 best ways to identify the nature and location of the risks involved,= measures to be taken to safeguard national interests=20 and deal with problems related to the sale of products not compatible with= the computer changeover to the year 2000=20 and the Euro.=20 THE CHALLENGE OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE Electronic commerce can be summarised as all digital trade, related to= commercial activities, between companies,=20 between companies and individuals, or between companies and government= departments. In itself, this is not a new phenomenon, since electronic trade, in= particular using electronic data interchange (EDI), has=20 been developing greatly over the last ten years, both between companies and= between companies and government=20 departments. The success of numerous electronic commerce applications on Minitel is= already a good measure of the potential=20 represented by electronic commerce. But the advent of the Internet has had a considerable impact on its= prospects. Low costs and ease of use will encourage=20 very rapid expansion of the Internet and its accessibility to small= businesses and consumers themselves. The phenomenon of the development of electronic sales of products and= services by companies to consumers currently=20 receives the most media attention. However, inter-company trade will= actually represent more than 80% of electronic=20 commerce transactions in the year 2000. In total, it is estimated that= electronic commerce could represent a world=20 turnover of 5 to 10 million dollars by the year 2000. Offering a framework favourable to the development of electronic commerce In this new context, electronic commerce will represent a factor which will= increase the competitiveness of French=20 companies but which will also require them to reorganise their management= methods. The creation of the proper conditions of trust and a regulatory framework= favourable to the development of=20 electronic commerce is a government priority The government aims to create the proper conditions of trust between= companies and consumers with respect to=20 operation of these new markets, to remove obstacles which could result from= current laws and practices not being=20 adapted to digital trade, while at the same time continuing to fulfil the= tasks expected of it by its citizens, which means=20 making sure that the law is respected, ensuring security and levying taxes. The brief assigned to Mr. Francis LORENTZ has led to a comprehensive= assessment of the issues involved in=20 electronic commerce The brief assigned to Mr. Francis LORENTZ by the Ministry of the Economy,= finance and industry has led to a very=20 comprehensive assessment of the issues involved in electronic commerce and= the areas in which public action appears to=20 be required. The conclusions of Mr. Francis LORENTZ=92s report have been submitted for= public debate In the immediate term, a forum has been opened on the Internet to receive= the public=92s reactions and comments on the=20 report submitted by Mr. Francis LORENTZ to Mr. Dominique STRAUSS-KAHN on the= 7th of January 1998. The results of this public debate will provide input to the proposals for= the development of electronic commerce which=20 the Ministry of the Economy, finance and industry will draw up in the course= of the first three months of 1998. The development of electronic commerce affects various areas The reforms undertaken to promote the development of electronic commerce may= concern very diverse areas, among=20 which can be cited: ? Changes in contract law,=20 =09 ? Payment systems,=20 =09 ? Taxation,=20 =09 ? Consumer protection,=20 =09 ? The role of public services in electronic commerce,=20 =09 ? International initiatives.=20 Contract law will have to incorporate the consequences of dematerialising= trade French law includes clauses which are favourable to the development of= electronic trade but also a certain number of=20 restrictions, which will have to be reduced in a dematerialisation context,= both with respect to civil, commercial and=20 administrative issues. Payment systems raise numerous questions which will have to be the subject= of debate by the State and those=20 involved Payment for electronic commerce may take various forms in order to respond= to the great diversity of requirements and=20 raises the following problems: ? security of payment,=20 =09 ? efficiency, availability and compatibility of systems on a European scale,= =20 =09 ? the retention of a guarantee system,=20 =09 ? definition of the conditions of competition between banks and non-banking= entities which could emerge in this=20 sector.=20 The development of electronic commerce raises new questions with respect to= taxation regulations The main difficulties raised by the development of electronic commerce= within the European Union are related to the=20 losses in tax revenues that could be caused by these trading methods, as a= result of the practical difficulties of taxing=20 services provided by operators in other countries in the European Union= itself. Thus, for example, the possibility of dematerialising certain goods or= providing services from a distance poses a=20 problem with respect to national taxation regulations and may lead to fiscal= imbalance (travel agency services or=20 distance-learning services, for example).=20 The consumer must be offered a constant level of protection Consumer protection in the field of electronic commerce is reliant on making= commercial transactions with private=20 individuals secure. The consumer must be offered the same level of= protection, whether he is using electronic commerce=20 or traditional methods. Among initiatives already underway, should be mentioned the studies= conducted by the National Consumers Council=20 into the options for Internet access currently available on the market,= with, in particular, a proposed model contract for=20 provision of access and global consideration on the subject of electronic= commerce. With respect to the protection of personal data, the French and European= position on this subject is very firm and is=20 marked by differences with the United States which should be resolved in= negotiations to be held with the European=20 Union in the course of 1998. Public services will be major players involved in electronic commerce As a major player in the economy, the State will intervene in various areas= in which the dematerialisation of trade can=20 play a key role, by reducing costs for the economy as a whole or by= improving the information given to market players. This is of particular importance for the State as a producer of services, a= manager of procedures affecting company life=20 and a supplier of economic and social information. By instigating trials, then gradually extending the use of information and= communications technology and the Internet in=20 various sectors, the State is encouraging the distribution of electronic= commerce methods, either directly or indirectly. In these different electronic commerce applications, the government will= instigate the most suitable measures for this=20 new technological environment. The development of electronic commerce requires increased international= cooperation Electronic commerce represents an opportunity for the development of= international trade, company growth and global=20 economic prosperity. But if these hopes are to become reality, the relevant= national and international regulations=20 governing commercial activities must be applied simply and surely to both= private individuals and companies. Insofar as the Internet is a worldwide network, the dematerialisation of= numerous trading activities, the increased=20 permeability of national borders and the rapid and unpredictable development= of new technology make international=20 cooperation particularly essential. The fragmented nature of international discussions on electronic commerce is= a result of the multiplicity of the=20 sectors involved Electronic trade has rapidly become a subject of intense, but fragmented,= international commercial negotiation within: ? general international organisations (Organisation for Economic Cooperation= and Development (OECD), World=20 Trade Organisation (WTO), United Nations Commission for Growth and= Development (UNCGD), etc.), =09 ? more specialised bodies, such as the World Organisation of Intellectual= Property (WOIP) or the International=20 Telecommunications Union (ITU),=20 =09 ? major international conferences (Bonn conference in July 1997, Turku= conference in November 1997, etc.),=20 =09 ? other more informal forums, such as the Inet conferences organised by the= Internet Society.=20 =09 =09 The subject is also dealt with in the context of bilateral relations, mainly= at EU level (discussions between Europe and=20 the United States, in particular). This fragmentation is directly linked to= the complexity of the subject which affects a=20 wide variety of sectors. The government will ensure that coordination of French positions is= increased within these entities. With respect to international trade, France has three goals These discussions are of considerable importance to France, which has three= goals: ? to conclude the international agreements or arrangements necessary to= fulfil the potential represented by electronic=20 commerce;=20 =09 ? to ensure an international framework for electronic commerce which is= favourable to French companies;=20 =09 ? to ensure that the development of electronic commerce does not lead to a= systematic reduction in the protection=20 currently offered to French citizens and consumers.=20 France is committed to active participation in international discussions Current international debate is, for the most part, exploratory, but it does= contribute to formation of a consensus. In this=20 way, a certain number of reference texts have been accepted, such as the= Bonn Declaration, endorsed by the ministers of=20 29 European countries or the joint declaration by the European Union and the= United States, ratified at the Transatlantic=20 Summit on the 5th of December. At European Union level, the Council of Ministers of Industry meeting on the= 13th of November 1997 adopted=20 conclusions relative to the Commission paper on electronic commerce, to= which France actively contributed. This work has highlighted the urgent requirement of defining a genuinely= European doctrine on electronic commerce. At France=92s request, the theme of electronic commerce has thus been a= subject for debate in all those political groupings=20 of the Council concerned, in order to reach a joint European position which= could serve as a basis for future discussions=20 in the context of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development= (OECD) or the World Trade=20 Organisation (WTO).=20 Several important dates have already been set and the coming months should= see an acceleration in internal studies=20 within the European Union but also those conducted in the context of the= OECD (with a view to the Ottawa conference)=20 and transatlantic discussions. In the medium term (1999-2000), the resumption of negotiations relative to= services within the WTO will be another=20 opportunity to emphasise the importance of electronic commerce. INFORMATION, STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE AND ISSUES Information is a source of strategic wealth for companies Sectorial and technological information, general economic data or business= opportunities on foreign markets,=20 opportunities to acquire or take over companies both in France and abroad:= the economic and commercial possibilities=20 are so extensive that it is important to make this information available to= companies in a simple, efficient and relevant=20 manner. Information and knowledge are, in fact, key tools and conditions to ensure= the competitiveness of French companies. Mr. Patrick LEFAS has been assigned a brief to study the economic= information of companies In order to study ways in which to make this type of information available= to companies - and in particular SMEs - under=20 the best possible conditions, the Ministry of the Economy, finance and= industry and the Secretaries of State for External=20 Trade, the Budget, Industry and SMEs and self-employed people have assigned= Mr. Patrick LEFAS a brief to analyse=20 this subject and make proposals. To complete this task, the expertise of the Ministries of Defence and the= Interior will be required. Moreover, systems making it possible to respond to queries submitted by= companies as quickly as possible will be=20 developed within the department of external trade. A search system for economic and technological information has been made= available to the general public and=20 companies by ADIT The =93Agence pour la Diffusion de l=92Information Technologique=94 (ADIT -= Agency for the Distribution of Information=20 and Technology) has set up a search system on the Internet, particularly= directed towards economic and technological=20 information and enabling queries to be made in intelligent language. This= tool is available to the general public and,=20 more specifically, companies. Information has become a strategic issue The rate at which information is circulated in an environment like the= Internet and information networks in general=20 represents a radically new element in industrial or financial relations and= services in a wider sense. This circulation is=20 even more rapid in high-technology sectors. As a result, the increasingly rapid and ever richer circulation of= information on open and worldwide networks represents=20 a considerable advance yet also leads to increased vulnerability, in= particular for sensitive technology.=20 This vulnerability is the result of various threats, from the divulgence to= the general public of information which, until=20 now, has been classified (processes to manufacture sophisticated weapons are= already circulated on the Internet) to=20 attacks on patent protection. Traditional defence tasks will be adapted in the face of the development of= open information networks The Ministry of Defence is devoting considerable resources to protecting= classified industrial information against the=20 risks of industrial espionage and intrusion related to information and= communications technology. Particular attention will be paid to the consequence of the necessary and= growing use of open networks by government=20 departments and companies. The liberalisation of the regulatory framework relative to cryptology will= offer companies the tools to guarantee the=20 confidentiality of their exchanges on open networks. Increased company awareness of this issue is urgently required As they are increasingly turning to open networks such as the Internet and= distributing and exchanging information using=20 these tools, companies must be made aware of the strategic importance of= this information, and the conclusions, with=20 respect to their situation and goals, which could be drawn by careful= analysis of said information. 5- Meeting the challenges of industrial and=20 technological innovation Companies in the information and communication technologies sector, whether= fulfilling industrial activities or=20 producing applications, constitute a very important source of employment.= They thus offer considerable promise as=20 regards growth and exportation.=20 Strategic stakes=20 It is important that France should benefit from the industrial growth= associated with these new applications and not=20 simply become a consumer of information technologies. Mastering information and communication technologies is of vital strategic= importance because tomorrow's wealth and=20 power will be concentrated in the places where these technologies are= mastered. Information and communication technologies, which are factors in the= productivity and efficiency of the economy as a=20 whole, form part of the technical infrastructure whose quality determines= the global competitiveness of national=20 economies. Factors which depend upon it include in particular the= availability of communication networks,=20 administrative efficiency, the management of physical transport and= therefore the attractiveness of the country to foreign=20 investors. A source of growth and employment=20 Information and communication technologies constitute a vital source of= growth and employment. It is estimated that=20 this sector accounts for one third of American growth. It is in this sector= that the jobs needed to compensate for those=20 disappearing in certain traditional industrial sectors can be created= rapidly. A study carried out by the European Commission in 1996 revealed that the= creation of jobs in the services sector is=20 directly related to investments in new information technologies.=20 A pragmatic approach: trust private initiatives=20 The development of the French supply of information and communication= technologies depends first and foremost on=20 the economic players involved, since these new technologies are by nature= decentralized as regards both the demand and=20 the supply. The public authorities must therefore not embark upon obsolete procedural= policies or massive state contracts which are=20 totally inappropriate for the development of the new information and= communication technologies. On the other hand,=20 the State does have a key role to play in creating an environment that= favours the development of this industry by=20 removing the obstacles to its development and orienting company research= grants towards a number of high-priority=20 information and communication technologies.=20 ENCOURAGING INNOVATION=20 Favouring the spread of innovation=20 In-depth measures shall be undertaken to favour the creation of companies by= encouraging people from research=20 organizations to set up in business.=20 Examples of companies set up by people from research organizations with the= backing of these organizations are still=20 relatively rare. This is largely due to the difficulties in reconciling the= status of researcher with that of an entrepreneur=20 and the lack of structures to support the creation of companies (advisory= services, logistic support, financing). An in- depth action will be undertaken to change this situation. The government has= already authorized the INRIA (National=20 Institute of Research into Information and Automation Technology) to develop= a "startup" fund to support innovative=20 projects during their creation phase.=20 Startup funds shall be created in the technological fields offering the= greatest growth and employment potential=20 Startup funds financed by public research organizations and private= investors shall be created around the major State=20 technological centres (research laboratories, universities, schools, etc.).= The vast accumulated wealth of state research=20 must not be left "mouldering in the coffers" but serve for industrial= innovation, growth and employment. These startup funds shall be managed by risk capital and company creation= specialists, who alone are capable of=20 assessing the financial and commercial prospects of the technological= innovations produced by the public laboratories.=20 Moreover, the capital of these startup funds must be essentially private to= ensure that the risk associated with the=20 projects financed is borne entirely by the private operators. Although these startup funds must be allocated to local laboratories in= priority, there are also plans to set up national=20 funds for sectors offering the greatest growth and employment potential -= and the biotechnologies and information and=20 communication technologies in particular.=20 Regional-scale action shall be reinforced Alongside its industrial research funds, the Ministry of Economy, Finance= and Industry has decentralized intervention=20 instruments at its disposal in the regional Departments of industry,= research and the environment. As of 1998 some of=20 these regional action resources shall be allocated in priority to support= the expansion of innovation in the information=20 and communication technology sectors, including services aspects.=20 The action of the ANVAR shall be pursued=20 In 1996 the ANVAR (Agence Nationale pour la VAlorisation de la Recherche -= National Agency for Research=20 Enhancement) put out a call for proposals to support the technological= development of SMEs (small and medium-sized=20 enterprises) in the information and communication technology sector: more= than 600 statements of intent were received=20 and 260 of these were selected. More than 70 million Francs have already= been allocated to 70 project files, and the=20 examination of new files lodged will continue during 1998. In 1996 and 1997= the ANVAR received specific grants=20 totalling 60 million Francs from the Ministry responsible for= telecommunications for this call for proposals. Beyond this call for proposals, the supporting of innovation by SMEs in the= information and communication technology=20 sector shall remain one of the ANVAR's priorities.=20 Favouring the creation and development of innovating companies through the= =20 emergence of new entrepreneurs The SMEs/SMIs (small and medium-sized enterprises and industries) with a= high technological content have a particular=20 role to play in the design and deployment of new products and services. They= constitute the best vector of the spirit of=20 enterprise and innovation that should enable France's scientific and= technological potential to develop into an economic=20 success. This is especially true of the information and communication= technologies sector. The government has embarked on a deep-rooted and lasting policy to favour= the emergence of new entrepreneurs=20 capable of creating and developing efficient and financially sound companies= in sectors with high levels of innovation.=20 Several measures to help meet this objective took effect on January 1, 1998.= =20 Company founder share subscription notes to encourage innovating enterprises The 1998 finance law has introduced a measure in favour of innovating= enterprises with high growth potential, which=20 usually cannot offer large salaries to attract top-level directors,= managers, and scientists. Henceforth, such companies=20 can propose company founder share subscription notes, enabling the staff to= capitalize on their personal investment and=20 the growth of the company. This mechanism enabling company shares to be purchased at a predetermined= price is reserved for companies created=20 less than seven years ago, even if they have been created by people backed= by former employers. If the shares associated=20 with these subscription notes are sold later on, the net profit shall be= subject to common law capital gains tax of 16%,=20 which will be increased to 30% if the beneficiary has worked for the company= for less than three years.=20 Deferral of taxation on profits reinvested in young companies=20 The 1998 finance law provides for deferral of taxation on the profits made= by company founders if they are reinvested in=20 a company that is less than seven years old. The idea - based on the= American "business angels" concept - is to=20 encourage people with successful company creations behind them to help less= experienced entrepreneurs by providing=20 advice and contributing shareholder's equity.=20 The action of the SOFARIS will be reinforced and directed towards the= creation of innovating companies=20 Among the actions already initiated one can mention that of the SOFARIS= which in 1996 granted almost 3 thousand=20 million Francs to more than 8,000 company creation projects. The action of= the SOFARIS will therefore be enhanced=20 and directed insofar as possible towards the creation of innovating= enterprises in the 'information and communication=20 technology sector.=20 Thirty measures have already been taken to simplify company creation= formalities=20 Marylise Lebranchu, the Junior Minister for small and medium-sized= enterprises, trade and arts and crafts, has=20 announced over thirty concrete measures to reduce the administrative steps= involved in company creation to make the=20 operation simple and fast, and to substantially simplify the formalities= associated with the payment of social security=20 contributions. Any changes necessary for the development of teleworking shall be studied=20 In 1998 the government will study the possibility of relaxing the conditions= for exercising a professional activity at=20 home in order to favour the creation of new activities using modern= communication techniques (teleworking in=20 particular).=20 Favouring the creation and development of innovating enterprises through the= =20 emergence of new capital=20 The orienting of mutual insurance savings towards risk capital must be= encouraged The 1998 finance law has introduced an important measure to encourage the= investment of mutual insurance savings=20 capital in risk capital. People with life insurance contracts invested over= 50% in shares, of which at least 5% are in risk- capital companies, risk investment funds and innovation investment funds, or= directly in unquoted companies or=20 companies quoted in the New Market, shall continue to benefit from the= favourable fiscal system for life insurance=20 (earnings from policies held for 8 years or more are completely exempted= from tax).=20 A risk capital fund to be set up in 1998=20 A large state risk capital fund will be set up. This fund will not= substitute for private risk capital operators, but will give=20 them leverage by increasing their intervention capacities.=20 Local community actions to create innovating enterprises will be facilitated= =20 Local communities often want to facilitate the development of proximity risk= capital. Unfortunately current state=20 financing rules are ill-adapted to certain local authority actions, even= though these actions are effective. A bill will=20 therefore be submitted to Parliament during 1998 to adapt the rules= governing the economic intervention of local=20 communities to facilitate the creation of innovating companies.=20 Promote exportation from the French information and communication sector A working party will be set up to analyze the export prospects for French= information and communication=20 technology companies=20 The Junior Minister for foreign trade will set up a sector-based strategic= watch group to analyze the export market share=20 of French information and communication technology companies and their= prospects for development in the face of=20 international competition.=20 A FORCEFUL POLICY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESEARCH=20 Streamline public financing of company R&D=20 The mechanism for assisting industrial research and development must be= improved=20 The quality of the industrial research and development mechanism is vital to= the development of information and=20 communication technologies in France.=20 Mr Henri Guillaume has been assigned a mission by the Minister of Education,= Research and Technology and the=20 Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, the conclusions of which should= guide the government in the preparation of=20 measures to improve the efficiency of mechanisms of R & D aid to companies.= =20 Industrial research grants shall be used in priority to support the= information technology sectors=20 The Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry and the Minister of Education,= Research and Technology will use their=20 industrial research funds within a global and consistent approach to give= priority support to the various information=20 technology sectors: components, data processing equipment, new software= technologies (logistics engineering, research=20 engines, Internet technologies, security aids, etc.), telecommunications= equipment and services and technologies helping=20 to produce, distribute and receive multimedia applications. The movement of research workers into companies will be facilitated=20 The Minister of Education, Research and Technology is preparing measures to= facilitate the movement of research=20 workers into private companies by adapting the sometimes excessively rigid= framework governing the status of state=20 laboratory research scientists. The RNRT (R=E9seau National de Recherche en T=E9l=E9communications -= National=20 Telecommunications Research Network)=20 In view of the extremely rapid development of the telecommunications sector,= which is now completely deregulated in=20 France and in most industrialized countries, the authorities are becoming= concerned about maintaining the level of=20 French research experience in this field.=20 The national centres of skills in telecommunications research are= coordinated=20 The government has decided to coordinate the various national centres of= telecommunications research within the=20 RNRT, grouping all the players concerned (scientists, manufacturers,= operators, etc.). The RNRT brings together the following centres of telecommunications skills:= CNET (Centre national d'=E9tude des=20 t=E9l=E9communications - National centre of telecommunications studies),= INRIA (Institut national de recherche en=20 informatique et en automatique - National institute of research into= information and automation technologies), CNRS=20 (Centre national de la recherche scientifique - National scientific research= centre), Schools, Universities, industrial=20 laboratories, operators, etc.=20 This system has been in operation since January 1, 1998.=20 The State will be providing substantial long-term financial support The ministries responsible for research and telecommunications plan devoting= 60 million Francs to upstream research=20 programs and 200 million Francs to industrial R & D in 1998. This support= will be continued in the years to come.=20 The State will ensure that telecommunications operators meet their= predetermined research commitments=20 The Ministry of the economy, finance and industry will make sure that France= T=E9l=E9com and the other=20 telecommunications operators meet the research obligations imposed upon them= by the regulations.=20 Experimenting with the digitizing of terrestrial radio waves=20 Television broadcasting in France at present is ensured by cable, satellite= and terrestrial radio waves, in analogue mode=20 in the latter case. The digitizing of terrestrial radio broadcasting= involves high industrial and economic stakes:=20 ? better frequency management and the possibility in the long run of having= a large spectrum to implement new=20 services,=20 =20 ? renewal of the equipment pool with the adoption of digital reception and= the digitizing of broadcasting networks,=20 =20 ? the reduction of broadcasting costs in the long term,=20 =20 ? the presence of digital receivers in the home, capable of supporting new= services (such as broadcasting of the=20 Internet by radio waves).=20 Digital terrestrial radio broadcasting offers interesting prospects in terms= of town and country planning - especially in=20 sparsely populated areas where cable coverage is not really feasible - as it= is a medium that is well suited to local or=20 regional channels.=20 In the long run, the recovery of part of the frequency spectrum currently= used for analogue broadcasting is one of the=20 requirements for the development of new services in the information society,= such as the third-generation multimedia=20 mobiles (future "UMTS" (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System).=20 Terrestrial digital radio television trials will start in 1998=20 The movement for programmed launching of terrestrial digital television is= under way in many countries. The United=20 States have thus scheduled a migration plan which should lead to the dying= out of analogue broadcasting by 2006.=20 Similar decisions have already been taken in the United Kingdom and Sweden,= and are expected in Spain and Poland. The government intends studying the concrete possibilities offered by the= digitizing of the terrestrial radio network, and=20 launching the first technical trials in 1998.=20 As regards other forms of terrestrial digital audio broadcasting (DAB) of= radio or television programmes (MMDS), the=20 ongoing trials shall be continued.=20 CONFIRMING FRANCE'S COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTERNET=20 The development of infrastructures supporting the Internet, as well as= actively participating in its technical regulation,=20 form a key part of France's effort to make up for lost ground in this= domain.=20 Telecommunications operators' actions to facilitate access to the Internet= =20 International comparisons show France to be well positioned for prices=20 In France, the enlarged size of the local zones (in which the local metering= rate is applicable) is significantly larger than=20 in the majority of other European countries, enabling internauts to access= the Internet at the local rate (each enlarged=20 local zone has at least one point with an access provider). The average prices per minute for France Telecom's "local flat rate" and= "Internet Primaliste" options are among the=20 cheapest in Europe. Thus, as regards European prices of connections to the Internet, France is= well positioned for both the cost of telephone=20 communications and the cost of subscription to the access provider. Indeed, international comparisons made by Idate and the Department of Post= and Telecommunications show that France=20 Telecom's prices for local long-duration calls are lower than those of= British Telecom, although they are higher than=20 those of Telia, the main Swedish operator. If one compares the prices of= long-duration calls (30 minutes) for example,=20 the normal local tariff per minute in France (0.28 F VAT inclusive) is close= to that applicable in Germany (0,275 F VAT=20 inclusive) and substantially lower than in the United Kingdom (0.38 F VAT= inclusive).=20 International comparison of prices applicable to a private individual= accessing the Internet via the telephone=20 network (1) Francs incl. VAT France Telecom British Telecom=20 (UK) Telia (Sweden) Deutsche Telekom=20 (Germany) Connection of=20 8 h/month 70.60 110 52.40 84 Connection of=20 23 h 30 / month 194 302 145 232 (1) Week-days, mean access time of 30 minutes=20 Source: Department of Post and Telecommunications=20 Moreover, the study carried out by DataBank Consulting, IDATE and TNO in= September 1997 for the European=20 Commission, shows that the price of subscriptions to Internet access= providers in France is one of the lowest in Europe,=20 placing it immediately behind Finland and Sweden.=20 The Government's policy of approving France Telecom's prices shall focus on= the consumer=92s interest=20 Since December 1, 1997, France T=E9l=E9com has been selling a= subscription-free access to the Internet at a price of 0.85 F=20 per minute. This type of flat rate, already proposed by other access= providers, is situated in a highly competitive context=20 which will lead to significant price reductions. In order to allow the development of services by all the telecommunications= operators, and notably the new operators=20 and cable operators, the State shall, in its policy of approving France= Telecom's prices, ensure that the rules of fair=20 competition are respected. In this context the Government shall place the= emphasis on the consumer's interest,=20 particularly as regards the prices of communications and the creation of= innovative pricing systems, such as flat rate=20 options for second telephone lines. Furthermore, the Telecommunications control authority shall examine= interconnection prices and the feasibility of=20 modulating them according to the application.=20 Developing the infrastructures on which the Internet relies=20 The Internet infrastructure in France=20 The two lines of development of the Internet infrastructure in France are= firstly the increase in the transmission speeds of=20 each component of the network (backbone and local access) and secondly the= improvement of the overall connectivity=20 of the network, that is to say increasing the number of interconnection= points between network elements to ensure=20 optimum traffic management.=20 Full deregulation of the telecommunications sector will lead to a= significant increase in the supply of means of=20 access to the Internet=20 France Telecom and Transpac develop their investments to meet the increasing= demand for Internet accesses from=20 different segments of the general public and corporate markets. The State= shall ensure that the France Telecom group=20 pursues a dynamic service supply policy. The deregulation of telecommunications, which took effect on January 1,= 1998, will enable private operators to develop=20 data transport networks and thus take part in the increase in transmission= rate of the Internet infrastructures in France. In=20 this respect, Siris, which already has a data transport network in France,= and C=E9g=E9tel and T=E9l=E9com Developpement will=20 be the first operators to have an available infrastructure for the Internet= which will supplement that of France Telecom.=20 It is necessary to develop trials of alternative infrastructures=20 Apart from the increase in the commercial supply on cabled networks, there= is a need to develop trials on new=20 infrastructures for local accesses (such as cordless access to the local= network), as well as new uses of existing=20 infrastructures, such as the ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line)= which enables high speed digital signals to be=20 transmitted over the conventional telephone network.=20 Regulation of the state operator will favour development of the use of the= Internet=20 As regards leased lines, the State shall ensure strict compliance with the= France T=E9l=E9com blueprint contract, which will=20 lead to additional reductions in the prices of leased lines in 1998 over and= above those of the past years and that of=20 January 1, 1998. Furthermore, France T=E9l=E9com must endeavour to reduce= leased line installation times, at least for the=20 commonly used data rates.=20 France T=E9l=E9com shall also continue developing the Transpac network,= using more efficient protocols for the=20 transmission of Internet data. In addition, the France T=E9l=E9com group= will develop global offers adapted to the needs of=20 Internet access providers. As part of its function of approving the prices of public operators, the= State shall take into account the interests of=20 private and corporate consumers by examining the France T=E9l=E9com group's= innovating service supplies in compliance=20 with rules of fair competition.=20 The possibility of providing new services shall be examined=20 The Telecommunications regulating authority shall examine the technical,= economic and legal possibilities of combining=20 several complementary telecommunications services in the same supply, such= as telephone services and data=20 transmission services.=20 Interconnections with the basic Internet network in France shall be improved= =20 The interconnection of different commercial networks, currently ensured= solely by the RENATER (R=E9seau national de=20 t=E9l=E9communications pour la technologie, l'enseignement et la recherche -= National telecommunications network for=20 technology, teaching and research), must be improved by opening new= interconnection points, for which the rules of=20 operation between operators and Internet access providers will have to be= clarified.=20 Mr Jean-Fran=E7ois Abramatic will be assigned a brief concerning the= conditions of the technical development of=20 the Internet in France=20 Mr Jean-Fran=E7ois Abramatic, president of the World Wide Web consortium and= director of development and industrial=20 relations at the INRIA (National institute for research into information and= automation technologies), will be assigned a=20 brief to study the conditions of the technical development of the Internet= in France. This mission will focus in particular on assessing the development of the= Internet infrastructures in France and the=20 solutions to face the growth of traffic, as well as the questions raised by= the deployment of information systems and=20 Internet standards. The conclusions of this study are expected in June 1998.=20 The global infrastructure of the Internet=20 The implementing of global very high speed networks represents very high= stakes=20 The international negotiations on the interconnection of high speed networks= should enable very high speed networks=20 allowing the development of the Internet to be set up at international= level, especially for educational, research and=20 advanced technology applications. France shall back the development of intercontinental links for the Internet= =20 France is taking part in the international negotiations on the development= of the network along with all the other=20 countries connected to the Internet, and will endeavour to help reach an= agreement as regards the intercontinental links=20 so that they are cofinanced by the various countries on an equitable basis. Upgrading Renater to very high transmission rates is a priority=20 The public interest grouping Renater (R=E9seau national de= t=E9l=E9communications pour la technologie, l'enseignement et la=20 recherche - National telecommunications network for technology, teaching and= research), interconnects the French=20 primary, secondary and higher education establishments and public and= private research centres.=20 It is one of the largest Internet networks in the world, and is connected to= the other European telecommunications=20 networks for education and research via links over the 34-Mbit/s= trans-European network TEN 34. The new architecture=20 of Renater, which improves the regional service, has facilitated network= access for a large number of primary and=20 secondary schools. The upgrading of Renater to accept very high data rates by means of the IP= (Internet Protocol) technology in ATM=20 (Asynchronous Transfer Mode, a technique for assembling and transmitting= signals for high speed telecommunications=20 networks) will be given priority. This upgrade is part of the Renater 2= project which will allow the provision of new=20 services such as videophone, remote access to high-powered computers, rapid= medical imagery, and teleteaching.=20 France will actively participate in the trans-European very high speed link= network programme=20 Furthermore, the Ministry of education, research and technology is actively= participating in the setting up and=20 monitoring of the Quantum programme within the fifth European research and= development framework programme,=20 with a view to replacing the TNE 34 network by a trans-European network= providing connections at 155 Mbit/s.=20 Effective technical regulation of the Internet=20 It is vital to play a more active role in the development of the new= Internet standards=20 Numerous organizations, often relatively informal, revolve around the= Internet and address highly diverse questions=20 concerning technical, legal and even ethical aspects. The most important of= these are the authorities managing the=20 decentralized processes for defining the Internet's technical standards,= such as the IAB (Internet Architecture Board), the=20 IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), and the World Wide Web Consortium.= =20 As the existence of open standards is an important requirement of the new= technologies market, it is vital for a company=20 to make its technical innovation become a standard as rapidly as possible.= Although it is undeniably costly, active=20 participation in the standardization bodies is very important in order to= influence choices and foresee developments. In=20 spite of the marked mobilisation of certain players such as the INRIA, the= French participation in these bodies remains=20 low. French companies, public research centres and government departments shall= increase their presence in these=20 standardizing bodies, to which the States shall second engineers or= researchers specialized in these subjects. Dynamic management of the Internet domain names is very important for its= harmonious development=20 The management of the names of domains on the Internet, that is to say the= plan of addresses proposed to private and=20 corporate users, is a prerequisite for the harmonious development of the= Internet. The existing naming system, which stems from the American model, is= experiencing serious difficulties and has=20 witnessed increasing conflicts on an international scale. It is therefore vital to implement a policy of vigilance, which implies= rapidly adopting a united stance at European level.=20 Effective management of the ".fr" domain is necessary to strengthen France's= presence on the Internet=20 Reinforcing the French presence on the Internet requires effective= management of records in the ".fr" domain (root of=20 domain names in France), especially for organisms wishing to stress that= they are located in France.=20 The principle of adopting a naming charter to avoid conflicts must be= supported=20 The management of the ".fr" domain is characterized by a naming charter= defining a shared second-level tree structure=20 (such as "asso.fr" for associations or "gouv.fr" for government bodies, with= companies being registered directly at ".fr"=20 level). Applying this charter implies a certain degree of verification= before recording a domain name (such as=20 demanding proof of a company's registered name, a copy of a declaration from= the police headquarters or the publication=20 in the "Journal Officiel" for associations, or proof of registering at the= National institute of industrial property for=20 trademarks). This approach has reduced conflicts, unlike the situation found in other= Internet domains such as ".com" (domain name=20 sought after by numerous companies). This guarantee is invaluable at present= when the number of French sites is=20 increasing exponentially.=20 The creation of the AFNIC should improve the French address naming system= while preserving its cooperative=20 spirit=20 The AFNIC (Association fran=E7aise pour le nommage Internet en coop=E9ration= - French associating regulating Internet=20 address naming), which has just been founded by the INRIA and the Ministries= of industry and research, is open to both=20 Internet access providers and subscribers. The AFNIC should offer quality services at competitive prices with fast= delivery times, thanks to the flexibility of this=20 new associative structure and the technical environment of the INRIA. Its= costs will come down as of 1998, and the=20 registration procedure should be automated by Spring 1998.=20 The AFNIC will organize a public debate on the French naming plan this= Spring The participation of users and service providers will improve dialogue= between the players, particularly as regards the=20 adaptation of the naming charter. This charter must be both rigid enough to limit the risks of disputes, and= flexible enough not to hinder development of=20 the Internet in France or result in a migration towards non-French domain= names. During the first half of 1998 the AFNIC will organize a broad-based= discussion on the foundation principles and on the=20 means of effectively managing this naming chart.=20 Anticipate the new types of personal address on the Internet=20 The AFNIC may also extend the past examination of names of domains for= private individuals by making=20 recommendations to the public authorities. It is expedient to reflect upon= the possibility of having an personal Internet=20 address that is independent of the service provider.=20 Prepare ongoing negotiations on domain name management=20 The Office of the Junior Minister for Industry is taking part with the INPI= (Institut national=20de la propri=E9t=E9 industrielle -=20 National institute of patent rights) in the ongoing negotiations under the= auspices of the International=20 telecommunications union (working party stemming from the final report of= the IAHC - Internet Ad-Hoc Committee). The difficulties posed by domain names reaching saturation point at= international level show that the problem cannot be=20 solved by simply introducing a small number of new generic domains, but= implies defining new rules and new=20 procedures for assigning Internet domain names.=20 Naming is forcibly an international issue which requires a united stance= within the European Union=20 The European position regarding the management of domain names must be= clearly specified if the interests of the=20 European players are to be taken into account by the authorities responsible= for managing generic domain names. The=20 European Commission must establish itself as an active representative in= this matter. The development of a universal multilingual directory of Internet addresses,= on which the AFNIC is currently working,=20 could provide an additional tool to facilitate user orientation on the= Internet.=20 France will encourage the creation of European domain names=20 Harmonization of the rules for managing "national" domain names within the= EC, and the creation of a European=20 domain managed by a charter would help underpin the European influence on= the management of Internet domain=20 names.=20 ENHANCING THE FRENCH LEAD IN NEW NETWORKS AND NEW INFORMATION=20 TECHNOLOGIES=20 The mechanism for experimenting information highways and services shall= undergo a global evaluation in 1998=20 In 1997, further to the call for proposals concerning experiments on= information highways and services, a new inter- ministerial procedure was initiated with the creation of a "permanent= information counter" within the Industrial strategy=20 department of the office of the junior minister for industry. In this context, apart from awarding the "trial of public interest" label,= financial support totalling some 250 million=20 Francs has been granted since 1995 to the research and development actions= presented by the most innovative projects. The assessment of the 244 projects awarded this label under the call for= proposals will be completed in January 1998. It=20 will serve to inform all the players concerned and to determine the 1998= orientations regarding the procedure for=20 supporting trials, both qualitatively and as regards the amount of the= financial support.=20 The aim is to take into account the latest technological developments -= especially those relating to the Internet - and on=20 the basis of experience acquired through previously "labelled" projects, to= continue structuring and grouping the supply=20 of new services, assessing their economic viability, performing commercial= tests and acquiring expertise in the=20 operational management of new communication networks.=20 Anticipating the development of new infrastructures and new applications is= a condition for French=20 competitiveness in the information society=20 The complete deregulation of telecommunications is accompanied by increasing= interleaving of this sector with the=20 audio-visual sector. Thus, cabled network operators provide telephone= services over cable and direct broadcasting=20 satellite operators adapt their network to the provision of high-speed= accesses to the Internet. This regulatory and=20 technological change favours the appearance of new players on the scene and= the mushrooming of services. The access network (the part of the network situated between the user's= terminal or local network, and the switching=20 centre to which the user is connected) will undergo radical changes because= of the necessary evolution towards high=20 transmission speeds, the competition which will increase the diversity of= technological solutions, and the user's=20 increasingly asserted demand for mobility. Technological developments provide new solutions for high-speed access= networks:=20 ? access by optical fibre, still expensive,=20 =20 ? high-speed access over conventional copper pairs using the ADSL= (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line)=20 technology, which enables high-speed digital signals to be transmitted over= the conventional telephone network over=20 short distances, thereby avoiding the need to replace the existing lines,=20 =20 ? hybrid optical fibre - coaxial cable access, which uses the television= cable,=20 =20 ? cordless access to the local network, such as the MMDS (Microwave= Multichannel Distribution System)=20 technology), which allows dozens of television channels to be broadcast by= terrestrial radio waves, or the European=20 DECT standard (Digital European Cordless Telephone), designed to guarantee= local mobility,=20 =20 ? access by satellite (direct audio-visual broadcasting, telecommunication= systems using low earth orbit satellite=20 constellations). One can imagine that these different solutions will coexist= in the future with differential development=20 according to local conditions. Other technologies and standards should= gradually emerge, such as the use of electric=20 cables as a data transmission medium, or the UMTS (Universal Mobile= Telecommunications System), the future=20 cordless telecommunications standard.=20 A call for candidates for cordless access to the local loop will be put out= in 1998=20 Several new technologies will develop in the "local loop" sector (the end= part of the communication network which=20 serves each home); the introduction of local loops will favour the lowering= of prices and innovation in the Internet=20 access services sector. This is why the public authorities are preparing the= necessary change in the conditions regulating=20 the introduction of new local loop technologies. Consequently, a call for= candidates for the local radio loop will be put=20 out in the first half of 1998.=20 The government has ensured the multiplicity of supply for the future= satellite communication systems=20 Today, the future satellite communications systems are developed by European= and American players (such as the=20 Globalstar, Iridium, ICO, Skybridge, Teledesic and Celestri projects). These= new personal global communications=20 networks will shortly bring about substantial transformations. This is= because they will provide access to the=20 telecommunications services, and in certain cases to the high-speed services= and global networks, particularly the=20 Internet, for anywhere on Earth. They will thus constitute the spatial= segment of the third generation of mobile=20 telecommunications, by ensuring universal coverage of the territory with= access costs independent of population=20 densities. To promote this type of system and support the presence of France and Europe= in this telecommunications sector, the=20 State will help set up an environment, especially legal, that will favour= their rapid development. France has already=20 taken such steps in cooperation with the industrial players of the sector,= during the World radiocommunications=20 conference held in Geneva in November 1997, to guarantee equitable= conditions for the various projects and to preserve=20 the multiplicity of the supply.=20 ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE EUROPEAN POLICY FOR=20 INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION France shares the approach of the European commission which consists in= attributing a central position to information=20 and communication technologies in the fifth research and development= framework programme (PCRD). This is one of=20 the three thematic programmes that the Commission proposes implementing in= the PCRD, and which is currently being=20 discussed between European partners and the European Parliament, and which= should be adopted in 1998 for=20 implementation as of January 1, 1999.=20 Projects relating to information and communication technologies must be a= European priority=20 France will reassert the priority nature of the section devoted to the= information society with the European commission,=20 in order in particular to reinforce the advantages and competitiveness of= the European industry in this sector. The aim of=20 this section entitled "developing a user-friendly information society"= should be to render tangible the benefits of the=20 information society by ensuring that it meets the needs of private= individuals and companies. 6- Encouraging the emergence of effective regulation=20 and a regulatory framework for the new information=20 networks=20 ENCOURAGING THE EMERGENCE OF A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ADAPTED TO=20 THE NEW INFORMATION NETWORKS=20 The change of regulations in the context of sectorial convergence=20 Over the last few years it has become clearer that the necessary changes in= law and regulation mechanisms to control the=20 development of information technologies must take into account the= convergence between the telecommunications and=20 audiovisual sectors.=20 On December 1, 1997, the European Commission published a green book "on the= convergence of the=20 telecommunications, media and information technologies and the implications= for their regulation".=20 Naturally, this convergence must not become a pretext for calling into= question the continuation of our cultural policies=20 in the audiovisual sector, such as supporting creative projects and imposing= quotas for European works, which form the=20 strength and richness of the cinema and audiovisual sectors in France. But= it is nevertheless an irreversible deep-rooted=20 movement, the consequences of which must be fully measured.=20 The convergence of communication techniques covers several realities.= Fundamentally it is a technological convergence:=20 digitization brings together data processing, telecommunication networks,= the audiovisual, press and postal sectors.=20 Economically speaking, the idea of convergence corresponds to the bringing= together of the audiovisual, press,=20 telecommunications and data processing industries, which already began with= the growth of the telematics sector. For=20 users, the convergence manifests itself by both the multimedia and the= synergism between "mass media" such as=20 television, and personal media such as the telephone.=20 Digitization changes information from a technical situation of rarity to a= state of abundance. The traditional distinction=20 between information dissemination and interactivity is disappearing.= Finally, the combined use of texts, images and=20 sounds in an interactive context through multimedia brings into play often= differing legal systems.=20 Hence, convergence necessarily affects the regulation of the various sectors= concerned and speeds up the process of=20 adaptation of law.=20 The government is studying all the legal questions associated with the= multiplication of new services and the=20 convergence, notably in the context of the future law on communication and= the development of the French position in=20 the European Commission's green book.=20 The questions resulting from the growth of the Internet provide a vivid= illustration of the consequences of this=20 convergence on regulation.=20 Efficient and flexible self-regulation for on-line services France already has longstanding experience in the regulation of on-line= services. Since 1993 in the telematics sector, the=20 Higher council of telematics and its offshoot, the Anonymous telematics= committee, have been making sure that=20 providers of anonymous written or spoken telematic services (Teletel and= Audiotel) comply with the professional code=20 of ethics.=20 These organizations provide interesting regulation examples, by underlining= the value of having an operating structure in=20 which there are regular discussions between the players involved.=20 The specific nature of the Internet makes it impossible to simply transpose= existing regulation models=20 The specific and profoundly innovative nature of the Internet prevents the= transposition of the systems established for=20 the audiovisual or telematics sectors: the data flows transiting via the= network have no borders and are not managed by a=20 single authority; each entity can at any time and on its own initiative be= both a transmitter and receiver of information.=20 Restrictive regulations based on a system of authorizations combined with= obligations regarding the content (as exist for=20 television, for example, due to the rarity of frequencies) would therefore= be inappropriate. Solutions favouring the self-regulation of the system by all the Internet= players must therefore be sought for all=20 behaviours that do not fall under the normal action of law and the police= services.=20 The experimental trials envisaged by the players shall be encouraged=20 The strong behavioural ethics - sometimes called "netiquette" - that are= widespread among the users, represent a=20 dimension of the Internet that must be underlined and encouraged. The reflections undertaken by the various actors (access providers, entities= holding service rights, users' associations,=20 etc.) concerning ways of setting up realistic and effective means of= self-regulation are of major interest in this respect,=20 and suggestions for experimental trials shall be encouraged by the public= authorities.=20 The Council of State is expected to make proposals in its interim report on= the mission entrusted it by the Prime=20 Minister=20 The Prime Minister has asked the Council of State to analyze the numerous= questions of law posed by the Internet in=20 order to cast light upon future choices regarding legislation and= regulations, and make concrete proposals regarding=20 regulation of the Internet in the interim report drawn up in Spring 1998.=20 Actively participate in the emerging international reflections on= self-regulation of the Internet France will play an active role on the international and especially the EC= front in the emerging reflections on the=20 mechanisms for classifying the services available on the Internet and the= associated means of parental filtration.=20 FACILITATING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EFFECTIVE AND PROTECTIVE=20 CRYPTOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK=20 Reconciling the need to protect the confidentiality of users and issues of= public=20 security=20 The rapid development of new communication systems in the information= society will depend on the confidence that=20 users can place in them, and in particular the security introduced by these= means of communication.=20 Yet this development results in the transfer of pre-existing information= exchanges from closed networks which generated=20 mutual confidence among on-line users, to networks that are globally open,= like the Internet where, because appropriate=20 means are lacking, information can be intercepted, modified, or its validity= can be questioned.=20 Furthermore, the increasing interconnection of internal data processing= systems with open networks increases their=20 potential vulnerability.=20 >From the outset, electronic commerce is developing in an international= framework. National rules must therefore take=20 this into account to avoid penalizing the players of the national economy= and to guarantee them effective means of=20 protection against economic espionage. Finally and above all, the entry into the information society is= characterized by a spectacular growth in the volume of=20 information exchanged over the information networks, and in particular of= personal data, the protection of which is an=20 essential democratic issue.=20 Cryptology thus constitutes one of the keys for instilling confidence in= widespread utilization of the Internet, by ensuring=20 the confidentiality, validity, integrity, non-repudiation of exchanged= information, and the authentication of=20 communicants.=20 The use of cryptological means is therefore necessary to help:=20 ? protect privacy,=20 =20 ? the development of electronic transactions,=20 =20 ? ensure information system security.=20 However, the increased use of cryptology can reduce the ability of police= and national security forces to fight=20 criminality, organized crime and terrorism, drug trafficking or even the= laundering of money. As such, controlling the=20 use of cryptological means represents a national security issue.=20 The regulatory framework for cryptology must therefore be a realistic and= effective compromise. It must enable a=20 balanced approach between the legitimate needs to protect users in their= economic and private lives, and maintain the=20 capacity of the security services to preserve State security.=20 Transform the regulatory framework to deregulate the use of cryptology=20 Article 28 of the law of December 29, 1990 concerning the regulation of= telecommunications subjected cryptology to a=20 strict system of prior authorization for the supply, export and use of all= the confidentiality tools. These provisions=20 formed an obstacle to the development of the protected relations necessary= for the expansion of electronic commerce.=20 The new legislation (article 17 of the telecommunications regulation law of= July 26, 1996), intended making it simpler=20 for the final user to have recourse to cryptological means, and for the= seller to get onto the market.=20 This legislation cannot come into effect without being complemented by a= series of decrees and orders specifying firstly=20 the modes of application of the systems (liberty, prior declaration and= authorization), and secondly the responsibilities of=20 accredited organizations holding the ciphering keys, called "trustworthy= third parties" for state-approved cryptology.=20 The procedure for the adoption of these texts - which had been delayed - was= initiated in the summer of 1997. The tests=20 shall be implemented rapidly, as soon as the final agreement of the European= Commission has been obtained and they=20 have been examined by the Council of State.=20 The deregulation of the French regulatory framework concerning cryptology is= intended to meet the requirements of the=20 market and the Internet players, and should also encourage the development= of a French industrial supply which can=20 base itself on sound existing skills.=20 Freedom to use electronic signature tools is a priority=20 There is now total freedom to use cryptological means (electronic signature)= to authenticate and guarantee the integrity=20 and non-repudiation of messages. The marketing of electronic signature= products shall be subject to a simplified=20 declaration (no waiting period or technical file to be lodged).=20 The selling and the use of moderate-level cryptology are becoming= commonplace=20 For applications requiring a moderate level of protection, such as= electronic commerce with consumers, the use of=20 algorithms with moderate-level keys shall be unrestricted. Their supply is= subject to a prior declaration followed by a=20 one-month waiting period, the furnishing of a technical file and registering= of the algorithm. The regulation thus enables=20 the use and sale of these algorithms to become commonplace.=20 The threshold of moderate-level cryptology must remain open-ended=20 The moderate-level cryptology threshold, set by a simple decree, may be= revised as the technology evolves in order to=20 preserve an effective capacity to protect users of applications requiring a= moderate level of protection, which will=20 represent the large majority of cryptology applications.=20 High-level cryptology must be based on an effective regulatory framework=20 There shall also be no restrictions on the use of cryptological means,= whatever their level, on condition that the keys=20 used are managed by a trustworthy third party where state accredited= cryptology is concerned.=20 The setting up of these organizations, whose role is to issue and archive= the information ciphering keys, shall make it=20 easier to use high-level cryptological means. The needs for increased= confidentiality (strategic exchanges between=20 companies for example) shall thus be covered while at the same time= preserving the legal powers of the judiciary, police=20 and security services.=20 The regulatory framework should encourage the emergence of trustworthy third= parties for cryptology=20 As the new French legislation is based on the use of trustworthy third= parties for cryptology, it is vital for a service=20 supply to be rapidly available. This activity, possibly associated with that= of the certification authority, must attract=20 private operators, therefore it must generate earnings.=20 This is why the decrees and orders defining the conditions for exercising= this new profession will not impose technical=20 architectures, but will restrict themselves to functional requirements to= allow the development of an economically=20 profitable activity.=20 The State will rapidly implement its own escrow services=20 Moreover, it is important that the State itself should rapidly implement a= trustworthy third party service for cryptology in=20 order to meet its own specific requirements and possibly urgent needs of= companies (relations with the Tax Office and=20 public accounting, for example).=20 A call for proposals for data processing protection products shall be put= out in 1998=20 In view of the weak market situation and the modification of the= regulations, it is up to the State to support the=20 development of industrial products for data processing security, as is done= in Germany. Consequently, the Industrial=20 strategy department of the office of the Junior Minister for industry will= put out a call for proposals in this field in 1998.=20 Accompanying the implementation of the new regulatory framework=20 and contributing towards an international consensus=20 The French framework must remain open-ended, and its developments must be= subject to increased dialogue.=20 Furthermore, France must become actively involved in the international= negotiations relating to cryptology, as=20 information networks such as the Internet have no boundaries.=20 The French regulatory framework must remain open-ended=20 The regulatory framework must be reviewed regularly as a function of: ? technological changes;=20 =20 ? the international and especially European context;=20 =20 ? the needs of the economic players and the initial experience feedback from= its implementation, especially as regards=20 trustworthy third parties for cryptology.=20 A national debate on cryptology will be organized before the end of 1998=20 Given the development of professional and personal data exchanges, the= stakes represented by cryptology which until=20 now have been discussed in the still limited circle of cryptology users, are= gradually showing themselves to be an=20 essential issue. It is therefore legitimate that an extensive dialogue should be initiated.= It should provide the opportunity to assess the=20 implementation of the new French regulatory framework, the progress of= international discussions in this domain, and=20 the development of technological solutions. A wide consultation of all the players concerned (companies, consumer= associations, the National committee of data=20 processing and freedom, liberal professions, etc.) should thus be initiated= before the end of 1998.=20 The French approach must fit in with a voluntarist European policy=20 The French are not alone in their approach; it corresponds to a solution= studied by other European countries. It fits in=20 with the approach adopted by the European Commission to set up a European= framework for electronic signatures and=20 cryptology. The Telecommunications Meeting of December 1, 1997 thus adopted the= Commissions communication conclusions=20 concerning the digital signature and ciphering which took into account our= concerns: encourage the development of=20 electronic commerce while ensuring that the necessary deregulation of= cryptological products will not jeopardize=20 national security interests. This communication should rapidly lead to the= proposal of a directive concerning electronic=20 signatures.=20 International agreements on the escrowing of cryptology keys are necessary= =20 It is vital - in the interests of inter-company trade - to rapidly reach an= agreement with our main commercial partners=20 regarding the principles and implementation of the ciphering key escrow.=20 GUARANTEEING THE SECURITY OF NATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND=20 NETWORKS=20 The development of information networks and the growing interconnection of= internal corporate and government=20 networks are increasing their potential vulnerability.=20 Henceforth, management of the main infrastructures and the major exchange= networks in our country and at=20 international level is based on increasingly complex and developed= information systems.=20 Thus, alongside the traditional threats to sensitive infrastructures, we are= now faced with new potential dangers: the=20 "virtual" attack on financial information systems by computer viruses, or= the sabotage of a major computer system,=20 could have even more serious consequences than a "conventional" attack.=20 These new immaterial threats to the country's major infrastructures must be= evaluated=20 Faced with these new threats - especially immaterial - to large= infrastructures and the national information systems, it is=20 essential for the various State bodies concerned to pursue the ongoing= adaptation of their means of prevention and=20 response.=20 An interministerial working party will be set up to examine these new= threats and envisage possible adaptations=20 of the tools to preserve national interests=20 An interministerial working party shall be set up under the auspices of the= Secretary-general for national defence to draw=20 up the inventory of these new threats, measure any vulnerable points in the= major national infrastructures, and propose=20 appropriate solutions to the Prime Minister before Autumn 1998.=20 The actions of the State bodies concerned will be based on regular= discussions with the economic and financial=20 players=20 The interministerial working party for the security of major infrastructures= shall regularly consult the main players of the=20 economic and financial community to obtain their proposals and heighten= their awareness of this issue.=20 ADAPTING INITIATIVES FOR THE PREVENTION AND REPRESSION OF NEW=20 POTENTIAL THREATS=20 Faced with the development of information networks, the protection of= private and corporate users requires increased=20 coordination between the various ministerial departments to fight the= different forms of crime specific to new=20 communication networks. The global scale of the network also requires the= development of mutual judicial assistance at=20 international level=20 Maintaining these protective initiatives implies giving suitable training to= the public players concerned.=20 The global dimension of information demands scaled-up international= coordination=20 The international dimension of the Internet brings new security challenges= due to the development of new forms of=20 crime (computer hacking, terrorist actions on networks), and the difficulty= of apprehending perpetrators based in foreign=20 countries, as has been demonstrated by the recent examples of pedophile and= revisionist sites. Thus, it is becoming necessary to adapt procedures to provide mutual= assistance with prevention and repression.=20 France will actively participate in the ongoing international work= concerning the new forms of crime associated=20 with information and communication technologies=20 France will actively support the ongoing work to better combat these new= forms of criminality: ? work carried out in the framework of the European Union (protection of= minors and human dignity; draft European=20 agreement for mutual judicial assistance), =20 ? work of the Council of Europe aiming to develop an international agreement= on criminality in cyber-space, =20 ? plan of action adopted by the Ministers of the Interior and of Justice of= the G7/P8 countries in December 1997,=20 aiming at reinforcing technical capabilities, improving mutual judicial= assistance and adapting legislation on=20 information networks to protect citizens.=20 The training of public players responsible for ensuring public protection= shall include information and=20 communication technologies=20 The various institutes training the legal and judicial professions, such as= the National colleges for the magistracy, court=20 clerk's, barristers, and the training centres for lawyers and bailiffs, will= set up obligatory training in data processing tools=20 and the Internet. The colleges dependent upon the Ministries of the Interior and of Defence= shall adopt a similar approach.=20 Civil servants will be made aware of the threats to information systems and= the ways of preventing them=20 An interministerial reflection under the responsibility of the= Secretary-General for National Defence should enable the=20 setting up of modules to train high-level public authorities in the issues= of protection of sensitive networks and the risks=20 of illegal usage of information systems that could undermine public liberty= and safety, State security or national defence=20 interests. Method and=20 implementation=20 Ensuring the consistency=20 of government action, involving the=20 other players of the information society 1. Coordinated action at national and international level=20 =20 2. Engaging public debate on France's entry into the information society 1- Coordinated action at national and international=20 level Government initiatives to prepare France's entry into the information= society must be coordinated at national, European=20 and international levels.=20 ENSURING EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S ACTION=20 PROGRAMME=20 A commitment from each government department=20 Each ministry shall produce a sectorial breakdown of the government's action= programme=20 Before the end of the=20first semester of 1998, each ministry shall draw up= for publication a summary document from the=20 "information society" files concerning its role in the government's action= programme for the information society.=20 This document will show in particular the way information and communication= technologies contribute towards the=20 internal modernization of the ministry and the improvement of its relations= with users, citizens and companies.=20 It shall indicate the corresponding financial commitments. If necessary, the master plans for the information and telecommunication= systems of each ministry shall be updated=20 before the end of 1998 to take these developments into account. Current= procedures for validating master plans shall be=20 realigned further to the examination of the principal choices of the= ministries and the interministerial coherence to be=20 developed.=20 The ministerial plans shall more specifically include:=20 ? the plan for digitizing public data and putting them on line on the= Internet=20 =20 ? a schedule for the migration of telematic services onto the Internet=20 =20 ? an inventory of the data already available or to be broadcast on the= Internet, and which could form the subject of a=20 link from the ADMIFRANCE site =20 ? projects for putting services of general interest on the Internet=20 =20 ? the schedule for providing virtual administrative forms;=20 =20 ? teleprocedure projects, identifying in particular those which could be= implemented before the end of 1998=20 =20 ? the plan for implementing an internal electronic message service and how= it will interconnect with the=20 interministerial message service=20 =20 ? existing or planned extensions to the message service between central= administrations and decentralized services.=20 Specific responsibility shall be assigned in each ministry for the projects= to modernize public services that call=20 upon information and communication technologies=20 The senior civil servants responsible for modernization and decentralization= in each ministry shall ensure that the=20 necessary measures are taken to meet the set objectives regarding the= contribution of information and communication=20 technologies towards the modernizing of the operation of the State and the= improvement of relations with users.=20 Each ministry shall appoint "information society" representatives=20 An "information society" representative shall be designated in each= ministerial cabinet (see appendix 2).=20 Furthermore, representatives may be appointed within the various ministries= with a brief to coordinate issues which=20 often cut across several domains. The table in the appendix mentioned above= already indicates some of these=20 representatives.=20 Interministerial coordination An interministerial committee for the information society has been created= =20 An interministerial committee has been created for the information society.= This committee will watch over the progress=20 of the actions planned in the government's action programme for the= information society.=20 It shall examine the reactions, questions and suggestions recorded during= the public debate organized in the first half of=20 1998, and, beyond this, ensure that the suggestions made by the information= society players are taken into account in the=20 State's actions.=20 It shall regularly draw the conclusions from the economic, technological,= social and cultural developments associated=20 with France's entry into the information society, and will monitor= international practices on the theme of the information=20 society.=20 It shall propose any corrective measures to be made to the government's= action programme.=20 The interministerial committee for the information society shall meet at= least twice a year.=20 Committee secretaryship shall be ensured by the Secretary-general of the= government.=20 The information society representatives shall jointly monitor the= implementation of the government's action=20 programme=20 Implementation of the action programme for the information society and= preparation of the interministerial committee=20 meetings for the information society shall be monitored regularly in a= coordinated fashion by the information society=20 representatives within each ministerial cabinet.=20 Reinforced coordination of the action to modernise the public services=20 Coordinating the State's action is particularly important as regards the= contribution of information technologies towards=20 the modernisation of the public services and improving their relations with= users.=20 This need for coordination is applicable equally well to the financing and= conducting of interministerial projects as to=20 the networking of the government departments, the defining of common= standards or general principles governing the=20 distribution of information and communications between the public services= and users, or heightening awareness and=20 training of civil servants in the new technologies.=20 The services placed at the disposal of the Ministry of civil service, State= reform and decentralization are responsible, in=20 liaison with the Secretary-general of the government, for this coordination= task, in the framework of the guidelines laid=20 down by the interministerial committee for State reform.=20 A summary of the State's actions to accompany the entry of France into the= information society shall be drawn=20 up in 1998=20 The Ministry of economy, finance and industry shall draw up a summary= document of the State's actions to accompany=20 the entry of France into the information society by the end of the third= quarter of 1998. It shall be based on the=20 "information society" summary documents, and in particular the financial= part, prepared by each Ministry.=20 Ensuring that information and communication technologies develop equitably= =20 throughout the country=20 Information technologies represent twofold advantages from town and country= planning aspects:=20 ? they make possible the development of teleworking,=20 =20 ? they enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of the regions.=20 In implementing its action programme for the information society, the= government intends ensuring that all regions have=20 equal access to these technologies, paying particular attention to the= development of fragile areas.=20 It is important that each region should be able to rely on these= technologies under fair conditions to favour its=20 development projects or enhance its own specific resources.=20 The action of the Ministry of environmental and town and country planning= shall, in the framework of the information=20 society, be directed in priority towards the fragile, isolated, rural or= problem-stricken zones. This action will be=20 complementary to that of the sectorial ministries in the domains of culture,= health, education and administrative services.=20 Ensuring local consistency of government actions=20 Market dynamics and technological innovation are powerful tools in the= regional development of information and=20 communication technologies. It is nevertheless important to have a means of= observing the deployment of=20 communication networks and services over the entire country, so that any= disparities can be detected and corrected.=20 The DATAR (D=E9l=E9gation =E0 l'am=E9nagement du territoire et =E0 l'action= r=E9gionale - Delegation for town and country=20 planning and regional actions), assisted by the region Prefects, shall= ensure that the projects carried out by the various=20 ministerial departments are consistent with the chosen regional development= policies and are effective.=20 The DATAR will publish a report on the deployment of communication networks= and services over the entire=20 country=20 Each year, the DATAR will draw up a report on the deployment of= communication networks and services for the=20 country as a whole.=20 This report will:=20 ? assess the progress of the level of network coverage of the population and= the regions=20 =20 ? measure the equity of access of companies and private subscribers to= services according to their geographical=20 location=20 =20 ? assess local initiatives associating information and communication= technologies with regional development=20 =20 ? provide other countries with references concerning government policies on= the subject.=20 THE ACTIVE CONTRIBUTION OF FRANCE TOWARDS THE INTERNATIONAL AND=20 EUROPEAN COMMITMENT TO THE INFORMATION SOCIETY=20 Anticipate the forthcoming international discussions by enhancing the= coordination=20 between the various State departments=20 France will actively participate in all the official and informal= negotiations and discussions on the information=20 society International debates on the information society are increasing in various= formal and informal groups (uniting=20 professionals or State representatives) without these discussions so far= resulting in true negotiations to create a new legal=20 framework. One must nevertheless prepare for such negotiations.=20 France must have full command of the development of international doctrine= in this field: it will therefore play and=20 active part in all negotiations and discussions, whether formal or informal,= in liaison with the professional and=20 associative players.=20 Regular dialogue under the supervision of the Ministry of foreign affairs= should enable the programme of=20 international meetings on the information society to be known well in= advance=20 A schedule of international meetings shall be prepared and regularly updated= by the Ministry of foreign affairs in=20 collaboration with the other Ministries, the Secretary-general of the= interministerial committee for European economic=20 cooperation (SGCI), the professional milieu and the representative= associations.=20 Strengthen the prior coordination of the ministerial departments=20 The Ministry of foreign affairs, assisted by the SGCI where European= meetings are concerned, shall ensure that France=20 is adequately represented at these meetings and will be responsible for= prior coordination between the ministerial=20 departments. They will make sure that the initiatives taken in the various= negotiation theatres are consistent.=20 Set up an international watch over the development of the Internet and new= information and communication=20 technologies=20 The Ministry of foreign affairs shall keep a watch over the policies and= trials conducted in the other countries and the=20 international organizations through the foreign embassies.=20 Favouring the French commitment to the European action for the information= =20 society=20 Entry into the information society is a shared concern in Europe=20 The information society, the economic and technological possibilities= resulting from its development, and the=20 implications for the citizens, also provide food for thought for our= European partners and the EC authorities. The work carried out in the various sessions of the European Union Council= of Ministers (Economy and Finance,=20 Domestic Market, Culture and Audiovisual, Industry, Telecommunications)= demonstrates the cross-border nature of the=20 issue and the importance laid on it at European level.=20 To answer the Heads of State and Prime Ministers united at the European= Council in Brussels, the report on "Europe=20 and the planetary information society" presented by Commissioner Bangemann= at the European Council meeting in=20 Corfu (June 1994) constitutes the basis of the Commission's reflection.=20 This report has been extended by a plan of action for the setting up of the= information society in Europe, which more=20 specifically examines issues relating to the deregulation of= telecommunications, networks and services, social and=20 cultural aspects and development.=20 Commissioner Bangemann presented his second plan of action entitled "Europe= at the forefront of the planetary=20 information society: evolutive plan of action" at the meeting of the= European Council in Dublin in December 1996. This=20 plan gives an assessment of the actions carried out and defines a work= programme based on several objectives.=20 The main objectives set forth in the European plans of action are:=20 ? To improve the corporate environment by the effective and coherent= deregulation of telecommunications and by=20 applying domestic market principles in the context of the information= society,=20 =20 ? To invest in the future by taking into account the future development of= the information society in forthcoming=20 teaching and research programmes,=20 =20 ? To meet the global challenge by encouraging the access of outside= countries through the negotiation of new=20 multilateral agreements and increasing cooperation with the Central and= Eastern European Countries.=20 =20 ? To favour the citizen by giving more consideration to the social aspect.= =20 France gave both plans its full support. Indeed, these plans should enable= the European Union to coordinate the=20 initiatives taken in the context of the entry into the information society= and in particular allow the competitive=20 development of new technologies while at the same time taking into account= the implications of this change in domains=20 such as the protection of essential security interests, codes of ethics and= the protection of minors, protection of=20 intellectual property rights, promotion of the European industry of= information applications.=20 The EC reflection meets up with that of France precisely because it is a= global reflection that takes into account all the=20 dimensions of the information society.=20 In its green book "Living and working in the information society: the= citizens first" and its communications entitled=20 "learning in the information society" in 1996, "cohesion and the information= society", "the information society and=20 development", "the social dimension and the labour market in the information= society" in 1997, the Commission=20 proposes exploiting the considerable source of growth and employment and= cohesion harboured in the setting up of the=20 information society.=20 The emerging technological and commercial competition justifies us= considering all the possibilities of coordinating our=20 efforts in this domain with our partners of the European Union. But EU= members do not just have an economic=20 challenge to meet; they must give all the citizens of the Union equal access= to the new information technologies.=20 This joint reflection with our partners at the Councils of Ministers, based= on the Commission's communications and in=20 agreement with the European Parliament, will enable the long-term= development of a European framework containing=20 our priorities for the information society. Active participation in the drawing up of the community framework=20 The overall reflection conducted within the community institutions will, in= the medium term, lead to a joint framework -=20 at present in the embryonic stage - and concrete initiatives. France is= actively participating in the development of this=20 framework and the instigation of these initiatives.=20 France shall ensure that the six priority actions are taken into account in= the community framework and are based on it.=20 2- Engaging the public debate on France's entry into the=20 information society=20 SUBMIT STATE PROPOSALS TO THE OTHER PLAYERS=20 The public debate must be engaged on this important society issue=20 Henceforth the action programme constitutes the working framework for the= government action to help the entry of=20 France into the information society.=20 The action programme presented to the country represents a political view of= the issue, which must be implemented=20 throughout the years to come. This document proposes choices in the form of= broad priorities, and intends mixing=20 medium-term prospects with concrete short-term projects.=20 But the government's action programme for the information society is in no= way intended to be set in stone. It is the=20 result of intensive work by the State departments, often inspired by the= numerous proposals from the other players in=20 society.=20 It must now be enriched on the basis of the public debate stimulated by the= broad options adopted to make France enter=20 the information society.=20 Using the Internet as one of the platforms for public debate=20 The debate could be based in particular on information and communication= technologies, starting with the Internet.=20 Moreover, certain particular issues shall be subject to specific discussions= between the State and the players concerned.=20 The action programme for the information society will be available on the= Internet=20 The government's action programme for the information society is accessible= on line on the Prime Minister's Internet=20 site, from which it can be downloaded or consulted directly.=20 A discussion forum will be set up as one of the tools for the public debate= on the government's action programme=20 for the information society=20 A discussion is to be set up under the responsibility of the government's= communication service, which will oversee the=20 debates in accordance with the codes of ethics practised on the Internet.=20 It must be stressed that this is a forum and not an electronic mailbox.= Citizens wishing to send their reactions and=20 suggestions to the Prime Minister can do so through the mailboxes accessible= at the Prime Minister's site and the=20 government members' sites.=20 A synthesis of the broad themes debated in the discussion forum will be= provided regularly to fuel public reflection on=20 the entry of France into the information society.=20 The public debate will also address certain important specific issues=20 A debate on the proposals of the LORENTZ report on electronic commerce=20 Mr Francis Lorentz's report on electronic commerce is accessible on the= Internet site of the Ministry of Economy,=20 finance and industry.=20 It is subject to public debate and citizens can express their comments or= reactions on the Ministry's Internet site.=20 Discussions in each primary and secondary school in relation with the local= community concerning choices=20 regarding information technologies=20 Each primary and secondary school, shall organize a discussion on networking= and equipment choices for the=20 information and communication technologies at the staff or governors=92= meetings, before Summer 1998.=20 A public debate on the French naming plan will be organized by the AFNIC in= Spring 1998 This Spring, the AFNIC (Association fran=E7aise pour le nommage Internet en= coop=E9ration - French association which=20 regulates Internet address naming) will be organizing a broad consultation= of all the Internet players concerning the=20 basic principles and the means of managing this address naming charter= efficiently.=20 The charter must be both rigid enough to limit the risks of conflicts, and= flexible enough not to hinder the development=20 of the Internet in France or result in the transfer of subscriptions to= non-French domain addresses.=20 A consultation on cryptology in Autumn 1998=20 The French regulatory framework for cryptology is being established. This= constitutes an important step for the=20 development of electronic exchanges in our country. It is a starting point= for discussions with all the players concerned.=20 A broad discussion will thus be organized in Autumn 1998, involving= companies, consumer associations, the National=20 committee on data processing and freedom, liberal professions, etc.=20 This should provide the occasion to assess the implementation of the new= French regulatory framework, the progress of=20 international discussions in this domain, and the development of= technological solutions.=20 ENCOURAGING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEW ISSUES=20 Public support at the Internet and multimedia f=EAte=20 Various associations representing users of the Internet have taken the= initiative of organizing the "Internet Fete" on=20 March 20 and 21, 1998, along the same lines as the Cinema, Heritage or Music= F=EAtes.=20 The government supports and encourages this initiative on the part of the= Internet players, which will provide a good=20 opportunity to heighten peoples' awareness of the many possibilities offered= by information networks and technologies.=20 Local government representatives, and especially Prefects and Directors of= Education, shall be instructed to adopt a=20 favourable attitude towards any local requests, such as for the use of= public facilities to organize educational events for=20 the Internet and Multimedia F=EAte.=20 The Government information service and the Ministry of culture and= communication have been involved in the=20 preparatory meetings for this event, and shall make proposals to the various= ministerial departments so that they can take=20 part in it.=20 The public debate must find local relays to facilitate the heightening of= public awareness of the stakes involved=20 with France's entry into the information society=20 The Delegation for town and country planning and regional action and the= Department of local communities shall help=20 animate the regional public debate on the action programme for the= information society.=20 They shall approach the associations representative of the local communities= to discuss the aims of such a dialogue and=20 the means of initiating it.=20 Appendix 1 State representatives=20 of the=20 "Information Society" State representatives of the "Information Society"=20 PRIME MINISTER=20 Cabinet=20 Jean-No=EBl TRONC, Technical Advisor Secretary-General of the Government=20 Serge LASVIGNES, Director Government Information Service=20 Bernard CANDIARD, Director MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT AND SOLIDARITY=20 Cabinet=20 G=E9raldine MUHLMANN, Official Representative=20 Department of service administration and modernization=20 Marie-Caroline BONNET-GALZY, Assistant Director of Finance, Logistics and= Information Processing Department of personnel and the budget=20 Maryse CHODORGE, Assistant Director of Information Systems and= Telecommunications OFFICE OF THE JUNIOR MINISTER FOR HEALTH=20 Cabinet=20 Fran=E7oise MONARD, Advisor MINISTRY OF JUSTICE=20 Cabinet=20 Michel DEBACQ, Technical Advisor Department of civil cases and of the seal=20 Sylvie CECCALDI, Head Clerk Department of criminal cases and pardons=20 R=E9my HEITZ, Head Clerk Service of European and international cases=20 Florence SCHMIDT-PARISET=20 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY=20 Cabinet=20 Marc COURAUD, Technical Advisor Department of technology=20 Clara DANON, Assistant Director of information and communication educational= technologies DELEGATE MINISTRY RESPONSIBLE FOR TEACHING IN SCHOOLS Cabinet=20 Marc COURAUD, Technical Advisor MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR=20 Cabinet=20 Philippe BARRET, Advisor Office of the Junior Minister of Overseas territories=20 Cabinet=20 Manuel LUCBERT, Technical Advisor MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS=20 Cabinet=20 Yves CHARPENTIER, Technical Advisor Department of scientific and technical cooperation=20 Alain LE GOURRIEREC, Director Department of European cooperation=20 Pierre VIMONT, Director Department of economic and financial affairs=20 Dominique PERREAU, Director French-speaking affairs section Etienne WERMESTER, Official Representative DELEGATE MINISTRY RESPONSIBLE FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS=20 Cabinet=20 Daniel VASSEUR, Technical Advisor OFFICE OF THE JUNIOR MINISTER FOR COOPERATION AND FRENCH-SPEAKING= COMMUNITIES=20 Cabinet=20 Jean-Christophe DEBERRE, Technical Advisor MINISTRY OF ECONOMY, FINANCE AND INDUSTRY=20 Cabinet=20 St=E9phane BOUJNAH, Technical Advisor OFFICE OF THE JUNIOR MINISTER FOR FOREIGN TRADE=20 Cabinet=20 Fran=E7ois BELORGEY, Technical Advisor Department of Foreign Economic Relations=20 Jean-Fran=E7ois STOLL, Head of service for promoting foreign exchanges OFFICE OF THE JUNIOR MINISTER OF THE BUDGET=20 Cabinet=20 Michel LE CLAINCHE, Technical Advisor=20 OFFICE OF THE JUNIOR MINISTER FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES, TRADE= AND=20 ARTS AND CRAFTS=20 Cabinet=20 Luc MATRAY, Technical Advisor OFFICE OF THE JUNIOR MINISTER FOR INDUSTRY=20 Cabinet=20 Jean-Luc LE GALL, Technical Advisor Department of industrial strategy=20 Jean-Luc ARCHAMBAULT, Director of the communication and service industries= section Department of post and telecommunications=20 Jean-Pierre DARDAYROL, Head of the telecommunications section=20 MINISTRY OF DEFENCE=20 Cabinet=20 Pierre BAYLE, Advisor OFFICE OF THE JUNIOR MINISTER FOR WAR VETERANS=20 Cabinet=20 Jacques BONNET, Technical Advisor MINISTRY OF AMENITIES, TRANSPORT AND HOUSING=20 Cabinet=20 Jean LA TERRASSE, Technical Advisor OFFICE OF THE JUNIOR MINISTER FOR HOUSING=20 Cabinet=20 Jean-Pierre GUILLAUMAT-TAILLIET, Technical Advisor=20 OFFICE OF THE JUNIOR MINISTER FOR TOURISM=20 Cabinet=20 Bruno FARENIAUX, Technical Advisor Department of tourism=20 Philippe WADE, Advisor in new technologies=20 MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND COMMUNICATION -=20 GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN=20 Cabinet=20 Alain GIFFARD, Technical Advisor Legal and technical department for information and communication Francis BRUN-BUISSON, Head of department MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES=20 Cabinet=20 Jean-Luc GARNIER, Technical Advisor MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING=20 Cabinet=20 Vincent JACOB, Technical Advisor Delegation for town and country planning and regional action=20 Anita ROZENHOLC, Official Representative. MINISTRY OF RELATIONS WITH PARLIAMENT=20 Cabinet=20 Bernard RULLIER, Assistant Director MINISTRY OF CIVIL SERVICE, STATE REFORM AND DECENTRALIZATION=20 Cabinet=20 Jean-Paul FORCEVILLE, Technical Advisor MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS=20 Cabinet=20 Manuel COLOMBAT, Official Representative=20 Appendix 2 Programme=20 of International Meetings on=20 the Information Society=20 FEBRUARY 98 16-17 OCDE/PICC: Meeting of the expert group on protection of private life and= international networks=20 (public/private workshop) 18-19 OCDE/PIIC: Working party on the economy of information 20 OCDE/PIIC: Ad hoc group on electronic commerce (preparation for the Ottawa= Conference) 26 European Union: Telecommunications Meeting focusing on the Information= Society MARCH 98 1-4 International conference and exhibition: Transaction security on the= Internet (Nice) 23 OCDE/PIIC: Government/company meeting on self-regulation and applications 24-25 OCDE/PIIC Working party on telecommunications and policies regarding= information services 26-27 OCDE: PIIC Committee for foreign ambassadors March 23=20 to April 1 UIT: World Conference on the development of telecommunications (Malta) 30 Conference and exhibition: electronic commerce and EDI (Orlando, USA)=20 March 30=20 to April 1 INTELSAT, Meeting of Parties (Rio de Janeiro) APRIL 98 27 to 30 INMARSAT, General meeting of the Parties (London) 6-8 April Audiovisual conference (Birmingham) MAY 98 12-14 EUTELSAT: Meeting of the Parties (Estoril) 15-17 G7: Summit (Birmingham) 18-19 OCDE: PICC Group of experts on security and private life=20 18-20 OMC: Conference (Geneva) 19 European Union: Telecommunications meeting JUNE 98 1-5 APEC: 3rd ministerial conference on telecommunications 18-19 OCDE/PIIC: Ad hoc group on statistics =20 OCDE: Ruling and achievements (on personal data) date to be determined= (Osaka) JULY 98 22-24 INET 98: Conference of the Internet Society (Geneva) SEPTEMBER 98 14-15 OCDE/PIIC: Meeting of the expert group on security, private life and= intellectual property=20 16-18 OCDE/PIIC Working party on telecommunications and information services OCTOBER 98 6-8 Meeting of the Association of Information Technology Industries (Dresden)=20 7 to 9 OCDE: Ministerial conference on electronic commerce (Ottawa) 19-20 OCDE: Working party on the economy of information=20 21-23 OCDE: Meeting of the PIIC Committee with foreign Ambassadors=20 Oct. 12 -=20 Nov. 6=20 UIT: Plenipotentiary conference (Minneapolis) 80