FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT July 24, 2000 David Fiske 202-418-0513 STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S GLOBAL DIGITAL DIVIDE INITIATIVE I commend President Clinton and leaders from the G-8 countries for their absolutely essential initiative to harness public and private resources to bridge the global digital divide. The Internet revolution and high technology are playing an increasingly vital role in every nation's economy. Therefore, it is also vital for all citizens of the world to have access to opportunities to participate in this digital world. The President recognized the FCC's "Development Initiative" in the G-8 document, "A List of Public and Private Sector Alternatives to Bring the Digital Opportunity to Developing Countries. " I can report that we have already seen positive results from this program, which helps selected developing countries strengthen their regulatory bodies with the aim of decreasing the digital divide and promoting the development of telecommunications communications infrastructure. But as the President has clearly shown in creating the Digital Opportunity Task Force, this is an effort that requires many programs and efforts on a world-wide basis. It is essential that governments and private sector companies and organizations alike join hands and employ their resources to bring everyone into participation in the digital age. Therefore, I join the President's "Global Call to Action" and urge the United States high technology and telecommunications companies to join this effort to bridge the digital divide. - FCC - .