ICANN is requesting that the U.S. government allow it to become independent. ICANN made the request in a detailed report sent to the U.S. Department of Commerce. The report will be the topic of a meeting to decide ICANN's progress on objectives the U.S. government has put in place that would lead to the organizations independence.
http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2008/01/24/icann-asks-for-independence
