Support for Sámi languages in Linux's products
   
   At a meeting on 5 October 2002, the Sámi Parliamentary Council, a
   joint body representing the Sámi parliaments in Finland, Norway and
   Sweden adopted a document defining: "Requirements for support for Sámi
   languages in data processing". This document was adopted after
   comprehensive consultations with Sámi institutions, ministries, the
   computer industry and standards bodies in the respective countries.
   
   In a joint statement from a meeting in Helsinki on 13 November 2002,
   the ministers responsible for Sámi affairs in Finland, Norway and
   Sweden and the Presidents of the respective Sámi Parliaments endorsed
   the document, stating inter alia:
   
   The computer industry is urged to heed the Council's document as well
   as existing standards and immediately initiate efforts to introduce
   support for Sámi languages in its products. The authorities,
   institutions and organisations concerned ought to demand support for
   Sámi languages in their IT purchases.
   
   This statement is referred to in its entirety in the enclosed document
   "Krav om střtte for samiske sprĺk innen databehandling" (Requirements
   for support for the Sámi languages in data processing).
   
   Till now, the Sámi Parliament and other users of Sámi written
   languages have had to turn to third-party suppliers for support for
   Sámi languages. We feel the need to emphasise that the time has long
   been ripe for Linux, one of the world's leading software vendors, to
   take the responsibility for implementing a Sámi character set in its
   products, and request that Linux carry out this implementation as soon
   as possible.
   
   We would also like to remind you of the report "Samisk tegnsett og IT-
   Sámi čálamearkačoahkki ja IT"(Sámi character set and IT) published by
   the Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development,
   which discusses the issues involving the Sámi character set. We
   enclose a copy of this report.
   
   The Sámi Parliament wishes to engage in a positive dialog with Linux
   among other reasons to be apprised of the misgivings that underlie
   Linux's failure to implement Sámi languages in its products as well as
   any possibilities that exist for finding a solution. We would be happy
   to meet with your company regarding this matter.
   
   Dearvuo°aiguin / Sincerely,
   
   Heidi Salmi
   
   Director Per Edvard Klemetsen
   
   Enclosures:
   
    1. Requirements for support of Sami languages in data processing -
       Gáibádus sámegiela sáhttit geavahit dihtoris - Krav om střtte for
       samiske sprĺk innen databehandling - Vaatimus tietojenkäsittelyn
       saamenkielisestä tuesta
       
    2. Samisk tegnsett og IT - Sámi čálamearkačoahkki ja IT - rapport fra
       arbeidsgruppe (Sámi character set and IT - task force report)
       
   Copies with enclosures are being sent to:
   
   Sámi Parliament
   
   FIN- 99870 Anár
   
   Sámi Parliament
   
   Bergmästaregatan 6
   
   S - 98133 Kiruna
   
   Ministry of Local Government and
   
   Regional Development
   
   Department of Saami and Minority Affairs.
   
   Postboks 8112 Dep
   
   N-0032 Oslo
   
   The Swedish Government Offices Ministry of Education Finland
   
   Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Meritullinkatu 10
   
   S 103 33 Stockholm Helsinki PL 29
   
   FIN Valtionneuvosto
   
   Red Hat UK
   
   Regional Headquarters
   
   10 Alan Turing Road
   
   Surrey Research Park
   
   Guildford
   
   Surrey GU2 7YF
   
   UK
   
   Direktřra
   
   Direktřren
   
   Kautokeinoveien 50
   
   N-9730 Káráşjohka/Karasjok
   
   Telefovdna (47) 78 47 40 00
   
   Telefáksa (47) 78 47 40 90
   
   samediggi@samediggi.no
   
   www.samediggi.no
   
                NO 974 760 347
   
   ÁŞŞEMEANNUDEADDJI/SAKSBEHANDLER
   
   DIN čUJ./DERES REF.
   
   MIN čUJ./VĹR REF.
   
   BEAIVI/DATO
   
   Per Edvard Klemetsen, 78 47 41 50
   
   01 / 850 - 59
   
   21.11.2002
   
   per.edvard.klemetsen@samediggi.no