Information I received from Herbert Vizthum on behalf of ICANN - 15/05/01

Will it ever be possible to get an unique suffix for Wales?

I Say never no? For a ccTLD (CountryCode) you need to have a ISO 3166-1 code. If the code which will be a two letter code is in, the local internet community will have the chance to get a ccTLD. I does not say you get automaticaly the delegation, we will follow ICP-1 http://www.iana.org/cctld/icp1.htm. For a gTLD (generic Code) we are now in the phase for "proof of concept" and will have two new gTLDs .info and .biz in the next months, five more have to come over the next months. Read more details at http://www.icann.org/tlds/app-index.htm

Who do we need to contact to apply for the suffix?

ISO 3166 first if ccTLD Wait if gTLD, but follow the ICANN Process for newTLDs www.icann.org and http://www.icann.org/tlds/app-index.htm

Who's support do we need?

If ccTLD

(ISO) The person in your country, responsible for the contacts to ISO the get the code in ISO 3166.

(LIC) And the support from the local internet community to get the delegation.

(GOV) And the support from the local Government.

(TECH) You also need the technical know how pointed out in RFC 1591 http://www.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc1591.txt and ICP-1 http://www.iana.org/cctld/icp1.htm.

For a gTLD you will need to wait.