GENEVA, December 7 (IslamOnline.net) - Preparations for the first global summit on the digital divide between rich and poor countries were concluded Saturday, December 6, without a common ground on controversial issues.

NGOs participating in the preliminary talks warned that the absence of political will to bridge the digital divide between the North and the South could very much likely derail the summit, slated for October 10-12.

China struck the discordant note with suggesting to scrap a reference to human rights.

Items four and five called for regarding free speech and free access to information as part of human rights, which triggered much controversy.

The NGOs sharply criticized the governments which oppress freedom of expression and deny their people access to information in the age of Internet, mobile phones and televisions.

The preliminary talks also failed to reach a compromise on the financing of a proposed Digital Solidarity Fund.

Developing countries pin high hopes on the fund, which will help them develop their IT industry.

The fund is the brainchild of Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, drumming up support from international NGOs and the government of developing countries.

But rich countries are adamant about financing the fund from their development aid to the developing world.

However, the NGOs have succeeded in drawing up the broad lines for unofficial information charter and final communiqué for the summit.

The summit poses serious challenge to the governments of rich countries, accused to yielding to corporate pressures by refusing to help developing countries upgrade their IT industries.

The NGOs further underlined the importance of safeguarding copy and intellectual property rights.

Some 12,000 people are expected to descend on Geneva from December 10 to 12 for the World Summit on the Information Society with the participation of 56 heads of states.

Lower-level delegates from some 169 nations will further take part in the three-day event.