.org application process: NCDNHC as a neutral arbiter?

Harold Feld has forwarded a letter from Stuart Lynn to the NCDNHC’s discuss list. In that letter, the ICANN CEO accepts the NCDNHC’s offer to help with the evaluation of the .org bids, and suggests that the NCDNHC should focus on criteria 4, 5, 6 of the evaluation process: Differentiation of the .org TLD, Inclusion of mechanisms for promoting the registry’s operation in a manner that is responsive to the needs, concerns, and views of the noncommercial Internet user community, and Level of support for the proposal from .org registrants. What makes this interesting is the GNR proposal which suggests travel funding for the NCDNHC and a .org steering committee in which the NCDNHC’s leadership is supposed to participate. To me, this is a conflict of interests for the NCDNHC. Milton Mueller, who played a key role in drafting the DNSO’s .org policy, disagrees strongly.