From a March 6, 2006 letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce: "We suggest the DoC separate the technical parameter assignment function (as corrected above) from the other two functions since that is carried out for and at the direction of the IETF. ....We appreciate the DoC's continuing support for the IETF's work and we look forward to establishing a close working relationship with the DoC in this matter."

Bonus reading here.