Standards controversy? (Updating programming languages to support XML)

["Ken North" <kennorth@sbcglobal.net>]

It appears adding XML support to the COBOL standard may be more controversial
that it was for the SQL 2003 standard.

Barry Tauber recently wrote "XML and the New COBOL"
http://www.webservicessummit.com/Trends/COBOL_XML.htm

The article has raised questions:

1. Whether the COBOL standard will move through INCITS and ANSI to become an ISO
Fast Track candidate.
2. Whether it will win ISO approval. According to William M. Klein,  Germany has
questioned whether XML support belongs in the COBOL standard.