TALIBAN LEADER CAUGHT; SUICIDE ATTACK PREVENTED

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2012 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force today captured a Taliban leader who was planning a suicide attack against an upcoming gathering of local Afghan civilians in Afghanistan's Kunduz province, military officials reported.

As the security force approached the Taliban leader's suspected location, an insurgent armed with an assault rifle was killed as he prepared to fire, and the Taliban leader was wounded in the arm.

The security force provided medical treatment to the Taliban leader and later took him to a coalition medical facility. He is expected to fully recover and will be detained, officials said. Several other insurgents were detained in the operation.

In other operations today:

-- In Paktia province's Gardez district, security combined force captured a Taliban leader who coordinated suicide bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. He also provided weapons and ammunition to insurgents in the area. The security force also detained another insurgent in the operation.

-- An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents and destroyed more than 330 pounds (of bomb-making materials while searching for a Taliban leader in Wardak province's Sayyidabad district. The wanted man supervises construction and placement of roadside bombs and facilitates the movement of Taliban fighters from Pakistan into Afghanistan.

-- In Ghazni province's Khugyani district, Ghazni province, security combined force detained two suspected insurgents during an operation launched to capture a Taliban leader who plans kidnappings and conducts attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. He also supplies local insurgents with weapons and equipment.

-- A combined force in Kandahar province's Shah Wali Kot district detained several suspected insurgents during an operation to capture a Taliban leader who directs attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces.

-- In Nangarhar province's Chaparhar district, security combined force detained several suspected insurgents an operation to capture a Taliban leader who directs attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces.

In other news, Afghan security forces supported by coalition troops found and destroyed 1,100 pounds of ammonium nitrate and a 115 mm rocket in Nangarhar province's Achin district yesterday. Ammonium nitrate is a fertilizer banned by the Afghan government because insurgents use it to make explosives.

And in an April 11 operation, a combined security force in Faryab province's Maimanah district killed Ammar Sahib, a senior facilitator for the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan terrorist group.

Ammar Sahib, also known as Qyamuddin, provided weapons, ammunition, and equipment to terrorists across northern Afghanistan. He also recruited suicide bombers and coordinated with Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders in Pakistan for newly trained fighters.

In 2006, he was arrested for a bombing that killed two civilians and two members of the coalition's provincial reconstruction team. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but served only six months.

The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan organization is linked closely to al-Qaida and the Taliban. It operates in northern Afghanistan and other countries in Central Asia, officials said.

U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL DISCUSSIONS ON NORTH KOREA AND GUINEA-BISSAU

 FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the Security Council Stakeout on North Korea and Guinea-Bissau, April 13, 2012
Susan E. Rice
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York, NY April 13, 2012
AS DELIVERED
Good afternoon. The Council has discussed this morning both the situation with respect to DPRK and Guinea-Bissau, and I will brief you on both.
With respect to the first issue, the Council has just concluded consultations about the launch conducted yesterday by North Korea. The Council received a briefing from UN Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco regarding the launch. Assistant Secretary-General Fernandez-Taranco reported that North Korea apparently launched a multi-stage rocket at 6:39 p.m. yesterday, Eastern Daylight Time. The launch was a failure.

He noted that the Secretary-General had released a statement regarding the launch in which the Secretary-General called the launch "deplorable as it defies the firm and unanimous stance of the international community" and noted that the "launch is in direct violation of Security Council Resolution 1874 and threatens regional stability." The Secretary-General also renewed his call on North Korean authorities to work towards building confidence with neighboring countries and improving the lives of its people.
Following our discussion, Council members have asked me to say the following on their behalf:

The Security Council held consultations to address the serious situation and listen to the concerns arising from the launch by North Korea. Members of the Security Council deplored this launch, which is in violation of Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874.
Members of the Security Council agreed to continue consultations on an appropriate response, in accordance with its responsibilities, given the urgency of the matter.
Now I’ll turn to Guinea-Bissau. The Council received a briefing on the situation in Guinea-Bissau from Assistant-Secretary-General Zerihoun. He noted that the situation is evolving rapidly and that it is not easy to confirm information at this time.

The military has arrested the Prime Minister, as well as Acting President Herrera. Their whereabouts cannot be confirmed at this time. The Secretariat urged the international community to address the cycle of violence and impunity in Guinea-Bissau. The members of the Security Council condemned the military action and urged the immediate restoration of civilian authority.

Council members are now discussing a press statement.
I’m happy to take a few questions.

Reporter: Ambassador Rice, do you expect the US to be pushing for sanctions or interested in sanctions on North Korea? And do you expect a presidential statement, press statement or anything like that in the near future?

Ambassador Rice: I’m not going to characterize the form of the response. This is the subject of early stage discussions among Council members.

Reporter: Ambassador, though, with an appropriate response, you have an opinion in terms of your national capacity. Can you speak to that, perhaps?

Ambassador Rice: I--the United States’ view of this is quite clear. We have condemned the launch. We view it as a direct violation of Resolutions 1718 and 1874. We think it’s important that the Council respond credibly. And we will be working in that direction.
Reporter: Will that be a sanctions resolution?

Ambassador Rice: As I said, I think it’s premature, both in my national capacity and as president of the Security Council, to predict or characterize the form of the reaction. We think a credible reaction is important.

Reporter: Ambassador, will you be discussing DPRK later on today? (Inaudible.)
Ambassador Rice: We have a very full agenda, many issues are brewing simultaneously and we’re working them simultaneously.

Reporter: How soon do you want to reach an agreement on the next appropriate measure? I mean, you are discussing other urgent matters but North Korea is also very urgent, so how –

Ambassador Rice: It is, and we’re working on it. And we will let you know when we have more to say. Thank you very much.

U.S. SUBMARINE FORCE CELEBRATES 112 YEARS OF SERVICE

FROM:  U.S. NAVY

110909-N-OV802-222 NORFOLK (Sept.9, 2011) The Virginia-class submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) California (SSN 781) gets underway from Naval Station Norfolk to conduct weapons systems acceptance trials. California is the eighth Virginia-class submarine and is scheduled to be commissioned Oct. 29. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Jamieson/Released)

Happy Birthday, U.S. Submarine Force! Celebrating 112 Years of Undersea Dominance 
By Lt. Hayley Sims, Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va (NNS) -- The submarine force was born April 11, 1900 when the U.S. Navy bought the submersible Holland VI from John Holland.

Since that historic day, undersea warfighters and submarines have used fortitude and creativity to sustain their superiority beneath the sea and develop the force into the indispensable asset that patrols world-wide today.

As submariners celebrate their birthday around the world this month, they will honor the heroes on eternal patrol and those who have served past and present.
Rear Adm. Frank Caldwell, commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, understands the value of submariners.

"For 112 years, the broad military advantages created by undersea concealment have resulted in a wide range of undersea platforms and missions that have enhanced our national security," said Rear Adm. Caldwell. "Throughout history, what has remained constant is the bold character of submariners."

Throughout the last 11 decades, submariners have advanced through four generations. The first generation produced fleet boats with the speed, endurance, weapons and payload that would make the submarine a warfighting platform. The second generation, defined by World War II heroes, made a decisive difference in the war and dominated the seas which set high standards of performance. The third generation of undersea warfare during the Cold War was defined by the advent of nuclear power - in weapons and propulsion. This advanced technology prevented a nuclear world war and secured the nation's interests.

The current generation of submariners, Generation IV, is being defined by the increase of long-range precision sensors and weapons. Today's submariners stay ahead of these threats and work hard to preserve their superiority in the undersea environment with the help of the "Design for Undersea Warfare" a guiding document which articulates how undersea warfighters provide "Ready Forces, Effective Employment, and Future Forces."

Vice Adm. John M. Richardson, commander, Submarine Forces, recognizes the hard, outstanding work of submariners and their families.

"I am incredibly proud of each and every member of the undersea warfare team, including our families who sacrifice along with us," said Vice Adm. Richardson. "Just as earlier generations did before us, we fourth generation undersea warriors will be ready to surge to any crisis - first to arrive and last to leave. Let it always be a comforting reassurance to our friends and the worst nightmare for our enemies to know that the U.S. Submarine Force is on the job."

Today's submarine force consists of 53 attack, 14 ballistic-missile and four guided-missile submarines that enable the Navy and the nation to win wars, deter wars, defeat terrorists, and ease disasters.

Happy birthday U.S. Submarine Force and congratulations on 112 years of rich success running silent through history and running deep into the future.

JUSTICE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS AND UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA REACH AGREEMENT OVER RACIAL HARASSMENT COMPLAINTS

FROM:  DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Friday, April 13, 2012
Departments of Justice and Education Reach Agreement with the University of California, San Diego to Resolve Harassment Allegations
The Departments of Justice and Education reached a settlement agreement with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), to resolve an investigation into complaints of racial harassment against African-American students on campus.  Titles IV and VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 each prohibit harassment based on race.

The complaints alleged multiple incidents of racial harassment on campus, including public displays of nooses and a Ku Klux Klan-style hood, and the hosting of an off-campus party where students were invited to dress as stereotypes of African-Americans.   After conducting an extensive investigation into the alleged incidents, and following the receipt of additional complaints of racial discrimination and harassment on campus, the Departments of Justice and Education worked collaboratively with the university to address concerns regarding racial hostility on campus.

UCSD voluntarily entered into a resolution agreement with the departments.   Under the terms of the resolution agreement, UCSD will take steps to prevent racial harassment on campus, respond appropriately to harassment that occurs, and eliminate any hostile environment resulting from harassment.   The university has agreed to revise its campus policies and procedures related to racial harassment to ensure they are consistent with federal civil rights laws; maintain an Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination to receive, investigate, and resolve complaints of harassment and discrimination; and provide mandatory trainings for staff and students on the university’s anti-discrimination policies and procedures.  The university also voluntarily initiated a number of additional programs to address campus climate issues, and the departments will monitor the implementation of those programs to evaluate their impact on resolving the departments’ concerns.

“Students have a right to seek and obtain an education without facing racial harassment.   UCSD, like all colleges and universities, has an obligation to make clear that racial discrimination and harassment on campus will not be tolerated, and this agreement is a significant step in the right direction,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.  “We commend the university for working with us to address this matter, and we recognize the importance of this agreement in the context of larger efforts by the UC system to create supportive and inclusive learning environments for students.   We look forward to working with UCSD as it implements the measures and programs called for in the agreement.”

“We salute UCSD for taking these steps and we hope the entire school community learns from this experience and works together to overcome ignorance and intolerance,” said Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights.   “America is a country that has always celebrated its diversity.   Nowhere is that more important than in our classrooms and schools – at every level – from the earliest grades to our colleges and universities. The Department of Education and the Department of Justice will continue to work cooperatively with UCSD to ensure that all students are safe from harassment and discrimination.”

TREASURY TARGETS MAJOR METHAMPHETAMINE SUPPLY ROUTE

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Major Methamphetamine Supply Route Targeted with Today’s Action

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated Ezio Benjamin Figueroa Vasquez and his son, Hassein Eduardo Figueroa Gomez, as Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) for their significant role in international narcotics trafficking, as well as 16 of their companies in Mexico and Panama. The Kingpin Act prohibits U.S. persons from conducting financial or commercial transactions with these individuals and entities, and it freezes any assets the designees may have under U.S. jurisdiction. 

Figueroa Vasquez and Figueroa Gomez lead an international precursor chemical trafficking organization responsible for the diversion and importation of multi-ton quantities of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine from Europe and sub-Saharan Africa into Mexico. The organization distributes these precursor materials to major Mexican drug trafficking organizations which manufacture methamphetamine in Mexico for ultimate distribution in the United States. 

“Working closely with the Government of Mexico, OFAC is today sanctioning two significant traffickers who for years circumvented Mexican drug control laws to import massive amounts of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine into Mexico,” said OFAC Director Adam J. Szubin. “Together with our colleagues in the U.S. and Mexican governments, we will continue to target the activities of these criminals and other precursor chemical networks.”

On November 2, 2011, Figueroa Vasquez and Figueroa Gomez were indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia. They are accused of conspiring to commit money laundering in connection with their alleged precursor chemical trafficking. The indictment was unsealed on April 11, 2012.

In September 2011, Mexican authorities arrested Figueroa Vasquez, and he remains in Mexican custody today. The 16 companies designated today in Mexico and Panama range in business activities from real estate and construction to pharmaceutical activity. Among these companies are Mexico City-based pharmaceutical companies Geofarma, S.A. de C.V. and Distribuidora Medica Hospitalaria, S.A. de C.V. as well as Guadalajara-based construction and housing development companies Promociones Citadel, S.A. de C.V. and Desarrollo Arquitectonico Fortia, S.A. de C.V.

Today's action would not have been possible without key support from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. The Government of Belgium also assisted OFAC in this action. This cooperation is part of a global effort to interdict Mexican drug trafficking organizations’ access to materials needed for the illicit production of methamphetamine.

“This organization for years served as a major facilitator on behalf of some of the most violent, brutal Mexico-based drug networks in the world,” said DEA Chief of Financial Operations John Arvanitis. “The biggest cartels in the world rely on organizations like this one to secure huge amounts of precursor chemicals like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine to produce massive amounts of meth that ends up in communities across the United States. Using every tool at our disposal, such as this Treasury designation, will go a long way towards ensuring that this organization is dismantled.”

Pursuant to the Kingpin Act, the Treasury Department has designated more than 1,000 individuals and entities linked to drug kingpins since June 2000. Penalties for violations of the Kingpin Act range from civil penalties of up to $1.075 million per violation to more severe criminal penalties. Criminal penalties for corporate officers may include up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $5 million. Criminal fines for corporations may reach $10 million. Other individuals face up to 10 years in prison and fines pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code for criminal violations of the Kingpin Act.

U.S. AND TWO JAPANESE DESTROYERS DURING EXERCISE MALIBAR 2012

                                                                  FROM:  U.S. NAVY
The guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90), left, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers JS Yamayuki (DD-129) and JS Yamagiri (DD-152) conduct formation drills during an Exercise Malibar 2012 passing exercise. Malabar 2012 is the latest in a continuing series of exercises conducted to advance multinational maritime relationships and mutual security issues. U.S. Navy photo by Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Shane Miller (Released) 120410-N-ZZ999-028

STATE DEPARTMENT ON PHASED ADAPTIVE APPROACH TO MISSILE DEFENSE

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
A U.S. State Department Perspective on the Phased Adaptive Approach to Missile Defense
Remarks Frank A. Rose
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance Remarks to the Middle East Missile & Air Defense Symposium
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
April 12, 2012
As delivered
Thank you so much for inviting me to speak today. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to come to the United Arab Emirates to give remarks at this distinguished gathering of missile and air defense experts.

At the State Department, I am responsible for overseeing a wide range of defense policy issues, including missile defense. In that capacity, it was my responsibility to negotiate the details of the missile defense agreements with Poland, Romania and Turkey that will enable the United States to implement the missile defense plan for Europe that President Obama announced in September 2009 as a contribution to NATO missile defense. I will touch more on this later in my presentation, but suffice to say that I have been focused over the last couple of years on ensuring that we are able to meet the vision the President laid out in his 2009 announcement.

In my presentation today, I’d like to do two things. First, I would like to discuss some of the thinking behind the administration’s missile defense policy. Second, I’ll discuss how we are implementing that policy around the world.

Missile Defense Policy
Missile defense plays an important role in the broader U.S. international security strategy, supporting both deterrence and diplomacy. Missile defense assures our allies and partners that the United States has the will and the means to deter and, if necessary, defeat a limited ballistic missile attack against the U.S. homeland, our forward deployed troops, allies, and partners. Missile defense also may help constrain regional actors from trying to inhibit or disrupt the U.S. ability to come to the defense or assistance of its allies and partners.

The Ballistic Missile Defense Review (BMDR), released in February 2010, set out a new policy framework and committed the United States to pursue a phased adaptive approach (PAA) to missile defense within particular regions. The BMDR set out in detail the first regional application—in Europe. Much more recently, the President and Secretary of Defense announced in January of this year the U.S. Priorities for 21st Century Defense. This document provides strategic guidance to re-balance our efforts to emphasize the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. It states, “U.S. policy will emphasize Gulf security, in collaboration with Gulf Cooperation Council countries when appropriate …” and also notes that “… Of particular concern are the proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction (WMD).”

In its assessment of the threat, the BMDR noted that the threat from short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles to our deployed forces, allies, and partners is growing, and this threat is likely to increase in both quantity and quality in the coming years. Many states are increasing their inventories, and making their ballistic missiles more accurate, reliable, mobile, and survivable. Trends in ballistic missiles show increased ranges, more advanced propellant systems, better protection from pre-launch attack, and the ability to counter BMD systems. The proliferation of ballistic missiles and associated materials to several countries in the region remains a source of concern as it could accelerate the development of more sophisticated systems.

Recognizing the seriousness of the ballistic missile threat, the United States seeks to create an environment, based on strong cooperation with allies and partners, which will eliminate an adversary’s confidence in the effectiveness of missile attacks and thereby devalue and provide a disincentive for the development, acquisition, deployment, and use of ballistic missiles. To that end, President Obama has made international cooperation on missile defense a key priority.

Recognizing that each region has unique deterrence and defense requirements due to differences in geography, history, and relationships, the United States is pursuing a region-by-region approach based on the following three principles:

First, the United States will deter adversaries through strong regional deterrence architectures built upon solid cooperative relationships with an eye toward efficiently incorporating assets and structures that our partners already have today or are seeking.

Second, the United States will pursue a Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) within key regions that is tailored to the threats unique to that region, including the scale, scope, and pace of their development, and the capabilities available and most suited for deployment. This approach means we will phase in and implement the best available technology to meet existing and evolving threats, and adapt to situations that evolve in an unforeseen manner.

Third, in order to meet a global demand for missile defense assets that will continue to exceed supply, the United States will develop mobile capabilities that can be relocated to adapt to a changing threat, or provide surge defense capabilities where they are most needed.

Missile defense is an integral part of a comprehensive U.S. effort to strengthen regional deterrence architectures. As I mentioned, this plays a central role in the new strategic guidance the Department of Defense released in January 2012.

Europe
Let me now discuss our efforts in Europe, which have received a great deal of attention. In order to augment the defense of the United States and provide more comprehensive and more rapid BMD protection to our European Allies and U.S. deployed forces, in 2009 President Obama outlined a four-phase implementation plan for European defense. Through the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA), the United States will deploy increasingly capable BMD assets to defend European population and territory against a ballistic missile threat from outside the Euro-Atlantic area that is increasing both quantitatively and qualitatively. At the 2010 NATO Summit in Lisbon Allies welcomed the EPAA as the U.S. contribution to the NATO missile defense capability.

Our NATO Allies also have systems that they can contribute to the collective defense. Some of our Allies, for example, have Aegis ships with advanced sensor capabilities that could provide valuable contributions even without SM-3 interceptors. Our Allies also possess other land- and sea-based sensors that could be linked into the system, as well as lower tier systems, such as PATRIOT, that can be integrated and used to provide point defense.

EPAA Phase 1 gained its first operational elements in 2011 with the start of a sustained deployment of an Aegis BMD-capable multi-role ship to the Mediterranean. The deployment of an AN/TPY-2 missile defense radar in Turkey was the other key part of EPAA Phase 1.

For Phase 2 of the EPAA, we have an agreement with Romania to host a U.S. land-based SM-3 interceptor site beginning in the 2015 timeframe. This site would provide protection against medium-range ballistic missiles launched from the Middle East.
We also have an agreement with Poland to place a similar U.S. SM-3 interceptor site there in the 2018 timeframe for Phase 3 of the EPAA.
Finally, with respect to Phase 4, the Department of Defense has begun concept development of a more advanced interceptor for deployment in the 2020 timeframe that will enhance our ability to counter medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles and potential future ICBM threats to the United States from the Middle East.

Russia
An update on missile defense should also include a mention of our efforts to pursue cooperation with Russia. Missile defense cooperation with Russia is a Presidential priority, and we believe it is in everyone’s interest. When President Obama announced his new vision for missile defense in Europe in September 2009, he stated that “we welcome Russia’s cooperation to bring its missile defense capabilities into a broader defense of our common strategic interests.” Missile defense cooperation with Russia will not only strengthen our bilateral and NATO-Russia relationships, but could enhance NATO’s missile defense capabilities. Successful missile defense cooperation would provide concrete benefits to Russia, our NATO Allies, and the United States and will strengthen - not weaken – strategic stability over the long term.

This means getting Russia inside the missile defense tent now, working alongside the United States and NATO, while we are in the early stages of our efforts. This way Russia will be able to see NATO missile defense with its own eyes. Close cooperation with the United States and NATO by Russia is the best and most enduring way for it to gain the assurance that European missile defenses do not undermine Russia’s strategic deterrent. Through this cooperation, Russia would see firsthand that this system is designed for the threat from outside the Euro-Atlantic area, and that NATO missile defense systems will not threaten Russia’s strategic nuclear capabilities. This cooperation is essential to convince Russia that the NATO system does not undermine Russian strategic deterrence. Cooperation will also allow Russia to see that the EPAA is designed to be flexible. Should the ballistic missile threat from nations like Iran change, increasing or decreasing, our missile defense system can be adapted accordingly.

Russia has raised the issue of a legal guarantee with a set of “military-technical criteria” that could, in effect, create limitations on our ability to develop and deploy future missile defense systems. We certainly cannot accept limitations on our ability to defend ourselves, our allies, and our partners, including where we deploy our Aegis ships. These are multi-mission ships that are used for a variety of purposes around the world, not just for missile defense. We also will NOT accept limitations on the capabilities, and numbers of our missile defense systems. We would be willing to agree to a political framework including a statement that our missile defenses are not directed at Russia. In fact, this is what we have been saying all along: any statement will be politically binding and it would publicly proclaim our intent to cooperate and chart the direction for cooperation, not limitations. Our cooperation with Russia will not come at the expense of our plans to defend against regional ballistic missile threats or for the defense of the U.S. homeland.

Asia-Pacific
In the Asia-Pacific region, the United States is committed to working with our allies and partners to strengthen stability and security in the region.
Japan is one of our closest allies, a leader in missile defense within the region, and one of the United States’ closest BMD partners. The United States and Japan have made significant strides in interoperability. The United States and Japan regularly train together, and our forces have successfully executed cooperative BMD operations. Japan has acquired a layered integrated BMD system that includes Aegis BMD ships with Standard Missile 3 interceptors, Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) fire units, early warning radars, and a command and control system. We also worked cooperatively to deploy a forward-based X-band radar in Japan. One of our most significant cooperative efforts is the co-development of a next-generation SM-3 interceptor, called the Block IIA. This co-development program represents not only an area of significant technical cooperation but also the basis for enhanced operational cooperation to strengthen regional security.
The Republic of Korea (ROK) is also a key U.S. ally and, recognizing the North Korean missile threat, the United States stands ready to work with the ROK to strengthen its BMD capabilities. We are working together to define possible future ROK BMD requirements and the United States looks forward to taking further steps to build upon this ongoing missile defense cooperation.

Australia signed a BMD Framework MOU with the U.S. in July 2004, making it one of the first U.S. partners on BMD. Australia has been a strong supporter of bilateral technology cooperation with the United States and the Nimble Titan series of multilateral missile defense wargames. We continue to consult with Australia bilaterally regarding missile defense cooperation. Similar to some of our Allies in Europe, Australia has a class of surface combatants – the Air Warfare Destroyer – that uses the Aegis Combat System that could be upgraded in the future to provide a missile defense capability.

The Middle East
I am sure that today’s audience is most interested in our missile defense cooperation in the Middle East. In this region, the United States has had a continuous missile defense presence and seeks to strengthen cooperation with its partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The importance of this issue was demonstrated by the prominence it received by Secretary Clinton and her GCC counterparts in the first ministerial meeting of the U.S.-GCC Strategic Cooperation Forum in Riyadh on March 31 of this year. A number of states in the region already deploy PATRIOT batteries and are exploring purchases of some missile defense capabilities under the auspices of the foreign military sales (FMS) program.

The UAE continues to be a leader in the field of ballistic missile defense. On December 25, 2011, the UAE became the first international partner to purchase the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or “THAAD,” system from the United States. This robust area defense capability, in conjunction with the acquisition of PAC-3 point defense systems, will provide the UAE with a layered missile defense capability, ensure interoperability with United States forces, and contribute to regional stability. These purchases highlight the strong ties and common strategic interests between the United States and the UAE.
As our partners acquire greater missile defense capabilities, the United States will work to promote interoperability and information sharing among the GCC states. This will allow for more efficient missile defenses and could lead to greater security cooperation in the region. As Secretary of State Clinton said in Riyadh at the GCC Strategic Cooperation Forum, “we believe strongly that, in addition to the bilateral military cooperation between the United States and every member nation of the GCC, we can do even more to defend the Gulf through cooperation on ballistic missile defense.”

In sync with our BMD cooperation goals, we’re also working hard to prevent missile proliferation. The U.S. actively participates in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), which serves as the global standard for controlling the transfer of equipment, software, and technology that could make a contribution to the development of WMD-capable missile and unmanned aerial vehicle delivery systems. We are also working through the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) and other counter-proliferation activities to help partners improve their ability to stop shipments of proliferation concern. These are just some of our ongoing efforts to tackle the missile threat and prevent missile proliferation. While much of this work is performed quietly, the impact of all of these efforts is of crucial importance to international peace and security.

Conclusion
While the title “Phased Adaptive Approach to missile defense” is perhaps a new conceptual way of thinking about our efforts in Asia and the Middle East, our partnerships in missile and air defense are certainly not new. Our cooperation here in the Middle East has been strong, and continues to be dynamic and productive. As we continue to strengthen cooperation here, we know there is a strong foundation to build on. We welcome your thoughts on how this can all be done in a regional context that bolsters regional stability. We believe that better insights into each other’s operational concepts and the possibility of greater interoperability are a few of the key elements of this endeavor.

The January 2012 “Priorities for the 21st Century Defense” make it clear that we will be rebalancing our efforts to emphasize the Middle East. Over the coming months, I would hope that we will be able to offer more details on those efforts, particularly as they apply to ballistic missile defense.

The increasing threat associated with the proliferation of ballistic missiles reinforces the importance of continuing and strengthening our collaborative missile defense efforts. However, beyond bilateral cooperation, we need to develop regional missile defense architectures that will enable us to leverage our bilateral cooperation so that nations share BMD-related information and capabilities on a multilateral basis. While we think about what a phased adaptive approach would look like in the Middle East, we recognize that each region has unique factors that will likely shape our approach in ways that are different from our approach in other regions. Each region has unique threats, capabilities, history, and geography. Our allies and partners in the Middle East have their own BMD assets, their own ways of integrating them into their defense structures and each of our efforts brings different advantages to the missile defense table. We need to work together to determine how we can fully leverage those advantages to protect ourselves.
Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your questions.

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF SAYS WORLD IS "MORE DANGEROUS"

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey addresses faculty and students during a forum at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., April 12, 2012. Dempsey fielded questions regarding the global security paradox. DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen   


WASHINGTON, April 13, 2012 – The world today is less violent but also more dangerous than at any other time in human history, the nation’s senior military officer told a Harvard University audience yesterday.
That “counterintuitive combination” of peace and potential conflict is “the essence of what I like to call the security paradox,” Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the audience attending a John F. Kennedy School of Government forum in Cambridge, Mass.

“Although geopolitical trends are ushering in greater levels of peace and stability worldwide, destructive technologies are available to a wider and more disparate pool of adversaries,” Dempsey said.
In the past, the general noted, it took a nation’s power to create a national security threat: industrial progress fueled the world wars, and the threat of mutually assured destruction between superpowers kept the Cold War from getting too hot.

Today, the same rise in global trade and information technology that has increased cooperation and cut violence between nations also has put 21st century weapons in reach of smaller groups, the chairman said.

“More people have the ability to harm us or deny us the ability to act than at any point in my life - and that’s the security paradox,” he added.

While in the past only the United States could drop a bomb down a chimney, “now dozens of middleweight militaries around the world have that [precision munitions] capability,” he said.

Potential adversaries now can buy “off-the-shelf” more than 90 percent of the components needed to build an electronic warfare system, Dempsey said. That creates a risk to “the very systems that provide our battlefield edge: our computer networks, our sensors, and our precision navigation ability,” he said.

Cyber attack is another evolving threat that doesn’t require a large military to launch it, Dempsey said.

“With the right computer virus, a single person can disrupt life for … an entire city, and potentially even our entire nation,” he added.
“The message is that the margin of error is growing smaller,” the chairman warned.
The U.S. military must counter these new and elusive threats even as its budget shrinks, Dempsey noted.

“We have to make hard choices about where to put our resources — and where to pull them back,” he said.

The Defense Department strategy balances cost, force structure, mission and risk, Dempsey said. The strategy aims for a force with fewer service members, greater agility and more powerful technology, he added.

The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps need to meld service-unique strengths to build capabilities “that don’t exist unless they’re combined,” the general said.
The force will be regionally postured but globally networked, “scaled and scoped to demand,” he said.

“Finally, it will be a force that provides a degree of security in balance with what the nation needs and what the nation can afford,” Dempsey added.

The security paradox presents a difficult challenge, Dempsey said. “But challenges are nothing new to this nation,” he said. “We have adapted and re-invented ourselves many times throughout our history.”

The newly commissioned USS New York is emblematic of the nation, and of 21st century U.S. military strategy, the chairman said.

The New York is an amphibious ship that carries a Marine expeditionary unit, which combines ground, air and logistics capabilities, and usually has about 2,200 Marines and sailors assigned.

The bow of the just-commissioned ship, Dempsey said, “was forged from seven tons of steel pulled from the rubble of the twin towers. …This steel — tempered to be stronger than it was before — will carry experienced, war-tested Marines half way around the world and back.”

The New York and its crew will patrol the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Gulf, “keeping faith with our partners and allies in port calls and conducting exercises or actual real-world operations as needed,” he said.

The ship is a testament to the nation’s resilience, the chairman said.
“When I think of the challenges we face,” Dempsey added, “I think of the USS New York. She and her crew are part of the agile and technologically advanced force we are building. They are ready to prevail in any conflict. They are the best this country has to offer.”

CONGRESSMAN CAMP SAYS "ONLY 120,000 JOBS ADDED IN MARCH"

FROM:  HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS CHAIRMAN CONGRESSMAN DAVE CAMP’S WEBSITE
On Friday, the Labor Department announced only 120,000 jobs were added in March, after an increase of 227,000 in February, and worse, there were still a large number of discouraged workers who left the labor force. Friday's numbers confirmed March recorded the fewest jobs added in five months. Congressman Camp knows this level of growth is not enough to restore economic security or make a difference for the millions of Americans who are unemployed. He is committed to working on pro-growth policies to bring certainty and opportunity to the economy. As the nation witnessed last week, it is possible for Republicans and Democrats to set aside differences with the signing of the JOBS Act to produce results for economic growth and job creation.

As Congressman said, “The JOBS Act eases the financial burdens small businesses face so that they can invest, grow and get Americans back to work. Having passed with strong bipartisan votes in the House of Representatives and Senate, with the support of the president, the bipartisan JOBS Act shows the American people that Congress can govern and Washington can work to provide the economic solutions Americans are demanding."

U.S. LABORATORIES WORK TO FIGHT OFF CYBER ATTACKS

FROM:  LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATOY
Cyber Security Exercise Puts Laboratories to the Test
LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO, April 12, 2012- Intense pressure creates diamonds from coal, they say, and for Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory cyber security programs, it’s an apt comparison. Fending off thousands of computer attacks from around the world, controlling vast libraries of sensitive information, yet keeping the scientific flow of knowledge moving, cyber teams such as those at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and elsewhere in the government complex feel the squeeze.
Sharing insights and ideas from the teams’ experiences, however, can create a boon in cyber defense and incident management, and potentially provide useful input for other government agencies such as the new federal Joint Cyber Coordination Center, or JC3. The JC3 is focused on improving the national response to threats, leveraging complex resources, and sharing information to meet information security commitments to the nation.

Recently, Los Alamos National Laboratory hosted an information security exercise dubbed “Eventide” that put more than 100 participants from around the complex into a virtual maelstrom of bad news and worse events, as the simulation spewed sensitive data and cracked network security out into the wilderness of the internet. They had to assess what was happening and how to respond, as their systems were progressively compromised, sensitive data appeared on hostile web sites, and invisible “bad guys” revealed their nefarious plans.

“That was pretty scary … but most E-ticket rides are,” said one participant.
Coordinated by Dale Leschnitzer, LANL's “master of disaster,” Eventide brought together cyber and IT leaders from 20 sites, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the DOE, its Cyber Forensics Laboratory and National Nuclear Security Administration, and the DOE’s national laboratories, to develop recommendations on resources they need from JC3. Not only did Eventide set the stage for the complex to ask the hard (and realistic) questions, it also acted as an excellent incubator to assist the JC3 in developing a practical path forward.

Tom Harper, LANL’s chief information officer, said: “Cyber threats target our information and data, and our productivity through vulnerabilities in our IT infrastructure. They pose great risks to our organization’s security and the nation's competitiveness.”
Harper said: “We’ve had a trial by fire and it’s toughened our teams. Now we can strengthen and optimize our joint defenses to ensure we’re a national resource ready to develop responses and templates to assist government and industry.”

Harper characterized the driving factors of the exercise: “The CIO community understands through recent events that cyber threats continue to increase. And a positive feature for us is our ability to surge resources across the complex to make our response faster, bolder, and more robust.”

A player describing himself only as “a DOE detailee” pointed out that “we’re all under attack, and now we can help each other. We’ve got a lot of smart people here, and when it comes to cyber, the government’s light years ahead of much of the industry, for good reasons. Asking the tough questions makes you think. This is why you train on real attacks and valid scenarios. It’s our chance fill the voids.”
Harper noted that the past years’ work has been to improve the Laboratory’s posture and, to a degree, misperceptions about LANL’s capabilities on these issues. Harper is chairing the National Laboratory CIO Council for 2012, in which chief information officers from across the complex are working with the federal employees to ensure that defense and response are agile and proactive, and that the focus is on agility, leveraged resources, and information sharing.

“Eventide was the way to maximize input to plans by cyber and IT leaders from DOE’s national laboratories and plants,” Harper said.

Photo caption: Dale Leschnitzer, Los Alamos National Laboratory, works through a cyber-security disaster scenario with computer specialists from across the country. Photo Los Alamos National Laboratory.

CyberSecurity.jpg
About Los Alamos National Laboratory (www.lanl.gov)
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and URS for the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration.

Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

OVER 40 NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES TO RECEIVE SETTLEMENT IN TRIBAL TRUST LAWSUITS

FROM:  DEPARRTMENT OF JUSTICE
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Attorney General Holder and Secretary Salazar Announce $1 Billion Settlement of Tribal Trust Accounting and Management Lawsuits Filed by More Than 40 Tribes

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the settlement of lawsuits filed by 41 federally-recognized tribes against the United States, in which the tribes alleged that the Department of the Interior and the Department of the Treasury had mismanaged monetary assets and natural resources held in trust by the United States for the benefit of the tribes.  The announcement followed a 22-month-long negotiation between the tribes and the United States that has culminated in settlements between the government and tribes totaling more than $1 billion.

These settlements resolve claims dating back more than 100 years and will bring to an end protracted litigation that has burdened both the plaintiffs and the United States.  Ending these long-running disputes about the United States’ management of trust funds and non-monetary trust resources will allow the United States and the tribes to move beyond the distrust exacerbated by years of litigation.  These settlement agreements represent a significant milestone in the improvement of the United States’ relationship with Indian tribes.

“These settlements fairly and honorably resolve historical grievances over the accounting and management of tribal trust funds, trust lands and other non-monetary trust resources that, for far too long, have been a source of conflict between Indian tribes and the United States,” said Attorney General Holder.  “Our commitment to tribes is the cornerstone of the Department of Justice’s policies and initiatives in Indian Country, and these settlements will enable the tribal community to pursue the goals and objectives they deem to be appropriate while marking another step in our shared future built upon mutual respect and strong bonds of trust between tribal governments and the United States.”
“These important settlements reflect President Obama’s continuing commitment to ensuring empowerment and reconciliation for American Indians,” said Secretary Salazar.  “It strengthens the government-to-government relationship with Tribal nations, helps restore a positive working relationship with Indian Country leaders and empowers American Indian communities.  I want to commend Attorney General Holder, our Interior Solicitor Hilary Tompkins and other key officials who were involved in the long negotiations leading to these historic agreements.  I look forward to working with Tribal leaders to further strengthen our government-to-government relationship based on mutual respect and a shared concern for the proper management of tribal trust assets and funds.”
The Department of the Interior manages almost 56 million acres of trust lands for federally-recognized tribes and more than 100,000 leases on those lands for various uses, including housing, timber harvesting, farming, grazing, oil and gas extraction, business leasing, rights-of-way and easements.  Interior also manages about 2,500 tribal trust accounts for more than 250 tribes.

Starting in the fall of 2009, lawyers for many of the tribes with litigation pending against the United States wrote to President Obama and asked the administration to engage in expedited settlement discussions with their clients.  In April 2010, Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli, Assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division Ignacia Moreno, Interior Department Solicitor Hilary Tompkins and Treasury Department General Counsel George Madison met with attorneys for the tribes, and the parties embarked on a settlement process that the tribes termed the “Settlement Proposal to Obama Administration,” or “SPOA,” which led in part to today’s announcement.

In addition to the SPOA process, the Departments of Justice, Interior and Treasury have been engaging in other settlement processes involving other litigating tribes.  Those processes have been both positive and productive, resulting in the past settlement of other tribal trust accounting and management cases and the processes will continue for other ongoing cases.  The United States is committed to resolving the trust accounting and trust management claims of the tribes in a manner that is fair, honorable and reasonable to the tribes and the United States.

Under the negotiated settlement agreements, litigation will end regarding the Department of the Interior’s accounting and management of the tribes’ trust accounts, trust lands and other natural resources.  With monies from the congressionally-appropriated Judgment Fund, which is used to pay settlements or final judgments against the government, the United States will compensate the tribes for their breach of trust claims, and the tribes will waive, release and dismiss their claims with prejudice.  The parties have agreed to information sharing procedures that will strengthen the management of trust assets and improve communications between tribes and the Department of the Interior.  The settlement agreements also include dispute resolution provisions to reduce the likelihood of future litigation.
The sum total of the settlements with the 41 tribes is approximately $1.023 billion.
The 41 tribes are:
1. Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation
2. Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
3. Blackfeet Tribe
4. Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Indians
5. Cachil Dehe Band of Wintun Indians of Colusa Rancheria
6. Coeur d'Alene Tribe
7. Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation
8. Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
9. Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
10. Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Reservation
11. Hualapai Tribe
12. Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians of Arizona
13. Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas
14. Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
15. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indians
16. Makah Tribe of the Makah Reservation
17. Mescalero Apache Nation
18. Minnesota Chippewa Tribe
19. Nez Perce Tribe
20. Nooksack Tribe
21. Northern Cheyenne Tribe
22. Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine
23. Pawnee Nation
24. Pueblo of Zia
25. Quechan Indian Tribe of the Fort Yuma Reservation
26. Rincon Luiseño Band of Indians
27. Round Valley Tribes
28. Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
29. Santee Sioux Tribe
30. Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation
31. Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
32. Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation
33. Spokane Tribe
34. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of the Fort Yates Reservation
35. Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
36. Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians
37. Tohono O'odham Nation
38. Tulalip Tribe
39. Tule River Tribe
40. Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
41. Ute Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation

NEW SUPER SCIENCE RADIATION DETECTORS

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SWORD model of helo based detector with source aboard a small vessel 
Software for the Optimization of Radiation Detectors (SWORDs)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is committed to securing the country against radiological and nuclear threats. To help further this mission, DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) is constantly working to develop smarter and more cost effective ways to address these security threats and maximize resources and expertise from across the federal government. The Software for the Optimization of Radiation Detectors (SWORDs) program enables faster development and evaluation of nuclear detection equipment at a lower cost.


The Technology
The DNDO-sponsored SWORDs program supports the development of software that simulates real-world operational environments. The easy-to-use interface, with flexible design and layout components, enables laboratories to evaluate and optimize the performance of radiation detectors without having to run multiple costly field tests. This software provides an environment for simulating gamma-ray background radiation, nuisance sources, and targets of interest. SWORDs can generate a large selection of source and background emission models, as well as object models including specific detectors, airborne detector platforms, and even advanced prototype stand-off imaging systems.


As a supplement to the program, DNDO began an initiative in early 2012 to produce validated simulation models of existing detection systems. DNDO is running comparisons between software test results and real-world studies, helping to build confidence in the accuracy of the computer models.


Current Status:
The Naval Research Laboratory has recently released the newest version of SWORDs through the Radiation Safety Information Computational Center (RSICC) for use by the nuclear detection modeling community. DNDO is also collaborating with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to integrate SWORDs, DTRA-sponsored operational models, and a Los Alamos National Lab software package for simulating nuclear processes.

HOW OCEAN ACIDIFICATION CAUSES LARVAL OYSTER FAILURE

FROM:  NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Oysters at hatcheries in Oregon are showing the effects of ocean acidification.
Credit: OSU



Ocean Acidification Linked With Larval Oyster Failure in Hatcheries


Increase in ocean acidification led to collapse of oyster seed production at Oregon hatchery 


April 11, 2012
Marine researchers have definitively linked the collapse of oyster seed production at a commercial oyster hatchery in Oregon to an increase in ocean acidification.
Larval growth at the hatchery declined to a level considered by the owners to be "non-economically viable."


A study by the scientists found that increased seawater carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, resulting in more corrosive ocean water, inhibited the larval oysters from developing their shells and growing at a pace that would make commercial production cost-effective.


As atmospheric CO2 levels continue to rise, this may serve as the proverbial canary in the coal mine for other ocean acidification impacts on shellfish.
Results of the research are published this week in the journalLimnology and Oceanography, published by the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO).


The research was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability (SEES) Ocean Acidification solicitation.


"Studies funded by NSF's SEES Ocean Acidification solicitation are well-positioned to determine the specific mechanisms responsible for larval mortality in Pacific Northwest oyster hatcheries," said David Garrison, program director in NSF's Division of Ocean Sciences.


"This is one of the first times that we have been able to show how ocean acidification affects oyster larval development at a critical life stage," said Burke Hales, an Oregon State University (OSU) chemical oceanographer and co-author of the paper.
"The predicted rise of atmospheric CO2 in the next two to three decades may push oyster larval growth past the break-even point in terms of production."


The owners of Whiskey Creek Shellfish Hatchery at Oregon's Netarts Bay experienced a decline in oyster seed production several years ago and looked at potential causes, including low oxygen and pathogenic bacteria.


Alan Barton, who works at the hatchery and is a co-author of the journal article, was able to eliminate those potential causes and shifted his focus to ocean acidification.
Barton sent samples to OSU and to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory for analysis.


The results clearly linked the production failures to the CO2levels in the water in which the larval oysters were spawned and spent the first 24 hours of their lives. That first day is a critical time when the oysters develop from fertilized eggs to swimming larvae and build their initial shells.


"The early growth stage for oysters is particularly sensitive to the carbonate chemistry of the water," said George Waldbusser, a benthic ecologist at OSU.
"As the water becomes more acidified, it affects the formation of calcium carbonate, the mineral in shells. As the CO2 goes up, the mineral stability goes down, ultimately leading to reduced growth or to mortality."


Commercial oyster production on the West Coast of North America is a 273-million-dollar industry each year. It has depended since the 1970s on oyster hatcheries for a steady supply of the seed used by growers.


In recent years, the hatcheries that provide most of the seed for West Coast growers have suffered persistent production problems.


At the same time, non-hatchery wild stocks of these oysters also have shown low recruitment, putting additional strain on a limited seed supply.
Hales said that Netarts Bay, where the Whiskey Creek hatchery is located, experiences a wide range of chemistry fluctuations.


The researchers believe that hatchery operators may be able to adapt to take advantage of periods when water quality is at its highest.


"In addition to the impact of seasonal upwelling, the water chemistry changes with the tidal cycle and with the time of day," Hales said. "Afternoon sunlight, for example, promotes photosynthesis in the bay. That production can absorb some of the carbon dioxide and lower the corrosiveness of the water."


The researchers also found that larval oysters showed a delayed response to the water chemistry, which may cast new light on other experiments looking at the impacts of ocean acidification on shellfish.


In the study, they found that larval oysters raised in water that was acidic, but non-lethal, had significantly less growth in later stages of their life.
"The takeaway message here is that the response to poor water quality isn't always immediate," said Waldbusser.


"In some cases, it took until three weeks after fertilization for effects from the acidic water to become apparent. Short-term experiments of just a few days may not detect the damage."


The research was also supported by NOAA and the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association.
Other authors of the journal article include Chris Langdon of OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center and Richard Feely of NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory.
-NSF-




The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2012, its budget is $7.0 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 50,000 competitive requests for funding, and makes about 11,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards nearly $420 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

PAHO SPEECH BY HHS SECRETARY KATHLEEN SEBELIUS

FROM:  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PAHO Healthy Aging Conference
April 12, 2012
Washington, DC
Good morning and welcome.
For more than a century, the Pan American Health Organization has been a driving force behind many of our region’s greatest public health achievements, from reversing the spread of infectious diseases to improving nutrition, sanitation and access to clean water. And thanks to this kind of progress people are living longer and generally healthier lives than ever before.

In 1980, there were 378 million people in the world aged 60 or older. Three decades later, that figure has doubled. By 2050, it is projected to reach 2 billion -- with older people at about 22% of the global population, outnumbering children under 14 for the first time in human history. And these gains have not been limited to industrialized countries. The most rapid and dramatic demographic changes in the Americas are happening in low- and middle-income countries.
These trends represent a triumph of global public health, modern medicine and economic development.  And yet they also pose new challenges.

As people live longer, the shape of our families is changing. Adult children are caring for their aging parents, while raising their own families. Many of us work well past the “traditional” retirement age, by need or by choice, stretching our care giving capacities even further. And these shifts have begun to put new pressure on our countries’ health care systems and social safety programs, pushing policy-makers to find new ways to make limited resources go further.

We also know that as we live longer we’re more likely to develop multiple chronic non-communicable diseases. In the past more people died at younger ages from infectious diseases, accidents, and violence. Today, more and more of the world’s population are living long enough to face cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

Each year, chronic diseases kill 36 million people worldwide. That’s more than 3 out of every 5 deaths, robbing families and communities of loved ones and costing our economies billions.  Many of these diseases like diabetes, stroke, and respiratory disease are projected to affect even more people in the years and decades to come.
 
For years, our region has helped shape the international conversation about non-communicable diseases -- from the 2007 Declaration of Port-of-Spain -- to the resolution tabled by Trinidad and Tobago on behalf of the Caribbean Community that ultimately led to last year’s UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting.

Now the rest of the world is joining the conversation. And that’s critical because we still have a long way to go if we want to turn the tide on chronic disease. These threats recognize no national or political borders. They touch countries in every corner of the globe and at every stage in development.

So our challenge today is to prepare and respond. The good news is that we know what it takes to build communities where older citizens are not seen as a burden, but as experienced and engaged partners. And the work we do to support healthy aging also presents us with an opportunity to reshape our communities to promote better health at every age.

In the United States, we have embarked on an ambitious agenda to shift the focus of our health care system from waiting for people to become acutely ill to investing in prevention to keep them healthy in the first place.

In 2010, we passed a historic health reform law that improves access to the preventive care people need to stay healthy and the screenings they need to detect diseases early. And we’ve taken big steps to help seniors afford the cost of their medications.

We’re also working with doctors and hospitals to share their best methods for improving their patients' health.  Sometimes seemingly small things, like following up with a patient after she's been discharged from the hospital and helping all of her doctors better communicate with one another, make the biggest difference. And we're helping best practices like these spread to every corner of the country, so that everyone has access to the best care possible, no matter where they live.

But we also recognize that ensuring access to quality, affordable care is only one part of the job. Health also happens outside the doctor’s office – in neighborhoods, workplaces and community centers.

Just as important are the steps we can take to engage older people as we do this critical work: involving them in the design, execution, and leadership of programs for seniors -- and refuting any notion that as people age they have less to contribute or become helpless. Our growing population of older people is also increasingly diverse. Respecting this diversity is key to maintaining social connections, reducing isolation, and increasing people’s choices.

Ultimately, what drives our approach is a philosophy that says simply: “Nothing about them without them.”

And you can see it in successful initiatives like Stanford University’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program -- built on more than two decades of federal research. The program recognizes that older people with chronic diseases should be more than just recipients of care. They should be key decision-makers in their own treatment.

So through workshops in community settings like senior centers, libraries, and at faith-based organizations, older people with a wide array of conditions come together to learn, share and build the skills they need to manage and improve their own health – from exercise and nutrition, to stress management and communicating with their health providers. At HHS, we’ve invested $27 million in grants to help communities implement these proven approaches.

The evidence shows that this program not only improves patients’ abilities to manage their own health, it has also improved health outcomes and even reduced health care costs. It is no wonder that the Stanford program is now available in at least 15 countries around globe.

What this kind of program tells us is that keeping older people healthy yields enormous dividends. When more people can participate more fully and contribute to society, everyone benefits.

And this is where we have an important opportunity to work together to share our best ideas and tools to keep our populations as healthy, productive and engaged as possible.
The United States is committed to learning from our partners across the region and around the globe. The more we work together, the faster we will be able to test new strategies, learn what works, and implement them in our own communities.

One of the striking aspects of my trips outside our country is how much eagerness there is to work together on health issues. When it comes to trade or foreign policy, there are often areas of strong disagreement. But when the discussion turns to tackling our biggest health challenges, there is a broad consensus that nations must work together. And when we do work together, we all benefit.

Healthy aging is an issue which aligns the interests of the countries around the world.   A healthier world is one in which every nation will have more productive workers, longer lives, and more vibrant communities.

Too often when we talk about global aging, we talk about its costs. But by keeping our seniors healthy and engaged we have begun to write a new story, where every older person gets the dignity and independence they deserve and every nation thrives.

THE MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY PONZIED THE FAITHFUL

FROM:  SEC
Washington, D.C., April 12, 2012 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a self-described “Social Capitalist” with running a Ponzi scheme that targeted socially-conscious investors in church congregations.

The SEC alleges that Ephren W. Taylor II made numerous false statements to lure investors into two investment programs being offered through City Capital Corporation, where he was the CEO. Instead of investor money going to charitable causes and economically disadvantaged businesses as promised, Taylor secretly diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars to publishing and promoting his books, hiring consultants to refine his public image, and funding his wife’s singing career.

The SEC also charged City Capital and its former chief operating officer Wendy Connor, who lives in North Carolina and along with Taylor received hundreds of thousands of dollars from investors in salary and commissions.

“Ephren Taylor professed to be in the business of socially-conscious investing. Instead, he was in the business of promoting Ephren Taylor,” said David Woodcock, Director of the SEC’s Fort Worth Regional Office. “He preyed upon investors’ faith and their desire to help others, convincing them that they could earn healthy returns while also helping their communities.”

According to the SEC’s complaint filed in federal court in Atlanta, Taylor strenuously cultivated an image of a highly successful and socially conscious entrepreneur. He marketed himself as “The Social Capitalist” and touted that he was the youngest black CEO of a public company and the son of a Christian minister who understands the importance of giving back. He authored three books and appeared on national television programs, and promoted his investment opportunities through live presentations, Internet advertisements, and radio ads. For instance, Taylor conducted a multi-city “Building Wealth Tour” during which he spoke to church congregations including Atlanta’s New Birth Church and at various wealth management seminars.

The SEC alleges that Taylor and City Capital offered two primary investments: promissory notes supposedly funding various small businesses, and interests in “sweepstakes” machines. In addition to promising high rates of return, Taylor assured investors that he had a long track record of success and that investor funds would be used to support businesses in economically disadvantaged areas. A portion of profits were to go to charity. Taylor devoted considerable time to denigrating traditional investment vehicles such as CDs, mutual funds, and the stock market, labeling them as “foolish” and “money losers.” He told audiences they could make far greater returns using their self-directed IRAs for investments in small businesses and sweepstakes machines offered by City Capital.

In reality, according to the SEC’s complaint, more than $11 million that Taylor and City Capital raised from hundreds of investors nationwide from 2008 to 2010 was instead used to operate the Ponzi scheme. Investor money was misused to pay other investors, finance Taylor’s personal expenses, and fund City Capital’s payroll, rent, and other costs. City Capital’s business ventures were consistently unprofitable, and no meaningful amounts of investor money were ever sent to charities.

The SEC’s complaint seeks disgorgement, financial penalties and permanent injunctive relief against City Capital, Taylor, and Connor as well as officer and director bars against Taylor and Connor.

ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER SPEAKS AT E-BOOKS PRESS CONFERENCE

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Attorney General Eric Holder Speaks at the E-books Press Conference Washington, D.C. ~ Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Good afternoon.   Today I’m joined by Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Sharis Pozen, and Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, to announce the Justice Department’s latest progress in protecting American consumers from anticompetitive harm, ensuring fairness in the marketplace, and making certain that cutting-edge technologies are available at the lowest possible price.
                                             
In recent years, we have seen the rapid growth – and the many benefits – of electronic books.  E-books are transforming our daily lives, and improving how information and content is shared.  For the growing number of Americans who want to take advantage of this new technology, the Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that e-books are as affordable as possible.
         
As part of this commitment, the Department has reached a settlement with three of the nation’s largest book publishers – and will continue to litigate against Apple, and two additional leading publishers – for conspiring to increase the prices that consumers pay for e-books.

Earlier today, we filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, against Apple and five different book publishers – Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster.   In response to our allegations, three of these publishers – Hachette, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster – agreed to a proposed settlement.   If approved by the court, this settlement would resolve the Department’s antitrust concerns with these companies, and would require them to grant retailers – such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble – the freedom to reduce the prices of their e-book titles.   The settlement also requires the companies to terminate their anticompetitive most-favored-nation agreements with Apple and other e-books retailers.

In addition, the companies will be prohibited for two years from placing constraints on retailers’ ability to offer discounts to consumers.   They will also be prohibited from conspiring or sharing competitively sensitive information with their competitors for five years.   And each is required to implement a strong antitrust compliance program.   These steps are appropriate – and essential in ensuring a competitive marketplace.  

Beginning in the summer of 2009, we allege that executives at the highest levels of the companies included in today’s lawsuit – concerned that e-book sellers had reduced prices – worked together to eliminate competition among stores selling e-books, ultimately increasing prices for consumers.   As a result of this alleged conspiracy, we believe that consumers paid millions of dollars more for some of the most popular titles.

During regular, near-quarterly meetings, we allege that publishing company executives discussed confidential business and competitive matters – including Amazon’s e-book retailing practices – as part of a conspiracy to raise, fix, and stabilize retail prices.   In addition, we allege that these publishers agreed to impose a new model which would enable them to seize pricing authority from bookstores; that they entered into agreements to pay Apple a 30 percent commission on books sold through its iBookstore; and that they promised – through contracts including most-favored-nation provisions – that no other e-book retailer would set a lower price.   Our investigation even revealed that one CEO allegedly went so far as to encourage an e-book retailer to punish another publisher for not engaging in these illegal practices.

In advancing this critical investigation, I’d like to thank Attorney General Jepsen and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott – along with our partners at the European Commission – for their hard work and close cooperation.   Today’s action sends a clear message that the Department’s Antitrust Division continues to be open for business – and that we will not hesitate to do what is necessary to protect American consumers.

I am grateful for the outstanding leadership that Acting Assistant Attorney General Sharis Pozen has provided in this matter.   Not only has she ensured a seamless transition in the Division’s senior leadership, she has proven that vigorous enforcement will remain its hallmark.   I also want to commend her dedicated team, and thank each of the attorneys and investigators who worked so hard to make today’s announcement possible.   Although this matter remains in its initial stages, it’s clear that, in all of you, the Department – and the American people – could have no stronger team of advocates.

At this time, I’d like to turn things over to Sharis, who will provide additional details on today’s action.

FEMA WARNS TO WATCH OUT FOR SPRING STORMS

FROM:  FEMA
SEATTLE, Wash. -- As the days get warmer, we look forward to gardening and playing outdoors. But this is also a time to be aware of the threats of Mother Nature. If you live in the mountains or in Alaska, you know that spring ice break-up can cause major problems. Those living in the rest of the Northwest can expect lots of rain, with an ever-present threat of severe storms and flooding.

It only takes a couple of inches of rainfall to create a potential for flooding, and with the snow pack at high-than-normal levels, some communities could be seriously threatened.
FEMA Preparedness and Mitigation experts have several recommendations to help people get ready for the challenges of April showers.

First and foremost on the list is to get flood insurance. The average cost of flood insurance is about $750 a year. You do not have to live in a flood plain to get flood insurance. In fact, the rates for lower-risk properties are correspondingly lower. It’s a good idea to buy insurance now, while the sun is still shining, because there is a 30-day waiting period before a policy can take effect. When the waters are rising, it’ll be too late to purchase a policy.

Other steps you can take to protect your family and your property include:
Make sure downspouts carry water several feet from your house to a well-drained area. About 2,500 gallons of water will come from a 1,000 square foot roof with one foot of snow depth across the roof. This much water may cause problems if allowed to drain next to the house.

Anchor your fuel tanks. An unanchored tank in your basement can be torn free by floodwaters and the broken supply line can contaminate your basement. An unanchored tank outside can be swept downstream, where it can damage other houses.

Have a licensed electrician raise electric components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12" above your home's projected flood elevation.

Place the furnace and water heater on masonry blocks or concrete at least 12” above the projected flood elevation.

If your washer and dryer are in the basement, elevate them on masonry or pressure-treated lumber at least 12” above the projected flood elevation.

Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your family.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be the "family contact" in case your family is separated during a flood. Make sure everyone in your family knows the name, address, and phone number of this contact person.