FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
CONTRACTS
NAVY
The Navy is awarding indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple-award contracts to 914 contractors that will provide for their competition for service requirements solicited by Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Air Systems Command, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Supply Systems Command, Military Sealift Command, Naval Facilities Command, Strategic Systems Programs, Office of Naval Research and the U.S. Marine Corps. The 22 functional service areas within the scope of the contracts include: 1) research and development support, 2) engineering system engineering and process engineering support, 3) modeling, simulation, stimulation and analysis support, 4) prototyping, pre-production, model-making and fabric support, 5) system design documentation and technical data support, 6) software engineering, development, programming and network support, 7) reliability, maintainability and availability support, 8) human factors, performance and usability engineering support, 9) system safety engineering support, 10) configuration management support, 11) quality assurance support, 12) information system development, information assurance and information technology support, 13) ship inactivation and disposal support, 14) interoperability, test and evaluation, trials support, 15) measurement facilities, range and instrumentation support, 16) acquisition logistics support, 17) supply and provisioning support, 18) training support, 19) in-service engineering, fleet introduction, installation and checkout support, 20) program support, 21) functional and administrative support, and 22) public affairs and multimedia support. These contracts are in addition to the existing 2,838 contracts previously awarded under the SeaPort Enhanced (SeaPort-e) acquisition program for services procurements. The government estimates a maximum of $5,300,000,000 of services will be procured per year via orders issued under the SeaPort-e multiple award contracts. The award of these contracts is a result of the SeaPort-e Rolling Admissions solicitation. The SeaPort-e acquisition is comprised of seven regional zones in which task orders will be competed based upon the principal place of performance. These awards contain provisions to set aside requirements for small businesses, service disabled veteran owned small businesses, 8a business development program and historically under-utilized business zone small businesses. Under these multiple award contracts, each contractor will be provided a fair opportunity to compete for individual task orders solicited within their zone or zones of performance. The awards will have a five-month base period with one five-year option. These contracts were competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 955 offers received and 914 contracts awarded. Contract funds will be obligated at the time of task order award and, multiple funding types with varying expiration dates may be used, consistent with the purpose for which the funds were appropriated. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, Dahlgren, Va., is the contracting activity (N00178-14-D-7128 -- N00178-14-D-8045). The list of contractors involved are: 1 Source Consulting, Inc., Germantown, Md.; 2Is Inc.*, Walpole, Mass.; 4M Research Inc.*, Huntsville, Ala.; A² Systems Engineering Inc.*, El Segundo, Calif.; A2B Tracking Solutions, Inc.*, Portsmouth, R.I.; AAR Parts Trading Inc. doing business as (dba) AAR Defense Systems and Logistics, Wood Dale, Ill.; A-B Computer Solutions, Inc.*, Mandeville, La.; Accent Controls, Inc.*, Riverside, Mo.; Access Personnel Services, Inc.*, Lancaster, Pa.; Acquisition Systems Associates, Inc.*, Great Falls, Va.; Adaptive Consulting & Training Services, LLC dba ACTS*, Stafford, Va.; Adela Technologies*, Leonardtown,, Md.; Aderas, Inc.*, Reston, Va.; Advanced Mission Systems, LLC*, Charlotte, N.C.; Advanced Professional Consulting, Inc. dba Veteran Technologists*, Aberdeen, Md.; Advanced Sciences and Technologies, LLC.*, Berlin, N.J.; Advanced Technology Services dba OptiDoc*, Marietta, Ga.; Advanced Technology Systems Co., Inc. (Of Virginia)*, Mclean, Va. ; Advantage SCI, LLC*, El Segundo, Calif.; Advent Business Co., Inc.*, Aurora , Ill.; Advent SVCS LLC*, Panama City Beach, Fla.; AED, Inc.*, Hyattsville, Md.; Affinity Fidelis Consulting and Technologies, LLC dba Affinity Fidelis *, Fredericksburg, Va.; AFGlobe Communications Inc. dba ACI Solutions*, Sterling, Va.; Agile Government Services, Inc.*, Overland Park, Kan.; Ahtna Support and Training Services, LLC*, Anchorage, Alaska; AINET Corp.*, Beltsville, Md.; Air Logistics and Engineering Consultants, LLC*, Warner Robins, Ga.; Aitheras, LLC dba Aitheras*, Rockville, Md.; Alexandria Insights, Inc.*, Fairfax Station, Va.; All U Need Temporary Services dba All U Need Personnel*, Washington, D.C.; Allen Corp. of America, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va.; Allied Reliability, Inc.*, North Charleston, S.C.; AlphaSix Corp.*, Sterling, Va.; American Computer Development Inc. dba ACDI*, Frederick, Md.; American Society for Engineering Education dba ASEE, Washington, D.C.; America's Staffing Partner, Inc.*, Bethlehem, Pa.; AMP Management Consulting LLC*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Ampcus Inc.*, Chantilly , Va.; Anderson Solutions & Associates dba ASA*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Anglicotech LLC*, Washington, D.C.; Apex Data Systems Inc.*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Apogee Engineering, LLC*, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Applied Computer Science Group, Inc.*, Bowie, Md.; Applied Visual Technology, Inc. dba AVT Simulation*, Orlando, Fla.; Aranea Solutions, Inc.*, Huntsville, Ala.; Arch Systems*, Baltimore, Md.; Ardent Technologies, Inc.*, Dayton, Ohio; Armada, Ltd*, Powell, Ohio; Art Anderson Associates, Inc.*, Bremerton, Wash.; ASP Web Solutions, LLC*, Bartlett, Tenn.; Augustine Consulting, Inc.*, Monterey, Calif.; AURA Systems Technologies*, San Dimas, Calif.; Avanco International, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va.; Avani Technology Solutions Inc.*, Rochester, N.Y.; Averalink Information Systems, LLC*, North Charleston, S.C.; Avion Solutions, Inc. dba Avion*, Huntsville, Ala.; AVOSYS Technology, Inc.*, San Antonio, Texas; AVPOL International LLC dba AIL*, Memphis, Tenn.; Axiom Resource Management, Inc. , Falls Church, Va.; B&L Machine & Fabrication*, Norfolk, Va.; Badger Defense Group Inc.*, Orlando, Fla.; Banner Staffing*, Washington, D.C.; Barba Consulting, Inc.*, Marlton, N.J.; BarnAllen Technologies, Inc.*, Rockville, Md.; Barnett Engineering & Signaling Laboratories*, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Bayfield Technology Group, Inc.*, Luray, Va. ; Bayonet Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; BFG Systems LLC dba: BFG Systems*, Saint Petersburg, Fla.; BITHOP Systems, Inc.*, Springfield, Va.; Bitterroot Services & Technology LLC dba BST*, Florence, Mont; BleuForce, LLC*, Chula Vista, Calif.; Blue Tang Solutions, Inc.*, Coronado, Calif.; Boarhog LLC*, San Diego, Calif.; Boulevard Consulting Group, LLC*, Arlington, Va.; Bowhead Professional Solutions, LLC dba BPS*, Alexandria, Va.; Bowler Pons Solutions Consultants, LLC dba Immigration Integrity Group*, Arnold, Md.; Bridge Group, LLC*, Bumpass, Va.; BuddoBot Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; Business Enterprises & Systems Technology, Inc. dba BESTech*, McLean, Va.; C Parker Consulting, Inc.*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Carolina Growler Inc.*, Star, N.C.; Catalyst Solutions, LLC*, Stafford, Va.; CATVIDEO, Inc. dba CATMEDIA*, Tucker, Ga.; Caulfield Consulting, Inc.*, Ashburn, Va.; CB Technologies, Inc., Westminster, Calif.; C-Edge Software Consultants LLC*, Saint Louis, Mo.; Center for Applied Innovation*, Yorktown, Va.; Center for Organizational Excellence, Inc.*, Rockville, Md.; Cherokee Nation Red Wing, LLC*, Tulsa, Okla.; CHP Solutions*, Stafford, Va.; Citadel Logic, LLC*, Hampton, Va.; Claxton Logistics Services, LLC*, Stafford, Va.; Cobec Consulting, Inc.*, Manassas, Va.; Comptech PC*, Fort Pierce, Fla.; Computational Physics, Inc.*, Springfield, Va.; Computer Technologies Consultants, Inc. dba CTC*, Seabrook, Md.; Concord Crossroads*, Manassas, Va.; Conetsco, Inc.*, Manassas, Va.; Consortium for Ocean Leadership Inc., Washington, D.C.; Constellation Software Engineering Corp.*, Lanham, Md.; Converge IT Solutions, LLC*, Clinton, Md.; Mager, William Grant dba Core Services Group*, Virginia Beach, Va.; CoreSys Consulting Services, LLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Coronata Systems, Inc.*, Ardmore, Tenn.; Cougaar Software, Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; Covell Solutions*, Vienna, Va.; Creative Business Solutions, Inc.*, Washington, D.C.; Crewestone Technologies, Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; Crown Consulting, Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; CTCA.info, LLC*, Edgewater, Md.; Customer Inspired Solutions, LLC*, King of Prussia, Pa.; Cyber Security Engineering Associates LLC dba CSEA*, Baltimore, Md.; Cyber Technology Services, Inc. dba Cytech Services*, Manassas, Va.; Daniel Eke and Associates, PC*, Silver Spring, Md.; Data Tactics Corp.*, McLean, Va.; Datalis Solutions Corp.*, Montvale, N.J.; Daylight Defense, LLC*, San Diego, Calif.; DeNovo Solutions LLC*, Centennial, Colo.; Designed Consulting LLC*, Yuma, Ariz.; DCAPS Inc.*, Shalimar, Fla.; Digital Consultants LLC*, Mclean, Va.; Dignitas Technologies LLC*, Orlando, Fla.; Dilks - Simone Enterprises, Inc.*, North Charleston, S.C.; DirectViz Solutions LLC*, Chantilly, Va.; DuChancell Engineering Consulting*, Del Mar, Calif.; Durbin Group, LLC*, Spotsylvania, Va.; Dynamic Computer Corp. dba Connecting Point Computer Center*, Farmington Hills, Mich.; Dynamic Management Associates*, Woodbridge, Va.; Dynamic Pro Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; ECLAT Integrated Software Solutions, Inc..*, Stafford, Texas; Edwards Group LLC dba Polaris Technology Solutions*, Aldie, Va.; Effecture, LLC*, San Diego, Calif.; eKuber Ventures Inc.*, Herndon, Va.; Elda and Edwina International Inc.*, Columbia, Md.; Electro Standards Laboratory Inc. dba Electro Standards Laboratories*, Cranston, R.I.; e-Management Consultants, Inc.*, Silver Spring, Md.; Emerging Technology Support LLC*, Mooresville, N.C.; Eminent IT, LLC dba Eminent*, Arlington, Va.; Energy Plus Limited dba Energy Research Consultants*, Laguna Hills, Calif.; Enformatica*, San Diego, Calif.; Engineering Solutions and Products LLC, Eatontown, N.J.; Envision, LLC.*, Saint Louis, Mo.; ENX Group, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va.; EPIC Consulting Planning & Business Information LLC*, Springfield, Va.; ESEA*, Los Altos, Calif.; Estuate Inc.*, Sunnyvale, Calif.; Etelic Inc.*, Glen Allen, Va.; eTRANSERVICES LLC*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Evanhoe & Associates, Inc. dba AIDC Solutions*, Dayton, Ohio; Evergreen Fire Alarms, LLC dba Evergreen Fire &Security*, Tacoma, Wash.; Evigilant.com Inc. dba eVigilant Security*, Lorton, Va.; Explosive Ordnance Mission Focused Defense LLC dba EOMFD*, Goose Creek, S.C.; Extreme Data Technologies LLC*, Norwalk, Conn.; EyeIT.com, Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; Fathom 4, LLC*, Charleston, S.C.; FedForce, Inc.*, Reston, Va.; Field Data Technology, LLC*, Fairfax, Va.; Flight Test Aerospace, Inc.*, Chantilly, Va.; G2SF, INC.*, Reston, Va.; GameSim Inc.*, Orlando, Fla.; Gantec Corp.*, Schaumburg, Ill.; Gartner, Inc., Stamford, Conn.; GCorp Consulting dba GKORP*, Chula Vista, Calif.; Gemini Industries Inc.*, Burlington, Mass.; GeoNorth, LLC*, Anchorage, Alaska; Germanos Defense Services, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va.; GET Engineering*, El Cajon, Calif.; GINIA Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; Global Services International, LLC*, Killeen, Texas; Global Solutions Group Inc.*, Detroit, Mich.; Government Contracting Services LLC*, Roy, Wash.; Government Contracting Specialists, Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; GRAVICOM LLC*, Elnora, Ind.; GS5, LLC*, Dumfries, Va.; Haven 365 LLC*, Stafford, Va.; HCH Enterprises, LLC*, Providence, R.I.; Heritage Services Corp.*, Cocoa, Fla.; Hester Group*, Jacksonville, Fla.; Highbury Defense Group*, San Diego, Calif.; Hosted Records Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; Howard & Co., Inc.*, Reston, Va.; HPT Advisory Services, LLC*, McLean, Va.; H.T. Innovations, L.L.C.*, Chesterfield, Va.; Hyperion Biotechnology Inc.*, San Antonio, Texas; ICS Technologies, Inc.*, McLean, Va.; Ideation Inc.*, Chantilly, Va.; Identity Management Systems, LLC*, Fredericksburg, Va.; IERUS Technologies, Inc.*, Huntsville, Ala.; Immersive Media Tactical Solutions, LLC*, Fredericksburg, Va.; INADEV Corp.*, McLean, Va.; Incident Communication Solutions, LLC*, Stevensville, Md.; Infinity Support Services*, Aldie, Va.; Infolob Solutions, Inc.*, Irving, Texas; Information Innovators, Inc., Springfield, Va.; InfoStructures, Inc.*, Rockville, Md.; Innoflight, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Innovation Business Partners, Inc.*, Lavallette, N.J.; Innovative Algorithms, LLC*, San Diego, Calif.; Innovative Services & Solutions dba ISS*, Mansfield, Texas; Innovim Defense Services LLC dba IDS*, Oxon Hill, Md.; Integrated Defense Applications, LLC dba IDA Technology*, El Paso, Texas; Integrated Financial Analysts, Ltd. dba INFINA*, Tysons Corner, Va.; InteliTrac, Inc.*, Fort Worth, Texas; Intellectual Concepts, LLC*, Atlanta, Ga.; Intelligent Automation Inc.*, Rockville, Md.; Interactive Government Holdings, LLC*, Washington, D.C.; Interdyne Corp.*, Mooresville, N.C.; International Business Sales & Services Corp. dba IBSS Corp*, Silver Spring, Md.; INTER-OP.NET Inc. dba INTER-OP*, Virginia Beach, Va.; InterOptions, LLC*, Tampa, Fla.; IPSecure Inc.*, San Antonio, Texas; ISI Telemanagement Solutions, Inc.*, Schaumburg, Ill.; ISYS Inc. dba ISYS Technologies*, Littleton, Colo.; IT Concepts, Inc.*, Ashburn, Va.; ITC Defense Corp.*, Arlington, Va.; IT-CNP, INC.*, Columbia, Md.; I-Three Solutions, LLC*, Lexington Park, Md.; ITMC Solutions, LLC*, Bristow, Va.; IWON, LLC*, Colonial Beach , Va.; Jamison Professional Services, Inc.*, East Point, Ga.; JDR Unlimited, LLC*, Melbourne, Fla.; Jered LLC dba PHR, Brunswick, Ga.; JETPUBS Inc.*, Hudson, WI; Joiner Associates LLC*, Norfolk, Va.; Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. dba Public Institutions, Washington, D.C.; JRM Enterprises, Inc. dba JRM Technologies*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Kalon, LLC*, Supply, N.C.; KAMMS Group LLC*, Woodbridge, Va.; Karsun Solutions LLC*, Herndon, Va.; KCK Technologies, LLC*, Fairfax, Va.; Kenific Group*, Fairfax, Va.; Kilda Group, LLC*, Annapolis, Md.; Kiple Acquisition Science Technology Logistics & Engineering dba Kiple Consulting*, Bel Air, Md.; Knowledge Capital Associates, LLC*, Springfield, Va.; Knowledge Management Inc.*, Tyngsboro, Maine; Kutta Technologies, Inc.*, Phoenix, Ariz.; KZF Design, Inc.*, Cincinnati, Ohio; LDM & Associates LLD dba LDM Group, LLC*, Bethesda, Md.; Leading Edge Solutions, LLC*, Fort Washington, Md.; Lee Defense Group, LLC dba Lee Defense Group*, Springville, Ind.; Lexicon Consulting, Inc.*, El Cajon, Calif.; Lightspeed Technologies dba LP3*, Fairfax, Va.; Links Media LLC dba Links Global*, Rockville , Md. ; Lixis Technology LLC*, Washington, D.C.; LLUCAS Corp.*, Washington, D.C.; Logistics Applications Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; LR-Associates, LLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Lukos, LLC*, Tampa, Fla.; Lumbee Resource Management Group*, Jacksonville, Fla.; Lumbee Tribe Enterprises, LLC*, Pembroke, N.C.; M1 Support Services LP, Denton, Texas; MacDonald-Bedford LLC*, Alameda, Calif.; Macray Services and Solutions, LLC*, Washington, D.C.; Mansai Corp.*, Greenbelt, Md.; MartinFederal Consulting, L.L.C.*, Auburn, Ala.; Masy Group LLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Materials Sciences Corp.*, Horsham, Pa.; McFarland Technology, Inc.*, Murrysville, Pa.; McKenna Principals, Inc.*, Woodbridge, Va.; McKinney & McKinney Techical Services Inc. dba M&M Technical Services*, Woodbridge, Va.; McLane Advanced Technologies, LLC, Temple, Texas; McNally Industries, LLC*, Grantsburg, WI; MCS of Tampa, Inc. dba Mission Critical Solution*, Tampa, Fla.; MDM Technical Services Corp. dba SASI Defense Technologies*, Pittsburgh, Pa.; MDW Associates, LLC*, McLean, Va.; Meridian Technologies, Inc.*, Jacksonville, Fla.; MESMO Inc. dba MESMOLSS*, Waldorf, Md.; Metasystems, Inc.*, North Royalton, Ohio; MillerWilson Consulting, LLC dba MWC*, North Charleston, S.C.; Minerva Systems & Technologies, LLC*, Lexington, KY; Mobius Consulting, LLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Mobius Industries USA, Inc.*, Kirkland, Wash.; Morgan 6, LLC*, North Charleston, S.C.; Moriarty and Associates Consulting Corp. dba Moriarty and Associates*, Fairfax, Va.; MSDS Consultant Services, LLC*, Clinton, Md.; Murtech*, Glen Burnie, Md.; NATECH Network Solutions LLC*, Plano, Texas; National Technology & Service Group LLC*, San Diego, Calif.; Navigant Consulting, Inc., Chicago, Ill.; NAVTEC, Inc.*, Chula Vista, Calif.; NetCentrics Corp.*, Herndon, Va.; NetSecurity Corp. dba Netsecurity*, Dulles, Va.; Network Runners, Inc.*, Ashburn, Va.; Nevins Software , Inc.*, Morris, Ill.; Nexagen Networks Inc.*, Aberdeen, Md.; Nexus Technology Solutions, LLC*, Panama City Beach, Fla.; Nguyen Information Consulting dba Net-Integrated Consulting*, West Des Moines, IA; NLT Corp. dba NETCOM Group*, Springfield, Va.; North Star Group LLC*, Washington, D.C.; northRamp LLC*, Reston, Va.; Novitas Global Solutions LLC dba Novitas Group*, Reston, Va.; NSC Technologies, Inc.*, Portsmouth, Va.; ODME Solutions, LLC*, San Diego, Calif.; Old Breed, LLC*, Quantico, Va.; Operational Support Group*, Virginia Beach, Va.; OpTempo, LLC*, Stafford, Va.; Optima Global Solutions, Inc.*, Lawrenceville, N.J.; Ordnance Holdings, Inc.*, Reisterstown, Md.; Orion Networking Inc.*, Great Falls, Va.; P2P Holdings LLC dba TekPartners Government Solutions*, Coral Springs, Fla.; PAC Solutions*, Stafford, Va.; Pacific Rim Aerospace Corp. dba PacRim Aero*, Kirkland, Wash.; Patriot Maritime Compliance, LLC*, Concord, Calif.; Payne Consulting Inc. dba Payne Consulting Services*, Los Lunas, N.M.; PCI Strategic Management, LLC*, Columbia, Md.; Pegasus Support Services, LLC*, Woodstock, Ga.; Perceptium Group*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Perceptix, LLC*, Washington, D.C.; Perfecta Aviation, LLC dba PAVN*, Alexandria, Va.; Persistent Systems, LLC*, New York, N.Y.; Pharos Group, Inc.*, Stafford, Va.; Phoenix Data Security Inc.*, Phoenix, Ariz.; Phoenix Soft*, Phoenix, Ariz.; Pinnakle Technologies Inc.*, Naperville, Ill.; Pioneer Corporate Services, Inc.*, Ashburn, Va.; Pioneer Technologies Corp.*, Las Vegas, Nev.; Piping Systems International, Inc.*, Bay Minette, Ala.; PKL Services Inc.*, Poway, Calif.; POGO Inc.*, Oceanside , Calif.; Portage, Inc. dba Portage Environmental Inc., Idaho Falls, Idaho; Porter Scientific, Inc. dba Porter Environmental*, Pembroke, N.C.; Positioning Systems Research*, La Jolla, Calif.; Premier Professional Systems, Inc.*, Huntsville, Ala.; Premier Solutions HI, LLC*, Honolulu, Hawaii; PrimeTech International, Inc. *, North Kansas City, Mo.; Professional Performance Development Group, Inc., San Antonio, Texas; Professional Services of America Inc. dba Professional Services of America*, Parkersburg, W.Va.; Progressive Data Systems, Inc.*, Stafford, Va.; Promethean Technical Solutions, LLC*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Provideo Management, Inc.*, Tysons Corner, Va.; QualBlazer, LLC*, Alexandria, Va.; QSI, Inc. dba Quality Solutions Consulting Group, INC.*, Carlsbad, Calif.; QuickFlex Inc.*, San Antonio, Texas; R Dorsey & Co. dba R.DORSEY+Co.*, Worthington, Ohio; Ranger Aerofab, LLC dba Ranger Enterprises, Springville, Ind.; Rapier Solutions, Inc. dba Simplified Computing Systems*, Matthews, N.C.; RCT Systems, Inc.*, Linthicum, Md.; Red Tail, LLC*, Arlington, Va.; REK Associates, LLC*, Chantilly, Va.; RETTEW Associates, Inc.*, Lancaster, Pa.; Right Sized Solutions, Inc. dba RSSI*, Sterling, Va.; RightDirection Technology Solutions, LLC*, Baltimore, Md.; Risk Mitigation Consulting, Inc.*, Destin, Fla.; RLM Communications*, Spring Lake, N.C.; Rock Creek Research, Data Management and Analysis LLC dba Rock Creek Data*, Alexandria, Va.; RoundTable Defense, LLC*, Stafford, Va.; RSL Fibersystems LLC*, E. Hartford, Conn.; Sabel Systems Technology Solutions, LLC*, Gainesville, Va.; SABRE88, LLC*, Newark, N.J.; Saint Security Services, LLC*, Springfield, Va.; Sapient Government Services Inc., Arlington, Va.; SAPTA Systems LLC*, San Antonio, Texas; SAVID LLC*, Saratoga, Calif.; SCI Consulting Services, Inc. dba Software Control International, McLean, Va.; SciTech Services dba SciTech*, Havre de Grace, Md.; SDL Federal Solutions Inc., Reston, Va.; Sealund & Associates Corp.*, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Sektor Solutions, Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; SEMAC LLC dba SEMAC*, Virginia Beach, Va.; SENTAR Inc.*, Huntsville, Ala.; Shivan Technologies, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va.; SI Organization, Inc., King of Prussia, Pa.; Silverback7, Inc.*, Woodbridge, Va.; Six Degrees of Simulation, Inc.*, Orlando, Fla.; SofTec Solutions, Inc.*, Englewood, Colo.; Spartan Business & Technology Services Inc. dba Spartan Business & Technology Consulting*, Alexandria, Va.; Spectra Tech Inc.*, Oak Ridge, Tenn.; Spin Systems, Inc.*, Sterling, Va.; Spinvi Consulting, LLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Squires Group Inc.*, Annapolis, Md.; STARA Technologies, Inc.*, Gilbert, Ariz.; Stauder Consulting, Inc., dba Stauder Technologies*, St. Peters, Mo.; SteedPetro LLC*, Washington, D.C.; Storage Strategies, Inc. dba SSI*, Springfield, Va.; Strata G Solutions Inc.*, Huntsville, Ala.; Strategic Response Initiatives, LLC *, Albany, N.Y.; Strategy and Management Services Inc. dba SAMS*, Springfield, Va.; Strike Group LLC*, Detroit, Mich.; Strong Castle, Inc.*, Washington, D.C.; Strongbridge Corp.*, Sterling, Va.; Succeed to Lead, LLC*, Dumfries, Va.; SunMan Engineering, Inc.*, San Jose, Calif.; Sunrise Beach Corp. dba M2 Services Corp.*, McKinney, Texas; Synergy Aerospace, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md.; Syntelligent Analytic Solutions, LLC*, Falls Church, Va.; Tactical Micro, Inc.*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Takontrol, LLC*, Annandale, Va.; Tanager, Inc.*, Annapolis Junction, Md.; Tandel Systems, Inc.*, Oldsmar, Fla.; Tantivy Systems Group Technologies, Inc. dba TSG Technologies*, Melbourne, Fla.; Tech Global, Inc.*, Rockville, Md.; Technical Professional Services, Inc.*, Wayland, Mich.; Technique Solutions, Inc.*, Martinsville, Va.; Tellus Solutions, Inc.*, Santa Clara, Calif.; TENICA and Associates, LLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Threat Defense LLC dba Threat Defense*, New Orleans, La.; Tidewater, Inc.*, Elkridge, Md.; Tilson Government Services, LLC*, Portland, Maine; TIME Systems LLC*, Washington, D.C.; TM3 Solutions*, Woodbridge, Va.; TMCI - The McVey Co., Inc. dba TMCI*, Fairfax, Va.; TMGE LLC*, Remington, Va.; Tolliver Group Inc.*, Winter Park, Fla.; Tompkins Consulting LLC dba TC Defense*, Arlington , Va.; Topologe*, Burlington, Mass.; TOTE Services, Inc., Moorestown, N.J.; Trace Systems, Inc.*, McLean, Va.; Trey Software*, La Jolla, Calif.; Trimech Services, LLC dba Trimech Services*, Glen Allen, Va.; Triple Canopy, Inc., Reston, Va.; Trusted Federal Systems, Inc.*, Greenbelt, Md.; TSO Armor and Training, Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; United Global Group Inc. dba United Global Group*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Universal Marine Leasing, Inc. dba Universal Marine*, Seaford, Va.; Universal Solutions International, Inc. dba USI*, Newport News, Va.; Universal Strategy Group, Inc.*, Franklin, Tenn.; Unlimited Services Systems Management & Consultants dba USSMC*, Glen Allen, Va.; Valytics, LLC*, Great Falls, Va.; Varen Technologies, Inc.*, Columbia, Md.; Varsant, Inc.*, Waldorf, Md.; Vasto Technologies, Inc.*, Fairfax Station, Va.; Vector Resources, Inc., Torrance, Calif.; Vectrona, LLC*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Venatore LLC*, Tampa, Fla.; Vesa Health & Technology*, San Antonio, Texas; Vion Corp., Herndon, Va.; Visual Soft, Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; VLS IT Consulting, Inc.*, Newark, Del.; VOR Technology, LLC*, Columbia, Md.; VPC Solutions, Inc.*, Dunn Loring, Va.; vTech Solution Inc.*, Chantilly, Va.; VXD Systems, Inc.*, Morganville, N.J.; W4 Limited L.P.*, Fort Worth, Texas; Warrant Technologies LLC*, Bloomington, Ind.; Webworld Technologies, Inc.*, Springfield, Va.; Wellington Federal, LLC*, Dumfries, Va.; Westcarb Enterprises, Inc.*, Springfield, Mass.; Woodbury Technologies, Inc.*, Clearfield, Utah; WPI Services, LLC dba Worldwide PRCH Ingration Services *, Juno Beach, Fla.; XOR Security, LLC*, Fairfax, Va.; Xpect Solutions, Inc.*, Bristow, Va.; YADARI Enterprises*, Fairfield, Calif.; Zephyr Media and Communications, Inc.*, Springfield, Va.; Zurka Interactive LLC*, Vienna, Va.; Kongsberg Gallium Ltd, Kanata, Ontario; Haka Inc.*, Honolulu, Hawaii; Science Applications International, Corp. (SAIC), McLean, Va.; A. Harold and Associates, LLC dba AHA*, Jacksonville, Fla.; A2Z, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va.; A-T Solutions, Fredericksburg, Va.; AAC Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; AAI Corp., Hunt Valley, Md.; AAMCORE Inc.*, Leesburg, Va.; Abbott On Call, Inc. dba AOC, Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; ABSG Consulting Inc., Arlington, Va.; Accenture Federal Services LLC, Arlington, Va.; Acquisition, Research and Logistics, Inc.*, Oxon Hill, Md.; ACTA, Inc.*, Torrance, Calif.; Adaptive Methods, Inc.*, Centreville, Va.; Addx Corp.*, Alexandria, Va.; Advanced Information Systems Group, Inc.*, Orlando, Fla.; Advanced Internet Marketing, Inc. dba GBS Group*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Advanced Systems Technology and Management, Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; Advanced Systems Technology, Inc.*, Lawton, Okla.; Affordable Engineering Services LLC, Coronado, Calif.; Agile Defense, Inc. dba Webster Data Communication*, Fairfax, Va.; ALEX-Alternative Experts, LLC*, Chantilly, Va.; Alpha Solutions Corp.*, Virginia Beach, Va.; ALTRON, Inc.*, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; AM Pierce & Associates, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md.; Amee Bay LLC*, Anchorage, Alaska; American Electronics, Inc.*, California, Md.; American Technical Services, Inc.*, Norco, Calif.; Amron Corp.*, McLean, Va.; Amyx, Inc.*, Reston, Va.; Analysis Modeling and Programming Sciences, Inc.*, Poway, Calif.; Analytic Solutions LLC*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Anchor Innovation, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Andromeda Systems Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Antech Systems, Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; AOC Global Services, LLC*, Chantilly, Va.; Apextech, LLC.*, Arlington, Va.; Apogee Solutions, Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; Applied Engineering Management Corp.*, Herndon, Va.; Applied Logistics Services, Inc.*, Odon, Ind.; Applied Management Corp. dba AM*, Arlington, Va.; Applied Research Associates, Inc., Albuquerque, N.M.; Applied Technical Systems, Inc.*, Silverdale, Wash.; Applied Technology, Inc.*, King George, Va.; A-P-T Research, Inc. dba APT Research*, Huntsville, Ala.; Arinbe Technologies, Inc.*, Falls Church, Va.; Artisan Electronics, Inc.*, Gosport, Ind.; ASM Research, Inc., Fairfax, Va.; AT&T Government Solutions, Inc. dba AT&T, Vienna, Va.; Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC dba ATK Tactical Propulsion and Control, Rocket Center, W.Va.; Atkinson Aeronautics & Technology*, King Geroge, Va.; Atlantic CommTech Corp.*, Norfolk, Va.; Atlas Executive Consulting, LLC*, North Charleston, S.C.; AUSGAR Technologies, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Ausley Associates, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md.; Automation Precision Technology, LLC dba A P T*, Norfolk, Va.; Avaya Government Solutions, Inc., Fairfax, Va.; AVIAN Engineering, LLC*, Lexington Park, Md.; Aviation Systems Engineering Co., Inc. dba ASEC*, Lexington Park, Md.; Avineon, Inc.*, McLean, Va.; AVW Technologies Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; BAI, Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio; BGI, LLC*, Akron, Ohio; BLS Consultants, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Brandes Associates, Inc.*, Lone Tree, Colo.; Baum, Romstedt Technology Research Corp. dba BRTRC, Fairfax, Va.; BSC Systems, Inc.*, Chantilly, Va.; Burr Business Solutions, LLC*, Enola, Pa.; CAE USA Inc., Tampa, Fla.; CALNET, Inc., Reston, Va.; Calvert Systems Engineering*, Prince Frederick, Md.; Camber Corp., Huntsville, Ala.; Cameron Bell Corp. dba Gov Solutions Group*, Daniel Island, S.C.; Capstone Corp., Alexandria, Va.; Cardno EM-Assist, Inc., Folsom, Calif.; Carley Corp.*, Orlando, Fla.; Carter-Lambert Divisions, LLC*, Waldorf, Md.; Celeris Systems, Inc.*, Anaheim, Calif.; Centerscope Technologies Inc. dba CenterScope*, Elkridge, Md.; Centurum Technical Solutions, Inc., Marlton, N.J.; CEXEC, Inc.*, Reston, Va.; CGI Federal, Inc., Fairfax, Va.; CGW Technologies, Inc.*, Great Mills, Md.; CJSeto Support Services, LLC*, Ventura, Calif.; Client Solution Architects LLC*, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Client/Server Software Solutions, Inc. dba CSSS.NET*, Bellevue, Neb.; Coalition Solutions Integrated Inc.*, California, Md.; CodeLynx, LLC*, North Charleston, S.C.; Coherent Technical Services, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md.; COLE Technology Corp.*, Fort Worth, Texas; COLSA Corp., Huntsville, Ala.; Command Decisions Systems & Solutions, Inc. dba CDS2*, Stafford, Va.; CommIT Enterprises Inc.*, Hughesville, Md.; Compass Systems, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md.; Compliance Corp.*, Lexington Park, Md.; Concurrent Technologies Corp., Johnstown, Pa.; CORTEK, Inc.*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Cruz Associates Inc.*, Yorktown, Va.; CSSI, Inc., Washington, D.C.; Culmen International, LLC*, Alexandria, Va.; Cydecor, Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; D&L Services, LLC*, California, Md.; D&S Consultants Inc. dba DSCI, Eatontown, N.J.; D3 Technologies, Inc., San Diego, Calif.; Daniel H Wagner Associates, Inc.*, Exton, Pa.; DasNet Corp.*, Bohemia, N.Y.; Data Solutions & Technology Inc.*, Lanham, Md.; DataSource, Inc.*, McLean, Va.; Davis Defense Group*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Dawnbreaker, Inc.*, Rochester, N.Y.; Decision Technologies, Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; Decisive Analytics Corp., Arlington, Va.; Defense Holdings, Inc.*, Manassas Park, Va.; DEL REY Systems and Technology, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Diamond Data Systems, LLC*, Metairie, La.; Diverse Technologies Corp.*, Upper Marlboro, Md.; DKW Communications, Inc.*, Washington, D.C.; Domenix Corp.*, Chantilly, Va.; DRPA Inc.*, Knoxville, Tenn.; Dyncorp International, LLC, Fort Worth, Texas; E. L. Hamm & Associates, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Eagle Systems, California, Md.; Eastern Research Group, Inc., Lexington, Mass.; ECS Federal, Inc. dba E C S, Fairfax, Va.; EHS Technologies Corp.*, Moorestown, N.J.; EMSolutions, Inc. dba EMSolutions*, Arlington, Va.; EMW, INC.*, Herndon, Va.; Engineering Support Personnel Inc. dba ESP*, Orlando, Fla.; Enterprise Information Services, Inc. dba ESI, Vienna, Va.; Enterprise Resource Performance, Inc. dba ERPI*, Leesburg, Va.; EOIR Technologies, Inc., Fredericksburg, Va.; E S H Group Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; ESRG Government Services, LLC dba ESRG*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Exceptional Software Strategies, Inc.*, Linthicum Heights, Md.; EXCET, INC., Springfield, Va.; Exelis, Inc., Herndon, Va.; Facchina Global Services, LLC, La Plata, Md.; Falconwood*, Arlington, Va.; Flatter & Associates, INC.*, Stafford, Va.; Forward Slope*, San Diego, Calif.; Fulcrum Corp.*, Arlington, Va.; Fulcrum IT Services, LLC, Centreville, Va.; G2 Software Systems*, San Diego, Calif.; Geographic Information Services, Inc. dba GIS*, Birmingham, Ala.; Geologics Corp., Alexandria, Va.; George Consulting, Ltd.*, Daniel Island, S.C.; Georgia Tech Applied Research Corp., Atlanta, Ga.; Global Business Solutions, Inc. dba GBSI*, Pensacola, Fla.; Global Services Corp., Fayetteville, N.C.; Global Systems Technologies dba GST*, Yardley, Pa.; Global Technology and Management Resources, Inc. dba GTMR*, Leonardtown, Md.; Goldbelt Hawk, LLC dba GBHAWK*, Newport News, Va.; Gnostech, Inc.*, Warminster, Pa.; GPA Technologies, Inc.*, Ventura, Calif.; Greenfield Engineering Corp.*, Leonardtown, Md.; Greenpak Development, Inc.*, Parkersburg, W.Va.; Greystones Consulting Group LLC dba Greystones Group*, Washington, D.C.; Grove Resource Solutions, Inc. dba GRSI*, Frederick, Md.; GSTEK Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; Harlan Lee & Associates*, Vienna, Va.; Harmonia Holdings Group LLC*, Blacksburg, Va.; Harry Kahn Associates, Inc.*, Hagerstown, Md.; HART Technologies Inc.*, Manassas, Va.; HDT Engineering Services, Inc., Fredericksburg, Va.; HEBCO, INC.*, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Herdt Consulting, Inc. dba Herdt*, Chelsea, Ala.; HI-TEST Laboratories, Inc.*, Arvonia, Va.; Holmes-Tucker International, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md.; Homeland Security Solutions, Inc., Hampton, Va.; Honeywell Technology Solutions dba Honeywell, Columbia, Md.; HP Enterprise Services, LLC, Herndon, Va.; Hughes Associates, Baltimore, Md.; I-Prise Communications, Inc.*, Oxnard, Calif. ; IBASET*, Foothill Ranch, Calif.; II Corps Consultants, Inc. dba II Corps Consultants*, Locust Grove, Va.; ICF Inc., L.L.C., Fairfax, Va.; Imagine One Technology and Management LTD*, Colonial Beach, Va.; Information Planning Associates, Inc.*, Falls Church, Va.; Info Soft Systems Inc.*, Potomac, Md.; InfoReliance Corp., Fairfax, Va.; Information Management Resources*, Aliso Viejo, Calif.; Information Research Corp.*, Bridgeport, W.Va.; InnovaSystems International LLC, San Diego, Calif.; Innovative Aviation Services, Inc.*, Woodbridge, Va.; Innovative Decisions, Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; Innovative Logistics Support Services Corp.*, New Orleans, La.; IMS-Chas*, North Charleston, S.C.; Innovative Reasoning LLC*, Orlando, Fla.; Integrated Consultants Inc. dba ICI Integrated Consultants*, San Diego, Calif.; Integrated Systems Analyst dba ISA*, Alexandria, Va.; INTEKRAS, Inc.*, Sterling, Va.; Intelligent Decision Systems Inc.*, Centreville, Va.; intelliSolutions, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Intergraph Government Solutions Corp. dba IGS, Madison, Ala.; International Business Machines Corp. dba IBM, Bethesda, Md.; International Systems Management Corp.*, Boyds, Md.; Interoptek, Inc.*, Huntsville, Ala.; ISPA Technology*, Centreville, Va.; ITA International LLC*, Yorktown, Va.; IZ Technologies, Inc.*, Sterling, Va.; J. M. Waller Associates, Inc., Fairfax, Va.; J.F. Taylor, Inc., Lexington Park, Md.; J5 Systems*, San Diego, Calif.; Jahn Corp.*, Lexington Park, Md.; Janus Research Group, Inc., Appling, Ga.; Jardon and Howard Technologies*, Orlando, Fla.; JBR Resources, LLC*, Carlisle, Pa.; JC3 Global, Inc.*, La Plata, Md.; Joint Research and Development, Inc.*, Stafford, Va.; Juno Technologies*, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; KAEGAN Corp.*, Orlando, Fla.; Kalman and Co., Inc., Virginia Beach, Va.; Kay and Associates, Inc., Buffalo Grove, Ill.; Ki Ho Military Acquisition Consulting, Inc. dba KIHOMAC*, Fairfax, Va.; King Technologies, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Klett Consulting Group*, Virginia Beach, Va.; KMS Solutions, LLC*, Melbourne, Fla.; Knight Networking and Web Design, Inc. dba Knight Networking*, Marlton, N.J.; Knowledge Engineers, Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; KOAM Engineering Systems, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc., San Diego, Calif.; Liberty Business Associates, LLC*, North Charleston, S.C.; LinQuest Corp., Los Angeles, Calif.; Linxx Global Solutions, Inc., dba Linxx Security*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Logistics Management Institute dba LMI, McLean, Va.; Logis-Tech, Inc.*, Manassas, Va.; Logistic Services International, Inc. dba LSI, Jacksonville, Fla.; Logistics Support Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; Long Wave Inc.*, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Loyola Enterprises Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va.; LTM Inc.*, Havelock, N.C.; M.C. Dean, Inc., Dulles, Va.; M2 Consulting Corp*, San Diego, Calif.; MAC Consulting Services, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va.; MacAulay-Brown Inc., Dayton, Ohio; Main Sail, LLC*, Cleveland, Ohio; Maintenance Inspection Services, Inc.*, Morganton, N.C.; Management & Engineering Technologies International, Inc. dba METI*, El Paso, Texas; Management Consulting Inc. dba MANCON, Virginia Beach, Va.; MANDEX Inc.*, Fairfax, Va.; Manufacturing Engineering System, Inc dba MES*, Rockville, Md.; Manufacturing Techniques, Inc. dba M-TEQ, Kilmarnock, Va.; Marine Acoustics*, MIddletown, R.I.; Maritime Applied Physics Corp.*, Baltimore, Md.; MARKON, Inc.*, Falls Church, Va.; Marlin Alliance Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Marshall Communications Corp.*, Ashburn, Va.; MCR Federal LLC, McLean, Va.; Merdan Group, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Metamorphosis Group Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; Metron Inc.*, Reston, Va.; Metson Marine Services, Inc.*, Ventura, Calif.; MI Technical Solutions*, Chesapeake, Va.; MicroTechnologies, LLC dba Microtech, Vienna, Va.; Mid Atlantic Engineering Technical Services, Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; Mikel*, Fall River, Mass.; MIL Corp., Bowie, Md.; Millennium Corp.*, Arlington, Va.; Milli Micro Systems, Inc. dba Mms Tactical*, Northridge, Calif.; MILVETS Systems Technology*, Orlando, Fla.; Minerva Engineering*, Mesa, Ariz.; Modern Technology Solutions, Inc., Alexandria, Va.; Momentum Inc.*, Camp Hill, Pa.; MPR Associates, Inc., Alexandria, Va.; MTG Services, Inc.*, Lakehurst, N.J.; MTS Technologies*, Arlington, Va.; Mutual Telecom Services Inc. dba Black Box Network Services, Needham, Mass.; MYMIC*, Portsmouth, Va.; KSH Solutions Inc.*, San Antonio, Texas; Nakuuruq Solutions LLC*, Herndon, Va.; Nathan Kunes, Inc.*, Coronado, Calif.; National Sourcing, Inc.*, Tampa, Fla.; Naval Systems, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md.; NCI Information Systems, Inc., Reston, Va.; Netzer Russell Consulting, LLC*, Ridgecrest, Calif.; Next Wave Systems, LLC*, Pekin, Ind.; Oak Grove Technologies LLC*, Raleigh, N.C.; Object CTalk*, King of Prussia, Pa.; Odyssey Systems Consulting Group LTD., Wakefield, Mass.; Oldenburg Group Inc. dba Oldenburg Lakeshore, Kingsford, MI; Omnitech Solutions, Inc.*, Bethesda, Md.; Opal Soft Inc.*, Sunnyvale, Calif.; Organizational Strategies Inc. dba OSI*, Arlington, Va.; Overlook Systems Technologies, Inc.*, Vienna, Va.; P3I, Inc., Hopkinton, Mass.; PAL Services*, O Fallon, Mo.; Parsons Government Services Inc., Pasadena, Calif.; Patrona Corp. dba Patrona*, Arlington, Va.; PCCI Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; PC Engineering, Inc.*, Panama City, Fla.; Penobscot Bay Media LLC dba Pen Bay Media*, Rockland, Maine; Phacil. Inc., Arlington, Va.; Phoenix Group Of Virginia, Inc. dba PGV*, Chesapeake, Va.; PAL Technologies Inc. dba Pal-Tech*, Arlington, Va.; Potomac-Hudson Engineering Inc.*, Gaithersburg, Md.; Prairie Quest Consulting*, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Precise Systems*, Lexington Park, Md.; Predicate Logic*, San Diego, Calif.; Preferred Systems Solutions, Vienna, Va.; Prism Maritime LLC*, Chesapeake, Va.; Professional Solutions1, LLC dba Professional Solutions, Alexandria, Va.; Professional Systems Associates, Inc.*, Panama City, Fla.; Progeny Systems, Manassas, Va.; Programs Management Analytics & Technologies, Inc. dba PMAT*, Norfolk, Va.; Prometheus Co.*, Lexington Park, Md.; PSI PAX INC.*, California, Md.; Puritan Research Corp.*, Vienna, Va.; Quadelta*, Arlington, Va.; Quantum Professional Services*, San Diego, Calif.; R & D Training and Technical Services, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va.; R&K Solutions, Inc.*, Roanoke, Va.; Radiance Technologies, Inc., Huntsville, Ala.; Research Analysis and Engineering, LLC*, Arlington, Va.; RAM Laboratories*, San Diego, Calif.; RBC*, Alexandria, Va.; Regis & Associates, PC*, Washington, D.C.; Reliability & Performance Technologies LLC dba RP Technologies*, Dublin, Pa.; Reliable Government Solutions Inc.*, Beltsville, Md.; Renaissance Sciences Corp.*, Chandler, Ariz.; Rentfrow Inc.*, Ventura, Calif.; Research and Engineering Development, LLC, Lexington Park, Md.; RGS Associates, Arlington, Va.; RNB Technologies, Inc., Stafford, Va.; ROH Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; Rohrbach Group, Inc.*, Poway, Calif.; ROI Consulting LLC*, Mullica Hill, N.J.; Rollout Systems, LLC*, California, Md.; S4 Inc.*, Burlington, Mass.; Saalex Corp dba Saalex Solutions*, Camarillo, Calif.; Sabre Systems, Inc., Warrington, Pa.; SAM Inc.*, College Park, Md.; San Diego Community College District dba San Diego City College, San Diego, Calif.; Savvee Consulting, Inc.*, Chantilly, Va.; Sayres and Associates*, Washington, D.C.; SBG Technology Solutions*, Stafford, Va.; Schafer Corp. dba WJ Shafer and Associates, Chelmsford, Mass.; SDS International Inc.*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Secure Mission Solutions, LLC. Dba SMS, N. Charleston, S.C.; Sentek Consulting Inc. dba Sentek Global*, San Diego, Calif.; Serrano IT Services*, Omaha, Neb.; ShadowObjects LLC*, Leonardtown, Md.; Sierra Management and Technologies, Inc.*, California, Md.; Silver Bullet Solutions Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; Simulation Systems Technologies, Inc. dba SSTI*, Voohees, N.J.; SITE, LLC dba Systems Intgrtion Tech Evltion*, Arlington, Va.; Smartronix, Inc., Hollywood, Md.; Solution Engineering Associates, Inc. dba SEAI*, Lexington Park, Md.; Sotera Defense Solutions Inc., Herndon, Va.; Sound & Sea Technology, Inc. dba Sound & Sea Technology*, Lynnwood, Wash.; Southwest Research Institute dba SWRI, San Antonio, Texas; Spalding Consulting, Inc.*, Lexington Park, Md.; Spatial Integrated Systems Inc. dba SIS*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Specialty Systems*, Toms River, N.J.; Spectrum Technology Group, Inc.*, Gaithersburg, Md.; SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif.; Standard Calibrations, Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; Stargates Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; STG Inc., Reston, Va.; STIMULUS Engineering Services, Inc.*, Loogootee, Ind.; Strategic Analysis, Inc., Arlington, Va.; Strategic Data Systems dba SDS*, San Diego, Calif.; Strategic Technology Institute Inc. dba STI*, Rockville, Md.; Stratom Inc.*, Boulder, Colo.; Subsidium, Inc.*, Luray, Va.; Summit Technical Solutions, LLC*, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Sunset Design & Programming Inc. dba Sunset Design*, Oxnard, Calif.; Support Systems Associates, Inc.*, Melbourne, Fla.; Survice Engineering Co., Belcamp, Md.; Symvionics Inc.*, Arcadia, Calif.; Synergy Software Design, LLC*, Washington, D.C.; Systems Documentation, Inc.*, Piscataway, N.J.; Systems Engineering & Management Co. dba SEMCO*, Vista, Calif.; Systems Engineering Support dba SESCO*, San Diego, Calif.; Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc., Alexandria, Va.; Systems Plus, Inc.*, Rockville, Md.; SRA International Inc. dba SRA, Fairfax, Va.; Sysytems Technology Forum, Limited*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Tactical Engineering & Analysis, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Target Media Mid Atlantic Inc. dba Target Systems*, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Technical Software Services, Inc.. dba TECHSOFT*, Pensacola, Fla.; Tech Wizards, Inc.*, Newburg, Md.; Technical and Project Engineering, LLC dba TAPE*, Alexandria, Va.; Technology and Management International, LLC dba TAMI*, Toms River, N.J.; Technology Associates International Corp. dba TAIC, Carlsbad, Calif.; Technology Security Associates Inc.*, California, Md.; Technomics*, Arlington, Va.; Tekla Research Inc.*, Dumfries, Va.; Teleconsultants Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; TELESIS Corp.*, Beltsville, Md.; Tetra Tech EMC, Inc. dba Tetra Tech EMC, Camarillo, Calif.; Thornberry Consulting, LLC*, Mount Airy, Md.; TIE Today, Inc.*, Oviedo, Fla.; Technology Program Services Associates, Inc.*, Whiting, N.J.; Transformation Systems Inc.*, Arlington, Va.; TRANSTECS Corp.*, Wichita, Kan.; Tri-Force Consulting Services Inc.*, Lansdale, Pa.; Triton Services, Inc.*, Annapolis, Md.; Triumph Enterprises, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va.; Trofholz Technologies, Inc.*, Rocklin, Calif.; Truston Technologies, Inc.*, Broussard, La.; T-Solutions, Inc.*, Chesapeake, Va.; Turner Strategic Technologies, LLC*, Norfolk, Va.; TWM Associates, Inc.*, Falls Church, Va.; Unconventional Concepts, Inc.*, Mary Esther, Fla.; Unified Industries Inc.*, Springfield, Va.; Unisys Corp. dba Federal Systems, Reston, Va.; Universal Consulting Services, Inc.*, Fairfax, Va.; Universal Technical Resource Services, Inc. dba UTRS, Cherry Hill, N.J.; Valkyrie Enterprises, LLC*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Vaughn Management & Services, Inc.*, Camarillo, Calif.; VectorCSP, LLC*, Elizabeth City, N.C.; Veteran Enterprise Technology Services, LLC dba VETS*, Vienna, Va.; Vision Point Systems, Inc.*, Blacksburg, Va.; Visual Concepts LLC*, Ventura, Calif.; Vox Optima, LLC*, Albuquerque, N.M.; VT AEPCO Inc., Alpharetta, Ga.; W R Systems, Ltd., Fairfax, Va.; Washington Technology Group, Inc.*, Silver Spring, Md.; Web Business Solutions Inc.*, Fredericksburg, Va.; Whitney, Bradley & Brown Inc., Reston, Va.; WGS Systems LLC*, Frederick, Md.; Wyle Laboratories, Inc., Huntsville, Ala.; X-Feds, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Zekiah Technologies, Inc.*, La Plata, Md.; Zimmerman Associates, Inc. dba ZAI, Fairfax, Va.; Accelerated Development & Support Corp. dba ADS*, Arlington, Va.; Applied Computing Technologies, Inc.*, Alexandria, Va.; Artemis Consulting, LLC*, San Diego, Calif.; BTP Systems, LLC*, Ludlow, Mass.; Caelum Research Corp.*, Rockville, Md.; Cape Henry Associates, Inc.*, Virginia Beach, Va.; Collins Consulting, Inc.*, Schaumburg, Ill.; Craig Technical Consulting, Inc. dba Craig Technologies*, Cape Canaveral, Fla.; Dynamic Analytics and Test, LLC*, Arlington, Va.; GCC Technologies, LLC*, Oakland, Md.; Global Defense, Inc. dba GDI*, Arlington, Va.; J3S, Inc.*, Georgetown, Texas; KPMG LLP, McLean, Va.; Kros-Wise*, San Diego, Calif.; Marine Systems Corp.*, Boston, Mass.; Monroe Defense Industry Consulting, Inc.*, Colonial Beach, Va.; Natural SPI Inc.*, Tucson, Ariz.; Navmar Applied Sciences Corp., Warminster, Pa.; NS Software Services Inc. dba Stiltmart Learning Management Services*, Pensacola, Fla.; Ohm Systems, Inc.*, Horsham, Pa.; Orqid Consulting & Associates, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Pacific Science & Engineering Group, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Quality Innovative Solutions, Inc. dba QI-Solutions, QISI*, Oxnard, Calif.; Referentia Systems Inc.*, Honolulu, Hawaii; S & K Technologies, Inc.*, Saint Ignatius, Mont.; Sedna Digital Solutions, LLC*, Manassas, Va.; Softcomm Inc. dba Softcomm*, San Diego, Calif.; Solers, Inc., Arlington, Va.; SOLUTE dba SOLUTE Consulting*, San Diego, Calif.; STS International, Inc.*, Berkeley Springs, W.Va.; System Planning Corp., Arlington, Va.; Systems Technologies, Inc., West Long Branch, N.J.; TechFlow, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Tecolote Research, Inc., Goleta, Calif.; Tek Source USA, Inc.*, Tampa, Fla.; Wakelight Technologies, Inc.*, Honolulu, Hawaii; Analysis Group, LLC, Falls Church, Va.; Salient Federal-SGIS, Inc. dba SGIS, San Diego, Calif.; Vector Planning and Services, Inc.*, San Diego, Calif.; Investment Management Enterprise Inc.*, Richmond, Va.; iO Technologies, Inc.*, Dahlgren, Va.; Electromagnetic Compatibility Management Concepts dba EMC Management Concepts*, Sterling, Va.
BSC Partners LLC,* Binghamton, N.Y., is being awarded a $30,456,711 firm-fixed-price Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract under Topic #03-190 entitled Helicopter Operations Aircrew/Crew Chief Trainer. The objective of this SBIR effort is to design, fabricate, install, and test four MH-60R Naval Aircrew Training Systems and three MH-60S Aircrew Virtual Environment Trainer (AVET) devices and upgrade the original SBIR Phase III delivered AVET S/N 1 to the AVET S/N2 baseline configuration for commonality. This effort also includes training, contractor field services, contractor phone support and spares for all devices. Work will be performed in Orlando, Fla. (45 percent); Binghamton, N.Y. (30 percent); San Diego, Calif. (13 percent); Norfolk, Va. (6 percent); Jacksonville, Fla. (3 percent); and Mayport, Fla. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2019. Fiscal 2013 aircraft procurement, Navy contract funds in the amount of $30,456,711 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-5. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity (N61340-14-C-0002).
PPG Industries, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pa., is being awarded an $8,916,209 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with firm-fixed-price task orders to provide paints, coatings, solvents, preservation products, and engineering/technical services for Military Sealift Command (MSC). PPG Industries Inc., shall provide paint products and services for MSC ships and any other government-owned or government-chartered ships designated by MSC. This contract includes four 12-month option periods, which if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $44,516,439. Work will be performed worldwide and is expected to be completed Sept. 30, 2014. If all option periods are exercised, work will continue to September 2018. Working capital contract funds are subject to availability of fiscal 2014 funding, and funds will expire at the end of that fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via solicitation posted to the Military Sealift Command’s procurement website and the Federal Business Opportunities website, with and four offers received. The Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00033-14-D-8010).
Emprise Corp., Ledyard, Conn., is being awarded an $8,739,750 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with cost-plus-fixed-fee task orders for support services in the areas of maintenance, reliability and system engineering services, and engineering and technical services. This contract will provide support services to Military Sealift Command vessels, as well as other U.S. Navy and government owned vessels worldwide. This contract includes one 12-month option period and two six-month option periods, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $26,719,053. Work will be performed in Ledyard, Conn., and on board vessels located worldwide, and work is expected to be completed Nov. 19, 2014. If all option periods are exercised, work will continue through November 2016. Working capital contract funds in the amount of $100,000 are obligated for fiscal 2014, and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via solicitation posted to the Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online and Federal Business Opportunities websites, with more than 170 companies solicited and two offers received. The Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (N00033-14-D-8005).
Ensign-Bickford Aerospace and Defense Co., Simsbury, Conn, is being awarded an $8,650,874 firm-fixed-priced contract for five sizes of low-hazard linear shaped charges. The low-hazard flexible linear shaped charges are used to produce a linear cutting action in various applications where remote, fast and reliable cutting of obstacles and other targets is required. Work will be performed in Nortonville, Ky., and is expected to be completed by November 2018. Fiscal 2013 procurement of ammunition, Air Force contract funds in the amount of $553,500 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with two offers received. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity (N00164-14-D-JR10).
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
American Regent, Shirley, N.Y., has been awarded a maximum $28,074,324 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for various pharmaceutical products in support of the corporate exigency contract program to provide medical/surgical surge, re-supply, and sustainment material. This contract is a competitive acquisition, and thirty-one offers were received. Location of performance is New York with a Nov. 17, 2014 performance completion date. This contract is a one-year base with seven one-year option periods. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 warstopper funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa., (SPM2D0-14-D-0001).
AIR FORCE
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $300,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for development and production of multiple foreign military sales test vehicles and equipment, mission planning, mission operational flight program, test support, logistics support, sustainment, and non-recurring engineering. Work will be performed at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Troy, Ala., with an expected completion date of Nov. 19, 2018. This contract involves foreign military sales with Finland and Australia. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8682-13-D-0049).
Bering Straits Logistics Services, Anchorage, Alaska has been awarded a $12,274,457 modification (P00012) to previously awarded FA810012C0002 as the 76th Maintenance Wing material support integrator. The contractor shall maintain day-to-day operations to include all labor, supervision, materials, tools, equipment, personnel protective equipment, interim storage, transportation, and incidentals. The contractor shall be responsible for obtaining material and supply agreements with individual vendors to provide all the PPE and materials required for this program. The contractor shall provide program management, strategic analysis for future needs, recommendations to increase efficiencies, improve cost savings, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, directives, and regulatory requirements. Work will be performed at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. with an expected completion date of Dec. 18, 2014. Fiscal 2014 Depot Maintenance Activity Group funds in the amount of $12,274,457 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker AFB, Okla., is the contracting activity.
Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC., Thousand Oaks, Calif., was awarded a $8,409,250 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Knowledge Representation in Neural Systems program. The objective of the program is to develop new theories that explain how conceptual knowledge is represented in the human brain and test those theories by demonstrating the ability to predict and interpret concept-related patterns of neural activity measured non-invasively. Work will be performed at Thousand Oaks, Calif., with an expected completion date of Jan. 16, 2017. Fiscal 2013 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $3,072,169 are being obligated at time of award. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and 13 offers were received. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8650-14-C-7357).
S&K Aerospace LLC, Saint Ignatius, Mont., has been awarded an estimated $7,126,828 modification (P00005) on an existing firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable-no-fee contract (FA8505-12-D-0002) for foreign military sales Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 classified items Third Party Logistics Repair & Return management services. This modification adds 13 months period of performance to the basic contract. Work will be performed at Warner Robins, Ga., and multiple certified sources of repair located throughout the continental United States, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 19, 2014. This contract is 100 percent Foreign Military Sales for Saudi Arabia. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WWKA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity.
*Small Business
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
SECRETARY KERRY'S REMARKS TO ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES (OAS)
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks on U.S. Policy in the Western Hemisphere
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Organization of American States
Washington, DC
November 18, 2013
Mr. Secretary-General, thank you very, very much. Thank you for a wonderful welcome on this absolutely beautiful, luscious, seductive fall day, as pretty as it gets, and one that’s quickly prompting all of us to ask why we’re at work today. I’m privileged to be here. I want to thank the Inter-American Dialogue. Thank you, Michael Shifter, and thank you, Ambassador Deborah-Mae Lovell for the invitation to be here. I want to thank the Organization of American States for inviting me to speak here this morning. And it’s always wonderful to be in this remarkable, beautiful, historic building.
A few minutes ago, we were down below in the atrium and Secretary-General Insulza took me over to see the peace tree that President Taft planted more than 100 years ago. It’s a remarkable tree, and it’s a testimony to the deep roots of the OAS, which is the quintessential multilateral entity of the Americas and has its origins obviously dating back to even before that peace tree was planted. The – I was tempted to tell a story about William Howard Taft who – and a famous introduction that he made – but I’m going to spare you that particular story – (laughter) – but it’s a very funny one, and worth at some point sharing with you. I’m delighted to be in the company of former Trade Representative Carla Hills. Great to be here with you. And I’m particularly proud to be here with our Assistant Secretary Roberta Jacobson, who does such an outstanding job with respect to all of the Western Hemisphere, has come – just come back from China on a dialogue in China regarding the Western Hemisphere and Latin America particularly.
Since I became Secretary of State, I’ve had the privilege of speaking in some beautiful rooms like this in about, what, 30 countries all over the world. But I cannot tell you how nice it is to speak in one where I get to drive for two minutes instead of fly 12 hours. It makes a difference.
The fact is that this is a very important moment for all of the American states. Fifty years ago, President Kennedy spoke about the promise of the Western Hemisphere, and in what would become, sadly, his final address on foreign policy. President Kennedy expressed his hope for a hemisphere of nations, each confident in the strength of its own independence, devoted to the liberty of its citizens. If he could only see where we are today. In the half century since he spoke, more and more countries are coming closer and closer to realizing his vision and all of our hopes.
When people speak of the Western Hemisphere, they often talk about transformations that have taken place, but the truth is one of the biggest transformations has happened right here in the United States of America. In the early days of our republic, the United States made a choice about its relationship with Latin America. President James Monroe, who was also a former Secretary of State, declared that the United States would unilaterally, and as a matter of fact, act as the protector of the region. The doctrine that bears his name asserted our authority to step in and oppose the influence of European powers in Latin America. And throughout our nation’s history, successive presidents have reinforced that doctrine and made a similar choice.
Today, however, we have made a different choice. The era of the Monroe Doctrine is over. (Applause.) The relationship – that’s worth applauding. That’s not a bad thing. (Applause.) The relationship that we seek and that we have worked hard to foster is not about a United States declaration about how and when it will intervene in the affairs of other American states. It’s about all of our countries viewing one another as equals, sharing responsibilities, cooperating on security issues, and adhering not to doctrine, but to the decisions that we make as partners to advance the values and the interests that we share.
As the old proverb says, La union hace la fuerza. The union – in unity, there is strength. Through our shared commitment to democracy, we collectively present a vivid example to the world that diversity is strength, that inclusion works, that justice can reject impunity, and that the rights of individuals must be protected against government overreach and abuse. We also prove that peace is possible. You don’t need force to have fuerza. The vision that we share for our countries is actually within our grasp, but we have to ask ourselves some tough and important questions in order to secure our goal.
First and foremost, will we together promote and protect the democracy, security, and peace that all the people of the Americas deserve? Second, will we seize the chance to advance prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere and educate the young people who will drive the economies of the future? And third, will we together meet a responsibility that requires more strength, and thus more unity than ever before, and thereby effectively address the threat posed by climate change?
Now, how we answer these questions will determine whether or not we can actually become the hemisphere of nations that President Kennedy envisioned, each country existing side-by-side, confident, strong, and independent and free. The first question is actually answered by the broad protection of democratic values that have become the rule and not the exception within the Western Hemisphere. In a few short decades, democratic representation has, for the most part, displaced the repression of dictators. But the real challenge of the 21st century in the Americas will be how we use our democratic governments to deliver development, overcome poverty, and improve social inclusion.
Last summer, I traveled to Brasilia, and as I was leaving my meeting with the Foreign Minister, I was greeted by a group of protestors. Now, I don’t speak Portuguese – my wife does, I don’t – but I did understand the four-letter words that they yelled because they were in English. (Laughter.) And as jarring as it can be sometimes, that moment was actually the picture of a healthy democracy.
And today, it is our shared democratic values that have enabled us to weather challenges like the understandable concerns around the surveillance disclosures, concerns that prompt us all to figure out how we’re going to get through and build a stronger foundation for the future based on our common democratic values and beliefs.
Successful democracies depend on all citizens having a voice and on respecting those voices, and all governments having the courage and the capacity to listen to those voices. We can be immensely proud, I think, of this hemisphere’s democratic trajectory and of the institutions that we built in order to hold ourselves to the future and to be accountable. That is the difference, and to hold ourselves to the OAS Charter.
And we also express our concern when democratic institutions are weakened, as we’ve seen in Venezuela recently. In March of this year, the United States joined with many of you right here in this very room, as a matter of fact, to affirm the independence and the mandate of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
We have also joined together to support the OAS electoral observation missions throughout the hemisphere, including the one for the election in Honduras next week. All of us here have an opportunity to help assure that this election is transparent, inclusive, peaceful, and fair, and that the process is one that the Honduran people could actually rely on in order to express their will. We – all of us – must do everything that we can to support the OAS efforts to provide assistance and impartially observe the elections. There is no better expression of our strength and unity than following through on that effort.
We also know well that the critical ingredient of a successful democracy is how we provide for our security at home for all of our citizens. Safe streets, safe neighborhoods, safe communities, really do depend on upholding the rule of law.
In June, I went to Guatemala and I met with Attorney General Paz y Paz. She has made extraordinary progress in combating corruption and organized crime, protecting women from violence, and prosecuting human rights violations.
In August, I traveled to Bogota and I saw a remarkable demonstration of Colombia’s sacrifice and progress in the fight against illegal drugs and violence, a fight which has actually made it possible for President Santos’s courageous effort to achieve sustainable and just peace.
I think it is undeniable what our unity of purpose is. Step by step, making our democracies stronger and our people more secure – in Guatemala, in Colombia, and throughout the Americas. And for the most part, I think you’ll agree with me the Western Hemisphere is unified in its commitment to pursuing successful democracies in the way that I describe.
But one exception, of course, remains: Cuba. Since President Obama took office, the Administration has started to search for a new beginning with Cuba. As he said just last week, when it comes to our relationship with Cuba, we have to be creative, we have to be thoughtful, and we have to continue to update our policies.
Our governments are finding some cooperation on common interests at this point in time. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans visit Havana, and hundreds of millions of dollars in trade and remittances flow from the United States to Cuba. We are committed to this human interchange, and in the United States we believe that our people are actually our best ambassadors. They are ambassadors of our ideals, of our values, of our beliefs.
And while we also welcome some of the changes that are taking place in Cuba which allow more Cubans to be able to travel freely and work for themselves, these changes should absolutely not blind us to the authoritarian reality of life for ordinary Cubans. In a hemisphere where citizens everywhere have a right to be able to choose their leaders, Cubans uniquely do not. In a hemisphere where people can criticize their leaders without fear of arrest or violence, Cubans still cannot. And if more does not change soon, it is clear that the 21st century will continue, unfortunately, to leave the Cuban people behind.
We look forward to the day – and we hope it will come soon – when the Cuban Government embraces a broader political reform agenda that will enable its people to freely determine their own future. The entire hemisphere – all of us – share an interest in ensuring that Cubans enjoy the rights protected by our Inter-American Democratic Charter, and we expect to stand united in this aspiration. Because in every country, including the United States, each day that we don’t press forward on behalf of personal freedoms and representative government, we risk sliding backwards. And none of us can accept that.
Even as we celebrate the democratic values that have spread throughout Latin America, we must also acknowledge where those values are being challenged. After all, timely elections matter little if they are not really free and fair with all political parties competing on a level playing field. A separation of powers is of little comfort if independent institutions are not able to hold the powerful to account. And laws that guarantee freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion are of little consequence if they are not enforced. Democracy is not a final destination; it is an endless journey. And every day, all of us must renew our decision to actually move it forward. And we are no less immune to that reality here in the United States than anywhere else; in fact, in recent days, perhaps even more susceptible to it.
We’ve also – all of us – got important decisions to make about how we bring about shared economic prosperity – the prosperity to which we all aspire. To start with, educational opportunity, above all, must be a priority. It is only with widely available, high-quality education that our workforce, the workforce of the hemisphere, will be equipped for the jobs of the future. Education, as we all know, opens up other doors as well. As former Senator J. William Fulbright said: “Having people who understand your thought is much greater security than another submarine.” That’s the idea behind the State Department’s Fulbright exchanges. And it is the idea behind President Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative, which is aimed at increasing the flow of exchange students in both directions here in the Western Hemisphere.
But my friends, education, as we know, is only the first step. We must also press even harder to help create jobs and economic opportunity for our young people for the day after graduation comes and goes. Our hemisphere is already, as the Secretary General mentioned in his introductory comments, a thriving market of nearly a billion people. Over the past decade, the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean grew at a rate of 4 percent a year. The United States is proud to play a role in this. Just last week, we announced more than $98 million in private financing for 4,000 small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the hemisphere in order to encourage this energy and create it and keep it moving.
And the kind of growth that the region is experiencing fueled by sound economic policies, innovative social programs, and increased international trade and investment – that growth has dramatically improved the lives of all of our citizens. In the past decade alone as trade has grown between the United States and Latin America – nearly tripled – more than 73 million people, as the Secretary General mentioned, have been lifted out of poverty. Think about that. That’s more people than live in Canada and Argentina combined. It’s an extraordinary story, and it’s a story of success. It’s a story of policies that are working but need to be grown, not moved away from. Imagine what is possible if we continue to open up trade and investment in our children’s futures.
When I was a senator, I was very proud and pleased to vote to ratify both the Colombia and the Panama Trade Promotion Agreements, which President Obama signed into law. And we’re already seeing the growth that these agreements made possible. During the first year of the U.S.-Colombia FTA, nearly 800 Colombian companies of all sizes entered the U.S. market for the very first time. These new exporters sold their goods and services in more than 20 different American states. And today, Vice President Biden is traveling to Panama to visit the canal expansion project that will continue to spark increased trade throughout the region.
Under President Obama’s leadership, we’ve also helped expand the region’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, taking it beyond Chile and Peru to include Canada and Mexico. And we have redoubled our commitment to NAFTA, the greatest single step toward shared prosperity in this hemisphere, which I am pleased to say also I voted for at a time when I think people remember it was very contentious and very difficult. But all of us know – can’t rest on those agreements alone. That’s not enough. We know we can do more. And if we do more, the Western Hemisphere will continue to be a leader in the global markets for decades to come.
One of the opportunities that is staring at us that I just mentioned a moment ago about these many opportunities – one of those opportunities is a $6 trillion market and has 4 billion users. I’m talking about the new energy market – biggest market in human history. The market that created such extraordinary wealth in the 1990s where in America, in the United States, every single quintile of American income earner, from the bottom right through to the top – everybody saw their incomes go up. And we all know it was a time when we balanced the budget three years in a row. It was a time of extraordinary growth.
The market that drove that growth was a $1 trillion market with 1 billion users – the high-tech computer, home computer model. That was the market – technology. The energy market is six times that market. And the 4 billion users today will grow to 6 billion, ultimately 9 billion between now and 2050. It will help us to answer the third and final question that I mentioned – whether or not we will leave to our children and grandchildren a planet that is healthy, clean, and sustainable. Actually, this is not so much a question as it really is a compelling challenge, the challenge of a generation, maybe even the challenge of a century, maybe even the challenge of life itself on the planet if you digest adequately all that science is telling us today.
More than two decades ago, I visited Brazil as part of the U.S. delegation to the Rio Summit. This was the first time that the global community came together united to try to address climate change. It was also the trip where I got to know an amazing Portuguese-speaking woman named Teresa, who three years later would become my wife. So I like Rio. It’s a good place. (Laughter.)
But Teresa and I still talk about a young 12-year-old girl from Vancouver named Severn Suzuki, who took the stage at that summit in order to, as she put it, quote, “fight for her future.” Twenty-one years later, I still remember what she said about climate change, as follows: “I’m only a child,” she told us, “yet I know we are all in this together and should act as one single world towards one single goal.” Severn understood something that a lot of folks today need to grasp, something still missing from our political debate, like the saying goes that I said a moment ago, La union hace la fuerza – we need that more than ever now with respect to this challenge of climate change. Decades later, we have a lot to learn from that young woman.
The Americas have become the new center of our global energy map. Our hemisphere supplies now one-fourth of the world’s crude oil and nearly one-fourth of its coal. We support over a third of global electricity. And what that means is that we have the ability and the great responsibility to influence the way that the entire world is powered. To do this, it will require each of our nations to make some very fundamental policy choices. We need to embrace the energy future over the energy of the past.
And I am well aware – I’ve been through these battles in the United States Senate – I know how tough it is. I know how many different industries and how many powerful interests there are to push back. But we, people, all of us have a responsibility to push back against them. Climate change is real. It is happening. And if we don’t take significant action as partners, it will continue to threaten not only our environment and our communities, but as our friends from the Caribbean and other island nations know, it will threaten potentially our entire way of life, certainly theirs.
The challenge of climate change will cost us far more for its negative impact than the investment that we need to make today in order to meet the challenge. Every economic model shows that, and yet we shy away. Our economies have yet to factor in the monetary costs of doing nothing or doing too little. The devastating effects that droughts can have on farmers’ harvests; the hefty price tag that comes with rebuilding communities after every catastrophe, after every hurricane or tropical storm tears through them and leaves a trail of destruction in their wake; the extraordinary cost of fires that didn’t burn as ferociously and as frequently as they do today because of the increased dryness; the increasing signs of loss of water for the Himalayas as the glaciers shrink; and therefore, as the great rivers of China and other countries on one side and India on the other are threatened as billions of people see their food and food security affected.
These are real challenges, and they’re not somewhere in the future. We’re already seeing them now. For all of these reasons, combating climate change is an urgent priority for President Obama and myself, and we know that we are one of the largest contributors to the problem. There are about 20 nations that contribute over 90 percent of the problem. That’s why President Obama unveiled a new Climate Action Plan to drive more aggressive domestic policy on climate change than ever before. And the good news is the agenda that he’s put together is one specifically designed to be able to be done by administrative order so you don’t have to wait for Congress to act.
Many other nations in the Western Hemisphere are also working hard to do their part as well. And I’m proud to say that as part of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, the United States has collaborated with more than two dozen countries, Latin America, and the Caribbean in order to support effective programs to address the reality of this grave threat. But if we take advantage, my friends, this is not a threat where there is not a solution. We have a solution, a number of them staring us in the face. We just don’t make the political decision because of these forces that push back.
We know what the alternatives are. We know the advantage of the enormous breakthroughs that are happening in clean energy. And if we share expertise and deploy new technologies throughout the region, if we connect the electrical grids throughout the Americas, then we can share and sell power to each other at different points of time in different ways with a more vibrant marketplace. If we harness the power of the wind in Mexico and the biomass in Brazil, the sunshine in Chile and Peru, the natural gas in the United States and Argentina, then the enormous benefits for local economies, public health, and of course climate change mitigation could reach every corner of the Americas and beyond.
This is what a new inter-American partnership is really all about. The Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho, one of the most widely read authors in the world, wrote “When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change.” So the question for all of us is: Will we have the courage to make the tough choices and the willingness to change? Fifty years from today, on the hundredth anniversary of President Kennedy’s call to the region, will the hemisphere of nations that he dreamed about become a reality?
Many years ago, the United States dictated a policy that defined the hemisphere for many years after. We’ve moved past that era. And today, we must go even further. All of the things that we’ve talked about today – the future of our democracies, the strength of our democracies, the development of those democracies, the inclusion of all of our people in a system with accountability and without impunity for the defections, our shared prosperity and all that brings us, the education of our children, the future of our planet, our response to climate change – all of these things do not depend on the next administration or the next generation. They depend on us now.
And the question is: will we work as equal partners in order to achieve our goals? It will require courage and a willingness to change. But above all, it will require a higher and deeper level of cooperation between us, all of us together, as equal partners in this hemisphere. That is the way we will make the difference, and that is the way we will live up to our responsibility.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Remarks on U.S. Policy in the Western Hemisphere
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Organization of American States
Washington, DC
November 18, 2013
Mr. Secretary-General, thank you very, very much. Thank you for a wonderful welcome on this absolutely beautiful, luscious, seductive fall day, as pretty as it gets, and one that’s quickly prompting all of us to ask why we’re at work today. I’m privileged to be here. I want to thank the Inter-American Dialogue. Thank you, Michael Shifter, and thank you, Ambassador Deborah-Mae Lovell for the invitation to be here. I want to thank the Organization of American States for inviting me to speak here this morning. And it’s always wonderful to be in this remarkable, beautiful, historic building.
A few minutes ago, we were down below in the atrium and Secretary-General Insulza took me over to see the peace tree that President Taft planted more than 100 years ago. It’s a remarkable tree, and it’s a testimony to the deep roots of the OAS, which is the quintessential multilateral entity of the Americas and has its origins obviously dating back to even before that peace tree was planted. The – I was tempted to tell a story about William Howard Taft who – and a famous introduction that he made – but I’m going to spare you that particular story – (laughter) – but it’s a very funny one, and worth at some point sharing with you. I’m delighted to be in the company of former Trade Representative Carla Hills. Great to be here with you. And I’m particularly proud to be here with our Assistant Secretary Roberta Jacobson, who does such an outstanding job with respect to all of the Western Hemisphere, has come – just come back from China on a dialogue in China regarding the Western Hemisphere and Latin America particularly.
Since I became Secretary of State, I’ve had the privilege of speaking in some beautiful rooms like this in about, what, 30 countries all over the world. But I cannot tell you how nice it is to speak in one where I get to drive for two minutes instead of fly 12 hours. It makes a difference.
The fact is that this is a very important moment for all of the American states. Fifty years ago, President Kennedy spoke about the promise of the Western Hemisphere, and in what would become, sadly, his final address on foreign policy. President Kennedy expressed his hope for a hemisphere of nations, each confident in the strength of its own independence, devoted to the liberty of its citizens. If he could only see where we are today. In the half century since he spoke, more and more countries are coming closer and closer to realizing his vision and all of our hopes.
When people speak of the Western Hemisphere, they often talk about transformations that have taken place, but the truth is one of the biggest transformations has happened right here in the United States of America. In the early days of our republic, the United States made a choice about its relationship with Latin America. President James Monroe, who was also a former Secretary of State, declared that the United States would unilaterally, and as a matter of fact, act as the protector of the region. The doctrine that bears his name asserted our authority to step in and oppose the influence of European powers in Latin America. And throughout our nation’s history, successive presidents have reinforced that doctrine and made a similar choice.
Today, however, we have made a different choice. The era of the Monroe Doctrine is over. (Applause.) The relationship – that’s worth applauding. That’s not a bad thing. (Applause.) The relationship that we seek and that we have worked hard to foster is not about a United States declaration about how and when it will intervene in the affairs of other American states. It’s about all of our countries viewing one another as equals, sharing responsibilities, cooperating on security issues, and adhering not to doctrine, but to the decisions that we make as partners to advance the values and the interests that we share.
As the old proverb says, La union hace la fuerza. The union – in unity, there is strength. Through our shared commitment to democracy, we collectively present a vivid example to the world that diversity is strength, that inclusion works, that justice can reject impunity, and that the rights of individuals must be protected against government overreach and abuse. We also prove that peace is possible. You don’t need force to have fuerza. The vision that we share for our countries is actually within our grasp, but we have to ask ourselves some tough and important questions in order to secure our goal.
First and foremost, will we together promote and protect the democracy, security, and peace that all the people of the Americas deserve? Second, will we seize the chance to advance prosperity throughout the Western Hemisphere and educate the young people who will drive the economies of the future? And third, will we together meet a responsibility that requires more strength, and thus more unity than ever before, and thereby effectively address the threat posed by climate change?
Now, how we answer these questions will determine whether or not we can actually become the hemisphere of nations that President Kennedy envisioned, each country existing side-by-side, confident, strong, and independent and free. The first question is actually answered by the broad protection of democratic values that have become the rule and not the exception within the Western Hemisphere. In a few short decades, democratic representation has, for the most part, displaced the repression of dictators. But the real challenge of the 21st century in the Americas will be how we use our democratic governments to deliver development, overcome poverty, and improve social inclusion.
Last summer, I traveled to Brasilia, and as I was leaving my meeting with the Foreign Minister, I was greeted by a group of protestors. Now, I don’t speak Portuguese – my wife does, I don’t – but I did understand the four-letter words that they yelled because they were in English. (Laughter.) And as jarring as it can be sometimes, that moment was actually the picture of a healthy democracy.
And today, it is our shared democratic values that have enabled us to weather challenges like the understandable concerns around the surveillance disclosures, concerns that prompt us all to figure out how we’re going to get through and build a stronger foundation for the future based on our common democratic values and beliefs.
Successful democracies depend on all citizens having a voice and on respecting those voices, and all governments having the courage and the capacity to listen to those voices. We can be immensely proud, I think, of this hemisphere’s democratic trajectory and of the institutions that we built in order to hold ourselves to the future and to be accountable. That is the difference, and to hold ourselves to the OAS Charter.
And we also express our concern when democratic institutions are weakened, as we’ve seen in Venezuela recently. In March of this year, the United States joined with many of you right here in this very room, as a matter of fact, to affirm the independence and the mandate of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
We have also joined together to support the OAS electoral observation missions throughout the hemisphere, including the one for the election in Honduras next week. All of us here have an opportunity to help assure that this election is transparent, inclusive, peaceful, and fair, and that the process is one that the Honduran people could actually rely on in order to express their will. We – all of us – must do everything that we can to support the OAS efforts to provide assistance and impartially observe the elections. There is no better expression of our strength and unity than following through on that effort.
We also know well that the critical ingredient of a successful democracy is how we provide for our security at home for all of our citizens. Safe streets, safe neighborhoods, safe communities, really do depend on upholding the rule of law.
In June, I went to Guatemala and I met with Attorney General Paz y Paz. She has made extraordinary progress in combating corruption and organized crime, protecting women from violence, and prosecuting human rights violations.
In August, I traveled to Bogota and I saw a remarkable demonstration of Colombia’s sacrifice and progress in the fight against illegal drugs and violence, a fight which has actually made it possible for President Santos’s courageous effort to achieve sustainable and just peace.
I think it is undeniable what our unity of purpose is. Step by step, making our democracies stronger and our people more secure – in Guatemala, in Colombia, and throughout the Americas. And for the most part, I think you’ll agree with me the Western Hemisphere is unified in its commitment to pursuing successful democracies in the way that I describe.
But one exception, of course, remains: Cuba. Since President Obama took office, the Administration has started to search for a new beginning with Cuba. As he said just last week, when it comes to our relationship with Cuba, we have to be creative, we have to be thoughtful, and we have to continue to update our policies.
Our governments are finding some cooperation on common interests at this point in time. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans visit Havana, and hundreds of millions of dollars in trade and remittances flow from the United States to Cuba. We are committed to this human interchange, and in the United States we believe that our people are actually our best ambassadors. They are ambassadors of our ideals, of our values, of our beliefs.
And while we also welcome some of the changes that are taking place in Cuba which allow more Cubans to be able to travel freely and work for themselves, these changes should absolutely not blind us to the authoritarian reality of life for ordinary Cubans. In a hemisphere where citizens everywhere have a right to be able to choose their leaders, Cubans uniquely do not. In a hemisphere where people can criticize their leaders without fear of arrest or violence, Cubans still cannot. And if more does not change soon, it is clear that the 21st century will continue, unfortunately, to leave the Cuban people behind.
We look forward to the day – and we hope it will come soon – when the Cuban Government embraces a broader political reform agenda that will enable its people to freely determine their own future. The entire hemisphere – all of us – share an interest in ensuring that Cubans enjoy the rights protected by our Inter-American Democratic Charter, and we expect to stand united in this aspiration. Because in every country, including the United States, each day that we don’t press forward on behalf of personal freedoms and representative government, we risk sliding backwards. And none of us can accept that.
Even as we celebrate the democratic values that have spread throughout Latin America, we must also acknowledge where those values are being challenged. After all, timely elections matter little if they are not really free and fair with all political parties competing on a level playing field. A separation of powers is of little comfort if independent institutions are not able to hold the powerful to account. And laws that guarantee freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion are of little consequence if they are not enforced. Democracy is not a final destination; it is an endless journey. And every day, all of us must renew our decision to actually move it forward. And we are no less immune to that reality here in the United States than anywhere else; in fact, in recent days, perhaps even more susceptible to it.
We’ve also – all of us – got important decisions to make about how we bring about shared economic prosperity – the prosperity to which we all aspire. To start with, educational opportunity, above all, must be a priority. It is only with widely available, high-quality education that our workforce, the workforce of the hemisphere, will be equipped for the jobs of the future. Education, as we all know, opens up other doors as well. As former Senator J. William Fulbright said: “Having people who understand your thought is much greater security than another submarine.” That’s the idea behind the State Department’s Fulbright exchanges. And it is the idea behind President Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative, which is aimed at increasing the flow of exchange students in both directions here in the Western Hemisphere.
But my friends, education, as we know, is only the first step. We must also press even harder to help create jobs and economic opportunity for our young people for the day after graduation comes and goes. Our hemisphere is already, as the Secretary General mentioned in his introductory comments, a thriving market of nearly a billion people. Over the past decade, the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean grew at a rate of 4 percent a year. The United States is proud to play a role in this. Just last week, we announced more than $98 million in private financing for 4,000 small- and medium-sized businesses throughout the hemisphere in order to encourage this energy and create it and keep it moving.
And the kind of growth that the region is experiencing fueled by sound economic policies, innovative social programs, and increased international trade and investment – that growth has dramatically improved the lives of all of our citizens. In the past decade alone as trade has grown between the United States and Latin America – nearly tripled – more than 73 million people, as the Secretary General mentioned, have been lifted out of poverty. Think about that. That’s more people than live in Canada and Argentina combined. It’s an extraordinary story, and it’s a story of success. It’s a story of policies that are working but need to be grown, not moved away from. Imagine what is possible if we continue to open up trade and investment in our children’s futures.
When I was a senator, I was very proud and pleased to vote to ratify both the Colombia and the Panama Trade Promotion Agreements, which President Obama signed into law. And we’re already seeing the growth that these agreements made possible. During the first year of the U.S.-Colombia FTA, nearly 800 Colombian companies of all sizes entered the U.S. market for the very first time. These new exporters sold their goods and services in more than 20 different American states. And today, Vice President Biden is traveling to Panama to visit the canal expansion project that will continue to spark increased trade throughout the region.
Under President Obama’s leadership, we’ve also helped expand the region’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, taking it beyond Chile and Peru to include Canada and Mexico. And we have redoubled our commitment to NAFTA, the greatest single step toward shared prosperity in this hemisphere, which I am pleased to say also I voted for at a time when I think people remember it was very contentious and very difficult. But all of us know – can’t rest on those agreements alone. That’s not enough. We know we can do more. And if we do more, the Western Hemisphere will continue to be a leader in the global markets for decades to come.
One of the opportunities that is staring at us that I just mentioned a moment ago about these many opportunities – one of those opportunities is a $6 trillion market and has 4 billion users. I’m talking about the new energy market – biggest market in human history. The market that created such extraordinary wealth in the 1990s where in America, in the United States, every single quintile of American income earner, from the bottom right through to the top – everybody saw their incomes go up. And we all know it was a time when we balanced the budget three years in a row. It was a time of extraordinary growth.
The market that drove that growth was a $1 trillion market with 1 billion users – the high-tech computer, home computer model. That was the market – technology. The energy market is six times that market. And the 4 billion users today will grow to 6 billion, ultimately 9 billion between now and 2050. It will help us to answer the third and final question that I mentioned – whether or not we will leave to our children and grandchildren a planet that is healthy, clean, and sustainable. Actually, this is not so much a question as it really is a compelling challenge, the challenge of a generation, maybe even the challenge of a century, maybe even the challenge of life itself on the planet if you digest adequately all that science is telling us today.
More than two decades ago, I visited Brazil as part of the U.S. delegation to the Rio Summit. This was the first time that the global community came together united to try to address climate change. It was also the trip where I got to know an amazing Portuguese-speaking woman named Teresa, who three years later would become my wife. So I like Rio. It’s a good place. (Laughter.)
But Teresa and I still talk about a young 12-year-old girl from Vancouver named Severn Suzuki, who took the stage at that summit in order to, as she put it, quote, “fight for her future.” Twenty-one years later, I still remember what she said about climate change, as follows: “I’m only a child,” she told us, “yet I know we are all in this together and should act as one single world towards one single goal.” Severn understood something that a lot of folks today need to grasp, something still missing from our political debate, like the saying goes that I said a moment ago, La union hace la fuerza – we need that more than ever now with respect to this challenge of climate change. Decades later, we have a lot to learn from that young woman.
The Americas have become the new center of our global energy map. Our hemisphere supplies now one-fourth of the world’s crude oil and nearly one-fourth of its coal. We support over a third of global electricity. And what that means is that we have the ability and the great responsibility to influence the way that the entire world is powered. To do this, it will require each of our nations to make some very fundamental policy choices. We need to embrace the energy future over the energy of the past.
And I am well aware – I’ve been through these battles in the United States Senate – I know how tough it is. I know how many different industries and how many powerful interests there are to push back. But we, people, all of us have a responsibility to push back against them. Climate change is real. It is happening. And if we don’t take significant action as partners, it will continue to threaten not only our environment and our communities, but as our friends from the Caribbean and other island nations know, it will threaten potentially our entire way of life, certainly theirs.
The challenge of climate change will cost us far more for its negative impact than the investment that we need to make today in order to meet the challenge. Every economic model shows that, and yet we shy away. Our economies have yet to factor in the monetary costs of doing nothing or doing too little. The devastating effects that droughts can have on farmers’ harvests; the hefty price tag that comes with rebuilding communities after every catastrophe, after every hurricane or tropical storm tears through them and leaves a trail of destruction in their wake; the extraordinary cost of fires that didn’t burn as ferociously and as frequently as they do today because of the increased dryness; the increasing signs of loss of water for the Himalayas as the glaciers shrink; and therefore, as the great rivers of China and other countries on one side and India on the other are threatened as billions of people see their food and food security affected.
These are real challenges, and they’re not somewhere in the future. We’re already seeing them now. For all of these reasons, combating climate change is an urgent priority for President Obama and myself, and we know that we are one of the largest contributors to the problem. There are about 20 nations that contribute over 90 percent of the problem. That’s why President Obama unveiled a new Climate Action Plan to drive more aggressive domestic policy on climate change than ever before. And the good news is the agenda that he’s put together is one specifically designed to be able to be done by administrative order so you don’t have to wait for Congress to act.
Many other nations in the Western Hemisphere are also working hard to do their part as well. And I’m proud to say that as part of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, the United States has collaborated with more than two dozen countries, Latin America, and the Caribbean in order to support effective programs to address the reality of this grave threat. But if we take advantage, my friends, this is not a threat where there is not a solution. We have a solution, a number of them staring us in the face. We just don’t make the political decision because of these forces that push back.
We know what the alternatives are. We know the advantage of the enormous breakthroughs that are happening in clean energy. And if we share expertise and deploy new technologies throughout the region, if we connect the electrical grids throughout the Americas, then we can share and sell power to each other at different points of time in different ways with a more vibrant marketplace. If we harness the power of the wind in Mexico and the biomass in Brazil, the sunshine in Chile and Peru, the natural gas in the United States and Argentina, then the enormous benefits for local economies, public health, and of course climate change mitigation could reach every corner of the Americas and beyond.
This is what a new inter-American partnership is really all about. The Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho, one of the most widely read authors in the world, wrote “When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change.” So the question for all of us is: Will we have the courage to make the tough choices and the willingness to change? Fifty years from today, on the hundredth anniversary of President Kennedy’s call to the region, will the hemisphere of nations that he dreamed about become a reality?
Many years ago, the United States dictated a policy that defined the hemisphere for many years after. We’ve moved past that era. And today, we must go even further. All of the things that we’ve talked about today – the future of our democracies, the strength of our democracies, the development of those democracies, the inclusion of all of our people in a system with accountability and without impunity for the defections, our shared prosperity and all that brings us, the education of our children, the future of our planet, our response to climate change – all of these things do not depend on the next administration or the next generation. They depend on us now.
And the question is: will we work as equal partners in order to achieve our goals? It will require courage and a willingness to change. But above all, it will require a higher and deeper level of cooperation between us, all of us together, as equal partners in this hemisphere. That is the way we will make the difference, and that is the way we will live up to our responsibility.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S STATEMENT REGARDING NOMINEES TO THE FEDERAL BENCH
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
Statement by the President
I am deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans have once again refused to do their job and give well-qualified nominees to the federal bench the yes-or-no votes they deserve. The D.C. Circuit, considered the Nation’s second-highest court, has three vacancies. These are judgeships created by Congress. Chief Justice John Roberts and the Judicial Conference of the United States believe that these vacancies should be filled, not removed. And my constitutional duty as President is to nominate highly qualified individuals to fill these vacancies.
Patricia Millett, Nina Pillard, and Judge Robert Wilkins have all received the highest possible rating from the non-partisan American Bar Association. They have broad bipartisan support, and no one has questioned their merit. Yet Senate Republicans have blocked all three from receiving a yes-or-no vote. This obstruction is completely unprecedented. Four of my predecessor’s six nominees to the D.C. Circuit were confirmed. Four of my five nominees to this court have been obstructed. When it comes to judicial nominations, I am fulfilling my constitutional responsibility, but Congress is not. Instead, Senate Republicans are standing in the way of a fully-functioning judiciary that serves the American people.
The American people and our judicial system deserve better. A majority of the United States Senate supports these three extraordinary nominees, and it is time for simple yes-or-no votes without further obstruction or delay.
Statement by the President
I am deeply disappointed that Senate Republicans have once again refused to do their job and give well-qualified nominees to the federal bench the yes-or-no votes they deserve. The D.C. Circuit, considered the Nation’s second-highest court, has three vacancies. These are judgeships created by Congress. Chief Justice John Roberts and the Judicial Conference of the United States believe that these vacancies should be filled, not removed. And my constitutional duty as President is to nominate highly qualified individuals to fill these vacancies.
Patricia Millett, Nina Pillard, and Judge Robert Wilkins have all received the highest possible rating from the non-partisan American Bar Association. They have broad bipartisan support, and no one has questioned their merit. Yet Senate Republicans have blocked all three from receiving a yes-or-no vote. This obstruction is completely unprecedented. Four of my predecessor’s six nominees to the D.C. Circuit were confirmed. Four of my five nominees to this court have been obstructed. When it comes to judicial nominations, I am fulfilling my constitutional responsibility, but Congress is not. Instead, Senate Republicans are standing in the way of a fully-functioning judiciary that serves the American people.
The American people and our judicial system deserve better. A majority of the United States Senate supports these three extraordinary nominees, and it is time for simple yes-or-no votes without further obstruction or delay.
SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY MAKES REMARKS WITH TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks With Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
Press Availability
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
November 18, 2013
SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. I am really delighted to welcome Foreign Minister Davutoglu back to Washington. He has been such a gracious host for me now on three trips to Turkey, and frankly, it was really high time that I had an opportunity to be able to reciprocate here. We’re delighted that he’s coming here on a beautiful, beautiful fall day with lots of colors out there. We’re trying to see if we can do our best to contest the beauty of the Bosporus and all that you’ve offered me. (Laughter.) But we have spectacular views and we’re happy to have you here.
Ahmet and I have worked very, very closely on a lot of issues, and you all are very familiar with them: the question of Israel and Turkey and a rapprochement, the question of Syria enormously, and other issues on a global basis. So it’s special for me to be able to welcome him here because the U.S.-Turkey relationship is vital on so many different levels. And he and I never seem to have enough time to be able to cover all of the issues. I might say that we’ve really only begun the process today. We’ve had a bilateral meeting. We’ve had a one-on-one meeting, then we’ve had a group meeting bilateral, and now we will go to lunch and continue the conversation on a number of the issues in front of us. But I’m happy that we’ve been able to have a very, very thorough, full discussion, even to date, on almost all the issues of concern, and we’re going to continue.
Whether the challenge is Syria or Iran, Middle East peace process, the future of our NATO alliance, or ensuring our economic prosperity, the U.S. and Turkey share strategic goals. And as the Foreign Minister put it in a recent article that he wrote, the U.S. and Turkey both seek a sustainable, peaceful regional and global order rooted in good governance and democratic accountability. We also appreciate how much hard work we have to do together and with our allies and partners to achieve all of these objectives.
In Syria, our objective together and with our friends and allies is to stop the bloodshed once and for all. And to do that, we agree that we must get the parties to the negotiating table. We are moving closer to that, literally, day by day now, and we commend the opposition’s recent vote to participate in a Geneva II conference, where we hope to forge the political solution to this conflict. I’ve had conversations when I was recently in Geneva with Foreign Minister Lavrov. I’ve had telephone conversations with fellow foreign ministers over the course of the last week, and now a face-to-face meeting with Foreign Minister Davutoglu, and we are all committed to this goal and will remain so.
Today, we also talked about the way that we can tackle together and with other friends the rising extremism of the region, which threatens not only Syria’s future but it threatens its neighbors, and obviously, in this case, Turkey. We discussed the horrific humanitarian situation that exists inside Syria; and by preventing vital aid from reaching those who need it, the Assad regime is now using a policy of starvation as a weapon of war. That is against the laws of war. It is against human conscience. It is unacceptable, and we are going to continue to press in order to deal with it. I talked to Foreign Minister Lavrov over the weekend about this issue, and we are going to continue to find ways, all together, in order to address it.
We commend Turkey’s remarkable generosity in hosting over 600,000 Syrian refugees now, as well as its vaccination program for 1 million children that they just announced today. And the United States is proud to have provided an additional 96 million in assistance to refugees to Turkey. That’s part of our now 1.3 billion that the American people have graciously and generously provided in order to relieve this humanitarian crisis, and America is proudly the number one donor in order to deal with this crisis.
We also discussed Iran and the key role that Turkey has played in helping to enforce the sanctions that have brought Iran to the negotiating table. This was the very purpose of these sanctions, and we are achieving the goal of at least getting to the negotiation. Now we obviously need to achieve something at that table. We need to remain united in our goal of ensuring that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.
Now, I’ve heard a lot of back and forth in the last days and we respect the vigorous debate; we really do. But the bottom line is that we all agree, all of us, that there must be a verifiable, certain, failsafe process by which the guarantee of not getting a nuclear weapon is clear to all. That means our friends in Israel, that means our friends in the region, and that, of course, means all of us here in the United States and the United States Congress.
As we discussed today, the first step that the P5+1 is working on would stop the Iranian program from advancing while you engage in the negotiation to get to that situation where you have a comprehensive agreement and the guarantees that I talked about. We also want to commend Turkey for its recent high-level meetings with Iraq, which are important to every part of what is happening there, particularly in Iraq itself as well as with respect to Syria.
Turkey plays, as I said, a very large role in so many ways. For months now, we have been talking about Cyprus and we have been talking about Nagorno-Karabakh. And quietly, we have been trying to work ways that our ambassadors, who are front and center in this – in these initiatives, are continuing that process. Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot negotiators are making important progress, and we urge all parties to make the most of the current window of opportunity and to restart comprehensive talks.
I talked with both President Aliyev and President Sargsian in the last 48 hours – or I guess the last 72, anyway – and they are meeting shortly. We are urging that process to move forward, and we will continue to be engaged in that.
And of course, the relationship between the United States and Turkey is also defined by our work to promote prosperity for our people, the economic opportunities for all of our peoples, as well as across the world.
In September, we launched a high-level committee headed by the U.S. Trade Representative and the Turkish Minister of the Economy, and they will focus on developments between the U.S., EU, and the TTIP negotiations, as we call them. We will monitor any impacts on Turkey and closely continue to find ways to strengthen our economic ties, which are growing every year, and continue to work with Turkey on this process as we go forward.
The United States is particularly encouraged by the historic Kurdish peace agreement – process, I should say – we hope agreement – the Turkish process and the recent announcement by Turkey of several domestic reforms. Implementing these changes will spur greater openness and greater freedom in Turkish society, which the former – the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister completely embrace, and which we encourage them and commit to working with them in order to try to promote going forward.
The United States firmly believes all of these things that I’ve just mentioned are the fundamentals of our future of prosperity. Strengthening due process and freedoms of the press, expression, and assembly always strengthens the nation as a whole. And as the Minister has said, the U.S.-Turkish partnership is values-based and founded on universal principles of fundamental rights and democratic norms, and we appreciate the way in which Turkey is consistently moving, as we are, to try to improve our approach to each and every one of those challenges.
So as you can see, there is a lot on our plate today. I think there are only a few countries – you can count them on one or two hands – who work on as many issues together as effectively as we are working on them. And we are both stronger when we tackle these challenges and create opportunities together. So Ahmet, thank you for you partnership at this critical moment for both of our countries, and thank you so much for Turkey’s support and partnership with us on so many issues of regional and global concern. We appreciate it.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Thank you. Thank you, John, for this excellent hospitality and excellent weather. I welcomed John to Turkey during spring three times. I always was feeling very guilty not to reciprocate with a visit and after Prime Minister’s visit to Washington in May. It is a great pleasure for me to meet you again and within this excellent atmosphere.
Of course, we met several times on many occasions meanwhile last in New York, and sometimes every week we are having telephone consultations, conversations. This is an excellent opportunity. I always followed your very active dynamic diplomacy, John, from Middle Eastern peace process to engagement with Iran, in all fields. I don’t know how many times you came to our region. This is – you are the most – the fast moving foreign minister or Secretary of State in the history, I am sure.
SECRETARY KERRY: I have to keep ahead of these guys. (Laughter.)
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: And any time, of course, it will be a pleasure to host you again, and we will continue to work together. And always, as Turkey and as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, I myself and our government has been supporting all of your initiatives – diplomatic initiatives, Middle Eastern peace process and many other initiatives you are leading.
First of all, let me express my sympathies for the loss of lives and destruction caused by the tornadoes in and around state of Illinois. And this is our sympathy as Turkish Government, Turkish nation. Whether there is any loss of lives in, whichever reason it happens, Turkey will be always shoulder-to-shoulder with American nation everywhere.
Today, we had again an excellent opportunity to discuss several issues. When I was listening you, John, it was an excellent summary. I thought, what else should I say? And you can imagine how Turkish-American common (inaudible), it’s so widespread from the frozen conflicts like Cyprus and Nagorno-Karabakh, for last 40 years, 30 years conflicts until today the existing conflicts next to us in Syria or in the Middle East, we are always working together. And in this sense, as I wrote in my article – thank you very much for your reference to the article – our partnership is a value-based partnership. And therefore, President Obama used the right terminology. It is a model partnership. Of course, sometimes there will be difference of opinion or other synergy which we need to do more, but this value-based model partnership will continue forever, and will be one of the main asset for international community to resolve any issue.
And it is very structured partnership. We have several mechanisms, and I am also grateful for mentioning this high-level comity on TTIP, which is very important for us because we see Turkish-American relation not only as a security-based strategic cooperation but as a cooperation on democracy, economic prosperity, for our nations and for the global society. In this sense, there are many challenges in front of us, especially regarding the developments in the Middle East and in Syria.
We had an excellent meeting in London. Eleven countries agreed on a framework. And today, we confirmed again that as Turkey and the United States, we will do everything possible to end this bloodshed, to help victims of this crisis in Syria, and to make a diplomacy possible in Geneva II. In London we agreed together as 11 ministers that this new process of Geneva II will not be an open-ended process which will continue months and years, and will be a process leading to a political transition with full executive power by a transitioning governing body. And there also we agreed that we need to work with Syrian National Coalition, especially for them to join this process. And after our joint effort with the United States, our teams worked very efficiently in several meeting thrusts, after several meetings with Syrian National Coalition in Istanbul in other places, now they agreed to come to Geneva II and based on the principles of London meeting. This is success, and this success is joint – is a result of a joint effort of our teams.
And from now on, our objective is to organize this conference as early as possible, because even in one day, one hour a day in this process, cause many loss of – other loss of lives. And as you said, Bashar Assad, who committed many crimes, using chemical weapons, using missiles, attacking cities, urban areas, now he’s implementing a policy of starvation. People in Damascus and in many other parts of Syria are dying because of illness, diseases, and hunger. They cannot find anything to eat and drink. It is a responsibility of international community and responsibility of all of us, to end these crimes against humanity. And as Turkey and the United States, we will continue to work on this. And today it was a very fruitful consultation for the next steps we will be taking together for the success of Geneva conference.
And also it is a great opportunity for us to share our views on Iran, Iranian nuclear program. I am sure you have been following how Turkey worked in the past in order to end this issue, because as Turkey, we don’t want to see any nuclear weapon in the region. We don’t want any state obtaining nuclear weapon. But at the same times – at the same time, we are in favor of peaceful access of nuclear technology. So based on these two principles, we will always support P5+1 Iran negotiations, John. And we appreciate and very strategic approach of President Obama’s engagement policy with Iran and your very efficient diplomacy to make this engagement in a positive way for a resolution of this longstanding issue in the region. If there is a solution in coming weeks, I am sure that will be a big – a great news to ease the tensions in our region, and that will affect all other issues in positive faith. I can assure that as Turkey, we will support this process. We will support your efforts in P5+1 Iran talks. And whatever Turkey is expected to do, Turkey will do everything possible to ease this tension.
On Middle Eastern peace efforts you are leading, John, again, we give full support. We wish success. And whenever you go to the region, we always expect good news from you. And I hope in coming visit, there will be more progress. And whatever is needed to be done again for any peace initiative in the Middle East, Turkey is ready to contribute and to work together.
Your reference to Iraq is very important. Iraq is one of the most important neighbors of Turkey. And my visit to Iraq last week was very successful, not only successful in restoring our relations in positive faith but also successful in the sense of a clear message to the people of Iraq and to the people of the region that Turkey will be doing everything possible to prevent sectarian tension in the region. And the timing of the visit was important. During Muharram, I visited Najaf and Karbala. I didn’t meet only with Prime Minister Maliki, but I also had chance and honor to meet Ayatollah al-Sistani and other Shiite and Sunni religious leaders.
Again, with the United States and with other allies, we need to work together to prevent sectarian and ethnic tensions in the region. Turkey will continue to have excellent relations with all the parties in Iraq. I am sure you followed very closely recent visit of Mr. Barzani to Diyarbakir. This shows that Turkey is – has a strategy of acting and sectarian peace in the region – in Iraq and in the region. And our relation with Iraq will be strengthened. And as the United States and Turkey, we will work together for the stability in Iraq and also for the stability in the region.
Regarding Nagorno-Karabakh and Cyprus, on Nagorno-Karabakh we have been consulting through several mechanisms, co-chairs of Minsk Group and other bilateral consultations. And we hope that this frozen conflict will be ending soon. And that will bring peace to Caucasia; that will bring peace to the region beyond Caucasia. Therefore, today I am happy to see that John and me and Turkey and the United States look to this issue from the same perspective, and we hope that this meeting between President Sargsyan and President Aliyev will be successful.
After a few days, I will be in St. Petersburg with Prime Minister Erdogan. This was a good chance of consultation with John about these coming visits to Russia and Iran. And our relation with Russia will – and peace consultations will be bringing positive contribution in all the regional issues in Caucasia and the Middle East. And Turkey and the United States will continue to work together in all different challenging issues in front of us.
Thank you for your hospitality. Thank you.
SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thanks, Ahmet.
MS. PSAKI: Our first question will be from Margaret Brennan of CBS News.
QUESTION: Thank you, and thank you to both of you.
Mr. Secretary, do you expect negotiators to sign a deal with Iran in Geneva this week? Prime Minister Netanyahu seems to be saying he’s going to re-litigate the issue with you. Is that necessary? And on the question of Syria, you negotiated the basis for this OPCW agreement to dismantle Syria’s chemical weapons. It appears to be stalled; no countries agreed to take the weapons. Albania rejected the U.S. request to do so. What are you doing to move that along?
And Minister Davutoglu, if you could tell us if you think – on the issue of Syria – if this discussion of chemical weapons is just a distraction from the violence that threatens your borders.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Sorry?
QUESTION: A distraction from the violence that continues to threaten your border in Turkey.
SECRETARY KERRY: Do you want to go ahead? Go have at it.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Please.
SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I have no specific expectations with respect to the negotiation in Geneva except that we will negotiate in good faith and we will try to get a first-step agreement and hope that Iran will understand the importance of coming there prepared to create a document that can prove to the world that this is a peaceful program. That’s always been our standard. Now, I’m not going to negotiate this in public. We all need to be respectful of each other’s processes here and positions. And so I think it’s best to leave that negotiation to the negotiating table. And it will begin on Wednesday and I will be here. I’m testifying on Thursday before the U.S. Congress on – before the Senate on the Disabilities Treaty, and we’ll see what develops as to whether or not we can get close and get this done.
With respect to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Prime Minister and I – first of all, we are good friends. We’ve known each other for almost, what, 30 years or maybe more. I have great respect for his concerns about his country. The Prime Minister should express his concerns, and he has every right in the world to publicly state his position and defend what he perceives as his interests. We believe deeply in our commitment to Israel – deeply. And I have a long voting record, 100 percent record of support for our friends in Israel. And I can assure those friends and everybody else watching this that nothing that we are doing here, in my judgment, will put Israel at any additional risk. In fact, let me make this clear: We believe it reduces risk. We believe it helps all of us to move closer to this goal of achieving the comprehensive agreement that I talked about earlier.
The Prime Minister and I are talking several times a week. We talked over the weekend. We discussed timing and what may occur. I may not be able to get to – it looks as if I probably will not be able to get there over the course of this weekend, but I am committed to going in order to engage in the ongoing discussions that we are currently engaged in shortly after the Thanksgiving break, as soon as we can work out the timing. And that’s a priority for me and it doesn’t change. We remain deeply committed to this ongoing dialogue, to our friendship, and we intend to consult frequently and deeply about everything that we are engaged in.
With respect the OPCW process being stalled, on the contrary, a remarkable event is unfolding under the eyes of the world. The chemical weapons of one country are being corralled and moved and contained and placed under the supervision of an international organization which is committed to removing those weapons from Syria by the end of the year – by the end of the year. And I believe we are on target currently to achieve that. Now, while one country or another may have examined the question of taking those weapons under their jurisdiction in order to destroy them, we are not without other alternatives. In fact, we are actively pursuing two other alternatives which provide us a complete capacity to do the destruction and to meet the schedule.
So we’re on schedule, and I think it’s a remarkable thing that this cooperation that began in Geneva between Russia and the United States – or began earlier than Geneva; it began with telephone calls and conversations in St. Petersburg – is now actually being affected so effectively with the United Nations engagement with multiple countries aiding and assisting, and is on schedule and getting the job done. This is a great example of why multilateral organization and multilateral energy and commitment is so critical to all of us. I’m not going to crow about it till the job’s done, but we’re on track and we’re proud of the course that we’re on, and we are far from stalled. We are very much in business and we have alternatives as to how this will be destroyed.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Thank you, John. Yes, Turkey is the most affected country because of the crisis in Syria, because we have the longest border: 911 kilometers long. So on this border, of course, it is getting a national security issue for Turkey. Turkey has been affected because of this humanitarian tragedy. As John mentioned now, we have more than 600,000 refugees who came from Syria not for holiday unfortunately, but in order to escape from these air bombardments, missiles, and massacres.
Of course, they are our guests. We will do everything possible. It’s our humanitarian responsibility. We spent $2 billion and Turkish nation opened their hearts, their doors, to these people and embraced them as their brothers and sisters. And we will continue this policy from humanitarian perspective. But at the same time, beyond this humanitarian issue, Turkish border security has been affected negatively because there is not any orderly public authority on the other side of the border. In these type of cases, if two sides of the border are not – do not have equal authority to control, you will have – you will always face problems.
Therefore, in last two and a half years, there’s an increasing threat to Turkish national security. And for us – today, I mentioned to Secretary Hagel as well – of course, Syrian issue is important for us, but our first concern is Turkish national security. And the situation in Syria is threatening Turkish national security. Every day, there are some attempts by Syrian air forces to violate or coming and bombarding close to our border, and we had to take certain measures. And at the same time, every day we are receiving more and more refugees escaping, and this is affecting. On the other side of the border, there is no control and this creates a power vacuum which might be used by extremists groups.
And there are two threats now to Turkish national security: one is Syrian regime itself because of the policies; the second is those extremists groups which are misusing and exploiting this power vacuum for their ill intentions. Therefore, it is important to end this crisis as early as possible. When the crisis prolongs, these type of threats are emerging. And Turkey will be doing everything possible for humanitarian issues and for our national security and border control, but is not only Turkish responsibility. It is responsibility of international community to end this crisis in order to prevent these threats against Turkey and other neighboring countries.
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Please.
QUESTION: Thank you. Mr. Foreign Minister, you were in Iraq a couple weeks ago, and you stated that we are opening a new page with Iraq. What does Turkey want to see on this new page? And we know that you are going to Russia and few days later to Iran. What is Turkey hoping will come out this visit?
And Mr. Secretary, can Turkey trust U.S. will fully be on its side when it struggles with the prospect of failed state in Syria, largely due to ineffectiveness of international community so far? What concrete plans does your Administration have to have is huge humanitarian and security burden over Turkey’s shoulders?
And also Mr. Foreign Minister, could you give some comment at this point? Did you feel U.S. Government has sent mixed signals to Ankara or left Turkey abandoned?
And quick question, Mr. Secretary – (laughter) – just Middle East peace for a second.
SECRETARY KERRY: That’s what we call in the law a leading question. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Yeah, just on the Middle East process, Prime Minister Netanyahu said you will be in Israel on Friday. You have said Israeli settlements are illegal, a barrier to peace, and U.S. Government has been saying this for more than 30 years. What is difference now? Thank you.
SECRETARY KERRY: Go ahead. (Laughter.)
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Two ladies asks so many questions, not two questions. The gentleman will ask for gender equality. (Laughter.)
SECRETARY KERRY: She asked you first, but I’m happy to go first.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Okay, okay, thank you. Thank you very much. About the new page on Iraq, yes, my visit was very successful, but it was a visit after so many other diplomatic meetings. The Speaker of the Parliament Nujaifi came to Turkey. We met with Hoshyar Zebari several times. Hoshyar Zebari visited Turkey. And this – we prepared the ground for my visit.
And three basic messages was there in my visit: First is, Turkey wants to have excellent bilateral relations, cooperation, and economic integration, if possible, with Iraq. That has been our intention when we established High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council mechanism first with Iraq. Now what we are doing, what we have decided with Prime Minister Maliki, is the preparatory meeting of this High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council will be completed soon. And Prime Minister Maliki in his visit – was probably late December, early January – there will be a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council mechanism where all the important ministers will be accompanying Prime Minister Maliki, and we will have joint cabinet meeting in Turkey.
Second message was that Turkey is supporting ethnic and sectarian peace in Iraq, and Turkey will supporting the electoral process, and Turkey’s happy that a date has been declared for the general elections in Iraq. And Turkey’s at equal distance to all the groups in Iraq, and I am happy that the same messages were shared by United States as well. And we will support this process of election, and we will give the same message to all Iraqi parties. When Massoud Barzani – Mr. Barzani came to Diyarbakir, we also shared these views, and I shared with other Sunni and Shiite leaders when I was in (inaudible). (Inaudible) message, which is really even as important as the others, is a message to the region that we don’t want sectarian tension. With the leaders – Sunni and Shiite leaders – we shared this same concern, and as Turkey and Iraq – once we have good relations and in full solidarity, I am sure that will be the right message to those who want to provocate sectarian tension and war in our region. We will not tolerate, and I am happy to see the same political will on the Iraqi side that they are ready to work with us, that these scenarios of sectarian war in our region will not be successful.
About our visit to Russia and Iran – in fact, this month, we had several visits – but to Russia, we are going for High Level Cooperation Council meeting. Like Iraq, we have this mechanism with Russia, and Prime Minister Erdogan and President Putin will be co-chairing this joint cabinet meeting and Cooperation Council mechanism. There we discuss – we will discuss bilateral issues and new projects of cooperation. But at the same time, of course, as I said before, we will be consulting on Syria, Caucasia, and all other pending issues international, and that will be an excellent opportunity. After my visit to Washington, the same week, I will be visiting Tehran and (inaudible). So with this excellent consultation here, we will have the same opportunity of consultation with Russia and Iran on these difficult files.
In Tehran, again, this will be my first visit after the new government. Although I went for immigration ceremony, this will be bilateral visit. And we are preparing President Rouhani’s visit to Turkey and Prime Minister Erdogan’s visit to Tehran. Of course, we will be sharing not only bilateral issues, but also P5+1, Iran negotiations, as well as all regional issues from Afghanistan to Iraq, from Syria to Lebanon, and other regional issues. And that will be another good opportunity to create a common position in all these difficult files.
Thank you.
SECRETARY KERRY: Every fact in our relationship – every fact in our relationship – speaks to the trust that is built on an ongoing basis between our countries. And the fact is that Turkey is a NATO ally. The United States is supporting Turkey with respect to its border challenges and the unrest in Syria. The United States is working extremely closely on a daily basis with their officials and ours, cooperating completely with respect to Syria. We have consistent sharing of intelligence. We work on strategy. We are both involved on the challenges of the borders with respect to humanitarian assistance.
As you just heard, Turkey has put in 2 billion, and some of that internally in its own country. We’ve delivered over 1.3 billion in aid in order to help. We are collaborating and working closely together with respect to the London 11. We’ve been meeting consistently with respect to this challenge of Syria and the region. Ahmet and I talk some weeks several times, and then certainly once every week or two weeks we’re on the phone together. We have a constant discussion. And I think that if you look at the work we’ve done together with respect to Israel and Turkish relations where we’ve cooperated, the visit of Prime Minister Erdogan to here, to the United States, the President’s statements, this relationship is strong, and nobody should try to get in the way of it and suggest questions about its durability. We are working with Turkey with respect to European membership. We would love to see – we’ve been supportive of that for a long time. We’re encouraging that dialogue to continue.
So there are so many things that we are really engaged in that any neutral observer would have to look at this relationship and say, “Wow, these guys are really working together and they’ve got mutual interests.” And that’s what really brings nations together – when you share values, you share interests. Sometimes we have a disagreement. That’s okay. Friends can have disagreements as long as they respect each other about how they deal with it and how they are proceeding forward. So I’m very confident about this relationship going forward, and as I said to you earlier, we’re grateful for the work Turkey has done with us on so many different issues.
With respect to the Middle East peace process – and one other thing about – you asked about failed states and failing states in the region. Those are our interests too. We are deeply concerned about failed or failing states. And the United States believes in helping to bring about the stability of that region. It is not just of interest to Turkey or to Jordan or to Iraq or Lebanon. It is of great interest to us, and has been for many, many years. And we will not move away from or walk away from or turn away from that interest that is at the forefront of what President Obama talked about at the United Nations and remains a center of his foreign policy.
On the question of the Middle East peace process and the settlements and sort of – “What’s the difference,” is what you asked. Well, the difference is enormous. First of all, we have said that the settlements are illegitimate, and the United States policy has always opposed these settlements. And you saw an effort during the first four years of the Obama Administration to try to achieve a freeze on those settlements. For a temporary period of time, it was achieved. But then other things changed, and so that’s not the current framework within which we find ourselves.
But if you look back in history, few administrations have been able to begin on day one of a second term to focus on the Middle East peace process. Too often it’s been in the final months or in latter months. So we now have three years-plus ahead of us here to continue to work on this. I don’t want it and President Obama doesn’t want it, and I don’t think Prime Minister Netanyahu or Israelis want it to drag on for that long. We believe that there is a difference in the air today in all parties. The Israelis have taken great risks. Even when they made decisions with respect to Gaza or Lebanon and rockets came at them, nevertheless, they are still committed to peace, and the vast majority of the people in Israel are committed to a two-state solution. And Prime Minister Netanyahu, to his credit, has said, “We’re going to negotiate,” and believes it is worth trying to find a way to change the status quo. And he took great risks in the decision he made and the formula he accepted to come back to these talks. The world should credit him and Israel for doing that.
The Palestinians likewise have made a commitment to come to this process. The President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has given up what is his ability to take issues to the United Nations for a period of time because he’s committed to be part of this process. And he has taken political heat for that, but he believes it’s the right thing to do to be at the negotiating table. The Arab community, through the Arab League, has a committee of foreign ministers who are following these negotiations, who have recommitted to the Saudi King’s creative peace proposal of a number of years ago, which has now been updated and now includes a sort of state-of-the-art 2013 recognition of how one might achieve territorial solution here.
So there’s a lot of energy going into this, a lot of people supporting it outside, in Europe. The Japanese have made a commitment recently, others, to do things. There’s a great deal of support. And I think that makes this different, because people understand that this is a crisis, a conflict that has been locked in a place for too long, and that the benefits of peace for everybody are significant enough to be working for them. So that’s what’s driving this, and our hope is that over the next weeks, months, progress can conceivably be made. But we’re going to try to exhaust every possibility that is available in order to put that to the test, and that’s where we’re heading with this.
And I think that with respect to the visit that – you asked the question – let me reiterate: Originally, we thought that I was going to try to travel this weekend, but because I’m testifying before the Senate on Thursday and the timing gets sort of difficult, it’s going to be very hard to be able to fit that in right before the Thanksgiving holiday. And I pleaded guilty of wanting to be able to spend some time with my family over the course of the Thanksgiving holiday, so we agreed that it would be better to try to do this after that, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. But nobody should interpret anything from that except my schedule and my challenges.
That’s it.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Just – I forget to answer your question about mixed signals.
QUESTION: Exactly.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: I think there is no need of sending any signals, even not-mixed or – mixed or not-mixed. There is – in our relations, we have always had channels of communication, not signals. We don’t need signals. And we still remember how President Obama welcomed our Prime Minister in May in an extraordinary way of hospitality, and both – Prime Minister Erdogan everywhere, he praises President Obama’s leadership, and President Obama always praise our Prime Minister and our President’s contributions to global peace. And between us, we met I don’t know how many times in less than a year, and how many telephone calls? Once I remember there – we spoke three times by phone, and my wife rebelled. She said, “Maybe I should call you as well to consult some family issues by phone. It is easier to reach you by phone other than seeing each other.” (Laughter.)
So we are – so therefore, there is no signal between us. There are – since there is a sincere dialogue, consultation, and not-mixed or not – mixed or not-mixed signals, but there is no signals. Direct, sincere, friendly, if sometimes needed, very frank also consultation between us, because we are working not only for our nations, but for regional and global peace. And that will continue forever between Turkish presidents, leaders, as well as American, Turkish ministers of foreign affairs forever. Thank you.
SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much
Remarks With Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
Press Availability
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
November 18, 2013
SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. I am really delighted to welcome Foreign Minister Davutoglu back to Washington. He has been such a gracious host for me now on three trips to Turkey, and frankly, it was really high time that I had an opportunity to be able to reciprocate here. We’re delighted that he’s coming here on a beautiful, beautiful fall day with lots of colors out there. We’re trying to see if we can do our best to contest the beauty of the Bosporus and all that you’ve offered me. (Laughter.) But we have spectacular views and we’re happy to have you here.
Ahmet and I have worked very, very closely on a lot of issues, and you all are very familiar with them: the question of Israel and Turkey and a rapprochement, the question of Syria enormously, and other issues on a global basis. So it’s special for me to be able to welcome him here because the U.S.-Turkey relationship is vital on so many different levels. And he and I never seem to have enough time to be able to cover all of the issues. I might say that we’ve really only begun the process today. We’ve had a bilateral meeting. We’ve had a one-on-one meeting, then we’ve had a group meeting bilateral, and now we will go to lunch and continue the conversation on a number of the issues in front of us. But I’m happy that we’ve been able to have a very, very thorough, full discussion, even to date, on almost all the issues of concern, and we’re going to continue.
Whether the challenge is Syria or Iran, Middle East peace process, the future of our NATO alliance, or ensuring our economic prosperity, the U.S. and Turkey share strategic goals. And as the Foreign Minister put it in a recent article that he wrote, the U.S. and Turkey both seek a sustainable, peaceful regional and global order rooted in good governance and democratic accountability. We also appreciate how much hard work we have to do together and with our allies and partners to achieve all of these objectives.
In Syria, our objective together and with our friends and allies is to stop the bloodshed once and for all. And to do that, we agree that we must get the parties to the negotiating table. We are moving closer to that, literally, day by day now, and we commend the opposition’s recent vote to participate in a Geneva II conference, where we hope to forge the political solution to this conflict. I’ve had conversations when I was recently in Geneva with Foreign Minister Lavrov. I’ve had telephone conversations with fellow foreign ministers over the course of the last week, and now a face-to-face meeting with Foreign Minister Davutoglu, and we are all committed to this goal and will remain so.
Today, we also talked about the way that we can tackle together and with other friends the rising extremism of the region, which threatens not only Syria’s future but it threatens its neighbors, and obviously, in this case, Turkey. We discussed the horrific humanitarian situation that exists inside Syria; and by preventing vital aid from reaching those who need it, the Assad regime is now using a policy of starvation as a weapon of war. That is against the laws of war. It is against human conscience. It is unacceptable, and we are going to continue to press in order to deal with it. I talked to Foreign Minister Lavrov over the weekend about this issue, and we are going to continue to find ways, all together, in order to address it.
We commend Turkey’s remarkable generosity in hosting over 600,000 Syrian refugees now, as well as its vaccination program for 1 million children that they just announced today. And the United States is proud to have provided an additional 96 million in assistance to refugees to Turkey. That’s part of our now 1.3 billion that the American people have graciously and generously provided in order to relieve this humanitarian crisis, and America is proudly the number one donor in order to deal with this crisis.
We also discussed Iran and the key role that Turkey has played in helping to enforce the sanctions that have brought Iran to the negotiating table. This was the very purpose of these sanctions, and we are achieving the goal of at least getting to the negotiation. Now we obviously need to achieve something at that table. We need to remain united in our goal of ensuring that Iran never gets a nuclear weapon.
Now, I’ve heard a lot of back and forth in the last days and we respect the vigorous debate; we really do. But the bottom line is that we all agree, all of us, that there must be a verifiable, certain, failsafe process by which the guarantee of not getting a nuclear weapon is clear to all. That means our friends in Israel, that means our friends in the region, and that, of course, means all of us here in the United States and the United States Congress.
As we discussed today, the first step that the P5+1 is working on would stop the Iranian program from advancing while you engage in the negotiation to get to that situation where you have a comprehensive agreement and the guarantees that I talked about. We also want to commend Turkey for its recent high-level meetings with Iraq, which are important to every part of what is happening there, particularly in Iraq itself as well as with respect to Syria.
Turkey plays, as I said, a very large role in so many ways. For months now, we have been talking about Cyprus and we have been talking about Nagorno-Karabakh. And quietly, we have been trying to work ways that our ambassadors, who are front and center in this – in these initiatives, are continuing that process. Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot negotiators are making important progress, and we urge all parties to make the most of the current window of opportunity and to restart comprehensive talks.
I talked with both President Aliyev and President Sargsian in the last 48 hours – or I guess the last 72, anyway – and they are meeting shortly. We are urging that process to move forward, and we will continue to be engaged in that.
And of course, the relationship between the United States and Turkey is also defined by our work to promote prosperity for our people, the economic opportunities for all of our peoples, as well as across the world.
In September, we launched a high-level committee headed by the U.S. Trade Representative and the Turkish Minister of the Economy, and they will focus on developments between the U.S., EU, and the TTIP negotiations, as we call them. We will monitor any impacts on Turkey and closely continue to find ways to strengthen our economic ties, which are growing every year, and continue to work with Turkey on this process as we go forward.
The United States is particularly encouraged by the historic Kurdish peace agreement – process, I should say – we hope agreement – the Turkish process and the recent announcement by Turkey of several domestic reforms. Implementing these changes will spur greater openness and greater freedom in Turkish society, which the former – the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister completely embrace, and which we encourage them and commit to working with them in order to try to promote going forward.
The United States firmly believes all of these things that I’ve just mentioned are the fundamentals of our future of prosperity. Strengthening due process and freedoms of the press, expression, and assembly always strengthens the nation as a whole. And as the Minister has said, the U.S.-Turkish partnership is values-based and founded on universal principles of fundamental rights and democratic norms, and we appreciate the way in which Turkey is consistently moving, as we are, to try to improve our approach to each and every one of those challenges.
So as you can see, there is a lot on our plate today. I think there are only a few countries – you can count them on one or two hands – who work on as many issues together as effectively as we are working on them. And we are both stronger when we tackle these challenges and create opportunities together. So Ahmet, thank you for you partnership at this critical moment for both of our countries, and thank you so much for Turkey’s support and partnership with us on so many issues of regional and global concern. We appreciate it.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Thank you. Thank you, John, for this excellent hospitality and excellent weather. I welcomed John to Turkey during spring three times. I always was feeling very guilty not to reciprocate with a visit and after Prime Minister’s visit to Washington in May. It is a great pleasure for me to meet you again and within this excellent atmosphere.
Of course, we met several times on many occasions meanwhile last in New York, and sometimes every week we are having telephone consultations, conversations. This is an excellent opportunity. I always followed your very active dynamic diplomacy, John, from Middle Eastern peace process to engagement with Iran, in all fields. I don’t know how many times you came to our region. This is – you are the most – the fast moving foreign minister or Secretary of State in the history, I am sure.
SECRETARY KERRY: I have to keep ahead of these guys. (Laughter.)
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: And any time, of course, it will be a pleasure to host you again, and we will continue to work together. And always, as Turkey and as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, I myself and our government has been supporting all of your initiatives – diplomatic initiatives, Middle Eastern peace process and many other initiatives you are leading.
First of all, let me express my sympathies for the loss of lives and destruction caused by the tornadoes in and around state of Illinois. And this is our sympathy as Turkish Government, Turkish nation. Whether there is any loss of lives in, whichever reason it happens, Turkey will be always shoulder-to-shoulder with American nation everywhere.
Today, we had again an excellent opportunity to discuss several issues. When I was listening you, John, it was an excellent summary. I thought, what else should I say? And you can imagine how Turkish-American common (inaudible), it’s so widespread from the frozen conflicts like Cyprus and Nagorno-Karabakh, for last 40 years, 30 years conflicts until today the existing conflicts next to us in Syria or in the Middle East, we are always working together. And in this sense, as I wrote in my article – thank you very much for your reference to the article – our partnership is a value-based partnership. And therefore, President Obama used the right terminology. It is a model partnership. Of course, sometimes there will be difference of opinion or other synergy which we need to do more, but this value-based model partnership will continue forever, and will be one of the main asset for international community to resolve any issue.
And it is very structured partnership. We have several mechanisms, and I am also grateful for mentioning this high-level comity on TTIP, which is very important for us because we see Turkish-American relation not only as a security-based strategic cooperation but as a cooperation on democracy, economic prosperity, for our nations and for the global society. In this sense, there are many challenges in front of us, especially regarding the developments in the Middle East and in Syria.
We had an excellent meeting in London. Eleven countries agreed on a framework. And today, we confirmed again that as Turkey and the United States, we will do everything possible to end this bloodshed, to help victims of this crisis in Syria, and to make a diplomacy possible in Geneva II. In London we agreed together as 11 ministers that this new process of Geneva II will not be an open-ended process which will continue months and years, and will be a process leading to a political transition with full executive power by a transitioning governing body. And there also we agreed that we need to work with Syrian National Coalition, especially for them to join this process. And after our joint effort with the United States, our teams worked very efficiently in several meeting thrusts, after several meetings with Syrian National Coalition in Istanbul in other places, now they agreed to come to Geneva II and based on the principles of London meeting. This is success, and this success is joint – is a result of a joint effort of our teams.
And from now on, our objective is to organize this conference as early as possible, because even in one day, one hour a day in this process, cause many loss of – other loss of lives. And as you said, Bashar Assad, who committed many crimes, using chemical weapons, using missiles, attacking cities, urban areas, now he’s implementing a policy of starvation. People in Damascus and in many other parts of Syria are dying because of illness, diseases, and hunger. They cannot find anything to eat and drink. It is a responsibility of international community and responsibility of all of us, to end these crimes against humanity. And as Turkey and the United States, we will continue to work on this. And today it was a very fruitful consultation for the next steps we will be taking together for the success of Geneva conference.
And also it is a great opportunity for us to share our views on Iran, Iranian nuclear program. I am sure you have been following how Turkey worked in the past in order to end this issue, because as Turkey, we don’t want to see any nuclear weapon in the region. We don’t want any state obtaining nuclear weapon. But at the same times – at the same time, we are in favor of peaceful access of nuclear technology. So based on these two principles, we will always support P5+1 Iran negotiations, John. And we appreciate and very strategic approach of President Obama’s engagement policy with Iran and your very efficient diplomacy to make this engagement in a positive way for a resolution of this longstanding issue in the region. If there is a solution in coming weeks, I am sure that will be a big – a great news to ease the tensions in our region, and that will affect all other issues in positive faith. I can assure that as Turkey, we will support this process. We will support your efforts in P5+1 Iran talks. And whatever Turkey is expected to do, Turkey will do everything possible to ease this tension.
On Middle Eastern peace efforts you are leading, John, again, we give full support. We wish success. And whenever you go to the region, we always expect good news from you. And I hope in coming visit, there will be more progress. And whatever is needed to be done again for any peace initiative in the Middle East, Turkey is ready to contribute and to work together.
Your reference to Iraq is very important. Iraq is one of the most important neighbors of Turkey. And my visit to Iraq last week was very successful, not only successful in restoring our relations in positive faith but also successful in the sense of a clear message to the people of Iraq and to the people of the region that Turkey will be doing everything possible to prevent sectarian tension in the region. And the timing of the visit was important. During Muharram, I visited Najaf and Karbala. I didn’t meet only with Prime Minister Maliki, but I also had chance and honor to meet Ayatollah al-Sistani and other Shiite and Sunni religious leaders.
Again, with the United States and with other allies, we need to work together to prevent sectarian and ethnic tensions in the region. Turkey will continue to have excellent relations with all the parties in Iraq. I am sure you followed very closely recent visit of Mr. Barzani to Diyarbakir. This shows that Turkey is – has a strategy of acting and sectarian peace in the region – in Iraq and in the region. And our relation with Iraq will be strengthened. And as the United States and Turkey, we will work together for the stability in Iraq and also for the stability in the region.
Regarding Nagorno-Karabakh and Cyprus, on Nagorno-Karabakh we have been consulting through several mechanisms, co-chairs of Minsk Group and other bilateral consultations. And we hope that this frozen conflict will be ending soon. And that will bring peace to Caucasia; that will bring peace to the region beyond Caucasia. Therefore, today I am happy to see that John and me and Turkey and the United States look to this issue from the same perspective, and we hope that this meeting between President Sargsyan and President Aliyev will be successful.
After a few days, I will be in St. Petersburg with Prime Minister Erdogan. This was a good chance of consultation with John about these coming visits to Russia and Iran. And our relation with Russia will – and peace consultations will be bringing positive contribution in all the regional issues in Caucasia and the Middle East. And Turkey and the United States will continue to work together in all different challenging issues in front of us.
Thank you for your hospitality. Thank you.
SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Thanks, Ahmet.
MS. PSAKI: Our first question will be from Margaret Brennan of CBS News.
QUESTION: Thank you, and thank you to both of you.
Mr. Secretary, do you expect negotiators to sign a deal with Iran in Geneva this week? Prime Minister Netanyahu seems to be saying he’s going to re-litigate the issue with you. Is that necessary? And on the question of Syria, you negotiated the basis for this OPCW agreement to dismantle Syria’s chemical weapons. It appears to be stalled; no countries agreed to take the weapons. Albania rejected the U.S. request to do so. What are you doing to move that along?
And Minister Davutoglu, if you could tell us if you think – on the issue of Syria – if this discussion of chemical weapons is just a distraction from the violence that threatens your borders.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Sorry?
QUESTION: A distraction from the violence that continues to threaten your border in Turkey.
SECRETARY KERRY: Do you want to go ahead? Go have at it.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Please.
SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I have no specific expectations with respect to the negotiation in Geneva except that we will negotiate in good faith and we will try to get a first-step agreement and hope that Iran will understand the importance of coming there prepared to create a document that can prove to the world that this is a peaceful program. That’s always been our standard. Now, I’m not going to negotiate this in public. We all need to be respectful of each other’s processes here and positions. And so I think it’s best to leave that negotiation to the negotiating table. And it will begin on Wednesday and I will be here. I’m testifying on Thursday before the U.S. Congress on – before the Senate on the Disabilities Treaty, and we’ll see what develops as to whether or not we can get close and get this done.
With respect to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Prime Minister and I – first of all, we are good friends. We’ve known each other for almost, what, 30 years or maybe more. I have great respect for his concerns about his country. The Prime Minister should express his concerns, and he has every right in the world to publicly state his position and defend what he perceives as his interests. We believe deeply in our commitment to Israel – deeply. And I have a long voting record, 100 percent record of support for our friends in Israel. And I can assure those friends and everybody else watching this that nothing that we are doing here, in my judgment, will put Israel at any additional risk. In fact, let me make this clear: We believe it reduces risk. We believe it helps all of us to move closer to this goal of achieving the comprehensive agreement that I talked about earlier.
The Prime Minister and I are talking several times a week. We talked over the weekend. We discussed timing and what may occur. I may not be able to get to – it looks as if I probably will not be able to get there over the course of this weekend, but I am committed to going in order to engage in the ongoing discussions that we are currently engaged in shortly after the Thanksgiving break, as soon as we can work out the timing. And that’s a priority for me and it doesn’t change. We remain deeply committed to this ongoing dialogue, to our friendship, and we intend to consult frequently and deeply about everything that we are engaged in.
With respect the OPCW process being stalled, on the contrary, a remarkable event is unfolding under the eyes of the world. The chemical weapons of one country are being corralled and moved and contained and placed under the supervision of an international organization which is committed to removing those weapons from Syria by the end of the year – by the end of the year. And I believe we are on target currently to achieve that. Now, while one country or another may have examined the question of taking those weapons under their jurisdiction in order to destroy them, we are not without other alternatives. In fact, we are actively pursuing two other alternatives which provide us a complete capacity to do the destruction and to meet the schedule.
So we’re on schedule, and I think it’s a remarkable thing that this cooperation that began in Geneva between Russia and the United States – or began earlier than Geneva; it began with telephone calls and conversations in St. Petersburg – is now actually being affected so effectively with the United Nations engagement with multiple countries aiding and assisting, and is on schedule and getting the job done. This is a great example of why multilateral organization and multilateral energy and commitment is so critical to all of us. I’m not going to crow about it till the job’s done, but we’re on track and we’re proud of the course that we’re on, and we are far from stalled. We are very much in business and we have alternatives as to how this will be destroyed.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Thank you, John. Yes, Turkey is the most affected country because of the crisis in Syria, because we have the longest border: 911 kilometers long. So on this border, of course, it is getting a national security issue for Turkey. Turkey has been affected because of this humanitarian tragedy. As John mentioned now, we have more than 600,000 refugees who came from Syria not for holiday unfortunately, but in order to escape from these air bombardments, missiles, and massacres.
Of course, they are our guests. We will do everything possible. It’s our humanitarian responsibility. We spent $2 billion and Turkish nation opened their hearts, their doors, to these people and embraced them as their brothers and sisters. And we will continue this policy from humanitarian perspective. But at the same time, beyond this humanitarian issue, Turkish border security has been affected negatively because there is not any orderly public authority on the other side of the border. In these type of cases, if two sides of the border are not – do not have equal authority to control, you will have – you will always face problems.
Therefore, in last two and a half years, there’s an increasing threat to Turkish national security. And for us – today, I mentioned to Secretary Hagel as well – of course, Syrian issue is important for us, but our first concern is Turkish national security. And the situation in Syria is threatening Turkish national security. Every day, there are some attempts by Syrian air forces to violate or coming and bombarding close to our border, and we had to take certain measures. And at the same time, every day we are receiving more and more refugees escaping, and this is affecting. On the other side of the border, there is no control and this creates a power vacuum which might be used by extremists groups.
And there are two threats now to Turkish national security: one is Syrian regime itself because of the policies; the second is those extremists groups which are misusing and exploiting this power vacuum for their ill intentions. Therefore, it is important to end this crisis as early as possible. When the crisis prolongs, these type of threats are emerging. And Turkey will be doing everything possible for humanitarian issues and for our national security and border control, but is not only Turkish responsibility. It is responsibility of international community to end this crisis in order to prevent these threats against Turkey and other neighboring countries.
QUESTION: (Off-mike.)
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Please.
QUESTION: Thank you. Mr. Foreign Minister, you were in Iraq a couple weeks ago, and you stated that we are opening a new page with Iraq. What does Turkey want to see on this new page? And we know that you are going to Russia and few days later to Iran. What is Turkey hoping will come out this visit?
And Mr. Secretary, can Turkey trust U.S. will fully be on its side when it struggles with the prospect of failed state in Syria, largely due to ineffectiveness of international community so far? What concrete plans does your Administration have to have is huge humanitarian and security burden over Turkey’s shoulders?
And also Mr. Foreign Minister, could you give some comment at this point? Did you feel U.S. Government has sent mixed signals to Ankara or left Turkey abandoned?
And quick question, Mr. Secretary – (laughter) – just Middle East peace for a second.
SECRETARY KERRY: That’s what we call in the law a leading question. (Laughter.)
QUESTION: Yeah, just on the Middle East process, Prime Minister Netanyahu said you will be in Israel on Friday. You have said Israeli settlements are illegal, a barrier to peace, and U.S. Government has been saying this for more than 30 years. What is difference now? Thank you.
SECRETARY KERRY: Go ahead. (Laughter.)
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Two ladies asks so many questions, not two questions. The gentleman will ask for gender equality. (Laughter.)
SECRETARY KERRY: She asked you first, but I’m happy to go first.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Okay, okay, thank you. Thank you very much. About the new page on Iraq, yes, my visit was very successful, but it was a visit after so many other diplomatic meetings. The Speaker of the Parliament Nujaifi came to Turkey. We met with Hoshyar Zebari several times. Hoshyar Zebari visited Turkey. And this – we prepared the ground for my visit.
And three basic messages was there in my visit: First is, Turkey wants to have excellent bilateral relations, cooperation, and economic integration, if possible, with Iraq. That has been our intention when we established High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council mechanism first with Iraq. Now what we are doing, what we have decided with Prime Minister Maliki, is the preparatory meeting of this High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council will be completed soon. And Prime Minister Maliki in his visit – was probably late December, early January – there will be a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council mechanism where all the important ministers will be accompanying Prime Minister Maliki, and we will have joint cabinet meeting in Turkey.
Second message was that Turkey is supporting ethnic and sectarian peace in Iraq, and Turkey will supporting the electoral process, and Turkey’s happy that a date has been declared for the general elections in Iraq. And Turkey’s at equal distance to all the groups in Iraq, and I am happy that the same messages were shared by United States as well. And we will support this process of election, and we will give the same message to all Iraqi parties. When Massoud Barzani – Mr. Barzani came to Diyarbakir, we also shared these views, and I shared with other Sunni and Shiite leaders when I was in (inaudible). (Inaudible) message, which is really even as important as the others, is a message to the region that we don’t want sectarian tension. With the leaders – Sunni and Shiite leaders – we shared this same concern, and as Turkey and Iraq – once we have good relations and in full solidarity, I am sure that will be the right message to those who want to provocate sectarian tension and war in our region. We will not tolerate, and I am happy to see the same political will on the Iraqi side that they are ready to work with us, that these scenarios of sectarian war in our region will not be successful.
About our visit to Russia and Iran – in fact, this month, we had several visits – but to Russia, we are going for High Level Cooperation Council meeting. Like Iraq, we have this mechanism with Russia, and Prime Minister Erdogan and President Putin will be co-chairing this joint cabinet meeting and Cooperation Council mechanism. There we discuss – we will discuss bilateral issues and new projects of cooperation. But at the same time, of course, as I said before, we will be consulting on Syria, Caucasia, and all other pending issues international, and that will be an excellent opportunity. After my visit to Washington, the same week, I will be visiting Tehran and (inaudible). So with this excellent consultation here, we will have the same opportunity of consultation with Russia and Iran on these difficult files.
In Tehran, again, this will be my first visit after the new government. Although I went for immigration ceremony, this will be bilateral visit. And we are preparing President Rouhani’s visit to Turkey and Prime Minister Erdogan’s visit to Tehran. Of course, we will be sharing not only bilateral issues, but also P5+1, Iran negotiations, as well as all regional issues from Afghanistan to Iraq, from Syria to Lebanon, and other regional issues. And that will be another good opportunity to create a common position in all these difficult files.
Thank you.
SECRETARY KERRY: Every fact in our relationship – every fact in our relationship – speaks to the trust that is built on an ongoing basis between our countries. And the fact is that Turkey is a NATO ally. The United States is supporting Turkey with respect to its border challenges and the unrest in Syria. The United States is working extremely closely on a daily basis with their officials and ours, cooperating completely with respect to Syria. We have consistent sharing of intelligence. We work on strategy. We are both involved on the challenges of the borders with respect to humanitarian assistance.
As you just heard, Turkey has put in 2 billion, and some of that internally in its own country. We’ve delivered over 1.3 billion in aid in order to help. We are collaborating and working closely together with respect to the London 11. We’ve been meeting consistently with respect to this challenge of Syria and the region. Ahmet and I talk some weeks several times, and then certainly once every week or two weeks we’re on the phone together. We have a constant discussion. And I think that if you look at the work we’ve done together with respect to Israel and Turkish relations where we’ve cooperated, the visit of Prime Minister Erdogan to here, to the United States, the President’s statements, this relationship is strong, and nobody should try to get in the way of it and suggest questions about its durability. We are working with Turkey with respect to European membership. We would love to see – we’ve been supportive of that for a long time. We’re encouraging that dialogue to continue.
So there are so many things that we are really engaged in that any neutral observer would have to look at this relationship and say, “Wow, these guys are really working together and they’ve got mutual interests.” And that’s what really brings nations together – when you share values, you share interests. Sometimes we have a disagreement. That’s okay. Friends can have disagreements as long as they respect each other about how they deal with it and how they are proceeding forward. So I’m very confident about this relationship going forward, and as I said to you earlier, we’re grateful for the work Turkey has done with us on so many different issues.
With respect to the Middle East peace process – and one other thing about – you asked about failed states and failing states in the region. Those are our interests too. We are deeply concerned about failed or failing states. And the United States believes in helping to bring about the stability of that region. It is not just of interest to Turkey or to Jordan or to Iraq or Lebanon. It is of great interest to us, and has been for many, many years. And we will not move away from or walk away from or turn away from that interest that is at the forefront of what President Obama talked about at the United Nations and remains a center of his foreign policy.
On the question of the Middle East peace process and the settlements and sort of – “What’s the difference,” is what you asked. Well, the difference is enormous. First of all, we have said that the settlements are illegitimate, and the United States policy has always opposed these settlements. And you saw an effort during the first four years of the Obama Administration to try to achieve a freeze on those settlements. For a temporary period of time, it was achieved. But then other things changed, and so that’s not the current framework within which we find ourselves.
But if you look back in history, few administrations have been able to begin on day one of a second term to focus on the Middle East peace process. Too often it’s been in the final months or in latter months. So we now have three years-plus ahead of us here to continue to work on this. I don’t want it and President Obama doesn’t want it, and I don’t think Prime Minister Netanyahu or Israelis want it to drag on for that long. We believe that there is a difference in the air today in all parties. The Israelis have taken great risks. Even when they made decisions with respect to Gaza or Lebanon and rockets came at them, nevertheless, they are still committed to peace, and the vast majority of the people in Israel are committed to a two-state solution. And Prime Minister Netanyahu, to his credit, has said, “We’re going to negotiate,” and believes it is worth trying to find a way to change the status quo. And he took great risks in the decision he made and the formula he accepted to come back to these talks. The world should credit him and Israel for doing that.
The Palestinians likewise have made a commitment to come to this process. The President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has given up what is his ability to take issues to the United Nations for a period of time because he’s committed to be part of this process. And he has taken political heat for that, but he believes it’s the right thing to do to be at the negotiating table. The Arab community, through the Arab League, has a committee of foreign ministers who are following these negotiations, who have recommitted to the Saudi King’s creative peace proposal of a number of years ago, which has now been updated and now includes a sort of state-of-the-art 2013 recognition of how one might achieve territorial solution here.
So there’s a lot of energy going into this, a lot of people supporting it outside, in Europe. The Japanese have made a commitment recently, others, to do things. There’s a great deal of support. And I think that makes this different, because people understand that this is a crisis, a conflict that has been locked in a place for too long, and that the benefits of peace for everybody are significant enough to be working for them. So that’s what’s driving this, and our hope is that over the next weeks, months, progress can conceivably be made. But we’re going to try to exhaust every possibility that is available in order to put that to the test, and that’s where we’re heading with this.
And I think that with respect to the visit that – you asked the question – let me reiterate: Originally, we thought that I was going to try to travel this weekend, but because I’m testifying before the Senate on Thursday and the timing gets sort of difficult, it’s going to be very hard to be able to fit that in right before the Thanksgiving holiday. And I pleaded guilty of wanting to be able to spend some time with my family over the course of the Thanksgiving holiday, so we agreed that it would be better to try to do this after that, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. But nobody should interpret anything from that except my schedule and my challenges.
That’s it.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Just – I forget to answer your question about mixed signals.
QUESTION: Exactly.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: I think there is no need of sending any signals, even not-mixed or – mixed or not-mixed. There is – in our relations, we have always had channels of communication, not signals. We don’t need signals. And we still remember how President Obama welcomed our Prime Minister in May in an extraordinary way of hospitality, and both – Prime Minister Erdogan everywhere, he praises President Obama’s leadership, and President Obama always praise our Prime Minister and our President’s contributions to global peace. And between us, we met I don’t know how many times in less than a year, and how many telephone calls? Once I remember there – we spoke three times by phone, and my wife rebelled. She said, “Maybe I should call you as well to consult some family issues by phone. It is easier to reach you by phone other than seeing each other.” (Laughter.)
So we are – so therefore, there is no signal between us. There are – since there is a sincere dialogue, consultation, and not-mixed or not – mixed or not-mixed signals, but there is no signals. Direct, sincere, friendly, if sometimes needed, very frank also consultation between us, because we are working not only for our nations, but for regional and global peace. And that will continue forever between Turkish presidents, leaders, as well as American, Turkish ministers of foreign affairs forever. Thank you.
SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very much
"BRIGADE HELICOPTERS PROVIDE HEAVY LIFT CAPABILITIES OVER EASTERN AFGHANISTAN"
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter makes its approach into the forward arming and refueling point to refuel on Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2013. The aircrew, which is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Phoenix, was conducting a personnel and cargo movement mission over eastern Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Peter Smedberg.
U.S.+Army+photo+by+Capt.+Peter+Smedberg.jpg)
Soldiers hot load a CH-47 Chinook helicopter on Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2013. The aircrew, which is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Phoenix, was conducting a personnel and cargo movement mission over eastern Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Peter Smedberg.
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter makes its approach into the forward arming and refueling point to refuel on Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2013. The aircrew, which is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Phoenix, was conducting a personnel and cargo movement mission over eastern Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Peter Smedberg.
U.S.+Army+photo+by+Capt.+Peter+Smedberg.jpg)
Soldiers hot load a CH-47 Chinook helicopter on Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2013. The aircrew, which is assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Phoenix, was conducting a personnel and cargo movement mission over eastern Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Peter Smedberg.
NEW GUIDELINES FOR SMARTER USE OF ANTIBIOTIC PRESCRIPTIONS FOR CHILDREN
FROM: CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
New guidance limits antibiotics for common infections in children
Get Smart About Antibiotics Week 2013 calls for responsible antibiotic prescribing
Every year as many as 10 million U.S. children risk side effects from antibiotic prescriptions that are unlikely to help their upper respiratory conditions. Many of these infections are caused by viruses, which are not helped by antibiotics.
This overuse of antibiotics, a significant factor fueling antibiotic resistance, is the focus of a new report Principles of Judicious Antibiotic Prescribing for Bacterial Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in PediatricsExternal Web Site Icon by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Released today during Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, the report amplifies recent AAP guidance and promotes responsible antibiotic prescribing for three common upper respiratory tract infections in children: ear infections, sinus infections, and sore throats.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve and are able to outsmart antibiotics, making even common infections difficult to treat. According to a landmark CDC report from September 2013, each year more than two million Americans get infections that are resistant to antibiotics and 23,000 die as a result.
“Our medicine cabinet is nearly empty of antibiotics to treat some infections,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “If doctors prescribe antibiotics carefully and patients take them as prescribed we can preserve these lifesaving drugs and avoid entering a post-antibiotic era.”
By providing detailed clinical criteria to help physicians distinguish between viral and bacterial upper respiratory tract infections, the recommendations provide guidance for physicians that will improve care for children. At the same time, it will help limit antibiotic prescriptions, giving bacteria fewer chances to become resistant and lowering children’s risk of side effects.
“Many people have the misconception that since antibiotics are commonly used that they are harmless,” says Dr. Lauri Hicks, a coauthor of the report and medical director of CDC’s Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work program. “Taking antibiotics when you have a virus can do more harm than good.”
These harms can be in the form of antibiotic side effects or promoting the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can then spread through a community.
CDC promotes responsible antibiotic use to consumers and health care providers through the combined efforts of the Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work and Get Smart for Healthcare programs, as well as during Get Smart About Antibiotics Week (Nov. 18–24, 2013) each year. State health departments, non-profit partners, and for-profit partners all contribute to the observance week’s success by spreading the word about when antibiotics work — and when they don’t.
This year’s activities include a Public Health Grand Rounds about the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in outpatient and inpatient settings on Tuesday, November 19 at 1 pm (EST). In addition, a Twitter chat on the topic will be held Friday, November 22 at 1 pm (EST). Follow the hashtag #CDCchat on Twitter and join in the conversation to talk with Dr. Frieden, CDC experts and other partners about your experiences with antibiotic resistance.
New guidance limits antibiotics for common infections in children
Get Smart About Antibiotics Week 2013 calls for responsible antibiotic prescribing
Every year as many as 10 million U.S. children risk side effects from antibiotic prescriptions that are unlikely to help their upper respiratory conditions. Many of these infections are caused by viruses, which are not helped by antibiotics.
This overuse of antibiotics, a significant factor fueling antibiotic resistance, is the focus of a new report Principles of Judicious Antibiotic Prescribing for Bacterial Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in PediatricsExternal Web Site Icon by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Released today during Get Smart About Antibiotics Week, the report amplifies recent AAP guidance and promotes responsible antibiotic prescribing for three common upper respiratory tract infections in children: ear infections, sinus infections, and sore throats.
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve and are able to outsmart antibiotics, making even common infections difficult to treat. According to a landmark CDC report from September 2013, each year more than two million Americans get infections that are resistant to antibiotics and 23,000 die as a result.
“Our medicine cabinet is nearly empty of antibiotics to treat some infections,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “If doctors prescribe antibiotics carefully and patients take them as prescribed we can preserve these lifesaving drugs and avoid entering a post-antibiotic era.”
By providing detailed clinical criteria to help physicians distinguish between viral and bacterial upper respiratory tract infections, the recommendations provide guidance for physicians that will improve care for children. At the same time, it will help limit antibiotic prescriptions, giving bacteria fewer chances to become resistant and lowering children’s risk of side effects.
“Many people have the misconception that since antibiotics are commonly used that they are harmless,” says Dr. Lauri Hicks, a coauthor of the report and medical director of CDC’s Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work program. “Taking antibiotics when you have a virus can do more harm than good.”
These harms can be in the form of antibiotic side effects or promoting the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can then spread through a community.
CDC promotes responsible antibiotic use to consumers and health care providers through the combined efforts of the Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work and Get Smart for Healthcare programs, as well as during Get Smart About Antibiotics Week (Nov. 18–24, 2013) each year. State health departments, non-profit partners, and for-profit partners all contribute to the observance week’s success by spreading the word about when antibiotics work — and when they don’t.
This year’s activities include a Public Health Grand Rounds about the growing problem of antibiotic resistance in outpatient and inpatient settings on Tuesday, November 19 at 1 pm (EST). In addition, a Twitter chat on the topic will be held Friday, November 22 at 1 pm (EST). Follow the hashtag #CDCchat on Twitter and join in the conversation to talk with Dr. Frieden, CDC experts and other partners about your experiences with antibiotic resistance.
READOUT: WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL'S CALL WITH PRESIDENT HADI OF YEMEN
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
Readout of Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco's Call with President Hadi of Yemen
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco called President Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi of Yemen today to reaffirm the U.S. government’s strong support for Yemen’s political transition. Ms. Monaco commended the National Dialogue for its efforts to develop a shared vision for a more just and democratic Yemen, and expressed U.S. support for President Hadi’s efforts to bring the National Dialogue to conclusion and move forward with implementation of the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative. She praised the contributions that Yemeni women, youth, and civil society have made to the National Dialogue, and expressed the hope that they will continue their engagement in subsequent stages of the transition. Ms. Monaco also reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to stand with the Yemeni government and people as they implement the National Dialogue’s outcomes, foster economic development, and combat the security threat from al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula.
Readout of Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco's Call with President Hadi of Yemen
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco called President Abdo Rabu Mansour Hadi of Yemen today to reaffirm the U.S. government’s strong support for Yemen’s political transition. Ms. Monaco commended the National Dialogue for its efforts to develop a shared vision for a more just and democratic Yemen, and expressed U.S. support for President Hadi’s efforts to bring the National Dialogue to conclusion and move forward with implementation of the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative. She praised the contributions that Yemeni women, youth, and civil society have made to the National Dialogue, and expressed the hope that they will continue their engagement in subsequent stages of the transition. Ms. Monaco also reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to stand with the Yemeni government and people as they implement the National Dialogue’s outcomes, foster economic development, and combat the security threat from al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula.
FTC CRACKS DOWN ON PAYMENT PROCESSING SCAMMERS CHARGING HIDDEN FEES
FROM: U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
FTC Settlements Crack Down on Payment Processing Operation that Enabled 'Google Money Tree' Scammers to Charge Consumers $15 Million in Hidden Fees
The Federal Trade Commission is continuing its crackdown on payment processing operations that enable scam artists to charge consumer accounts despite signs of ongoing fraud and unauthorized transactions. Today, the Commission announced a proposed settlement resolving allegations that a payment processor, Process America Inc., and its owners, Kim Ricketts, Keith Phillips and Craig Rickard, used unfair tactics to open and maintain scores of merchant accounts for Infusion Media Inc., which perpetrated the “Google Money Tree” work-at-home scheme. Using these merchant accounts, Infusion Media charged more than $15 million in unauthorized charges on consumers’ debit and credit card accounts.
Payment processors and Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs) enable merchants to charge consumers’ credit cards for products and services. In exchange, payment processors and ISOs get paid for each payment transaction the merchant processes.
In June 2009, the FTC charged the Infusion Media defendants with falsely claiming that consumers could earn $100,000 in six months, misrepresenting an affiliation with Google, and tricking consumers into signing up for automatic monthly charges that would continue until the consumer took affirmative steps to cancel.
The complaint against Process America alleges that the defendants knew or should have known that they were processing charges that consumers had not authorized. Evidence that consumers were being charged without their permission included plainly deceptive statements on merchant websites, notices that the merchant should be placed in Visa and MasterCard chargeback monitoring programs, and chronically excessive chargeback rates – the percentage of charges that are challenged by consumers and result in the charges being reversed. From 2008 through 2009, the defendants opened and maintained 131 merchant accounts through which the perpetrators processed more than $15 million in unauthorized charges on consumer debit and credit card accounts.
To keep Infusion Media’s merchant accounts open, the defendants allegedly engaged in tactics that were designed to evade fraud monitoring programs implemented by Visa and MasterCard. These tactics included submitting merchant applications containing false information and “load balancing” – distributing transaction volume among numerous merchant accounts. As a result, Infusion Media’s scam operated for nearly a year, and Process America continued to earn fees from its payment processing activity.
To resolve the allegations in the complaint, the individual defendants have agreed to separate permanent injunctions containing prohibitions and restrictions on their future payment processing activities:
Rickard is banned from payment processing and acting as an ISO. He is prohibited from acting as a sales agent for any client engaged in (a) unfair or deceptive business practices; (b) certain categories of high-risk activities, including negative-option marketing (where the seller interprets consumers’ silence or inaction as permission to charge them), money-making opportunities, credit card or identity theft protection, timeshare resale services, buying clubs, medical discount plans; or (c) conduct that has qualified a client for a chargeback monitoring program.
Rickard is also prohibited from acting as a sales agent for any client without first screening them for unfair or deceptive business practices. The order imposes a judgment of more than $184,000 that will be suspended based on his inability to pay. The full judgment will become due immediately if Rickard is found to have misrepresented his financial condition.
Ricketts and Phillips are prohibited from acting as payment processors, ISOs, or sales agents for any client engaged in (a) unfair or deceptive business practices; or (b) certain categories of high-risk activities certain categories of high-risk clients. They also are barred from acting as a sales agent for any client without screening and monitoring them for unfair or deceptive business practices.
In addition, Process America’s Chief Restructuring Officer has agreed to recommend and seek authority from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California to enter into the proposed settlement with the FTC. Under the proposed settlement:
Process America is prohibited from payment processing or acting as an ISO or sales agent for any client engaged in negative-option marketing or unfair or deceptive business practices, and from failing to screen, monitor, and promptly investigate clients for such practices.
The orders prohibit all of the defendants from selling or otherwise benefitting from consumers’ personal information, and failing to properly dispose of customer information.
The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and approving the proposed consent judgment was 4-0. The proposed settlement with Process America is subject to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California’s approval of a Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9019 Motion for Compromise. The proposed consent judgments with Process America and the individual defendants are also subject to court approval.
NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Consent judgments have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
FTC Settlements Crack Down on Payment Processing Operation that Enabled 'Google Money Tree' Scammers to Charge Consumers $15 Million in Hidden Fees
The Federal Trade Commission is continuing its crackdown on payment processing operations that enable scam artists to charge consumer accounts despite signs of ongoing fraud and unauthorized transactions. Today, the Commission announced a proposed settlement resolving allegations that a payment processor, Process America Inc., and its owners, Kim Ricketts, Keith Phillips and Craig Rickard, used unfair tactics to open and maintain scores of merchant accounts for Infusion Media Inc., which perpetrated the “Google Money Tree” work-at-home scheme. Using these merchant accounts, Infusion Media charged more than $15 million in unauthorized charges on consumers’ debit and credit card accounts.
Payment processors and Independent Sales Organizations (ISOs) enable merchants to charge consumers’ credit cards for products and services. In exchange, payment processors and ISOs get paid for each payment transaction the merchant processes.
In June 2009, the FTC charged the Infusion Media defendants with falsely claiming that consumers could earn $100,000 in six months, misrepresenting an affiliation with Google, and tricking consumers into signing up for automatic monthly charges that would continue until the consumer took affirmative steps to cancel.
The complaint against Process America alleges that the defendants knew or should have known that they were processing charges that consumers had not authorized. Evidence that consumers were being charged without their permission included plainly deceptive statements on merchant websites, notices that the merchant should be placed in Visa and MasterCard chargeback monitoring programs, and chronically excessive chargeback rates – the percentage of charges that are challenged by consumers and result in the charges being reversed. From 2008 through 2009, the defendants opened and maintained 131 merchant accounts through which the perpetrators processed more than $15 million in unauthorized charges on consumer debit and credit card accounts.
To keep Infusion Media’s merchant accounts open, the defendants allegedly engaged in tactics that were designed to evade fraud monitoring programs implemented by Visa and MasterCard. These tactics included submitting merchant applications containing false information and “load balancing” – distributing transaction volume among numerous merchant accounts. As a result, Infusion Media’s scam operated for nearly a year, and Process America continued to earn fees from its payment processing activity.
To resolve the allegations in the complaint, the individual defendants have agreed to separate permanent injunctions containing prohibitions and restrictions on their future payment processing activities:
Rickard is banned from payment processing and acting as an ISO. He is prohibited from acting as a sales agent for any client engaged in (a) unfair or deceptive business practices; (b) certain categories of high-risk activities, including negative-option marketing (where the seller interprets consumers’ silence or inaction as permission to charge them), money-making opportunities, credit card or identity theft protection, timeshare resale services, buying clubs, medical discount plans; or (c) conduct that has qualified a client for a chargeback monitoring program.
Rickard is also prohibited from acting as a sales agent for any client without first screening them for unfair or deceptive business practices. The order imposes a judgment of more than $184,000 that will be suspended based on his inability to pay. The full judgment will become due immediately if Rickard is found to have misrepresented his financial condition.
Ricketts and Phillips are prohibited from acting as payment processors, ISOs, or sales agents for any client engaged in (a) unfair or deceptive business practices; or (b) certain categories of high-risk activities certain categories of high-risk clients. They also are barred from acting as a sales agent for any client without screening and monitoring them for unfair or deceptive business practices.
In addition, Process America’s Chief Restructuring Officer has agreed to recommend and seek authority from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California to enter into the proposed settlement with the FTC. Under the proposed settlement:
Process America is prohibited from payment processing or acting as an ISO or sales agent for any client engaged in negative-option marketing or unfair or deceptive business practices, and from failing to screen, monitor, and promptly investigate clients for such practices.
The orders prohibit all of the defendants from selling or otherwise benefitting from consumers’ personal information, and failing to properly dispose of customer information.
The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint and approving the proposed consent judgment was 4-0. The proposed settlement with Process America is subject to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California’s approval of a Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 9019 Motion for Compromise. The proposed consent judgments with Process America and the individual defendants are also subject to court approval.
NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. Consent judgments have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
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