SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY'S REMARKS TO CHISINAU STAFF AND FAMILIES

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

Meeting With Embassy Chisinau Staff and Families

Remarks

John Kerry
Secretary of State

Embassy Chisinau

Chisinau, Moldova

December 4, 2013

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SECRETARY KERRY: (In progress) -- really delighted. I’m traveling with our Assistant Secretary of State who’s responsible for all this area, Victoria Nuland over here – Toria, as we call her. (Applause.) And --

PARTICIPANT: (Inaudible.) (Laughter.)

SECRETARY KERRY: Hopefully you’ll all be seeing a lot of her over time as we get out here.
But let me just say a quick thank you. I don’t want to give a speech, a long-haul, or anything like that. I’d like to just have a chance to run up and down the line, shake your hands, and say thank you. But we have a great Embassy out here. And you are right now engaged in a really important enterprise, which is helping Moldova to be able to make this shift of focus so it can choose to be affiliated with the economies and the countries and the values and the opportunities that it wants to be. And that means integration with Europe. What happened in Vilnius a few days ago with the initialing of the documents for the association agreement and also for the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement is a critical step towards this full integration.

Now, in my meetings with the prime minister who was here a moment ago – where did Prime Minister Leanca go? I think he’s out there talking to Michael Gordon. Is he still here? Or he’s in the other room?

PARTICIPANT: He’s across the hall.

SECRETARY KERRY: He’s across the hall. He went over to talk to The New York Times. He knows what he needs to do right now. (Laughter.) Much more important. But anyway, we had a terrific conversation. But he made it clear to me that the road ahead is not automatic. It’s not easy, and there will be pressures. And we’ve all seen what’s happened in Ukraine in the last few days. So this is not always easy, but it’s the right thing to do.

And so what I’ve gained out of this very short, quick visit, which I apologize to you for – I hate coming in and going out – but I thought it was far more important on my way to Israel, where I have to go for our Middle East peace process, that since we had the chance to come by here at this important time, and given what’s happening in Ukraine, I wanted to come here in order to be able to send a message about the importance of the choices that the government is making and what you’re working on.

So we’re going to work hard at this. We’ve got the Millennium Challenge Corporation grant that’s going on, Compact. We’ve got other initiatives that we’re engaged in, in helping them to deal with competitiveness, with businesses. I just came from the winery where we had a chance not only to taste a little wine – (laughter) – very little, I might add – but importantly, we were able to see a business that we think we can make a difference in with respect to how they market what their opportunities are. And particularly since Russia sort of brought the wall down and said, “We’re not going to let you sell your wine because you want to affiliate with Europe,” well, we’ve got to help open up the market so that they can see that that choice pays off.
So all of this is what matters to us going forward, the work you do every single day. I know we have a bunch of folks who make this Embassy work who are local hires, and I think we got about 160 or so, something like that. Now, can you raise your hands, those of you who are local hires? Thank you very, very much. We very much appreciate what you do for us. (Applause.)
And everybody else, whether you are a civil servant, Foreign Service national, foreign national, whatever it is, we thank you for the work that you’re doing.

Final word, because I can tell the kids are getting into – they want playtime or different time or something, I don’t know – (laughter) – I just want to say thank you personally as your Secretary of State.

As the Ambassador said, I was the – I am – was the son of a Foreign Service officer who served for a period of time. And I served right in the midst of the Cold War in the 1950s. I came over to Berlin, which was a divided city with a British sector, a French sector, an American sector, and a Russian sector, and guards, and divisions, and you came through on a special train from Frankfurt and it was right through the Russian sector, and they didn’t let you pick the blinds up, and it was pretty foreboding and imposing to a young kid. But I learned a lot at that stage about what it meant to be abroad, what it meant to be representing your country even though you’re a kid in another place. I went to school abroad and I learned what it was like to pack up and leave home and leave your friends and go to another place.

But it was a fabulous experience, and I’m sure you feel that way or you wouldn’t be doing it. It’s invaluable to our country. You are, every single one of you, ambassadors. And in many cases, you may be the only American that some people will ever meet. So the impression you leave and the service that you can provide and whatever it is you do for people leaves an indelible message about who we are, what kind of people we are, what we care about, and whether we care about people and how we take care of people. That’s very, very important.

We have a lot of other things that are going on, obviously. This is the first visit of the Secretary of State since Jim Baker in 1992 opened this mission. So I’m privileged to be here tonight. I’m glad to be in good company with our Assistant Secretary.

And I thank you all very much for this very, very important work you are doing at a critical time where we are transitioning into the 21^st century with a whole set of different challenges – from cyber warfare to trade to the globalization to the movement of people in unfettered and amazing ways that we never imagined, a huge number of workers from Moldova in other countries sending remittances back, including from Russia – all of which creates this global fabric that we are still learning how to manage and how to navigate our way through. You all are at the vanguard of that and I thank you profoundly on behalf of President Obama, on behalf of the American people. We are grateful for your service. We really can’t do what we need to do for our country without you. And that includes our local hires; we thank you for what you do.
Thank you all. Great to be with you. Happy to be here. Appreciate it. (Applause.)

SEC CHARGES HOLDING COMPANY OF FIFTH THIRD BANK WITH IMPROPER ACCOUNTING DURING FINANCIAL CRISIS

FROM:  U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged the holding company of Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank and its former chief financial officer with improper accounting of commercial real estate loans in the midst of the financial crisis.

Fifth Third agreed to pay $6.5 million to settle the SEC’s charges, and Daniel Poston agreed to pay a $100,000 penalty and be suspended from practicing as an accountant on behalf of any publicly traded company or other entity regulated by the SEC.

According to the SEC’s order instituting settled administrative proceedings, Fifth Third experienced a substantial increase in “non-performing assets” as the real estate market declined in 2007 and 2008 and borrowers failed to repay their loans as originally required.  Fifth Third decided in the third quarter of 2008 to sell large pools of these troubled loans.  Once Fifth Third formed the intent to sell the loans, U.S. accounting rules required the company to classify them as “held for sale” and value them at fair value.  Proper accounting would have increased Fifth Third’s pretax loss for the quarter by 132 percent.  Instead, Fifth Third continued to classify the loans as “held for investment,” which incorrectly suggested that the company had not made the decision to sell the loans.

“Improper accounting by Fifth Third and Poston misled investors during a time of significant upheaval and financial distress for the company,” said George S. Canellos, co-director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.  “It is important for investors to know the financial consequences of decisions made by management, so accounting rules that depend on management’s intent must be scrupulously observed.”

According to the SEC’s order, Poston was familiar with the company’s loan sale efforts, which included entering into agreements with brokers during the third quarter of 2008 to market and sell loans.  Despite understanding the relevant accounting rules, Poston failed to direct Fifth Third to classify and value the loans as required.  Poston also made inaccurate statements to Fifth Third’s auditors about the company’s loan classifications, and certified the company’s inaccurate results for the third quarter of 2008.

“By failing to classify large pools of loans as required, Fifth Third and Poston kept investors from knowing the full truth behind its commercial real estate loan portfolio,” said Stephen L. Cohen, an associate director in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement.

Fifth Third and Poston consented to the entry of the order finding that they violated or caused violations of Sections 17(a)(2) and (3) of the Securities Act of 1933 as well as the reporting, books and records, and internal controls provisions of the federal securities laws.  Without admitting or denying the findings, they agreed to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of these provisions.  Poston is suspended from appearing or practicing before the SEC as an accountant pursuant to Rule 102(e) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice with the right to apply for reinstatement after one year.

The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Beth Groves, Paul Harley, Jonathan Jacobs, and Jim Blenko.  The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP).

UK centre stone-laying launches European space celebrations

UK centre stone-laying launches European space celebrations

FTC CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY ON 100TH ANNIVERSARY

FROM:  U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 
FTC Testifies on Its Work to Protect Consumers and Promote Competition As the Agency Approaches Its 100th Anniversary

The Federal Trade Commission testified before Congress on the agency’s long track record of protecting consumers and promoting competition in the U.S. economy, as well as the agency’s ongoing work and future challenges as it approaches its 100th anniversary next year.

Testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez and Commissioners Julie Brill, Maureen K. Ohlhausen and Joshua D. Wright told lawmakers that the FTC is a highly productive and efficient, small independent agency with jurisdiction to protect consumers and maintain competition in broad sectors of the economy.

“Our agency structure, research capacity, continued commitment to bipartisanship and cooperation, and exceptional staff will allow the FTC to continue to adapt to external changes and successfully fulfill its mission of protecting consumers and competition into its next century,” the testimony states.

President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Clayton Act in 1914, and the FTC opened its doors on March 16, 1915.  The Commission was given enforcement authority and was empowered to conduct investigations, gather information, and publish reports.  Since then, Congress has expanded the FTC’s responsibilities through a number of other statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; and the 1994 Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act, which led to establishment of the popular National Do Not Call Registry.

The testimony outlines the FTC’s current work to protect consumers and promote competition.  In recent years, the FTC has emphasized protecting financially distressed consumers from fraud, protecting consumer privacy and data security, prosecuting false or deceptive health claims, and safeguarding children in the marketplace.

In fiscal year 2013, the FTC filed 72 new consumer protection complaints in federal district court and obtained 100 permanent injunctions and orders (including two civil contempt orders) requiring defendants to pay approximately $198 million in consumer redress or disgorgement of ill-gotten gains.

The FTC’s efforts to maintain competition focus on stopping anticompetitive mergers and other anticompetitive business practices in a wide range of industries of critical importance to American consumers, the testimony states.  These include health care, technology, energy, consumer goods and services, and manufacturing.  This work is critical to protect and strengthen free and open markets – the cornerstone of a vibrant economy.

In fiscal year 2013, the agency pursued 27 new competition law enforcement actions (merger and nonmerger) and undertook several important workshops, reports, and advocacy opportunities to promote competition and educate its stakeholders about the importance of competition to consumers.  Over the past three years, the agency estimated that it saved consumers approximately $3 billion in potential price increases by stopping illegal anticompetitive practices and mergers in the marketplace.

Finally, the testimony describes the challenges facing the FTC as it nears its 100th anniversary. In light of resource constraints and a growing workload, the FTC will continue to leverage its resources through careful case selection, by partnering with public and private entities, and by improving its own technological infrastructure to allow its staff to work more effectively, among other things.

The FTC will continue to adapt as technology continues to evolve.  The agency convenes public meetings, such as its recent workshop exploring the Internet of Things, that help the agency to identify the consumer protection and competition issues that may be raised by the use of new technology.

In addition, the testimony states, the FTC will seek to address challenges posed by increased globalization and an international marketplace, and will continue its longstanding initiative to review FTC rules and guides to ensure that they enhance consumer welfare without imposing undue burdens on business.

“As we approach our 100th anniversary, the FTC remains committed to finding ways to enhance its effectiveness in protecting consumers and promoting competition, to anticipate and respond to changes in the marketplace, and to meet current and future challenges,” the testimony states.

The Commission vote approving the testimony and its inclusion in the formal record was 4-0.

SECRETARY KERRY, EU HIGH REPRESENTATIVE ASHTON MAKE REMARKS AT START OF MEETING IN GENEVA

U.S. State Department Photo

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 
Remarks at Top of Meeting With EU High Representative Cathy Ashton
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
NATO
Brussels, Belgium
December 4, 2013

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you very, very much. Let me just say how much we look forward to continuing to work with High Representative Ashton. Her efforts in Geneva with respect to the initial Iran first step have been key, and now we’re going to talk about how we proceed to try to move towards the comprehensive agreement, as well as some other important issues that we face. Nice to be with her again. Thank you.

HIGH REPRESENTATIVE ASHTON: Thank you. Just to say it’s a great partnership, and the work that we do between the European Union and the U.S. on so many issues, of which Iran is one of the greatest examples but by no means the only example, it’s crucial we share the same values, we work together to try and deliver for people across the world. And I know that as we think about some of the issues and challenges we’re facing right now, this partnership is going to be even more important in the future.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you all very much. Appreciate it. Cathy, please.

TWO PLEAD GUILTY FOR ROLES IN IDENTITY TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY

FROM:  U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Two Foreign Nationals Plead Guilty in Puerto Rican Identity Trafficking Conspiracy

A Dominican national and a Mexican national each pleaded guilty today in connection with their roles in trafficking the identities of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and corresponding identity documents.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Rosa E. Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico, Acting Director John Sandweg of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Chief Postal Inspector Guy J. Cottrell of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Director Gregory B. Starr of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and Chief Richard Weber of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) made the announcement.

Jorge Luis “Daniel” Mendez, 37, formerly of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Enrique Rogelio Mendez-Solis, 37, formerly of Seymour, Ind., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Juan M. Pérez-Giménez in the District of Puerto Rico to one count of conspiracy to commit identification fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain and three counts of aggravated identity theft.   They face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for conspiracy to commit identification fraud, 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for financial gain, and two years in prison for each aggravated identity theft count when they are sentenced on April 28, 2014.

Both defendants were charged in a superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Puerto Rico on March 22, 2012.   To date, 53 individuals have been charged for their roles in the identity trafficking scheme, 49 defendants have been arrested, and 49 have pleaded guilty.

Court documents allege that individuals located in the Savarona area of Caguas, Puerto Rico, obtained Puerto Rican identities and corresponding identity documents.   Other conspirators located in various cities throughout the United States allegedly solicited customers and sold Social Security cards and corresponding Puerto Rico birth certificates for prices ranging from $700 to $2,500 per set.   The superseding indictment alleges that these identity brokers in the United States ordered the identity documents from the document suppliers in Savarona on behalf of their customers by making coded telephone calls.   The conspirators are charged with using text messages, money transfer services, and express, priority, or regular U.S. mail to complete their illicit transactions.

Court documents allege that some of the conspirators assumed a Puerto Rican identity themselves and used that identity in connection with the trafficking operation.   Their customers generally obtained the identity documents to assume the identity of Puerto Rican U.S. citizens and to obtain additional identification documents, such as legitimate state driver’s licenses.   Some customers allegedly obtained the documents to commit financial fraud and attempted to obtain a U.S. passport.

According to court documents, various identity brokers were operating in Rockford, DeKalb and Aurora, Ill.; Seymour, Columbus and Indianapolis, Ind.; Hartford, Conn.; Clewiston, Fla.; Lilburn and Norcross, Ga.; Salisbury, Md.; Columbus and Fairfield, Ohio; Dorchester, Lawrence, Salem and Worcester, Mass.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Nebraska City, Neb.; Elizabeth, N.J.; Burlington and Hickory, N.C.; Hazelton and Philadelphia, Penn.; Houston; Abingdon and Albertville, Ala.; and Providence, R.I.

Mendez admitted that he operated as a Savarona supplier.   Mendez-Solis admitted that he operated as an identity broker in the Seymour, Ind., area.

The charges are the result of Operation Island Express, an ongoing, nationally coordinated investigation led by the ICE Homeland Security Investigations’ (ICE-HSI) Chicago Office and USPIS, DSS and IRS-CI offices in Chicago, in coordination with the ICE-HSI San Juan Office and the DSS Resident Office in Puerto Rico.   The Illinois Secretary of State Police; Elgin, Ill., Police Department; Seymour, Ind., Police Department; and Indiana State Police provided substantial assistance.   The ICE-HSI Assistant Attaché office in the Dominican Republic and International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center (IOC-2), as well as various ICE, USPIS, DSS and IRS-CI offices around the country, provided invaluable support.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys James S. Yoon, Hope S. Olds, Courtney B. Schaefer and Christina Giffin of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, with the assistance of the Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section, and the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.   The U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Northern District of Illinois, Southern District of Indiana, District of Connecticut, District of Massachusetts, District of Nebraska, Middle District of North Carolina, Southern District of Ohio, Middle District of Pennsylvania, District of Rhode Island, Southern District of Texas and Western District of Virginia provided substantial assistance.

NSF DISCUSSES ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AS IT PERTAINS TO 3-D PRINTING

FROM:  NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 
The engineering behind additive manufacturing and the 3-D printing revolution
December 3, 2013

While 3-D pens and printers are enjoyed by students, artists and makers, innovative American companies are using similar equipment to manufacture aerospace, automotive and medical technologies. The number of technologies customized and created using additive manufacturing processes is growing each year.

But understanding how the processes work takes more than prying open your 3-D pen.

Many of the foundational techniques for additive manufacturing, briefly described below, were discovered and patented in the 1980s. The development of three of these methods--selective laser sintering, sheet lamination and 3-D printing--had critical support from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Additive manufacturing is a way of making 3-D objects by building up material, layer upon layer, with the guidance of a digital design. The processes are engineered to use material more efficiently, give designs more flexibility and produce objects more precisely. Above all, they make things quickly.

"Early research led to making prototypes to determine the form and fit of the parts in an assembly, such as an engine," said Kesh Narayanan, deputy assistant director for NSF's Engineering Directorate. "Large-scale manufacturing of parts, especially critical components, at attractive cost is the ongoing challenge for broader use of additive manufacturing."

More and more companies are taking on the challenge of commercializing these foundational technologies, including the very first one, stereolithography.

Stereolithography was invented by Charles Hull, the founder of 3D Systems, Inc. (patent 4575330 filed in 1984, awarded in 1986). This process, sometimes called vat photopolymerization, begins with a vat filled with a special resin; resins are thick liquids that can permanently harden into solids. Some resins cure rapidly when exposed to a certain light spectrum. Dentists use similar light-activated materials as adhesives, because they can be set quickly with the help of a laser.

Next, following a digital design, a laser targets an area just above a platform within the vat, causing the liquid resin there to selectively harden. Then, the platform moves down slightly, and the laser activates the next layer of liquid resin, linking the molecules together in a process called polymerization to form a solid object.

Selective laser sintering was invented by a University of Texas at Austin graduate student, Carl Deckard, and his advisor, Joseph Beaman (patent 4863538 filed in 1986, awarded in 1989). Also known as powder bed fusion, the technique uses a computer-controlled laser to selectively "sinter," or fuse, cross-sections of powder into a solid. The powder can be ceramic, metal, plastic or polymer, depending on what properties the object must have.

The energy from the laser heats the powder just enough to join the pieces together, similar to how the gentle warmth of hands can form powdery snow into a solid snowball. After one layer is sintered, the next layer of powder is applied and sintered according to the design.

Sheet lamination, also known as laminated object manufacturing, was invented by Michael Feygin, the founder of Helisys, Inc., formerly Hydronetics, Inc. (patent 4752352 filed in 1987, awarded in 1988). In this process, a laser cuts a thin sheet of paper, plastic or metal into the desired shape, and then another layer is bonded on top and also cut. By repeating these steps, objects with intricate, complicated shapes can be quickly formed at low cost.

Material extrusion was invented by S. Scott Crump, founder of Stratasys Ltd. (patent 5121329 filed in 1989, awarded in 1992). The process, sometimes called fused deposition modeling, pushes liquid plastic or metal out through a nozzle, right along the path on the digital map. A similar technique is used by a pastry chef while piping a layer of melted chocolate through the pointy tip of a pastry bag.

The molten material quickly cools and hardens, and a new layer can then be added on top. Just as chefs may use different concoctions and piping tips to create unique shapes with exactly the flavor, stiffness or other properties needed, material extrusion allows engineers--and enthusiasts--to quickly make new designs into objects meeting their specifications.

3-D printing was developed by a Massachusetts Institute of Technology team led by Emanuel Sachs (patent 5204055 filed in 1989, awarded in 1993). Also known as binder jetting, the technique involves laying down a layer of a powder and then squirting a liquid binder on the areas to be solidified. While similar to conventional ink jet printers, 3-D printers are able to build additional layers on top of previous ones to construct 3-D objects, even sophisticated objects that could serve one day as medical implants.

Other additive manufacturing techniques include various material jetting processes and directed energy deposition.

The origins of additive manufacturing processes can be traced to the 1970s and 1980s, when researchers began exploring new ways to make things. Then, as now, common manufacturing processes included casting/molding, forming, joining and machining.

At this same time, new techniques for solid modeling were coming to fruition. The modeling techniques enabled researchers to translate 3-D geometries into mathematical terms, which could then serve as instructions for equipment control systems.

The new additive processes, combined with advances in solid modeling, today enable rapid fabrication from a digital model, in a range of geometries beyond the capabilities of other methods.

"Additive manufacturing--with its versatility, efficiency and ability to quickly link geometric design to distributed production--can really accelerate product deployment," said Steve McKnight, director of the NSF Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation.

McKnight continued, "To realize the full promise of additive manufacturing, researchers will need to discover new ways to increase speed, lower costs, improve consistency and develop and qualify novel materials for all kinds of applications. It will take the ingenuity of engineers, students and makers."

NSF's investment in additive manufacturing is part of a broader effort to accelerate the convergence of frontier research in materials, cyber-enabled systems and manufacturing science with the goal of spurring U.S. marketplace innovation to yield high-technology jobs and industrial growth.

SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY'S REMARKS BEFORE MEETING WITH MOLDOVAN PRESIDENT TIMOFTI

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks Before His Meeting With Moldovan President Nicolae Timofti
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Presidential Residence
Chisinau, Moldova
December 4, 2013

Well, thank you very much, Mr. President. And Mr. Prime Minister, leaders of the parliament, and Madam Foreign Minister, it’s a great, great privilege for me to be here in Moldova. This is my first visit here, as you know well. Vice President Biden came here in 2011. I think I’m the first Secretary of State to come here since Jim Baker in the 1990s. That’s too long, too much of a gap. So it’s a real privilege for me to be able to be here.

Let me congratulate you and your government on the very important steps that you have taken and are taking. The reforms that you are putting in place, the courage that you are showing and your people are showing to express their determination to align themselves with Europe and with opportunity, to be free to choose where and how you will engage in your economic activity is fundamental. And we applaud you for it.

I know this is a short visit, and I apologize upfront for its brevity. But I would rather come here for part of the day today than miss it altogether. And I think it’s a very important moment for me to be able to come here. I have just come from the meetings of NATO in Brussels. There was a great deal of discussion about the Vilnius meeting and about your signature, your initials on both the Association Agreement as well as on the deep and concentrated free trade agreement. We are convinced that any country ought to be able to make a choice of where it wants to affiliate, where it wants to conduct its economic activities, and in what way at which it conducts its affairs without external interference, and certainly without external pressures that have a profound impact on your people.

So I am here to affirm to you that the United States will stand with you. We are strongly supportive of what you are trying to achieve. We’ve provided some assistance and we will provide more. And we will continue to work with you on this road to your return, if you will, to this affiliation with Europe. And we look forward to it. And I’m very grateful to you for your very generous welcome here today.

EXPORT-IMPORT BANK REPORTS "U.S. EXPORTS REACH RECORD 192.7 BILLION IN OCTOBER"

FROM:  U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
U.S. Exports Reach a Record $192.7 Billion in October

Washington, D.C. – The United States exported a record $192.7 billion in goods and services in October 2013, according to data released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the U.S. Commerce Department.

“With exports rising and the trade deficit falling, it is clear that President Obama’s National Export Initiative is getting results,” said Export-Import Bank Chairman and President Fred P. Hochberg. “Today’s numbers are a welcome reminder of the importance of exports to the U.S. economy. Ex-Im plays a critical role in insuring that financing will not stand in the way of American businesses closing a sale overseas and creating jobs. And as another record month for American exporters and American jobs shows—the ‘Made in America’ brand remains a top seller.”

October’s figure is slightly larger than the previous high recorded in June, which was revised upward this month to $190.9 billion.

Exports of goods and services over the last twelve months totaled $2.3 trillion, which is 43.1 percent above the level of exports in 2009. Over the last twelve months, exports have been growing at an annualized rate of 9.8 percent when compared to 2009.

Over the last twelve months, among the major export markets (i.e., markets with at least $6 billion in annual imports of U.S. goods), the countries with the largest annualized increase in U.S. goods purchases, when compared to 2009, were Panama (27.6 percent), Russia (22.3 percent), United Arab Emirates (20.9 percent), Hong Kong (20.7 percent), Peru (20.2 percent), Chile (19.3 percent), Colombia (18.7 percent), Argentina (17.2 percent), Ecuador (16.9 percent), and Saudi Arabia (16.0 percent).

ABOUT EX-IM BANK:

Ex-Im Bank is an independent federal agency that creates and maintains U.S. jobs by filling gaps in private export financing at no cost to American taxpayers. In the past five years (from Fiscal Year 2008), Ex-Im Bank has earned for U.S. taxpayers nearly $1.6 billion above the cost of operations. The Bank provides a variety of financing mechanisms, including working capital guarantees, export-credit insurance and financing to help foreign buyers purchase U.S. goods and services.

Ex-Im Bank approved $35.8 billion in total authorizations in FY 2012 – an all-time Ex-Im record. This total includes more than $6.1 billion directly supporting small-business export sales – also an Ex-Im record. Ex-Im Bank's total authorizations are supporting an estimated $50 billion in U.S. export sales and approximately 255,000 American jobs in communities across the country.

SEC CHARGES TRADER WITH INSIDER TRADING OF STOCK IN A CHINESE COMPANY

FROM:  U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged a Miami-based trader with insider trading in the stock of a Chinese company and conducting illegal short sales in the securities of three other companies.

The SEC alleges that Charles Raymond Langston III learned confidential information in advance of a public announcement that significantly decreased the value of AutoChina International’s stock.  Langston was solicited by placement agents to invest in a secondary offering of AutoChina stock.  Despite agreeing to keep information confidential and not trade on it, he promptly sold short 29,000 shares of AutoChina stock in advance of the company’s public announcement that it had completed the secondary offering.  To avoid detection, Langston made the trades through an entity he owned using a different broker and different account than he used to purchase shares in AutoChina’s initial offering.  Langston made $193,108 in illegal profits by trading on the inside information.

“Langston agreed to keep confidential the information he learned from AutoChina’s placement agent and abstain from trading on it.  Yet he chose to place personal greed ahead of the integrity of the securities markets,” said Eric I. Bustillo, director of the SEC’s Miami Regional Office.

The SEC’s complaint filed in federal court in Miami further alleges that Langston and two of his companies, Guarantee Reinsurance and CRL Management, violated Rule 105 of Regulation M, which prohibits the short sale of an equity security during a restricted period – generally five business days before a public offering – and the purchase of that same security through the offering.  The rule addresses illegal short selling that can reduce offering proceeds received by companies by artificially depressing the market price shortly before the company prices its public offering.  The SEC alleges that Langston through Guarantee Reinsurance and CRL Management made short sales in advance of separate secondary offerings by Wells Fargo, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and Alcoa.  He purchased shares in the same offerings.  Langston and his companies’ violations of Rule 105 resulted in unlawful gains of more than $1.3 million.

“During restricted periods, Langston and his companies executed short sales that gamed the system and resulted in illegal profits,” said Glenn S. Gordon, associate director for enforcement in the SEC’s Miami Regional Office.  “The SEC is resolutely committed to pursuing those who violate Rule 105.”

Langston has agreed to settle the insider trading charges by paying disgorgement of $193,108, prejudgment interest of $22,204, and a penalty of $193,108.  Langston and the two companies also agreed to be enjoined for the short selling violations with monetary sanctions to be determined by the court at a later date.  Langston neither admits nor denies the allegations that he violated Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 as well as Rule 105 of Regulation M of the Exchange Act.

The SEC’s case against Langston and his companies was investigated by Andre J. Zamorano and Kathleen Strandell in the Miami office, and supervised by Thierry Olivier Desmet.  The SEC’s litigation is being led by Christopher E. Martin.  The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

IRS REPORTS MORE THAN 122 MILLION TAX RETURNS e-FILED IN 2013

FROM:  U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE 
More than 122 million Returns e-Filed in 2013

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced a milestone for IRS e-file – more than 122 million returns were e-filed during 2013. The statistics provided today contain complete e-file totals for 2013.

This year, the IRS received more than 45.2 million returns from those who prepared and e-filed their own returns on home computers, up from 43.2 million a year earlier, an increase of 4.6 percent. E-filed returns from tax professionals increased slightly, totaling more than 77 million returns. Whether they are self prepared or prepared by a tax return preparer, 91 percent of all tax returns filed by individuals are prepared on computers using tax preparation software, which improves the accuracy of those returns.

Other highlights from the new filing season statistics show:

During 2013, the IRS issued more than 109 million refunds worth almost $300 billion.
Almost 77 percent of refund recipients chose to receive their refunds through direct deposit.
More people are using IRS.gov to get answers, file their returns and resolve issues. So far in 2013, the IRS web site has been accessed more than 430 million times, up almost 24 percent compared to the same time last year.

U.S. DEFENSE CONTRACTS FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2013

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
CONTRACTS

ARMY

Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va., (W91CRB-11-D-0001) (P00010); Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, (W91CRB-11-D-0002) (P00005); Booz Allen Hamilton, Mc Lean, Va., (W91CRB-11-D-0003) (P00007); Exelis Inc., Alexandria, Va., (W91CRB-11-D-0004) (P00010); Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Va., (W91CRB-11-D-0005) (P00007); Wintec Arrowmaker, Inc.*, Fort Washington, Md., (W91CRB-11-D-0006) (P00006); Technical and Project Engineering LLC.*, Alexandria, Va. (W91CRB-11-D-0007) (P00005) were awarded an $80,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract modification.  The modification increases the award ceiling from $400,000,000 to $480,000,000 in order to support the Army Research Laboratory’s increased unique mission cell requirements.  Funding and location will be determined with each order.  Bids were solicited via the Internet with seven received.  Army Contracting Command, Research Triangle Park, N.C., is the contracting activity.

Choctaw Transportation Company Inc., Dyersburg, Tenn., (W912EQ-14-D-0001); Luhr Bros., Inc., Columbia, Ill., (W912EQ-14-D-0002); Patton-Tully Marine LLC.*, Memphis, Tenn., (W912EQ-14-D-0003); Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel Co., White Hall, Ark., (W912EQ-14-D-0004), were awarded a $48,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of various types of stone navigation structures to include all types of dikes, chevrons, bend-way weirs, hardpoints, and other river training structures in the Mississippi River between river miles 954.0 to 320.  Funds and location will be determined with each order.  Estimated completion date is Dec. 3, 2016.  Bids were solicited via the Internet with four received.  Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis, Tenn., is the contracting activity.

Northrop-Grumman, Huntsville, Ala. was awarded a $19,800,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for research and development of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense and Battle Command System. Work will be performed in Huntsville, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2015.  Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of a $19,800,000 were obligated at the time of the award.  Two bids were solicited, with two received.  Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-08-C-0418). (Awarded Dec 3, 2013)

Oshkosh Corp, Oshkosh, Wisc., was awarded a $9,500,000 contract modification (P00029) to contract W56HZV-09-D-0159 to extend the vehicle ordering year for the family of medium tactical vehicles to cover Jan. 1 to May 15, 2014.  This extension is based on lost ordering time due to a protest that occurred within ten days of this contract's award, Aug. 26, 2009, that lasted 131 days.  Fiscal 2014 other procurement funds will be determined by each order. Work will be performed in Oshkosh. Bids were solicited via the Internet, with three received.  Army Contracting Command, Tank and Automotive, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Dec. 3, 2013)


NAVY

Maersk Line Ltd., Norfolk, Va., is being awarded a $14,223,440 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00033-11-C-5400) to exercise option period two for the worldwide charter of one U.S.-flagged, Ice-class certified, double-hulled product tanker.  The vessel provides worldwide bulk fuel support to the Department of Defense, including a delivery each year to Antarctica for the National Science Foundation and a delivery each year to Greenland for the Department of Defense, Defense Logistics Agency-Energy.  Work will be performed worldwide, and is expected to be completed December 2014.  If all option periods are exercised, work will continue through November 2016.  Fiscal 2014 working capital contract funds in the amount of $11,495,657 are obligated on this award, and will not expire at the end of the fiscal year.  Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

CDM Federal Programs Corp., Fairfax, Va., is being awarded $10,730,846 for firm-fixed-price task order 0012 under a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N62470-09-D-9037) for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command utility inventory and risk assessment pilot.  The work to be performed is to migrate existing AutoCAD (computer aided design) data and/or version 2.6 geographic information system data for the water, wastewater, thermal, gas, compressed air, saltwater and electrical commodities into the latest respective version of the utilities geographic information systems models.  The work to be performed is to also combine geographic information systems data with existing MAXIMO data, asset data in spreadsheets and other databases.  Work will be performed at several Naval Facility Engineering Commands located at Jacksonville, Fla., San Diego, Calif., and Washington, D.C.  Work is expected to be completed by September 2015.  Fiscal 2014 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $10,730,846 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  One proposal was received for this task order.  The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity.

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., is being awarded $8,481,104 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 2035 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-11-G-0001) for follow-on integrated logistics support/engineering services for Harpoon/SLAM-ER Missile System and Harpoon Launch Systems for the U.S. Navy and various foreign military sales customers.  Work will be performed in St. Charles, Mo. (91.17 percent); St. Louis, Mo. (5.43 percent); Yorktown, Va. (2.64 percent); Pt. Mugu, Calif. (.71 percent); and Oklahoma City, Okla. (.05 percent), and is expected to be completed in July 2014.  This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($3,122,737; 36.82 percent); the governments of Korea ($759,253; 8.95 percent); Taiwan ($715,517; 8.43 percent); Turkey ($632,914; 7.46 percent); Egypt ($421,912; 4.97 percent); United Kingdom ($317,393; 3.74 percent); Japan ($302,563; 3.57 percent); Pakistan ($283,035; 3.34 percent); Australia ($260,331; 3.07 percent); Chile ($223,047; 2.63 percent); Saudi Arabia ($223,212; 2.63 percent); Canada ($204,204; 2.41 percent); Israel ($165,053; 1.95 percent); Bahrain ($109,006; 1.29 percent); United Arab Emirates ($106,102; 1.25 percent); the Netherlands ($83,584; .99 percent); Germany ($83,582; .99 percent); Kuwait ($77,246; .91 percent); Singapore ($75,386; .89 percent); Oman ($71,439; .84 percent); India ($64,462; .76 percent); Portugal ($62,687; .74 percent); Thailand ($45,825; .54 percent); Denmark ($41,791; .49 percent); and Malaysia ($28,823; .34 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy and FMS contract funds in the amount $8,481,104 will be obligated at time of award; $3,122,737 of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY

Pfizer, Inc., has been awarded a $7,670,632 technology investment agreement.  Pfizer shall perform a research and development program designed to develop a technology platform to identify and subsequently induce the production of protective antibodies to an emerging pathogen directly in an infected or exposed individual.  Work will be performed in Cambridge, Mass. The estimated completion date is Dec. 8, 2016.  Fiscal 2013 research and development funds are being obligated at time of award. The contracting activity is the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Va., (HR0011-14-3-0001).


*Small Business

HHS ARTICLE ON HOT-AIR BALLOON SAFETY

Credit:  Wikimedia.

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Riding in a hot-air balloon can give you beautiful views – but just like riding in a car, while mostly things go right, sometimes they can go seriously wrong. Researcher Sarah-Blythe Ballard of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found this in a look at 12 years of federal transportation data on hot-air balloon tours:

“Of the 78 crashes that occurred during the study period, 83 percent resulted in serious injury or death.”

Ballard says most crashes occurred on landing. She advises passengers to listen carefully and follow their pilot’s instructions – including not standing up, or leaping out of the gondola, as the balloon lands.

The study in the journal Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: December 3, 2013

SECRETARY KERRY'S REMARKS ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Press Statement
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
December 3, 2013

It is my great pleasure to join the world’s one billion persons with disabilities in recognizing the 21st International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Here in the United States, we’ve been witness to enormous progress in empowering people with disabilities to participate fully in activities that most of us take for granted. I remember the early days of the fight to make our country more accessible, from my work as a Lieutenant Governor and Senator to help open the path for the Wheelchair Division of the Boston Marathon and to open up Little League opportunities to kids with disabilities. It continued through my early Senate partnership with a Republican Senator, Lowell Weicker, to help unleash technology that has produced assistive devices for disabled people.

But my years in the Senate also taught me how much work remains to export the American gold standard – the Americans with Disabilities Act – to the rest of the world. During my final weeks as a Senator, I worked alongside Republican Senators from John McCain to John Barrasso, to try and ratify the Disabilities Treaty, an international agreement that can help protect the rights of Americans with disabilities when they live, work, travel, or study overseas. The goal is simple: to help lift other countries up to meet the standard the United States set more than 20 years ago. We fell just six votes short last year of exporting our American ideal, and now is the time to finish the job.

The need is enormous, and the imperative is urgent. What we did here at home with the ADA hasn’t even been remotely realized in many places overseas. At least 80 percent of the world’s persons with disabilities live in the developing world, too often in deplorable conditions of neglect and second class citizenship. Too many people, in too many places around the globe are subjected to unacceptable horrors simply because they have a disability. Moreover, for the more than 50 million Americans with disabilities who want to travel, study, work, and serve abroad, including our 5.5 million veterans with disabilities, the protections that they have grown accustomed to under the ADA and other ground-breaking U.S. legislation simply do not exist in many countries. We can change that. We can help expand opportunities abroad for Americans with disabilities, create new markets for American companies, and be in the strongest possible position to push for critically needed improvements around the world.

On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we reaffirm our determination to ensure that our disabled brothers and sisters can travel abroad with the same dignity and respect that they enjoy here at home, and that disabled people around the world can at last share in the promises that Americans believe are a right, not a privilege.

SECRETARY GENERAL RASMUSSEN IS URGING AFGHAN GOVERNMENT TO SIGN SECURITY ACCORD

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
Rasmussen Urges Afghanistan to Sign Security Agreement
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2013 – NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen opened the NATO Foreign Ministerial in Brussels today welcoming the Loya Jirga’s endorsement of the U.S.-Afghan security accord and urging the Afghan government give it a “timely signature.”

“The recent Loya Jirga showed very clearly the progress Afghanistan is making,” he said. “The Afghan forces did a remarkable job in ensuring that a gathering of such scale took place in a peaceful manner. And the participants delivered a clear message for continued partnership and cooperation.”

Speaking to reporters at the two-day ministerial, Rasmussen called the bilateral agreement important to the legal framework for the NATO-led mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces post-2014.

“We will be working closely with the Afghan government in the weeks ahead on this issue,” he said.

Afghan security forces “are already quite capable. But we do believe that they need our continued assistance, and that’s why we are prepared to deploy the so-called Resolute Support mission to Afghanistan,” Rasmussen said.
“My concern is that if we are not able to deploy a training mission to Afghanistan, it may have a negative impact on the security situation … [and] on the provision of financial aid to Afghanistan,” he said. It could also jeopardize pledges to finance the Afghan security forces and provide development assistance to the country, he noted.

Everything, he emphasized, hinges on a signed security agreement.
“It is clear that if there is no signature on the legal agreement, there can be no deployment and the planned assistance will be put at risk,” Rasmussen said. “It is my firm hope and intention, therefore, to continue our efforts to support Afghanistan once these agreements are concluded.”

Attendees at the foreign ministers’ sessions in Brussels are meeting with International Security Assistance Force partners and the Afghan foreign and interior ministers to discuss current operations and get updated on preparations for next year’s elections, he reported.

They kicked off meetings today with discussing about NATO’s summit next year in the United Kingdom. The summit is expected to focus on ensuring the alliance remains “fit, outward-looking and ready to respond to the challenges the future will bring,” Rasmussen said.

“There, we will chart the future of this alliance,” he said.

FORMER HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE DEBARRED FOR VIOLATIONS OF EXPORT LAWS

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 
State Department Debars Former Honeywell International Employee for Export Violations
Bureau of Political-Military Affairs
November 27, 2013

The State Department issued an order administratively debarring LeAnne Lesmeister, former compliance officer at Honeywell International, Inc. (Honeywell), from participating in any activities that are subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)(22 C.F.R. parts 120-130) for violations of the Arms Export Controls Act (AECA)(22 U.S.C. § 2778) and the ITAR.

Honeywell voluntarily disclosed to the Department numerous ITAR violations carried out by Ms. Lesmeister, its senior export compliance officer in Clearwater, Florida, between 2008 and 2012. Ms. Lesmeister, who had worked in export compliance at Honeywell for twenty-seven years, used her position to circumvent Honeywell’s export compliance program in the fabrication of various export control documents that Ms. Lesmeister presented as Department of State authorizations. Relying on these falsified authorizations, Honeywell exported defense articles, including technical data, and provided defense services to various foreign persons without Department approval in violation of the AECA and ITAR.

The State Department’s Office of Defense Trade Controls Compliance in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs performed an extensive compliance review of the disclosed violations. The results of that review indicated no direct harm to U.S. foreign policy or national security. The nature of the violations, however, prompted the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Defense Trade Controls in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs to formally charge Ms. Lesmeister with twenty-one violations of the AECA and ITAR in connection with her creation and use of Department authorizations, containing false statements or omitting and misrepresenting material facts for the purpose of exporting, retransferring, or furnishing defense articles, technical data, or defense services, and causing the unauthorized export of technical data and provision of defense services.

This administrative debarment is the result of the Department’s first institution of an administrative proceeding by referral of a charging letter before an Administrative Law Judge for consideration pursuant to ITAR § 128.4. The referral and debarment followed Ms. Lesmeister's failure to answer the formal charges.

Acknowledging the serious nature of the violations, Honeywell cooperated fully with the Department’s review and implemented remedial measures to resolve the conditions that allowed the misconduct of one employee, in a position of authority, to bring about significant export compliance violations.

This administrative proceeding highlights the range of potential penalties that may be imposed by the Department on entities or individuals for ITAR violations. Individuals, if found culpable, may not be shielded by their employers for their independent violations. Those persons tasked with an entity’s export responsibilities, should be vigilant in their compliance with all export control regulations.

Under the terms of the administrative debarment, Ms. Lesmeister will be prevented from participating directly or indirectly in any activities that are subject to ITAR for a period of three years and until an application for reinstatement is submitted and approved by the Department. The Department determined that civil penalties were not appropriate at this time.

SECRETARY OF STATE KERRY'S REMARKS IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 
Solo Press Availability at NATO
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
NATO Headquarters
Brussels, Belgium
December 3, 2013


SECRETARY KERRY: Good evening, everybody. Before we get to a discussion of the NATO business, I’d like to just spend a brief moment, if I can, saying something about events that the whole world is watching, and that is the situation in Ukraine. The powerful expressions of support for Europe in cities all across the Ukraine have really been quite extraordinary. People of all different backgrounds are giving voice to their very real and very deep aspirations, and we urge the Ukrainian Government to listen to the voices of its people who want to live in freedom and in opportunity and prosperity. And we urge all sides to conduct themselves peacefully. Violence has no place in a modern European state. And to work together, we think that is really the goal that everybody in the Ukraine should be pursuing, work together to get the Ukraine back on the road to European integration and to economic health. And we hope that that can happen as rapidly as possible.

Let me say that I’m very pleased to be back in Brussels and to be here working alongside my 27 fellow allied foreign ministers to prepare for the NATO summit in Wales that will take place in September of next year. 2014 is really going to be a pivotal time for NATO and for a transformation that is taking place with respect to NATO engagement and responsibilities. It will be a pivotal time for our alliance and for the transatlantic relationship.

We will mark a number of very important anniversaries in the U.S.-European relationship next year: 100 years since Sarajevo and the outbreak of World War I; 70 years since Normandy; 25 years since the Berlin Wall fell; and 15, 10, and 5 years since NATO’s post-Cold War enlargements. As our nation honors those anniversaries and comes together for both the EU and the NATO summits, we have to take every single opportunity in order to renew our commitment to the transatlantic relationship and to cement NATO’s role as the transatlantic core of a global security community.

The Secretary General has outlined three key areas for the South Wales summit: first, the way forward in Afghanistan; second, the capabilities that NATO will need to continue as the most successful political and security alliance that the world has ever seen; and third, NATO’s critical partnerships with countries from outside of the alliance.

Today, we discussed and we will discuss at much greater length tomorrow the tremendous progress that has been made in transitioning to full Afghan leadership in providing for that country’s security. We will also address the importance of maintaining a strong commitment to Afghanistan even after we end the NATO combat mission next year. The United States is committed to do its part in contributing to the new mission to train, advise, and assist Afghan security forces after 2014.

As that combat mission comes to a close, we must keep or make certain that we keep NATO finely tuned to be able to invest in the capabilities, the exercises, and the training that will enable all of our nations to be able to address the challenges of the future.

One lesson that we can certainly draw from NATO’s history, and that is the value of helping to support local security forces, particularly as a means of stabilizing post-conflict situations. We now need to institutionalize this ability to be able to train, and we need to do what we can to help countries that need and want our support in that training exercise.

Today, we also spoke about how we can energize existing partnership frameworks like the ones that exist in the countries of the Mediterranean and the Gulf, and how we can deepen cooperation with our key operational partners, those most capable are willing to deploy with us when and if needed. Both of these objectives will be critical parts of protecting our ability to deploy whenever and wherever needed.

We also recognized that the security threats of the future are not going to look like the security threats that we face today in many respects. I joined Minister Paet in signing a U.S.-Estonian Cyber Partnership Statement earlier today, and that commits both of us to do even more together in order to combat this real and growing security concern within the cyber sphere.

When NATO was established more than 60 years ago, President Truman remarked, “If there is anything inevitable, if there is anything unconquerable in the world today, it is the will of the people of all nations for freedom and peace.” Since then, NATO has played an absolutely essential role in supporting that will around the globe. As we build on today’s discussions and focus on our partnerships, our capabilities, and our enduring commitment to Afghanistan, I personally have every confidence that NATO will continue to protect freedom, continue to try to push for and bring about peace, and it will do so for decades to come.

So I thank you very much for being here and I’d be delighted to answer any questions.

MS. PSAKI: The first question will be from Michael Gordon of the New York Times.

QUESTION: Sir, the former commander of NATO and American forces in Afghanistan, General John Allen, a man whom you’ve asked to help with the Middle East peace process, wrote last week in an op-ed article that it was a mistake to insist that President Karzai sign a BSA this year. And his basic argument was that the United States should not let one man – a departing president, no less – stand in the way of an agreement. As he wrote, “The United States should stay patient. It can say to Mr. Karzai if you want to reinforce Afghan democracy by letting your successor sign this security deal, we can live with that.”

Given all the sacrifices and the stakes involved, why is it – why shouldn’t the United States wait till after the next election, which is in April, for the agreement to be signed? What is the real deadline? And the NATO Secretary General just told us that he himself is not setting an exact date.

SECRETARY KERRY: Well, I’m not going to get into – I don’t think I’ve ever spoken with respect to a hard, fixed specific date except that the President of the United States has urged him to sign it by a period of time – urged him. I don’t think he set an ultimatum.

But the reason, Michael, is very clear. I mean, we’re not – this is not fooling around. This is serious business. There are over 50 nations who are engaged here through NATO in trying to help Afghanistan. And those nations have budget cycles. Those nations have planning requirements. Those nations have equipment requirements. They have deployment requirements. And all of those things are best managed with planning.

So what we are asking for is the optimum, which is to try to manage this transition in Afghanistan. And it is interesting that the vast majority of people in Afghanistan – the Loya Jirga, which President Karzai himself made the decision to go to – came out with a judgment that this ought to be signed so that it would optimize the opportunities for this transition in Afghanistan.

Now, can you maybe muddle through? Can you do other things? That’s not the issue here. The issue is: How do you get the best transition possible? How do you do the best planning possible? How do you lay the best groundwork possible? How do you give confidence to people in Afghanistan? How do you give confidence to the military that is in the midst of training? How do you give confidence to all those people running for office next year who are looking for some certainty as to what the basis and foundation of that election might be about?

And I think that it is important for the agreement to try to move forward. Now, it doesn’t have to be – his minister of defense can sign it, the government can sign it, somebody can accept responsibility for this. But I think it is important for planning purposes, for people who have been extraordinarily patient, who are trying to allocate major amounts of money to sustaining this effort in Afghanistan, to have knowledge of where they’re going.

We negotiated this agreement. I personally negotiated it with him and we came to a conclusion, and the President agreed and stood up and said this is what we’re going to do, we’re going to send it to the Loya Jirga, and if they approve, then we’ll send it to parliament and go forward. Now, I don’t believe in renegotiating unilaterally, and I don’t believe in and I don’t think President Obama appreciates, the amount of sacrifice that has been made by our troops, by the American people to contribute to the future of Afghanistan, that this somehow is being left in doubt at this critical moment. And I think all of our colleagues here today voiced a desire for their planning purposes and for the confidence that comes with the knowledge that we are moving in the same direction, that they all voiced hope that this can be done sooner, not later. And I think that’s what we need to aim for is sooner, not later, because that is what is best for Afghanistan.

MS. PSAKI: The next question will be from Ana Pisonero from Europa Press.

QUESTION: Secretary General, what more – what can NATO do to influence events on the ground in Ukraine? I mean, would the U.S. support maybe a more radical change of doing EU sanctions or something against Ukraine, or is this not something that we should think about at this time and just give space to both parties?

SECRETARY KERRY: I think NATO has done what it has done today, which is make a statement about it, but I don’t think NATO has a role. NATO is a defense alliance. It’s a national – it’s a security alliance. And NATO has spoken out, out of its concern, but it does not have a role, does not play a role, and is not contemplating a role. This is really something that the people of the Ukraine need to work out with their leadership, and the leadership needs to listen to the people and work out with the people.

Clearly, there is a very powerful evidence of people who would like to be associated with Europe and who had high hopes for their aspirations to be fulfilled through that association. And we stand with the vast majority of the Ukrainians who want to see this future for their country, and we commend the EU for keeping the door open to that. But that is not a NATO piece of business, beyond the statement that it has issued today.

MS. PSAKI: The final question is from Elise Labott of CNN.

QUESTION: Thank you. Mr. Secretary, if I could just follow up on that, I mean, NATO is a defense alliance, but the U.S. gives a lot of money to Ukraine; it does have a lot of influence. So what can the U.S. do in particular? And to add to that, Russia has been taking a lot of heavy-handed tactics to stop this – people who have greater desires for economic integration with Europe. For months, they’ve taken a number of punitive measures to discourage East European nations from forming trade agreements with the EU, such as in Moldova where you’re visiting. So why aren’t you speaking out more forceful on this?

And while I have you, on the issue of detained Americans, we have several serious cases pending right now. The case of Merrill Newman – can you discuss what’s being done to bring him home? Today is also the fourth anniversary of Alan Gross’s detainment in Cuba. He says his nation has abandoned him. What do you say to that?

Thank you.

SECRETARY KERRY: Well, let me speak first of all to Ukraine. Europe and Europe’s friends all decline to engage in a rather overt, and we think, inappropriate bidding war with respect to the choice that might or might not be made. And that choice, obviously, is distinguishable between a choice made by the leadership versus the choice that is being made by the people. And that’s why people in unbelievable numbers are demonstrating across the Ukraine, because Mr. Yanukovych has obviously made a personal decision, and the people don’t agree with that decision.

We, like our European friends, believe that the people of Ukraine ought to have the right to be able to express themselves freely, without violence, and that the leadership in the Ukraine ought to listen to them. And there’s some evidence that in the last 24 hours that leadership has responded by saying that the door may, in fact, remain open and that they may relook at this issue. I don’t know.

I do know that we feel very strongly that they ought to make their own choice. They ought to be able to decide who they want to affiliate with, without a bidding war either in personal terms or in national terms, but rather based on the benefits that are available to them and the life that comes with it and the rights and benefits that they would like to be able to reach out to.

And I think that we’ve spoken out very, very clearly that we’re closely monitoring the situation on the ground. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland will be going there tomorrow and she will be joining other ministers who will be there for meetings. I personally will be going to Moldova in order to support that country’s European choice. And I look forward to visiting Ukraine when it, too, gets back on the path of European integration and economic responsibility. And we’ve spoken out very clearly about our desire to see the people of Ukraine be able to have their aspirations met by their own leadership in peaceful ways, without violence, which has no place in a modern European state.

That said, with respect to the number of American citizens who are being held in different places, we have been deeply involved in discussions on every one of those citizens. And we have been engaged behind the scenes – which is often the way these issues are best managed – in every single case in order to try to secure the safety of those people, and in order ultimately to be able to secure their release. And that is true of each of the individuals that you have listed.

In the case of Mr. Gross, we’ve had any number of initiatives and outreaches over the last several years and engagement with a number of different individuals who have traveled to Cuba, met with people individually there and elsewhere. And we are currently engaged in some discussions regarding that, which I’m not at liberty to go into in any kind of detail.

But the bottom line is that we have raised these issues not just in Korea – North Korea, not just in Cuba, but also with respect to a number of Americans who are held in Iran. And I have personally raised those names and those individuals with my counterpart as well as in other ways. And we are hopeful that in each case, at some point we will be able to win their freedom and have them rejoined with their families.

One day is too long to be in captivity, and one day for any American citizen is more than any American wants to see somebody endure. This has been too long in every case, and we will do everything we can and continue to. But these things are often best resolved in quiet diplomacy, under the radar screen, behind the scenes, and that is exactly what we have been pursuing. And when, in fact, we secure their release, the track record of those outreaches and those initiatives will speak for themselves as to how much effort and energy has been put into trying to secure their release. And God willing, we will get that done sooner rather than later, we hope.

MS. PSAKI: Thanks, everyone.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you.

COURT ORDERS TELEMARKETER AND OWNED COMPANIES TO PAY OVER $5 MILLION DUPED CONSUMERS

FROM:  U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 

At the Federal Trade Commission’s request, a federal court has ordered a Canadian telemarketer and four companies he owns to pay more than $5.1 million to American and Canadian consumers who were duped into paying hundreds of dollars based on false claims that the defendants had buyers lined up for their cars, and that refunds would be provided if the cars weren’t sold.  The court also permanently banned the defendants from telemarketing and payment processing.

According to the FTC’s complaint against Matthew J. Loewen  and his companies, the defendants called consumers who listed vehicles for sale on websites such as craigslist.org or ebay.com.  The defendants falsely claimed that, in exchange for a fee, typically $399, they would put the consumer in touch with a buyer, often telling consumers they had undervalued the vehicle and that the price the buyer was willing to pay would cover the defendants’ fee.  The defendants also offered $99 “refund insurance,” falsely promising consumers who purchased it a risk-free refund of their initial fee if the vehicle was not sold in 90 days.
           
On October 29, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington found the FTC’s allegations to be true and ruled that the defendants’ telemarketing operation violated the FTC Act and the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule.  According to the Court, the defendants’ promises to match consumers with car buyers was “simply false,” and the impression they conveyed of easily obtainable refunds was “decidedly deceptive.”

The Court also noted that, in order to evade detection, the defendants operated under a series of ever-changing corporate names (including Auto Marketing Group, Secure Auto Sales, and Vehicle Stars).  It also cited the defendants’ high rate of credit card chargebacks – in which consumers dispute charges and get them reversed -- as further proof of the fraudulent nature of the defendants’ operation.

In addition to the Order requiring Loewen and his co-defendants to pay $5.1 million, the Court permanently banned Loewen and his companies from telemarketing and payment processing.  The court order announced today also permanently prohibits the defendants from misrepresenting any material fact in selling used cars, including that they have identified potential buyers for a consumer’s vehicle and that, for a fee, they will put them in touch with the buyers.  The defendants are also barred from misrepresenting that those who buy their services are highly likely to sell their vehicle, and that some or all of the initial fee will be refunded if the consumer buys a refund insurance policy and the vehicle is not sold within some period of time.

The order also bars the defendants from misrepresenting material facts about any goods or services, selling or otherwise benefitting from consumers’ personal information, failing to properly dispose of customer information, and violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule.

The FTC acknowledges the assistance of Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority, British Columbia, Canada.

To learn more about telemarketing scams, read Telemarketing Scams.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 5-0.  The complaint against Defendants Matthew J. Loewen and his companies 0803065 B.C. Ltd., 0881046 B.C. Ltd., ReadyPay Services, Inc., and Xavier Processing Services, LLC, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle.  The court entered summary judgment against the defendants on October 29, 2013.

NSF ON HOW CELLS FORM INTO INDIVIDUALS

FROM:  NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 
Researcher seeks to identify the pathway that leads to cells forming into an individual body

By studying how genes influence cells to migrate and mutate, scientist hopes findings will lead to improved cancer treatments
All organisms begin life as a microscopic cluster of cells. What happens next, as they develop, is a source of endless fascination for scientists.

"How do you go from just a ball of cells into an organism that has a shape, and fingers, toes and brain?" says Traci Stevens, associate professor of biology at Randolph-Macon College. "Cells have to move during development. How do they do it? What is involved? How does that ball of cells become an organized individual?"

Stevens, a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded scientist is trying to find out, specifically by learning more about the work of Abl, a gene responsible for regulating how cells migrate from that initial tiny collection of cells to form a shape and body parts. "It is a gene we all have, and it seems to work similarly in all organisms," she says.

Specifically, she is focusing on how Abl functions in Drosophila--the fruit fly--which has one Abl gene (humans--in fact, all vertebrates--have two related Abl genes, Abl 1 and Abl 2, whereas invertebrates have only one), making it easier to study. Moreover, "fruit flies have stages in development where we know exactly how the cells move and migrate in normal development," she says.

In her experiments, she activates a mutant form of Abl in the flies to see what happens as the altered gene disrupts the migration pattern. If she can see what goes wrong, she will understand what's supposed to go right. "When I can see what happens with a mutant form, it tells us what is supposed to happen normally," she says. "It seems like reverse logic, but that's how geneticists work."

Her research also involves using a genetic screen to search for other genes that interact with Abl. "We don't know all the details as to how Abl regulates cell migration, but we know Abl doesn't do it by itself, that it works with other proteins," she says.

Her work has potential applications in medicine, specifically for cancer treatment, since Abl "is misregulated in a lot of cancers," she says, adding that its dysfunction has an impact both on cell growth and how cancer cells metastasize. The gene is known to have a role in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), one of several types of leukemia, as well as in breast cancer, non small lung cancer and melanoma, she says.

To be sure, "we are many steps away, but by identifying not just Abl, but the things it interacts with, by understanding that pathway, it could help us control that pathway," she says. Ultimately, this could lead to the design of new drugs "that could inhibit or regulate this pathway in cases of cancer," she says.

She is conducting her research under an NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award, which she received in 2009 as part of NSF's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The award supports junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organization. NSF is funding her work with $883,365 over four years.

As part of the grant's educational component, Stevens hosts two high school students and their biology teacher in her lab during the summer. They attend Cosby High School, a science-based high school in Chesterfield, Va. "They come into the lab for five weeks and work on a project or two," she says. "Then at the end of the summer, they present a poster at a college-wide conference."

Stevens is especially proud that one of the participating teachers had an opportunity to present her work at a national Drosophila meeting. "That was a great experience for her," Stevens says.

Stevens is studying Abl's role in two specific stages of fruit fly development. The first, the formation of the epithelium, or skin of the embryo, a process known as dorsal closure, where "there is a big opening on the skin and the cells migrate to close all the way around the embryo," she says. The second, head involution, is when "the inside of the head is on the outside, and those cells migrate inward to form the head," she explains.

"Those are the two stages we study," she adds. "They are both happening at nearly the same time, but at different places. They occur the first day you have a fertilized egg, before it hatches into a larva. So we are looking at the very beginning. We analyze their phenotypes, that is, we look at what developmental processes did not occur properly. For example, are there holes in the head indicating that head involution did not occur properly? Or are there holes in the dorsal surface indicating that there were cell migration problems during dorsal closure?"

In fruit flies, the Abl protein, which is made from the Abl gene, is found in the cytoplasm of the cell just under the cell membrane, where it can control cell migration, rather than in the nucleus, where it could regulate cell division.

In humans, and other vertebrates, Abl 2 is in the cytoplasm, as it is with fruit flies, but Abl 1 "shuttles back and forth between the nucleus and the cytoplasm," she says. "So Abl 1 binds to DNA in the nucleus and controls cell division, which Abl in Drosophila and Abl 2 in humans don't seem to do."

Scientists don't yet understand how the duties are divided between the two Abls in vertebrates and/or whether the two vertebrate genes might play unique roles, that is, roles that Drosophila Abl does not, according to Stevens.

Thus, "the fruit fly can't tell us everything," she says. "But it can tell us how the gene influences how cells move, and that can tell us something about what happens in humans since that is a function conserved in both fruit flies and humans."

--  Marlene Cimons, National Science Foundation
Investigators
Traci Stevens
Related Institutions/Organizations
Randolph-Macon College

SECRETARY KERRY'S REMARKS AT CYBER PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT SIGNING IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 
Remarks at a Cyber Partnership Agreement Signing With Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
NATO
Brussels, Belgium
December 3, 2013

MODERATOR: Good afternoon, and thank you all for being here today. It is my pleasure to welcome Secretary of State Kerry and Estonian Foreign Minister Paet who will sign a U.S.-Estonia Cyber Partnership Statement. Estonia is a key ally of the United States and a recognized leader on issues of cyber security and internet freedom. This statement formalizes the commitment of the United States and Estonia to continue working together in key areas to enhance an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable information and communications infrastructure, and to prioritize openness and innovation on the internet.

We now turn to Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Paet for the signing of the statement.

(The statement was signed.)

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Well, I’m very happy to join my counterpart, Foreign Minister Paet, in signing this internet statement, which pledges to increase the cooperation and continue the cooperation between the United States and Estonia with respect to cyber freedom, cyber security, internet freedom. And this is an effort that guarantees that a country like Estonia, which has been a great partner in fighting for internet freedom, is going to help us to build our law enforcement capacity, education capacity, civil society, and provide unfettered access to people for the social media and the internet, even as we manage complex problems in the internet. So we’re delighted and I thank you very, very much for joining with us on this.

FOREIGN MINISTER PAET: Thank you.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you. Do you want to say anything, too?

FOREIGN MINISTER PAET: Yeah, sure. I also thank – just to add that United States, of course, is for Estonia very important partner in cyber security issues, also internet freedom issues, and all different, so-called, “E” issues like e-government, e-administration, and so on. And I’m glad that we are not just doing our bilateral cooperation, but we already have done jointly some project in third countries. And I’m really glad that Estonia is experience in IT and e-developments has been really interesting also for more and more countries all around the world. Thank you for this great opportunity.

SECRETARY KERRY: Very much so. Thank you, Urmas. Thank you very much. Thank you very, very much.

FOREIGN MINISTER PAET: Thank you.

U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR DECEMBER 3, 2013

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
CONTRACTS

DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY

Alion Science and Technology Corp., Burr Ridge, Ill., (HDTRA1-14-D-0002); Applied Research Associates, Albuquerque, N.M., (HDTRA1-14-D-0003); Engility Corp., Chantilly, Va., (HDTRA1-14-D-0004); Exelis Inc., Herndon, Va., (HDTRA1-14-D-0005); Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Herndon, Va., (HDTRA1-14-D-0006); Raytheon Co., Dulles, Va., (HDTRA1-14-D-0007); and Leidos, Inc., McLean Va., (HDTRA1-14-D-0008), were awarded a maximum $4,000,000,000 multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract titled Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Research and Technology Development IDIQ.  This IDIQ provides for delivery/task orders to procure research and development, providing scientific and technological solutions to meet the DoD’s non-proliferation, counterproliferation, and consequence management objectives.  Work will be performed at contractor facilities as well as at Fort Belvoir, Va., with an expected completion date of Dec. 3, 2018 (base period) followed by a five-year option period that, if exercised, will extend the end date to Dec. 3, 2023, but would not increase the ceiling value.  The contract has a $100,000 minimum guarantee to each awardee.  This contract was a competitive acquisition, and eight offers were received.  The Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Research and Development Contracting Office DTRA/J4CRB, Fort Belvoir, Va., is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Solution Dynamics Inc.*, Brookfield, Wis. (SPE8EC-14-D-0003) and Atlantic Diving Supply*, Virginia Beach, Va. (SPE8EC-14-D-0005), have been awarded a maximum $633,000,000 multiple-award, fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract.  These are two of up to 22 total five-year contracts being issued against solicitation number SPM8EC-11-R-0001, and are for the procurement of commercial type material handling equipment.  This contract is a competitive acquisition, and thirty-one offers were received.  Locations of performance are Wisconsin, Virginia, and England with a Dec. 2, 2018 performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2019 defense working capital funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.

MWI Veterinary Supply, Boise, Idaho, has been awarded a maximum $43,422,331 modification (P00102) exercising the second one-year option period on a one-year base contract (SPM2D0-11-D-0011) with four one-year option periods for veterinary pharmaceutical products.  This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  Location of performance is Idaho, with a Dec. 5, 2014 performance completion date.  Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies.  Type of appropriation is fiscal 2013 warstopper funds.  The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa.

Dixon Shane, doing business as R&S Northeast LLC*, Philadelphia, Pa., has been awarded a maximum $18,360,764 modification (P00157) exercising the fifth one-year option period on a one-year base contract (SPM2D0-08-D-0252) with nine one-year option periods for various pharmaceutical products.  This is a fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.  Location of performance is Pennsylvania with a Dec. 11, 2014 performance completion date.  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.

AIR FORCE

Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Ga., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $81,183,198 modification (P00231) to an existing contract (FA8625-11-C-6597 ) to fund one C-130J (aircraft #4), advance (long-lead) procurement of aircrafts five and six, and external fuel tank modification kits for Israel. Work will be performed at Marietta, Ga., and is expected to be completed by Jun. 30, 2016.  This contract is 100 percent foreign military sales for Israel.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/WLNNC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Ga., has been awarded a $48,500,000 modification (P00230) to previously awarded FA8625-11-C-6597 for advance procurement funding of long lead efforts associated with five additional C-130J aircraft.  Work will be performed at Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Ga., with an expected completion date of Dec. 31, 2016.  Fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $48,500,000 are being obligated at time of award.  Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

NAVY

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, is being awarded $73,913,646 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-12-C-4311) for DDG 51 and FFG 7 class integrated planning yard services.  This effort will provide expert design, planning, and material support services for both maintenance and modernization.  Work will be performed in Bath, Maine, and is expected to complete by December 2016.  Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance, Navy contract funds in the amount of $1,000 will be obligated at time of contract award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington D.C., is the contracting activity.

L-3 Communications, Communication Systems--West, Salt Lake City, Utah, is being awarded a $22,921,771 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-2024) to exercise an option for the manufacture, test, delivery and support of four AN/SRQ-4 and 31 AN/ARQ-59 Common Data Link Hawklink radio terminal sets in support of the MH-60R aircraft.  Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah (60 percent); Atlanta, Ga. (14 percent); Mountain View, Calif. (6 percent); Exeter, N.H. (2 percent); and Phoenix, Ariz.; El Cajon, Calif.; Oxnard, Calif.; Salinas, Calif.; Sunnyvale, Calif.; Boise, Idaho; Derby, Kan.; Littleton, Mass.; Stow, Mass.; Minnetonka, Minn.; Skokie, Ill.; Dover, N.H.; Bohemia, N.Y.; York Haven, Pa.; Providence, R.I.; Cedar Park, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; and Toronto, Canada (1 percent each), and is expected to be completed in September 2017.  Fiscal 2014 other procurement, Navy and fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement, Navy contract funds in the amount of $22,921,771 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

FTC ASKS INTERNET SELLERS TO MAKE SURE CONSUMERS CAN EASILY VIEW WARRANTY INFORMATION

FROM:  U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 
As Holiday Shopping Season Gets Underway, FTC Reminds Internet Retailers to Ensure Consumers Have Access to Warranty Information

Federal Trade Commission staff is asking top Internet retailers to review their websites to ensure that they provide complete and accurate information about product warranties before consumers make their online purchases, as required by the FTC’s Pre-Sale Availability Rule.

The Rule requires retailers to make warranties available at the time of purchase for all warranted consumer products that cost more than $15.  However, a recent staff survey found several instances of Internet sellers offering warranted consumer electronics and appliances for sale without disclosing complete warranty information.

“During the busy holiday shopping season, it’s especially important that consumers get the information they need to make informed buying decisions,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.  “Internet sellers can help by making sure their websites are providing complete and accurate warranty information.”

The letters also inform the Internet sellers that they can comply with these obligations easily online by, for example, using a clearly-labeled hyperlink, in close proximity to the description of the warranted product, such as ‘get warranty information here’ to lead to the full text of the warranty.”

The letters note that FTC staff plan to revisit the websites after 90 days to ensure compliance with the regulations.  The FTC cannot disclose the names of the warning letter recipients, as that is nonpublic information.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them.

RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS FROM AFGHANISTAN

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 
An illumination flare lights up a mountain near Observation Post Athens in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Nov. 27, 2013. A squad of Marines assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment provided security from the outpost, where they had an unobstructed view of their surroundings. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul Peterson.

The bridge and bazaar in the village of Kajaki sit beneath a mountaintop guard post on Observation Post Athens in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Nov. 28, 2013. The outpost gives Marines, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, a 365-degree view of the area around Kajaki. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul Peterson.