FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING
04/10/2012 03:57 PM EDT
Victoria Nuland
Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
April 10, 2012
TRANSCRIPT:
12:55 p.m. EDT
MS. NULAND: Happy Tuesday, everyone. I have nothing at the top. Let’s go to what’s on your minds.
QUESTION: I guess we could start with Syria. You have seen the report of Kofi Annan or the letter that he has sent to the Security Council and the report of his aide. So I’m wondering what you make of it, and are you okay with him sticking to this timeline, with the regime not withdrawing its forces as best you can tell, but staying with the timeline? In other words, another 48 hours until there’s a ceasefire? Is that okay with you guys?
MS. NULAND: Well, we’ve seen the letter that Joint Envoy Kofi Annan has submitted to the council. I think you know that the council is still in session as we speak asking questions of his deputy, talking about the letter and thinking about next steps. My understanding is that, in her capacity as president of the council this month, Ambassador Rice will have some comments to the press after that session breaks. So I don’t think I will comment from here ahead of the council finishing its consultations.
QUESTION: Okay. So you’re basically deferring to Susan Rice.
MS. NULAND: I am.
QUESTION: Victoria –
QUESTION: There was – sorry. There was talks that this deadline is extended till April 12th. Are you – what is this all about?
MS. NULAND: Again, I think I’m not going to speak to the contents of the report by the special envoy. The – as you remember, the initial – the proposal in the six-point plan was that the Syrian regime would begin or complete, depending upon how you interpret their pull-back, by April 10th, and then the opposition would complete its ceasefire by April 12th. That’s why you have a little bit of confusion here about this delta. So –
QUESTION: So you are comfortable with the 48 hours? Apparently the Syrians had asked for 48 hours to complete the pullout. Is that correct?
MS. NULAND: Again, I’m not going to comment on the substance of any of this until the council finishes deliberating and Susan has a chance to – Ambassador Rice has a chance to speak for the council and us.
QUESTION: Just to quickly follow up, the Syrians are asking for some sort of guarantees or – that the opposition will cease its attacks and so on. And they’re also saying that there is an increased flow of arms into the opposition, apparently by countries such as Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, which at the time of the conference, apparently the Secretary of State said it’s okay for others to go ahead and give aid. Now, are the Syrians principally correct in demanding that arms stop flowing to the opposition and they cease whatever attacks they’re conducting against government sources?
MS. NULAND: Well, starting with where I started before, which is, I’m not going to wade into any of this while the council is deliberating. I’m going to let Ambassador Rice come out and speak for the council as a whole and then speak for the United States in her national capacity. We know who bears the brunt of the responsibility for the violence in Syria. We also know, as we discussed yesterday, that there has been no evidence at all that the Assad regime is complying with the six-point plan, and in fact, the violence has gotten worse as we discussed at some length yesterday.
QUESTION: Yeah. But forgive me; principally, does the Syrian regime have the right or is it within its right to request that the flow of arms stop going to the opposition?
MS. NULAND: I’m not going to speak to any of these issues until we have a chance to hear from Ambassador Rice.
Yeah.
QUESTION: Toria, you just pointed out that there has been no action by the regime so far. So isn’t it time, if you stand back and look at this, to say that the whole UN approach, Kofi Annan’s plan, really isn’t working? Nothing has indicated that that regime is going to anything.
MS. NULAND: Again, Jill, I don’t think it’s appropriate in the middle of a council deliberation for me to be opining on what’s going on in the council.
QUESTION: Would you respond to a statement from Senators McCain and Lieberman who were in the region today that said, “Diplomacy with Assad has failed”?
MS. NULAND: Well, obviously we have two senators in the region. Our understanding is that they are touring the refugee camps in Turkey today, and they are obviously speaking to what they are seeing. But I don’t think I’m going to comment on any of this while the council is deliberating.
Please.
QUESTION: Will you intensify your efforts to find a solution for Syria in UN Security Council? I mean, is there any –
MS. NULAND: Again, I think I’m going to speak to next steps after the council has finished hearing the report.
QUESTION: Do you believe that Annan carries the last chance for President Assad?
MS. NULAND: I’m not going to put time tables on any of this at the moment.
QUESTION: But you keep asking him to step down. I mean, we’ve been hearing this for so long. I mean, are you asking him to step down now? Is this – the time has come? Or is it you’re talking about giving him more chances? Or when he’s going to step down?
MS. NULAND: Well, our view is that he has lost his legitimacy. The Syrian people appear to be saying the same thing.
Please.
QUESTION: Victoria, do you think that the Russians are sending conflicting signals regarding Syria? On the one hand receiving Muallem and on the other saying that the Syrians should have acted quicker?
MS. NULAND: Well, again, the Russians joined us in supporting the Annan plan, in making clear that it was time for the violence to stop, that the Assad regime had to lead the way in that, and our expectation and understanding is that they used the opportunity of Foreign Minister Muallem’s visit to make those same points.
Please. In the back.
QUESTION: Change of subject?
MS. NULAND: Yeah. Please.
QUESTION: No. One –
MS. NULAND: You can keep trying, but I think we’re not going to do a lot of Syria today.
QUESTION: (Inaudible) on the Russian part.
MS. NULAND: Yeah.
QUESTION: So would you – do you perceive any type of movement perhaps then on the part of the Russians?
MS. NULAND: Well, again, the Russians are represented in the Security Council. They’re receiving the report. We’re having a chance to talk to them there today. As you know, we have the G-8 foreign ministers in town starting tomorrow. So the Secretary will have a chance to consult with Foreign Minister Lavrov tomorrow and Thursday. So we’ll have a chance to compare notes then.
Yeah. Please.
QUESTION: Syria?
MS. NULAND: Yeah. Still Syria.
QUESTION: It seems that the safe-zone option along the Turkish border is (inaudible). So – and according to news report, Turkey has hinted that it will go along if it get the support of U.S. If Kofi Annan plan fail, are you ready to consider that kind of support?
MS. NULAND: You’re taking me into all kinds of hypotheticals. We talked about this a little bit yesterday. We talked about the several Turkish statements to the effect that they were studying this. We obviously haven’t had the results of their study.
Please.
QUESTION: The Indian Embassy this morning received a bomb threat call. Do you have any information on that and who were behind this?
MS. NULAND: I can confirm that there was a bomb threat at the Indian Embassy in Washington earlier today. Appropriate law enforcement personnel responded immediately. All three of the Indian official locations in Washington have now been cleared – the chancery, the ambassador’s residence, and the visa office, and no device was located.
QUESTION: When you say “cleared,” you mean evacuated? Or “cleared,” you mean checked?
MS. NULAND: Both evacuated and checked for bombs.
QUESTION: And now people have come back to them?
MS. NULAND: I don’t know if they’ve gone back to work, but security officials have declared them clear.
QUESTION: So do you think at this point that it’s probably a hoax, then?
MS. NULAND: I think there’ll be an investigation, obviously, and we’ll see what that leads to.
QUESTION: And where was this call from? Have you been able to trace the call back?
MS. NULAND: I don’t have any information as to who called. I would guess that that’ll be part of the investigative steps that go on.
QUESTION: Does this lead to any kind of increase in security or --
MS. NULAND: Say again?
QUESTION: Does this lead to any kind of increase in security presence outside the Indian embassies or the ambassador’s residence?
MS. NULAND: I would guess that part of our evaluation going forward in terms of what happened will be to determine whether the security posture is adequate.
QUESTION: Thank you.
QUESTION: Sorry. Can I just clarify one thing? You guys – someone called here to tell you that there was a bomb at the Indian Embassy?
MS. NULAND: Frankly, I don’t know whether the Indian Embassy was notified that there might be a threat and then they notified law enforcement and us, or whether we were notified and --
QUESTION: Can we move --
MS. NULAND: I don’t know. Yeah. Please.
QUESTION: Move on?
MS. NULAND: Yeah.
QUESTION: North Korea.
MS. NULAND: Yes.
QUESTION: I realize that you said probably as much as you’re going to say yesterday, but I’m going to try again.
MS. NULAND: It’s one of those kind of days. Yeah.
QUESTION: Weeks, maybe.
MS. NULAND: Weeks. I’m sorry, sir. Although we were up here for an hour and 10 minutes yesterday.
QUESTION: Well, let me try and go to it at a different angle. The White House yesterday seemed to take alert when you mentioned something about reporting from North Korea yesterday. And I asked you about it, and you seemed to suggest that there wasn’t any problem. But then, now there are White House officials coming out on the record telling news organizations not to be sucked in by this North Korea propaganda campaign. Is this the – does the State Department share those concerns?
MS. NULAND: I haven’t actually seen what White House colleagues have said. Was that something that --
QUESTION: Tommy Vietor.
MS. NULAND: -- that Tommy said? Well, look, I mean, obviously freedom of the press – you all will cover this as you see fit. Our concern obviously would be that the North Koreans would use this for propaganda purposes and that news organizations that cover it extensively might be playing into that. But it’s obviously your call how to cover this story.
QUESTION: You don’t think that North Korea would be using it for propaganda purposes without any – I mean, in the absence of inviting people in to cover it?
MS. NULAND: Well, it obviously has propaganda value. But the more that it is covered and spread and the more stories about it, it just keeps them on the front page in a way that does not enhance peace and security. But you’ll obviously all make your own decisions.
QUESTION: Understood. But I’m just curious about that, because I mean, it’s going to be on the front page whether there are news – Western news organizations there or not. Right? It’s a matter of concern. It’s a newsworthy event if they launch a missile, is it not?
MS. NULAND: It’s obviously a newsworthy event. I think that --
QUESTION: So what’s the concern?
MS. NULAND: If – again, having not seen what Tommy had to say, I would guess that the sentiment expressed was simply that if you have lots of nightly news coverage and long pieces climbing up and down the rocket and all that stuff, it just is free publicity for this --
QUESTION: But doesn’t that illustrate the problem?
MS. NULAND: Well --
QUESTION: And shouldn’t that make people – I mean, increase the concern? I mean, it seems to me that this is a problem for – the idea of the launch is a problem, correct? Yes.
MS. NULAND: We’ve been clear about that.
QUESTION: So the more attention that’s paid to that, the greater understanding there is of this problem, no?
MS. NULAND: I don’t think that it is a matter of the issue going unreported. It’s simply, I would guess, the sense that the more coverage of this, the more long pieces about North Korea, all this kind of stuff, they get exactly what they want. They get lots of attention from all of you about their situation.
QUESTION: Okay.
MS. NULAND: And frankly, this is publicity that --
QUESTION: But here’s the thing. They’re going to get all this attention from you regardless, right? So I don’t get – what difference does it make?
MS. NULAND: Well, I’ll refer you to the White House on what they were thinking. Thanks.
QUESTION: A follow-up on a question about the U.S. team that was sent to Pakistan to help in the avalanche. Are they still in Islamabad?
MS. NULAND: That is my understanding, Cami, that they are still in Islamabad.
QUESTION: Any word on when they might move? Are they going to move? Are they just going to sit in Islamabad?
MS. NULAND: Well, obviously we responded to the request for help. They went to Islamabad to coordinate with Pakistani officials. I really can’t speak to either what the conditions on the mountain are, whether there are issues having to do with getting in, or whether, several days having gone by, there is sort of rethinking about whether the international teams can and should be deployed. I’m just going to send you to the Pakistanis on that. But we are making them available so that they can help in whatever way the Pakistanis might find helpful.
Please.
QUESTION: Can I just go back to North Korea?
MS. NULAND: Yeah.
QUESTION: I mean, the White House at its press gaggle in Palm Beach and the comments just said that it would be, quote, “hard to imagine” that the food aid would still be delivered if this launch goes ahead. Is that a statement of policy now that if this launch goes ahead, the food aid will be retracted?
MS. NULAND: We’ve been clear about where we are on this for weeks and weeks, and I think the White House statement reflected that, obviously.
Yeah.
QUESTION: Can we go back to Syria just for a minute?
MS. NULAND: Yeah.
QUESTION: Just to follow up on Nadia’s question on the issue of stepping down, Bashar al-Assad to step down, would that be a requirement that he must do immediately, or are you willing to consider – not you but the international community – giving him like maybe a two-year period until the next election? I mean, what is the deal here? What is the demand?
MS. NULAND: You’re getting me into negotiations with Assad now?
QUESTION: I mean, what is your principle position? That he must immediately step down?
MS. NULAND: Our view is that Syria cannot move forward with Assad in power. The President has been clear about that for months and months and months. We had supported the Arab League plan, which gives a detailed roadmap for how this could proceed, looks similar to some of the other situations we’ve seen in the region. Again, this is an issue for the Syrian people to settle. We want to see the fighting stop so we can get to that conversation about how a transition should go forward.
QUESTION: Okay. So your support for the Arab League plan has not changed at all?
MS. NULAND: Correct.
QUESTION: Speaking of roadmaps, I understand the Quartet envoys are meeting today to try and come up with some kind of statement that suggests that there is progress being made when, in fact, there isn’t. Is that correct? And what can you do to – tell us to preview tomorrow’s Quartet meeting, principals meeting?
MS. NULAND: The Quartet envoys are meeting later this afternoon to prepare the meeting at the level of ministers and principals tomorrow. They – so tomorrow the Quartet will meet at the level of principals, which is Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, EU High Representative Ashton, UN Secretary General Ban, and obviously Secretary Clinton. Quartet Representative Tony Blair will also join that meeting.
We do anticipate that there will be a Quartet statement at the conclusion of that meeting tomorrow about midday. The envoys are working on it today, and it’ll be concluded by principals tomorrow.
The focus of the Quartet meetings tomorrow won’t surprise you, will continue to be trying to support the parties and move them closer to dialogue and creating the context for dialogue between them. They will also be looking at how they can build on the work that was done by the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee when it met in Brussels last week, emphasizing the need for robust international support for the Palestinian Authority and institution building. But obviously, we have to see to what the results of the meeting are tomorrow.
QUESTION: Are you still pushing for the Jordan – the Jordanian-sponsored talks to resume? Or is that now a dead duck?
MS. NULAND: Well, we obviously think that the talks that were conducted in Jordan were very useful in January, that they began a process that we would be prepared to see built on. But there are other ways for the parties to reengage with each other, and we would be supportive of any means of reengagement that would be helpful.
QUESTION: So you moved beyond the Jordan --
MS. NULAND: Again, if the parties are ready to go back to Jordan, we continue to support that process. But we also would support other ways that reengagement can happen.
QUESTION: There’s no participation --
QUESTION: They are meeting in the Blair House?
MS. NULAND: Blair House tomorrow. Yeah.
QUESTION: Okay. And just a quick follow-up. There’s also a meeting tomorrow between Fayyad and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding a letter that the Palestinian Authority has submitted. Will that statement in any way reflect what is in the letter or what is being discussed or what comes out of that meeting between Fayyad and Netanyahu?
MS. NULAND: I can’t speak to Fayyad, Netanyahu meeting tomorrow. We’ll have to see if, in fact, the meeting is tomorrow, and if, in fact, there is a letter. I think our goals are obviously all the same, which is how we can get these parties to continue to work together and work on stability and security in the Palestinian territories.
QUESTION: And finally, you keep insisting that the proper venue is the resumption of the talks. Now, on the other hand, the Palestinian Authority is planning some sort of a campaign to reach out to the Israeli public, like YouTube and messages and advertisements and all these things. Is that a good thing or is that in contradiction with what you want them to do?
MS. NULAND: Well, I think all of the parties engaged in this, whether they’re Quartet parties or whether they’re the Israelis and Palestinians, engage in public diplomacy in any way that they deem appropriate. What’s most important is that we all be seeking a negotiated solution.
QUESTION: There is no representation of either the Palestinians or the Israelis in tomorrow’s meeting. Is that correct?
MS. NULAND: Correct. Correct.
QUESTION: Is that normal for them not to be represented?
MS. NULAND: Actually, usually when the Quartet meets, they meet on their own, and then the envoys go off and see the parties. That’s generally the way it happens, yeah.
QUESTION: Just to stay on this --
MS. NULAND: Yeah.
QUESTION: -- with Israel just for one second. And that is – and I realize this is a White House thing, so you’re probably going to send me there, but the Pollard case. Do you – did you at all – are you aware of a letter that was sent by the Israeli president to President Obama asking for Pollard’s release?
MS. NULAND: I understand that the White House has now received the Pollard letter. I will refer you to them.
QUESTION: Okay. Because that’s more than Jay Carney said earlier this morning. They have gotten it?
MS. NULAND: I understand. They have now received it, yep. And that the President obviously appreciates hearing the views, but I’m going to send you to the White House for more on that.
QUESTION: Does the State Department take any position in this?
MS. NULAND: I think the entire Administration’s position on the Pollard case has not changed.
Please.
QUESTION: Can we switch to China?
MS. NULAND: Yeah.
QUESTION: There are reports that – there’s a report, excuse me, singular, on Xinhua that Bo Xilai’s wife is under suspicion of having murdered the British businessman, Neil Heywood. I realize this is a Chinese investigation regarding the murder or death of a British citizen, but does it strike you as a step forward that the Chinese at least appear to be investigating the circumstances of his death, which I think were originally attributed to excessive alcohol consumption?
MS. NULAND: We’re aware of these reports. I think we are going to decline to comment on them one way or the other.
Jill.
QUESTION: Do you have any comment on the investigators in Russia dropping the charges against a nurse who was implicated in the death of Sergei Magnitsky?
MS. NULAND: We were waiting for you yesterday, Jill.
QUESTION: I know. I wasn’t here. But I saved it up.
MS. NULAND: Look, you know our view, that the investigation into the circumstances of Magnitsky’s death has been inadequate and has failed to produce justice. We continue to call on Russian authorities to conduct a genuine investigation, to prosecute and punish those responsible for Magnitsky’s death. So obviously we’re not moving in that direction.
Please, Cami.
QUESTION: On Libya, the apparent attack today on the head of the UN mission there. Someone apparently threw an explosive device at the convoy. Just wondering how concerned you are about the continuing violence there and the prospects for Libya making some sort of economic recovery if these sorts of attacks are going to go on against Western or international targets.
MS. NULAND: Well, we strongly condemn today’s attack on the UN convoy travelling through Benghazi. We call for a full investigation, the Libyans cooperating with UN authorities on that. We are, again, taking this opportunity to call on all armed groups in Libya to exercise restraint, to refrain from violence, to work through their issues through dialogue. But I have to tell you, Cami, we don’t have a lot of information as to who was responsible, or what the circumstances of this were. But it’s absolutely unacceptable. We are just thankful that nobody was hurt.
All right?
QUESTION: Yeah. I have one more.
MS. NULAND: Please, Matt?
QUESTION: Two more, actually.
MS. NULAND: Yep.
QUESTION: Bahrain. Yesterday, you said that there were going to be more calls made about this hunger striker? Were those calls made?
MS. NULAND: Our ambassador in Bahrain, Ambassador Krajeski had a number of calls yesterday and today with Bahraini officials making clear our concern about this case.
QUESTION: No one else?
MS. NULAND: No.
QUESTION: And you’re aware of the latest today on this case? I mean, there was – again, the other day, there was the Bahrainis refusing to release them and now that – is it the Danish or the Norwegian, I can’t --
MS. NULAND: Danish.
QUESTION: Danish. The Danish have reupped their – resubmitted their appeal for his release, and apparently it’s been rejected again. So we can be clear: Your – the Administration’s position on this is that he should be allowed to go to Denmark, or what is it that these calls are being made to --
MS. NULAND: We are not – yeah. We are not dictating any particular solution. We are just asking for a humanitarian resolution of this case.
Please.
QUESTION: Toria, have you raised concern about the deteriorating health of Al-Khawaja in prison?
MS. NULAND: This is the case – this is the – yeah. This is case that we talked about it yesterday, and I’ve just responded.
QUESTION: Do you have anything about his daughter? Yesterday, all you said was that you were aware of her arrest.
MS. NULAND: I don’t have anything new on his daughter. I understood that she was arrested – she was detained temporarily and that she’s been released. But if that’s not accurate, we’ll get back to you.
QUESTION: Okay.
MS. NULAND: Yeah. Please, Nadia. Nadia, and then --
QUESTION: Do you have any position on whether former regime – former Mubarak regime’s official should stand in election – presidential election or not? Because there is a committee in the parliament now approved the banning of Omar Suleiman from nominating himself for the presidential election.
MS. NULAND: Yeah. I think we’re not going to comment on these individual issues inside of Egypt other than to say we want to see the election procedures followed. We want to see a transparent, open process with clear rules of the road.
Please.
QUESTION: Afghanistan? Afghanistan interior ministers are here in town. Are they having any meetings in this building?
MS. NULAND: I don’t believe so. I don’t believe so. Okay? Thanks, everybody.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
REMARKS AT U.S.- AFGHANISTAN SECURITY CONSULTATIONS FORUM
FROM: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak and Afghan Interior Minister General Bismellah Khan Mohammadi. April 10, 2012
Remarks by Secretary Panetta, Afghan Defense Minister Wardak and Afghan Interior Minister General Mohammadi at U.S.-Afghanistan Security Consultations Forum
SECRETARY LEON PANETTA: Ministers, ladies and gentlemen, let me welcome you all to the third meeting of the Afghanistan Security Consultation Forum. This is our third meeting and the first one that I've had the honor to participate in, and I look forward to it.
Minister Wardak, Minister Mohammadi, we welcome you back to Washington, D.C. I also believe that -- it is truly a pleasure and privilege to see both of you here after our last meeting in Kabul. I had the chance to meet with both of you in Kabul, and many of the issues that we will discuss today are issues that we discussed in Kabul. And so I look forward that continuing discussion with both of you.
I want to -- I want to extend my congratulations to both of you on the progress that the Afghan forces and the Afghan police are making. I have often stated that I believe 2011 was a turning point, that we suddenly were able to see that the Afghan army and police develop the capabilities to provide security and have developed capabilities to implement the kind of operations that are necessary to providing security. And the fact that they have been able to do that is in many ways a compliment to both of you for your leadership and for the leadership of the Afghanistani officials that have had a responsibility to ensure that you are able to develop the kind of security operations that are essential to our ability to make the transition.
I also want to congratulate both of you for the work that was done on developing the very important MOUs on detention and also on night raid operations, special operations. The fact that we were able to achieve an agreement, I think, was a very important step forward to ensure that we will make the transition to Afghan operations, but we will do it in a responsible and effective way. And I thank both of you for the leadership that you've provided in being able to achieve those very important agreements.
We also recognize the sacrifices that your forces have made. ISAF forces, the United States, all of us have endured sacrifices, and we have seen that many of our brave men and women in uniform have in fact given their lives in this war. And I've had the opportunity to get to speak to many of their loved ones and send messages to their loved ones indicating that -- not only our sorrow but the fact that they gave their lives fighting for what they believed in.
And Afghani troops have done the same thing. Many Afghanistanis have lost their lives in fighting for what they believe in, in the hope that you would one day have a country that you could truly call your own, a sovereign country that can secure and govern itself.
And ultimately that's the goal we all seek. It's the goal of the United States, it's the goal of Afghanistan to achieve an Afghanistan that can govern and secure itself.
This forum is an effort to move forward in trying to achieve those goals. So it's another milestone in the important effort to strengthen our partnership, not only now but beyond 2014.
I look forward in this forum to discussing the future of the ANSF, the levels that you will achieve in terms of a surge and ultimately the levels that you can sustain in the future. I look forward to discussing our strategic partnership and our ability to arrive at a strategic partnership agreement, which will again be another important step forward in our relationship, and also the regional security challenges that we will have to continue to confront in order to ultimately have a sovereign Afghanistan that can in fact be secure and govern itself.
We look forward to continuing to work with you, and I'm confident that, as we work with you, we can achieve our shared goal and help your people be able to have a sovereign Afghanistan that can truly govern and secure itself and that can ensure that, never again, will it become a safe haven for those who tried to attack and were successful in attacking this country. That is our mutual goal: to safeguard your people and to safeguard the people of the United States of America
.
Thank you for being here, and I look forward to a successful forum.
Minister Wardak.
MINISTER ABDUL RAHIM WARDAK: Thank you.
Thank you Mr. Secretary. It's always a great pleasure and honor to be here among our closest allies and friends. We thank you most sincerely for inviting us to participate in this third round of U.S.-Afghanistan Security Forum. We are grateful and you have personally our utmost respect and admiration for your leadership and dedication to the status of our joint nations.
Through the U.S.'s sterling contribution, Afghanistan has been delivered from years of destruction, tyranny and oppression. And we are not an ungrateful nation.
We fully recognize your generosity. We acknowledge and honor your sacrifices. We pay tribute to all those brave souls that have paid the ultimate price for the mission in Afghanistan, and we pray for the families of the fallen and wounded.
So allow me, Mr. Secretary that on behalf of my country, my government and the Afghan national security forces, to express our profound gratitude and everlasting appreciation for all the help, assistance, cooperation and genuine support which we have received from U.S. in our struggle for prosperity and stability in Afghanistan.
Mr. Secretary there is no doubt we are at a critical juncture. But after the years of struggle, tomorrow's goal is in sight. What matters today is our wealth. The costs have been high and the stakes even higher, but the good news is that the hope has been replaced by the real progress, though it has been dearly bought. So the continued U.S. support and cooperation will play a decisive and vital role to enable the Afghans to smoothly sail to a to a sound foundation through the transformation decade and beyond and to provide for responsibility and stability and realize the hope and dreams of the Afghan people, who have experienced nothing but miseries and suffering for several decades while they were fighting for themselves, but they have also been fighting, in the past and right now, for the collective freedom of the humanity.
And Mr. Secretary, no one should have any doubt on our firm determination to succeed. It's a question of our national survival. And we do not wish to be a burden on the U.S. or the rest of the international community more than it is required.
So we assure you that we will spare no effort and sacrifices to ensure the inevitability of our victory in this joint endeavor. And we are looking forward to our enduring and long-term partnership. We consider it vital for the survival of our country in that very volatile and dangerous neighborhood.
We thank you Mr. Secretary for inviting us, and we will take the opportunity to further elaborate the issues which will help us to go forward. You have come a long way on this difficult journey with us, so I'm sure that you will stay with us to our final destination.
SEC. PANETTA: Thank you, Mr. Minister.
Minister Mohammadi.
MINISTER GENERAL BISMELLAH KHAN MOHAMMADI: (Through interpreter.) On my own behalf, I would also like to thank you for hosting the third round of the security consultation. And I thank you for your kind invitation and it's an honor to be here with you. And also allow me to express my sincerest gratitude for all of the sacrifices, lost lives and treasures of this country that have been sacrificed for our mutual goals for the survival of our nation in Afghanistan. I do thank you and I offer my condolences to you and to the families of all of those who have lost their loved ones.
As you said, during the past decade we have had many successes, many accomplishments, particularly during the last year, vis-a-vis security advancements. We have seen many victories in southern Afghanistan, in eastern Afghanistan, in all of Afghanistan. This visit that we have embarked upon during a time of destiny, during a time that we're going through a transitional processes.
As you said, this involves having capabilities of conducting night raids, and slowly but surely we have seen a decrease in the presence of security contracting firms, and we do hope that this ongoing cooperation, the strategic collaboration will bring many successes and is signed as soon as possible.
The third round of the security consultation takes place at a time when, next year the start of the transition process from NATO forces to Afghan security forces will start to take place. I am certain that these face-to-face meetings that we have in this framework of the security consultation forum will pave the way for a successful conference in Chicago, and we do hope that the Chicago conference and the decisions that are made there will affect security in Afghanistan towards reaching and bring the scenario towards reaching our mutual national goals.
I do thank all of your unconditional generosity, all of the aid that you have rendered to Afghan national security forces, and we do hope that, shoulder to shoulder, we can reach, sooner rather than later, our mutual objectives.
Thank you so very much.
U.S. OFFICIAL SPEAKS AT THE ECONOMIST'S INVESTMENT ENERGY SUMMIT IN ATHENS
FROM U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Remarks at The Economist's Investment Energy Summit
Remarks Richard Morningstar
Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy The Economist Conference
Athens, Greece
March 28, 2012
Thank you for inviting me to speak at The Economist’s Investment Energy Summit in Athens. I will jump right into the details, as I know we all want to eat.
Let me just briefly outline our overall policy with respect to Eurasia, and then I'll get into some of the specifics, particularly relating to the Southern Corridor and the Eastern Mediterranean.
First, we encourage the development of new oil and gas resources while at the same time promoting efficiency and conservation in the use of all of our energy resources. Because there is a world market for oil, new production contributes to meeting growing demand anywhere in the world, including in the United States. When we're talking about natural gas in this neighborhood, whether it's the Caspian region, the Mediterranean, Iraq, Russia or Central Asia, it's unlikely that any of that gas is ever going to reach the United States. But it's still important, because it's going to add to the international gas supply. Additional supply in one place naturally frees up supply in another, and as the market for liquefied natural gas continues to grow, we can start to think about gas moving around markets in much the same way oil does. One item that may not be for debate today, but it's going to be interesting looking down the road several years, is whether fixed pipelines become somewhat archaic, given the ultimate development of liquefied natural gas and unconventional gas. I think there will always be fixed pipeline, but there is going to have to be more flexibility in take or pay contracts.
Second, we want to assist Europe in its quest for energy security. One might ask, why does the United States care about European energy security? You are 4,000 miles away. Europe is our partner in any number of different areas. The U.S. and Europe have the world’s largest trade and investment relationship. We have an interest in an economically strong Europe. Europe has a major interest in an economically strong United States. And energy security is a major factor in the economy of any country. And in spite of all the difficulties we're facing in the world today, we can't forget the relationship between energy security and a strong economy.
Of course, Europe is composed of many different states, and energy security is a more pressing issue to some than others. Some countries in Europe do not have a diverse energy mix and depend largely or, even in a few cases, entirely on a single supplier and transport group. So, our aim is to encourage the development of a balanced and diverse energy strategy with multiple energy sources, with multiple routes to market – a competitive, efficient market which offers the best prices for consumers. We say this for all countries. It's not just Europe. It's for the United States; it's for Russia. For example, if Europe wants to diversify its energy supply, Russia should be diversifying its consumers as well.
The third component of our policy is our desire to help Caspian, Central Asian and Middle Eastern - and Eastern Mediterranean - countries find new routes to market for their hydrocarbons. We want to help foster economic growth and prosperity in all of these countries. By expanding export routes, they can increase competition for their resources, demand a fair price and create strong links to the global economy. And most of all, I think maybe the most important part of this prong of our strategy is that we are not in a zero-sum game with Russia. We only care that these countries should be able to make their own choices as to how they deal with their energy resources.
While by no means our only interest, the Southern Corridor is a key component of our Eurasian Energy policy. The Obama administration strongly supports the establishment of the Southern Corridor to bring natural gas to Europe via Turkey from the Caspian and potentially other sources beyond Europe's southeastern frontiers. Gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz (SD) field represents the first significant volumes available to supply the Southern Corridor. Development of the second phase of Shah Deniz is well under way. The Shah Deniz consortium recently narrowed the field to three potential pipelines a scalable Nabucco, SEEP, and TAP. Nabucco West is a modified version of the Nabucco project which would be built to accommodate the current gas production realities of SD II, while also having the capabilities to expand when more gas becomes available in the future. TAP would bring Caspian gas through Greece, Albania, and Italy via the Adriatic Sea. They're all vying for the right to ship Shah Deniz gas into the EU. I recognize that there are issues. BP has also suggested the SEEP pipeline, which stands for Southeastern Europe Pipeline. This possibility would provide for a capillary approach, combining existing pipelines and new construction, throughout the Balkans and Eastern Europe.
We support the Southern Corridor, which will consist of one or more pipeline projects that are commercially viable and strategically significant. A full Nabucco would be a highly desirable political and strategic option, but as with any pipeline it must be able to demonstrate commercial viability. There will ultimately be large amounts of gas to ship through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey to Europe. We support any pipeline through the Southern Corridor that provides gas to the most vulnerable countries in Europe and that includes concrete, written guarantees that the pipeline will be expanded as more gas becomes available. Additional gas will become available; it's just a question of when. If TAP is ultimately selected, it is generally accepted that it would have to be done in conjunction with an interconnector to SE Europe.
I would like to make one more point regarding Europe. The most important thing that Europe can do – more so than any pipeline or any single gas field - is what Europe does itself with respect to liberalizing its market, with respect to creating interconnectors between countries, by looking at alternative sources of energy, whether it be shale or renewables, by taking advantage of opportunities to improve energy efficiency, by increasing LNG facilities, by increasing storage facilities, doing all the things that are necessary for Europe to have its own balanced and diverse energy policy.
Moving beyond the Southern Corridor, recent, large finds in the Eastern Mediterranean are very important, new components for diversification and energy security for countries in the region and elsewhere in Europe. These developments are complementary to the Southern Corridor. With these valuable finds come some serious political considerations and risks, as well as a variety of legal issues. Yet, at the same time, there is much to gain for all stakeholders.
As to Cyprus, as we have repeatedly said, the United States recognizes Cyprus’ right to drill in its offshore zone. We also believe American companies bring unparalleled world-class experience in offshore exploration, and we support their bids to do work in this region, as we do in other regions. As we have also said, we believe that any potential revenue from future oil and gas resources in Cyprus should be equitably shared between both communities. Our key message to both the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey reflects our long-standing policy, which is to support the Cypriot-led efforts under UN auspices to reunify the island into a bizonal, bicommunal federation and encouraging the two sides to come to a peaceful settlement - this issue could help us get there. This would allow all of Cyprus and other countries to share in the benefits of the Eastern Mediterranean.
In addition, Israel’s significant offshore natural gas finds, including the Tamar Leviathan field – one of the largest offshore gas finds of the past decade – have put Israel on the hydrocarbon map and initiated significant changes in Israel’s energy economy and investment and energy policies. The gas will significantly enhance Israel’s energy security, and Israel is presently examining export potential, including LNG.
Greece also is working to identify potential hydrocarbons for exploitation. The Greek government has announced tenders for seismic studies and hydrocarbon exploration onshore, in the Ionian Sea, and south of the island of Crete.
Having said all of this – the issues in the Eastern Mediterranean go beyond Cyprus, go beyond Israel, and affect the whole region. There are a myriad of legal issues, including law of the sea questions, and political issues that will have to be resolved. At the risk of oversimplifying, I would make the following conclusions. Gas in the Eastern Mediterranean is a good thing. It helps to create diversification and helps Europe, but most of all it helps the region. All countries from Egypt and all the way around the Mediterranean to Turkey and Greece will benefit. There are multiple pots of gold in the Eastern Mediterranean. If equitable solutions are found, all will gain. If not, nobody will reap the full benefits. Voices should be kept low; the parties involved should look reasonably at their interests and talk to each other so that solution can be found and all can benefit.
Thank you.
STATE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES FUNDING NGO PROGRAMS BENEFITING DISPLACED SYRIANS IN JORDAN
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
FY 2012 Funding Opportunity Announcement for NGO programs benefiting displaced Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon
Democracy, Human Rights, Refugees: FY 2012 Funding Opportunity Announcement for NGO programs benefiting displaced Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon
Funding Opportunity Announcement
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
April 9, 2012
Funding Opportunity Number: PRM-ANE-12-CA-001-NEA-040912-Syrians.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number:
19.519 - Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Near East and South Asia
Announcement issuance date: April 9, 2012
Proposal submission deadline: April 23, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) EDT. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
ADVISORY: PRM strongly recommends submitting your proposal early to allow time to address any difficulties that may arise.
Proposed Program Start Dates: Proposed new projects may begin between June 1, 2012 and June 15, 2012.
Duration of Activity: No more than 12 months. In funding a project one year, PRM makes no representations that it will continue to fund the project in successive years and encourages applicants to seek a wide array of donors to ensure long-term funding possibilities.
Current Funding Priorities for Displaced Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon: PRM will prioritize funding for proposed NGO activities that fall within the UN Regional Response Plan and meet the Bureau’s priorities for displaced Syrians as identified below.
NGOs submitting proposals in response to this funding announcement must be a part of the UN Regional Response Plan and be registered to operate in each of the countries of the proposed activities by the program start date. Within the body of the proposal, NGOs should clearly state their role within the UN Regional Response Plan and their ability to operate in the proposed areas and include documentation providing verification of their registration status as an attachment.
(a) Because of PRM’s mandate to provide protection, assistance, and durable solutions for refugees and conflict victims, PRM will only consider funding projects that include a direct beneficiary base of at least 50 percent displaced Syrians. PRM will consider proposals for activities in a single country as well as programs operating in both Jordan and Lebanon.
(b) Proposals for programs should focus on health, psychosocial support, protection, and/or education. Proposals should include detailed information on planned coordination with and referral mechanisms to both local and international organizations.
Programs must focus on one or more of the following sectors (not listed by priority):
· Health care, including health education and preventative health care, reproductive health services, with a focus on capacity building for local service providers, mainstreaming into local health care infrastructure, and clinical management of rape and other forms of gender-based violence. Proposals should demonstrate how clinical services for survivors of gender-based violence, including men, boys, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals, are incorporated into the project.
· Mental health and psychosocial programs offering individual as well as family/group counseling and/or therapy. Proposals should adhere to the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings and articulate how beneficiaries are identified; previous coordination with other mental health providers, including training; efforts to improve local capacity to provide adequate mental healthcare; the extent to which the NGO is able to utilize local organizations/resources to meet the mental healthcare needs of its beneficiaries; and an overview of the most prevalent mental health needs among the displaced Syrian population that the NGO intends to address. Proposals should demonstrate how clinical services for survivors of gender-based violence are incorporated into the project and should adhere to the IASC Guidelines on Gender-Based Violence.
· Humanitarian assistance and protection, including: non-food items; gender-based violence prevention and response programs, including services for both female and male survivors; programs aimed at addressing the interrelated assistance and protection needs of vulnerable beneficiaries by providing services and referral networks; and other emergency assistance to extremely vulnerable individuals. Proposals should indicate how this assistance is filling an identified gap, including how the gap and the beneficiaries were identified.
· Education, including remedial education and non-formal education programs, with special attention to adolescents, particularly those at risk of losing educational opportunities due to their interrupted educational career due to displacement, the need to generate income, or to their lack of documentation of prior education in Syria. Proposals should address how the educational assistance will assist with integration into local educational structures. Education programs should adhere to the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) minimum Standards.
(c) All program design should take into account the following guidance:
· Programs are encouraged to prioritize the needs of women and girls in a way that strengthens their roles in families and in the broader community. Programs should also target the needs of the most vulnerable groups among the Syrian refugee population (e.g., female-headed households; disabled or isolated refugees; GBV survivors; LGBTI individuals; separated or unaccompanied children; the elderly, etc.). Younger single men are also considered a vulnerable group for which PRM would consider targeted programming. Programs are encouraged to demonstrate how they will train their staff to meet the specific protection and assistance needs of these vulnerable groups effectively. Programs should be accessible to physically disabled persons.
· NGOs should demonstrate the application of lessons learned in previous programming and changes necessitated by the dynamic social and economic situation of Syrians and Iraqis in the region. NGOs should assess the continuing effectiveness of the humanitarian assistance they currently provide, highlighting best practices developed and any programmatic adjustments that should be made in follow-on activities.
· Proposals should include a realistic and detailed assessment of the sustainability of the project after PRM funding ends.
· As all NGOs will be operating within the UN Regional Response Plan, they will participate in UNHCR-designed and -managed refugee assistance information systems.
(d) PRM will accept proposals only from NGOs included in the UN Regional Response Plan and will give priority to proposals that demonstrate the capability to be operational immediately using PRM funding as well as:
· A proven track record in providing proposed assistance both in the sector and specified location;
· A concrete implementation plan with well-conceived objectives and indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and reliable, time-bound and trackable (SMART), have established baselines, and include at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective; objectives should be clearly linked to the sectors in the RFP;
· Projects, if feasible, must include strong transition plans in their proposals that detail specific benchmarks and/or a timeline for turning over the project to local organizations, governmental authorities, or development organizations;
· A budget that is appropriate for meeting the objectives and demonstrates co-funding by non-U.S. government sources;
· Adherence to relevant international standards for humanitarian assistance. See PRM’s General NGO Guidelines for a complete list of sector-specific standards.
International Organizations
International Organizations (IOs) that are engaged in programs relevant to the assistance addressed by this PRM funding announcement should ensure that these programs are made known to PRM on or before the closing date of this funding announcement so that PRM can evaluate all IO and NGO programs for funding consideration.
Funding Limits:
PRM will consider project proposals up to $1.5 million. Project proposals with solid and compelling budget justifications will be considered. Budgets based on a realistic and well-articulated assessment of needs and expenses will be noted favorably.
Budgets for regional projects should be broken down by country. As much as possible, all budgets should be broken down by objective, as per the revised budget template.
As stated in the General NGO Guidelines, PRM looks favorably on cost-sharing efforts and seeks to support projects with a diverse donor base and/or resources from the submitting organization.
Proposal Submission Requirements:
See “How to Apply” (http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_faqs.jsp#applying) on Grants.gov for complete details on requirements, and note the following highlights:
· Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov. Organizations not registered with Grants.gov should register well in advance of the deadline as it can take up to two weeks to finalize registration (sometimes longer for non-U.S. based NGOs to get the required registration numbers). To register with Grants.gov, organizations must first receive a DUNS number and register with the Central Contract Registry (CCR) which can take weeks and sometimes months. See “Applicant FAQs” section on Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov/help/applicant_faqs.jsp#applying) for complete details on registering.
· If you encounter technical difficulties with Grants.gov please contact the Grants.gov Help Desk at support@grants.gov or by calling 1-800-518-4726. Applicants who are unable to submit applications via Grants.gov due to Grants.gov technical difficulties and who have reported the problem(s) to the Grants.gov help desk and received a case number and had a service request opened to research the problem(s), should contact PRM Program Officer Jennifer Williams at (202) 453-9202 or WilliamsJL4@state.gov to determine whether an alternative method of submission is appropriate.
· Do not wait until the last minute to submit your application on Grants.gov. Applicants who have done so in the past and experienced technical difficulties were not able to meet the deadline.
PRM strongly recommends submitting your proposal early to avoid submission delays. We recommend that organizations submit applications via Grants.gov as soon as possible to avoid last-minute technical difficulties that could result in an application not being considered.
· Applications must be submitted under the authority of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) at the applicant organization. Having proposals submitted by agency headquarters helps to avoid possible technical problems.
· Pursuant to U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001, stated on OMB Standard Form 424 (SF-424), Department of State is authorized to consolidate the certifications and assurances required by Federal law or regulations for its federal assistance programs. The list of certifications and assurances can be found at: http://fa.statebuy.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=161&menu_id=68 )
Proposal Content, Formatting and Template:
Please refer to the “Proposal Submission and Review Process” section in PRM’s General NGO Guidelines. PRM strongly encourages organizations applying for PRM funding to use the PRM recommended proposal and budget templates. Templates can be requested by sending an email to PRM's NGO Coordinator. You must type “PRM NGO Templates” in the subject line to receive an automated reply containing the template.
PLEASE TAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN THE PRM’s NGO GUIDELINES:
This announcement is designed to accompany PRM’s General NGO Guidelines, which contain additional administrative information and explain in detail PRM’s NGO funding strategy and priorities. Please use both the General NGO Guidelines and this announcement to ensure that the proposed activities are in line with PRM’s priorities and that your proposal submission is in full compliance with PRM requirements. Proposal submissions that do not meet all of the requirements outlined in these guidelines will not be considered. PRM recommends using the proposal and budget templates that are available upon email request from PRM's NGO Coordinator. Please send an email, with the phrase “PRM NGO templates” in the subject line, to PRM's NGO Coordinator.
· Proposals should outline how the NGO will acknowledge PRM funding. If an organization believes that publicly acknowledging the receipt of USG funding for a particular PRM-funded project could potentially endanger the lives of the beneficiaries and/or the organization staff, invite suspicion about the organization's motives, or alienate the organization from the population it is trying to help, it must provide a brief explanation in its proposal as to why it should be exempted from this requirement.
· Focus on outcome or impact indicators as much as possible. At a minimum, each objective should have one outcome or impact indicator. Wherever possible, baselines should be established before the start of the project.
· To increase PRM’s ability to track the impact of PRM funding, include specific information on locations of projects and beneficiaries. Any project involving the building or maintenance of physical infrastructure must include coordinates of site locations (place name, P-Code, latitude and longitude coordinates).
· Budget must include a specific breakdown of funds being provided by UNHCR, other USG agencies, other donors, and your own organization. PRM strongly encourages multi-lateral support for humanitarian programs.
Reports and Reporting Requirements:
Program reporting: PRM requires quarterly and final program reports describing and analyzing the results of activities undertaken during the validity period of the agreement. It is highly suggested that NGOs receiving PRM funding use the PRM recommended program report template. To request this template, send an email with the phrase “PRM NGO templates” in the subject line to PRM's NGO Coordinator.
Financial Reports: Financial reports are required within thirty (30) days following the end of each calendar year quarter during the validity period of the agreement; a final financial report covering the entire period of the agreement is required within ninety (90) days after the expiration date of the agreement.
For more details regarding reporting requirements please see PRM’s General NGO Guidelines.
Proposal Review Process:
PRM will conduct a formal competitive review of all proposals submitted in response to this funding announcement. A review panel will evaluate submissions based on the above-referenced proposal evaluation criteria and PRM priorities in the context of available funding.
PRM may request revised proposals and/or budgets based on feedback from the panel. PRM will provide formal notifications to NGOs of final decisions taken by Bureau management.
PRM Points of Contact:
Should NGOs have technical questions related to this announcement, they should contact the PRM staff listed below prior to proposal submission. (Note: Responses to technical questions from PRM do not indicate a commitment to fund the program discussed.)
PRM Program Officer Jennifer Williams (WilliamsJL4@state.gov, 202-453-9202), Washington, D.C.
Regional Refugee Assistance Coordinator Rebecca Fong (FongRA2@state.gov), U.S. Embassy, Amman, Jordan.
FY 2012 Funding Opportunity Announcement for NGO programs benefiting displaced Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon
Democracy, Human Rights, Refugees: FY 2012 Funding Opportunity Announcement for NGO programs benefiting displaced Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon
Funding Opportunity Announcement
Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
April 9, 2012
Funding Opportunity Number: PRM-ANE-12-CA-001-NEA-040912-Syrians.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number:
19.519 - Overseas Refugee Assistance Programs for Near East and South Asia
Announcement issuance date: April 9, 2012
Proposal submission deadline: April 23, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. (noon) EDT. Proposals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
ADVISORY: PRM strongly recommends submitting your proposal early to allow time to address any difficulties that may arise.
Proposed Program Start Dates: Proposed new projects may begin between June 1, 2012 and June 15, 2012.
Duration of Activity: No more than 12 months. In funding a project one year, PRM makes no representations that it will continue to fund the project in successive years and encourages applicants to seek a wide array of donors to ensure long-term funding possibilities.
Current Funding Priorities for Displaced Syrians in Jordan and Lebanon: PRM will prioritize funding for proposed NGO activities that fall within the UN Regional Response Plan and meet the Bureau’s priorities for displaced Syrians as identified below.
NGOs submitting proposals in response to this funding announcement must be a part of the UN Regional Response Plan and be registered to operate in each of the countries of the proposed activities by the program start date. Within the body of the proposal, NGOs should clearly state their role within the UN Regional Response Plan and their ability to operate in the proposed areas and include documentation providing verification of their registration status as an attachment.
(a) Because of PRM’s mandate to provide protection, assistance, and durable solutions for refugees and conflict victims, PRM will only consider funding projects that include a direct beneficiary base of at least 50 percent displaced Syrians. PRM will consider proposals for activities in a single country as well as programs operating in both Jordan and Lebanon.
(b) Proposals for programs should focus on health, psychosocial support, protection, and/or education. Proposals should include detailed information on planned coordination with and referral mechanisms to both local and international organizations.
Programs must focus on one or more of the following sectors (not listed by priority):
· Health care, including health education and preventative health care, reproductive health services, with a focus on capacity building for local service providers, mainstreaming into local health care infrastructure, and clinical management of rape and other forms of gender-based violence. Proposals should demonstrate how clinical services for survivors of gender-based violence, including men, boys, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals, are incorporated into the project.
· Mental health and psychosocial programs offering individual as well as family/group counseling and/or therapy. Proposals should adhere to the IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings and articulate how beneficiaries are identified; previous coordination with other mental health providers, including training; efforts to improve local capacity to provide adequate mental healthcare; the extent to which the NGO is able to utilize local organizations/resources to meet the mental healthcare needs of its beneficiaries; and an overview of the most prevalent mental health needs among the displaced Syrian population that the NGO intends to address. Proposals should demonstrate how clinical services for survivors of gender-based violence are incorporated into the project and should adhere to the IASC Guidelines on Gender-Based Violence.
· Humanitarian assistance and protection, including: non-food items; gender-based violence prevention and response programs, including services for both female and male survivors; programs aimed at addressing the interrelated assistance and protection needs of vulnerable beneficiaries by providing services and referral networks; and other emergency assistance to extremely vulnerable individuals. Proposals should indicate how this assistance is filling an identified gap, including how the gap and the beneficiaries were identified.
· Education, including remedial education and non-formal education programs, with special attention to adolescents, particularly those at risk of losing educational opportunities due to their interrupted educational career due to displacement, the need to generate income, or to their lack of documentation of prior education in Syria. Proposals should address how the educational assistance will assist with integration into local educational structures. Education programs should adhere to the Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) minimum Standards.
(c) All program design should take into account the following guidance:
· Programs are encouraged to prioritize the needs of women and girls in a way that strengthens their roles in families and in the broader community. Programs should also target the needs of the most vulnerable groups among the Syrian refugee population (e.g., female-headed households; disabled or isolated refugees; GBV survivors; LGBTI individuals; separated or unaccompanied children; the elderly, etc.). Younger single men are also considered a vulnerable group for which PRM would consider targeted programming. Programs are encouraged to demonstrate how they will train their staff to meet the specific protection and assistance needs of these vulnerable groups effectively. Programs should be accessible to physically disabled persons.
· NGOs should demonstrate the application of lessons learned in previous programming and changes necessitated by the dynamic social and economic situation of Syrians and Iraqis in the region. NGOs should assess the continuing effectiveness of the humanitarian assistance they currently provide, highlighting best practices developed and any programmatic adjustments that should be made in follow-on activities.
· Proposals should include a realistic and detailed assessment of the sustainability of the project after PRM funding ends.
· As all NGOs will be operating within the UN Regional Response Plan, they will participate in UNHCR-designed and -managed refugee assistance information systems.
(d) PRM will accept proposals only from NGOs included in the UN Regional Response Plan and will give priority to proposals that demonstrate the capability to be operational immediately using PRM funding as well as:
· A proven track record in providing proposed assistance both in the sector and specified location;
· A concrete implementation plan with well-conceived objectives and indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and reliable, time-bound and trackable (SMART), have established baselines, and include at least one outcome or impact indicator per objective; objectives should be clearly linked to the sectors in the RFP;
· Projects, if feasible, must include strong transition plans in their proposals that detail specific benchmarks and/or a timeline for turning over the project to local organizations, governmental authorities, or development organizations;
· A budget that is appropriate for meeting the objectives and demonstrates co-funding by non-U.S. government sources;
· Adherence to relevant international standards for humanitarian assistance. See PRM’s General NGO Guidelines for a complete list of sector-specific standards.
International Organizations
International Organizations (IOs) that are engaged in programs relevant to the assistance addressed by this PRM funding announcement should ensure that these programs are made known to PRM on or before the closing date of this funding announcement so that PRM can evaluate all IO and NGO programs for funding consideration.
Funding Limits:
PRM will consider project proposals up to $1.5 million. Project proposals with solid and compelling budget justifications will be considered. Budgets based on a realistic and well-articulated assessment of needs and expenses will be noted favorably.
Budgets for regional projects should be broken down by country. As much as possible, all budgets should be broken down by objective, as per the revised budget template.
As stated in the General NGO Guidelines, PRM looks favorably on cost-sharing efforts and seeks to support projects with a diverse donor base and/or resources from the submitting organization.
Proposal Submission Requirements:
See “How to Apply” (http://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant_faqs.jsp#applying) on Grants.gov for complete details on requirements, and note the following highlights:
· Proposals must be submitted via Grants.gov. Organizations not registered with Grants.gov should register well in advance of the deadline as it can take up to two weeks to finalize registration (sometimes longer for non-U.S. based NGOs to get the required registration numbers). To register with Grants.gov, organizations must first receive a DUNS number and register with the Central Contract Registry (CCR) which can take weeks and sometimes months. See “Applicant FAQs” section on Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov/help/applicant_faqs.jsp#applying) for complete details on registering.
· If you encounter technical difficulties with Grants.gov please contact the Grants.gov Help Desk at support@grants.gov or by calling 1-800-518-4726. Applicants who are unable to submit applications via Grants.gov due to Grants.gov technical difficulties and who have reported the problem(s) to the Grants.gov help desk and received a case number and had a service request opened to research the problem(s), should contact PRM Program Officer Jennifer Williams at (202) 453-9202 or WilliamsJL4@state.gov to determine whether an alternative method of submission is appropriate.
· Do not wait until the last minute to submit your application on Grants.gov. Applicants who have done so in the past and experienced technical difficulties were not able to meet the deadline.
PRM strongly recommends submitting your proposal early to avoid submission delays. We recommend that organizations submit applications via Grants.gov as soon as possible to avoid last-minute technical difficulties that could result in an application not being considered.
· Applications must be submitted under the authority of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) at the applicant organization. Having proposals submitted by agency headquarters helps to avoid possible technical problems.
· Pursuant to U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001, stated on OMB Standard Form 424 (SF-424), Department of State is authorized to consolidate the certifications and assurances required by Federal law or regulations for its federal assistance programs. The list of certifications and assurances can be found at: http://fa.statebuy.state.gov/content.asp?content_id=161&menu_id=68 )
Proposal Content, Formatting and Template:
Please refer to the “Proposal Submission and Review Process” section in PRM’s General NGO Guidelines. PRM strongly encourages organizations applying for PRM funding to use the PRM recommended proposal and budget templates. Templates can be requested by sending an email to PRM's NGO Coordinator. You must type “PRM NGO Templates” in the subject line to receive an automated reply containing the template.
PLEASE TAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN THE PRM’s NGO GUIDELINES:
This announcement is designed to accompany PRM’s General NGO Guidelines, which contain additional administrative information and explain in detail PRM’s NGO funding strategy and priorities. Please use both the General NGO Guidelines and this announcement to ensure that the proposed activities are in line with PRM’s priorities and that your proposal submission is in full compliance with PRM requirements. Proposal submissions that do not meet all of the requirements outlined in these guidelines will not be considered. PRM recommends using the proposal and budget templates that are available upon email request from PRM's NGO Coordinator. Please send an email, with the phrase “PRM NGO templates” in the subject line, to PRM's NGO Coordinator.
· Proposals should outline how the NGO will acknowledge PRM funding. If an organization believes that publicly acknowledging the receipt of USG funding for a particular PRM-funded project could potentially endanger the lives of the beneficiaries and/or the organization staff, invite suspicion about the organization's motives, or alienate the organization from the population it is trying to help, it must provide a brief explanation in its proposal as to why it should be exempted from this requirement.
· Focus on outcome or impact indicators as much as possible. At a minimum, each objective should have one outcome or impact indicator. Wherever possible, baselines should be established before the start of the project.
· To increase PRM’s ability to track the impact of PRM funding, include specific information on locations of projects and beneficiaries. Any project involving the building or maintenance of physical infrastructure must include coordinates of site locations (place name, P-Code, latitude and longitude coordinates).
· Budget must include a specific breakdown of funds being provided by UNHCR, other USG agencies, other donors, and your own organization. PRM strongly encourages multi-lateral support for humanitarian programs.
Reports and Reporting Requirements:
Program reporting: PRM requires quarterly and final program reports describing and analyzing the results of activities undertaken during the validity period of the agreement. It is highly suggested that NGOs receiving PRM funding use the PRM recommended program report template. To request this template, send an email with the phrase “PRM NGO templates” in the subject line to PRM's NGO Coordinator.
Financial Reports: Financial reports are required within thirty (30) days following the end of each calendar year quarter during the validity period of the agreement; a final financial report covering the entire period of the agreement is required within ninety (90) days after the expiration date of the agreement.
For more details regarding reporting requirements please see PRM’s General NGO Guidelines.
Proposal Review Process:
PRM will conduct a formal competitive review of all proposals submitted in response to this funding announcement. A review panel will evaluate submissions based on the above-referenced proposal evaluation criteria and PRM priorities in the context of available funding.
PRM may request revised proposals and/or budgets based on feedback from the panel. PRM will provide formal notifications to NGOs of final decisions taken by Bureau management.
PRM Points of Contact:
Should NGOs have technical questions related to this announcement, they should contact the PRM staff listed below prior to proposal submission. (Note: Responses to technical questions from PRM do not indicate a commitment to fund the program discussed.)
PRM Program Officer Jennifer Williams (WilliamsJL4@state.gov, 202-453-9202), Washington, D.C.
Regional Refugee Assistance Coordinator Rebecca Fong (FongRA2@state.gov), U.S. Embassy, Amman, Jordan.
SECREATARY CLINTON SENDS BEST WISHES TO THAILAND ON SONGKRAN
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Songkran Festival - Thai New Year
Press Statement Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State Washington, DC
April 10, 2012
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Thailand on the occasion of Songkran.
The United States values our longstanding alliance and close ties with the people of Thailand. Working together, we have made progress on critical issues. Today, we are strengthening public health, building closer economic ties, and promoting a safe and secure region. We look forward to deepening our partnership even more for the benefit of both our people and the Asia-Pacific region we share.
As you celebrate this special occasion with family and friends, know that the United States stands with you, and we are committed to a brighter future for all of our people.
CANNON TEST FIRE ON BOARD USS SIMPSON
Sailors aboard the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) conduct a pre-action aim calibration test fire of a 76mm canon. Simpson, homeported in Mayport, Fla., is conducting theater security cooperation and maritime security operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brian T. Glunt (Released) 120406-N-RN782-074
DOJ SEIZES PROCEEDS FROM ONLINE SALE OF COUNTERFEIT SPORTS APPAREL
FROM: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Department of Justice Seizes More Than $896,000 in Proceeds from the Online Sale of Counterfeit Sports Apparel
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice has seized more than $896,000 in proceeds from the distribution of counterfeit sports apparel and jerseys as the result of an investigation into the sale of counterfeit goods on commercial websites, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Ronald C. Machen Jr., U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; and John Morton, Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The investigation also resulted in the seizure of seven domain names engaged in the sale of counterfeit goods. The funds were seized from interbank accounts and three PayPal accounts. The seizure warrants were unsealed in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on April 5, 2012.
The investigation is a product of Operation In Our Sites, a law enforcement initiative targeting online commercial intellectual property crime announced by ICE’s Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in June 2010. Operation In Our Sites targeted online retailers of a diverse array of counterfeit goods, including sports equipment, shoes, handbags, athletic apparel, sunglasses and DVD boxed sets. To date, 758 domain names of websites engaged in the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and illegal copyrighted works have been seized as a result of Operation In Our Sites.
According to court documents, investigation by federal law enforcement agents revealed that several subjects whose domain names had been seized in a November 2010 In Our Sites operation continued to sell counterfeit goods using new domain names. In particular, the individuals, based in China, sold counterfeit professional and collegiate sports apparel, primarily counterfeit sports jerseys. Law enforcement agents made numerous undercover purchases from the websites associated with the new domain names. After the goods were confirmed to be counterfeit or infringing, seizure warrants for seven domain names used to sell the infringing goods were obtained from a U.S. Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
According to court documents, the individuals conducted sales and processed payments for the counterfeit goods using PayPal Private Ltd. accounts and then wired their proceeds to bank accounts held at Chinese banks. Under warrants issued by a U.S. District Judge, law enforcement agents seized $826,883 in proceeds that had been transferred from PayPal accounts to various bank accounts in China. The funds were seized from correspondent, or interbank, accounts held by the Chinese banks in the United States. Under additional seizure warrants issued by a U.S. Magistrate Judge, law enforcement agents also seized $69,504 in funds remaining in three PayPal accounts used by the subjects.
“We are working hard to protect American businesses and consumers from the damaging effects of intellectual property crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. “This investigation disrupted an online counterfeit goods operation and also struck at the heart of the criminal enterprise by seizing hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal profits. The Justice Department, together with our partners at ICE, will continue to do all that we can to punish and deter the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods.”
“Those who traffic in counterfeit goods harm the American economy as well as the consumers who purchase the substandard merchandise,” said U.S. Attorney Machen. “Seizing the domain names of these unscrupulous operators was one big step, and seizing their ill-gotten proceeds should send them another message that these counterfeit sales will not be tolerated.”
“Counterfeiting and intellectual property theft are seriously undermining U.S. business and innovation,” said ICE Director Morton. “Consumers are at risk, American industry is harmed and U.S. jobs are lost. As a country, we can ill afford the toll that intellectual property theft exacts on our economy and industries. Operation In Our Sites and the related efforts of the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center are critical to combating intellectual property crime and consumer fraud over the Internet.”
The investigation was conducted by the National Intellectual Property Rights Center and ICE-HSI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Hooks and Diane Lucas and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine Wagner of the District of Columbia, Senior Trial Attorney Pamela Hicks of the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Trial Attorney Thomas Dougherty of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
This enforcement action is one of many efforts being undertaken by the Department of Justice Task Force on Intellectual Property (IP Task Force). Attorney General Eric Holder created the IP Task Force to combat the growing number of domestic and international intellectual property crimes, protect the health and safety of American consumers, and safeguard the nation’s economic security against those who seek to profit illegally from American creativity, innovation and hard work. The IP Task Force seeks to strengthen intellectual property rights protection through heightened criminal and civil enforcement, greater coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement partners and increased focus on international enforcement efforts, including reinforcing relationships with key foreign partners and U.S. industry leaders.
U.S-REPUBLIC OF KOREA DISCUSS BY PHONE NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCH .
FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Presenter: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Republic of Korea Defense Minister Kim Kwan Jin April 09, 2012
Secretary Panetta and Defense Minister Jin
Secretary Panetta and Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan Jin spoke by phone this evening to discuss the announced North Korean missile launch. Both leaders would regard a missile launch by North Korea as a serious provocation and a violation of North Korea's international obligations and standing UN Security Council Resolutions.
Secretary Panetta and Minister Kim reaffirmed their shared commitment to closely monitor North Korea's efforts and to ensure the defense of the Republic of Korea.
TENET HEALTHCARE PAYS OVER $42 MILLION SETTLEMENT IN IMPROPER MEDICARE BILLING CASE
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JSUTICE
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare Pays More Than $42 Million to Settle Allegations of Improperly Billing Medicare Settlement Related to Company’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities
Tenet Healthcare Corporation has agreed to pay the United States $42.75 million to settle allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by overbilling the federal Medicare program, the Justice Department announced today.
The settlement resolves allegations pertaining to the various inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) that Dallas-based Tenet has owned and operated throughout the country. IRFs are designed for patients who need an intense rehabilitation program that requires a multidisciplinary, coordinated team approach to improve their ability to function. Because the patients treated at these facilities require more intensive rehabilitation therapy and closer medical supervision than is provided in other settings, such as acute care hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, Medicare generally pays IRFs at a higher rate for rehabilitation care than it pays for such care in other settings.
The Justice Department alleged that, between May 15, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2007, Tenet improperly billed Medicare for the treatment of patients at its IRFs when, in fact, these patient stays did not meet the standards to qualify for an IRF admission. Today’s settlement is the United States’ single largest recovery pertaining to inappropriate admissions to IRFs.
“The Department of Justice is committed to protecting the Medicare program against all types of overcharging by health care providers,” said Stuart F. Delery, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Civil Division. “As today's settlement demonstrates, inpatient rehabilitation facilities will not be permitted to bill Medicare for patients who were not qualified for admission.”
“This settlement demonstrates our office’s continued commitment to protect crucial Medicare dollars from fraud and abuse. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities are expensive, and Medicare dollars should be reserved for patients who need the services–not for hospitals seeking to make money through improper billing,” said Sally Quillian Yates, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
“Tenet disclosed this matter to my office as required under its corporate integrity agreement (CIA),” said Daniel R. Levinson, Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Our CIA reporting provisions have resulted in recovery of millions of taxpayer dollars back into the Medicare program.”
This resolution is part of the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud and another step for the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative, which was announced by Attorney General Eric Holder and Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in May 2009. The partnership between th e two departments has focused efforts to reduce and prevent Medicare and Medicaid financial fraud through enhanced cooperation. One of the most powerful tools in that effort is the False Claims Act, which the Justice Department has used to recover more than $6.6 billion since January 2009 in cases involving fraud against federal health care programs. The Justice Department’s total recoveries in False Claims Act cases since January 2009 are over $8.8 billion.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Delery and U.S. Attorney Yates expressed appreciation to the Department of Justice’s Civil Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for their collaboration in investigating this matter.
EPA, PHILADELPHIA SIGN AGREEMENT ON $2 BILLION GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
FROM: EPA
(PHILADELPHIA – April 10, 2012) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter, joined by U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz and city and federal officials, signed an agreement that represents a $2 billion investment in Philadelphia green infrastructure during an event at the Fairmount Water Works.
Over the next 25 years, the Green City, Clean Waters partnership agreement will transform many of Philadelphia’s traditional hardened surfaces to green areas to better manage potentially harmful rainwater runoff pollution. This unique federal – city partnership is designed to ensure the success of the Green City, Clean Waters Plan and to present the plan as a national model for cities embracing green stormwater infrastructure. Green infrastructure investments make our communities cleaner, healthier, and more attractive places to live and work.
"The EPA is proud to be working in partnership to support green infrastructure advances that will lead to cleaner waters and a stronger economy for the city of Philadelphia. This city has earned a place as a national and global leader on sustainable innovation and clean water protection," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "The Green City, Clean Waters Partnership promises to lead the way for communities across the nation, which can use the lessons learned through this long-term project to protect their health, safeguard their waters and boost their economies."
EPA will provide assistance to the city in identifying and promoting higher performing green infrastructure designs, convening technical expertise from around the country to advance green designs and support a green design competition, and help remove barriers to innovation in the city’s plan. EPA will also assist on research and technical assistance, and monitoring the effectiveness and evaluating benefits of the program through cooperation on water quality monitoring and modeling work that the city has undertaken.
“The Green City Clean Waters Plan is our proposal to revitalize our rivers and streams by managing stormwater in a way that provides multiple benefits. It will result in clean and beautiful waterways, a healthier environment and increased community value. The assistance of our many and diverse regulatory and public partners makes it the most cost effective investment of its kind in the country,” said Mayor Nutter. “Where other cities are challenged by very expensive commitments for tunnels, tanks and other gray infrastructure, we have worked with the state and the EPA to take this greener, more fiscally prudent approach that will realize multiple benefits.”
The city of Philadelphia is leading the development of green strategies to manage urban stormwater runoff – the 21st century’s greatest challenge to the health of our nation’s rivers and streams. Philadelphia’s Green City, Clean Waters Plan layers green technologies modeled on natural practices on top of the city’s 3,000 mile sewer network, Philadelphia’s 20th century investment in traditional “gray” infrastructure, to capture rainwater on the surface. Capturing rainwater prevents sewer overflows containing industrial and human waste from discharging to waterways during wet weather. It will transform streets, parking lots, schools, public spaces into urban landscapes that reduce sewer overflows to our waterways while enhancing our communities.
“The signing of this monumental agreement is a transformative step for urban environmental policy in the United States,” said Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz. “Philadelphia and the EPA's forward-looking collaboration on storm water runoff will help strengthen economic development, protect our drinking water and should serve as a model for cities around the country.”
Green City Clean Waters is based upon an adaptive management approach that will identify and maximize green practices that achieve the most efficient and cost effective environmental goals for the City of Philadelphia.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR GIVES FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO NORTH CAROLINA VICTIMS OF HURRICANE IRENE
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
US Department of Labor provides additional funding to assist recovery efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Irene damage from August 2011
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a National Emergency Grant increment of $375,200 that will fund 200 temporary jobs for eligible workers to continue cleanup and recovery efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Irene, which struck in August 2011.
“North Carolina’s rural areas have limited public transportation and were severely damaged. Residents in those areas require assistance with continued removal of debris and restoration to public properties,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Jane Oates. “Today’s grant sends a clear message that displaced families along the North Carolina coast can depend on the federal government to help them restore their communities.”
On Aug. 31, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency declared 37 counties eligible for its Public Assistance Program: Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Sampson, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wilson. More information on designated disaster areas in North Carolina is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/news/eventcounties.fema?id=15532.
I
n September 2011, the Labor Department awarded a $2 million grant to the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Employment and Training, with $750,000 released initially. Today’s increment brings the total funds awarded to date to $1,125,200.
National Emergency Grants are part of the secretary of labor’s discretionary fund and are awarded based on a state’s ability to meet specific guidelines. For more information, visit http://www.doleta.gov/NEG.
ARMS CONTROL DATA U.S. AND RUSSIA
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
New START Treaty Aggregate Numbers of Strategic Offensive Arms
Fact Sheet
Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance
April 6, 2012
(As of March 1, 2012, as drawn from the exchange of data by the Parties)[1]
Category of Data United States of America Russian Federation
Deployed ICBMs, Deployed SLBMs, 812 494
Warheads on Deployed ICBMs, on Deployed SLBMs, 1737 1492
and Nuclear Warheads Counted for Deployed Heavy
Bombers
Deployed and Non-deployed Launchers of ICBMs, 1040 881
Deployed and Non-deployed Launchers of SLBMs, and
Deployed and Non-deployed Heavy Bombers
[1] Data in this Fact Sheet comes from the biannual exchange of data required by the Treaty. It contains data declared current as of March 1, 2012. Data will be updated each six month period after entry into force of the Treaty.
The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.
New START Treaty Aggregate Numbers of Strategic Offensive Arms
Fact Sheet
Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance
April 6, 2012
(As of March 1, 2012, as drawn from the exchange of data by the Parties)[1]
Category of Data United States of America Russian Federation
Deployed ICBMs, Deployed SLBMs, 812 494
and Deployed Heavy Bombers
Warheads on Deployed ICBMs, on Deployed SLBMs, 1737 1492
and Nuclear Warheads Counted for Deployed Heavy
Bombers
Deployed and Non-deployed Launchers of ICBMs, 1040 881
Deployed and Non-deployed Launchers of SLBMs, and
Deployed and Non-deployed Heavy Bombers
[1] Data in this Fact Sheet comes from the biannual exchange of data required by the Treaty. It contains data declared current as of March 1, 2012. Data will be updated each six month period after entry into force of the Treaty.
The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.
EUROPEAN UNION, U.S. SAY BOTH COMMITTED TO OPEN, TRANSPARENT, AND NON-DISCRIMINATORY INVESTMENT POLICIES
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
United States, European Union Reaffirm Commitment to Open, Transparent, and Non-Discriminatory Investment Policies
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
April 10, 2012
Following is the text of a joint statement issued by the U.S. Department of State and the United States Trade Representative.
Begin Text:
Today, the United States and the European Union (EU), under the auspices of the Transatlantic Economic Council, announced an agreement on Shared Principles for International Investment, which reaffirms our commitment to open, transparent, and non-discriminatory international investment policies. International investment, both by American companies abroad and by foreign companies in the United States, benefits U.S. companies and American workers by creating high-paying jobs, boosting exports, and spurring innovation in the United States.
U.S. Cabinet-level principals and EU commissioners attending a Transatlantic Economic Council meeting on November 29, 2011, urged that a joint set of international investment principles be developed to strengthen our collaborative efforts to foster open investment policies worldwide. These principles would guide the United States and EU and the governments of third countries in developing future investment policies. The United States looks forward to working with the EU to promote the principles around the world, including through the G8 Deauville Partnership with countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The principles embody a number of shared core values, including a commitment to open and non-discriminatory investment policies, a level competitive playing field, strong protections for investors and their investments, neutral and binding international dispute settlement, strong rules on transparency and public participation, responsible business conduct, and narrowly-tailored reviews of national security considerations. The joint statement recognizes that governments can fully embrace these principles without compromising their ability to regulate in the public interest.
The principles are available at USTR’s website and at the Department of State’s website.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
FROM: DEPARTMENT OF STATE
About the Transatlantic Economic Council
United States, European Union Reaffirm Commitment to Open, Transparent, and Non-Discriminatory Investment Policies
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
April 10, 2012
Following is the text of a joint statement issued by the U.S. Department of State and the United States Trade Representative.
Begin Text:
Today, the United States and the European Union (EU), under the auspices of the Transatlantic Economic Council, announced an agreement on Shared Principles for International Investment, which reaffirms our commitment to open, transparent, and non-discriminatory international investment policies. International investment, both by American companies abroad and by foreign companies in the United States, benefits U.S. companies and American workers by creating high-paying jobs, boosting exports, and spurring innovation in the United States.
U.S. Cabinet-level principals and EU commissioners attending a Transatlantic Economic Council meeting on November 29, 2011, urged that a joint set of international investment principles be developed to strengthen our collaborative efforts to foster open investment policies worldwide. These principles would guide the United States and EU and the governments of third countries in developing future investment policies. The United States looks forward to working with the EU to promote the principles around the world, including through the G8 Deauville Partnership with countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The principles embody a number of shared core values, including a commitment to open and non-discriminatory investment policies, a level competitive playing field, strong protections for investors and their investments, neutral and binding international dispute settlement, strong rules on transparency and public participation, responsible business conduct, and narrowly-tailored reviews of national security considerations. The joint statement recognizes that governments can fully embrace these principles without compromising their ability to regulate in the public interest.
The principles are available at USTR’s website and at the Department of State’s website.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
FROM: DEPARTMENT OF STATE
About the Transatlantic Economic Council
Mission
Created by a joint framework for advancing transatlantic economic cooperation, the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC) is the primary plenary forum for economic dialogue between the United States and the European Union. The TEC works to facilitate agreement on a wide range of economically important issues managed through its Current Workplan. Meeting at least once per year, the co-chairs of the TEC – White House Deputy National Special Advisor for International Economic Affairs and European Commission Vice President for Trade – promote dialogue and agreement to further integrate the transatlantic economies. Across a spectrum of interrelated issues, the TEC seeks to eliminate trade barriers, implement best practices, harmonize standards, and develop market access.
History
Following the 2007 U.S.-EU Summit, a Declaration on Enhancing Transatlantic Economic Integration and Growth laid the foundation for a growth driven agenda of cooperative dialogue. Since then, the TEC has built upon the historical and on-going transatlantic economic integration to identify new areas of cooperation.
HHS SECRETARY SEBELIUS SAYS NEW RULE TO SAVE $4.6 BILLION
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
New health care law provisions cut red tape, save up to $4.6 billion
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a proposed rule that would establish a unique health plan identifier under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The proposed rule would implement several administrative simplification provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
The proposed changes would save health care providers and health plans up to $4.6 billion over the next ten years, according to estimates released by the HHS today. The estimates were included in a proposed rule that cuts red tape and simplifies administrative processes for doctors, hospitals and health insurance plans.
“The new health care law is cutting red tape, making our health care system more efficient and saving money,” Secretary Sebelius said. “These important simplifications will mean doctors can spend less time filling out forms and more time seeing patients.”
Currently, when health plans and entities like third party administrators bill providers, they are identified using a wide range of different identifiers that do not have a standard length or format. As a result, health care providers run into a number of time-consuming problems, such as misrouting of transactions, rejection of transactions due to insurance identification errors, and difficulty determining patient eligibility.
The rule simplifies the administrative process for providers by proposing that health plans have a unique identifier of a standard length and format to facilitate routine use in computer systems. This will allow provider offices to automate and simplify their processes, particularly when processing bills and other transactions.
The proposed rule also delays required compliance by one year– from Oct. 1, 2013, to Oct. 1, 2014– for new codes used to classify diseases and health problems. These codes, known as the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition diagnosis and procedure codes, or ICD-10, will include new procedures and diagnoses and improve the quality of information available for quality improvement and payment purposes.
Many provider groups have expressed serious concerns about their ability to meet the Oct. 1, 2013, compliance date. The proposed change in the compliance date for ICD-10 would give providers and other covered entities more time to prepare and fully test their systems to ensure a smooth and coordinated transition to these new code sets.
The proposed rule announced today is the third in a series of administrative simplification rules in the new health care law. HHS released the first in July of 2011 and the second in January of 2012, and plans to announce more in the coming months.
GOVERNMENT SAYS BUSINESSES SHOULD "PREPARE FOR FUTURE SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS"
FROM: FEMA
Disaster Preparedness is Good for Kentucky Businesses
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The restoration of businesses impacted by the tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding Feb. 29-March 3 is essential to the Commonwealth’s recovery.
“History has proven the sooner local businesses recover following a disaster, the faster the community begins recovering,” said John Heltzel, director of Kentucky Emergency Management. “Which is why having an emergency, or disaster, operations plan is crucial.”
Kentucky Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration encourage businesses to prepare for future severe weather events.
Businesses with thorough disaster preparedness plans generally have less damage, less economic loss and less down time following a disaster. A plan also will assist a business’ community recovery more quickly following a disaster.
“Prepared businesses can really help minimize the impact a disaster has on a community,” said Libby Turner, federal officer in charge of the Kentucky recovery. “Local businesses are vital resources and economic engines so it’s a huge step toward recovery if they’re able to reopen quickly after a disaster.”
Businesses should consider several elements in preparing for a disaster. Not only is it important to protect the staff, building, data and company inventory during a damaging event; it also is critical to prepare a plan to continue operations in case most everything is destroyed. A good plan may include provisions to relocate to a pre-identified site, retrieve business records, and a way to operate efficiently with a smaller staff of key individuals.
FEMA provides a step-by-step approach to emergency planning, response and recovery for companies of all sizes in its Emergency Management Guide for Business and Industry, a checklist for business recovery, and other "how to" resources atwww.fema.gov/business.
Business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties must register for assistance. The deadline to apply for physical damage loans is May 7. For economic injury disaster loans, the application deadline is Dec. 6. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for physical damage and economic injury in a low-interest disaster loan from the SBA.
medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
PAKISTANI CITIZEN GETS 31 MONTHS PRISON TIME FOR HUMAN SMUGGLING
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Pakistani Citizen Sentenced to 31 Months in Prison for Human Smuggling Conspiracy Charge
WASHINGTON – A Pakistani citizen was sentenced yesterday in the District of Columbia to 31 months in prison on a human smuggling charge announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. for the District of Columbia; John Morton, Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Miami Division.
Muhammad Abid Hussain, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John D. Bates. On Jan. 31, 2012, a federal jury in Washington, D.C., found Hussain guilty of conspiring to encourage and induce an individual to come to the United States unlawfully.
According to the evidence presented at trial, in February and March 2011, Hussain and a co-conspirator conducted a human smuggling operation in Quito, Ecuador, that attempted to smuggle an individual from Pakistan to the United States. No individuals or material were actually smuggled from Pakistan as part of the operation. Hussain was arrested in Miami on March 13, 2011.
Hussain was acquitted of a second charge of conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization relating to the same conduct.
The investigation was conducted by the ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) attaché office in Quito, Ecuador, with the HSI office in Atlanta, the Miami Division of the FBI and the Ecuadorian National Police.
The investigation was conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HSI. The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns. ECT has dedicated investigative, intelligence and prosecutorial resources. ECT coordinates and receives assistance from other U.S. government agencies and foreign law enforcement authorities.
The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. National Central Bureau of INTERPOL, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Embassy in Quito and the government of Ecuador provided invaluable support.
The case was prosecuted jointly by prosecutors from the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section of the Criminal Division, the Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
THE FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA AND DR. JILL BIDEN WORK TO RALLY NATION BEHIND VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, discuss the accomplishments of the Joining Forces campaign as its one-year anniversary approaches during an interview with American Forces Press Service in Washington, D.C., April 6, 2012. The first lady and Dr. Biden launched the campaign to rally national support from all sectors of society to honor and support service members, veterans and their families. DOD photo by Linda Hosek
Mrs. Obama: Nation Must 'Step up Forever' for Military Families
By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 9, 2012 - As First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden mark the first anniversary of their "Joining Forces" campaign this week, the two say they will continue to solidify its successes so a structured effort to help military families is a permanent part of American culture.
The pair reflected on the campaign's success during an April 6 interview here with American Forces Press Service.
"This has been a phenomenal first year," Obama said. "But the truth is, Jill and I have been working this issue since our husbands took the oath of office" in January 2009.
Obama and Biden, wife of vice president Joe Biden, said they've been amazed by the outpouring of support by American civilians. More than 100 companies have committed to participate in the administration's goal of the private sector hiring of 100,000 spouses and veterans. They also noted a Joining Forces commitment from the nation's medical colleges to better train civilian health-care providers in caring for war veterans and their families.
"We've seen Americans -- 13 million of them -- step up to pledge hours of service," Obama said. "It's been phenomenal to see a grateful nation step up to help military men and women who sacrifice so much for us."
Biden, a community college professor, said she's been gratified by progress in the education arena. Teachers colleges have incorporated military family matters into curricula to help teachers-to-be understand the unique challenges their students from military families face, she said. And more and more school systems recognize course credits of military family members who must relocate frequently, she added.
Teachers are doing small things that make a big difference, Biden said. Some conduct parent-teacher conferences with deployed parents on the Internet. Others -- as the teacher of Biden's granddaughter did when the Bidens' son, Beau, was deployed to Iraq -- display photos of deployed parents to help children cope.
Obama and Biden said they have felt privileged to meet with military families across the nation.
"Every American should have the privilege of getting to know a military community, a family, a unit, because these men and women are the best this country has," the first lady said. "I'm always in awe of what they are able to manage, what they sacrifice, and doing it with such grace and poise. It's been a gift to shine light on these military men and women."
Biden also spoke of the resilience of military family members.
"They face a lot of difficulties and challenges in their lives," she said, noting that most military members relocate at least 10 times in their career. "That's tough on a family -- to pack up, lose friends, make new friends, get new sports teams -- but they never complain. They just feel it's part of their job."
Obama said she expects the campaign's second year will continue progress in those areas and more. A major goal, she said, will be to build on successes in professional license portability for military spouses. Thirteen states already have passed legislation to make it easier for military spouses who work in fields such as teaching, nursing, real estate, and social work to transfer their professional licenses easily from one state to another, and 13 more have pending legislation, she said.
The outpouring of support for the Joining Forces campaign has proven that Americans want to help military families and need the structure the campaign provides, Biden said.
"Americans want to help. All they need is a little direction," she said. "They're saying, 'OK, give us ideas.'"
Obama said she expects the campaign to endure indefinitely.
"Our husbands, and Jill and I, we're committed to making sure this becomes part of our culture," she said. "I know the president and the vice president are working with the [Defense and Veterans Affairs departments] to set up a structure to ensure this continues, regardless of who's in office.
"These are lifelong commitments," she added. "As a Blue Star mom, Jill is always in, and I consider myself an honorary Blue Star mom. ... This is a forever issue for us."
The important thing for civilians to understand, Obama said, is that these issues don't end when wars end. "That's when the hard work begins for many of these families," she said. "When someone is on active duty, they're still transferring. Their kids are still going from school to school to school."
The first lady noted that 1 percent of Americans serve in the all-volunteer force to protect everyone else. "So, we have to step up forever," she said. "I think our country is ready to do that. It just helps to have a structure like Joining Forces."
VA SAYS MILITARY MEMBERS MAY BE AT RISK FOR MALARIA IN CERTAIN PLACES
FROM: VETERANS AFFAIRS
Infectious Diseases » Malaria
Military members may be at risk for malaria during deployment or personal travel to tropical and subtropical areas where the mosquito-borne disease is prevalent.
If you have returned from a malaria-affected country and develop a fever or flu-like symptoms, immediately seek medical care from your health care provider. Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease, but it is curable if diagnosed and treated promptly.
Malaria during military service
Veterans who meet the criteria below do not have to prove a connection between their malaria and military service to be eligible to receive VA disability compensation:
Veterans must have served in the Southwest Asia theater of military operationsduring the first Gulf War starting August 2, 1990, through the conflict in Iraq OR on or after September 19, 2001, in Afghanistan.
Malaria must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year from the date of military separation OR at a standard time that would indicate the incubation period began during a qualifying period of military service.
Malaria symptoms
Malaria symptoms occur in cycles. Symptoms include fever, chills, drenching sweats, sudden coldness, flu-like illness, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The time period between the infection and development of malaria symptoms generally varies from 7 to 30 days. One strain has an incubation period of 8 to 10 months. With infection from some malaria species,relapses can occur months to years later.
To learn more about malaria, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or to Medline Plus.
Malaria prevention
Drug prevention measures are not totally protective and must be combined with the use insect repellent, insecticide-treated bed netting, and protective clothing.
Doxycycline is now the drug of choice to prevent malaria in the deployed U.S. military.Mefloquine (Lariam®) is not recommended as a primary choice, but can be used by those who cannot take either doxycycline or atovaquone-proguanil (Malarone®).
How Veterans may get infected
Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted to human hosts by infected mosquitoes. Veterans may have contracted malaria while deployed to certain parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of malaria for Veterans who have served in Korea, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan/Horn of Africa and surrounding countries), Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, training and development missions in sub-Sahara Africa, or any other malaria-affected areas.
Malaria may also be transmitted through a blood transfusion from an infected person or by use of a contaminated needle or syringe.
Health concerns
If you are concerned about malaria, talk to your health care provider or local VA Environmental Health Coordinator. If you are not enrolled in the VA health care system, find out if you qualify for VA health care.
VA benefits
Veterans may be eligible for VA health care benefits and disability compensation for malaria related to military service.
OVERSTATEMENT OF IPO OFFERINGS POTENTIAL GETS CALIFORNIA MAN IN TROUBLE WITH THE SEC
FROM: SEC
SEC Settles Fraud Charges Against Silicon Valley Man
Washington, D.C., April 9, 2012 – The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a Silicon Valley man who raised millions for two Internet start-ups by falsely promising investors that his companies were on the verge of undergoing successful initial public offerings and were well on their way to becoming the “next Google.”
The SEC alleges that Benedict Van, of San Jose, Calif., lured investors into web-based start-ups hereUare, Inc. and eCity, Inc. by falsely telling them that the companies would go public within a matter of months and generate millions in quick returns. In truth, Van had no plans to take the companies public and relied solely on investor funds to stay in business. Ultimately, when investor funds ran out by the end of 2008, Van was forced to shut down operations.
“Van played on the hopes of investors, tricking them into believing that his companies were on the verge of becoming the next Silicon Valley success stories,” said Marc Fagel, Director of the SEC’s San Francisco Regional Office. “Investors should be wary of pitches promising IPO riches from companies with minimal operations and track records.”
According to the SEC’s complaint, filed in federal court in the Northern District of California, Van raised more than $6.2 million from investors for hereUare in 2007 and 2008, and raised $880,000 in investor funds for eCity in 2008. In presentations to prospective investors, chiefly in homes in Sacramento and Stockton, Van held himself out as a wealthy venture capitalist with prior IPO experience. Van told prospective investors that the companies had lucrative deals and patents, and that he had retained Goldman Sachs and an international law firm to help take the companies public within six months. According to the SEC, all of these representations were false.
The SEC’s complaint charges Van and hereUare violated the antifraud and registration provisions of U.S. securities laws, and charges eCity with violations of the antifraud provisions. Van, hereUare, and eCity have agreed to settle the charges against them without admitting or denying the SEC’s allegations and have consented to permanent injunctions. Van also consented to a district court order to permanently bar him from serving as a public company officer or director, and hereUare has consented to an administrative proceeding order deregistering its stock with the Commission. The SEC waived any financial payment against Van based on his demonstrated inability to pay.
Jennifer J. Lee and Jina L. Choi of the San Francisco Regional Office conducted the SEC’s investigation.
PRESIDENTS OF BRAZIL AND U.S. WANT TO STRENGTHEN HEALTH SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
The United States and Brazil: Health Cooperation
Fact Sheet
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
April 9, 2012
President Obama and President Rousseff are united in their desire to strengthen public health systems and to advance science and technology research, both in their own countries and around the world. For several decades the United States and Brazil have participated in a bilateral dialogue that provides a formal venue for discussing our mutual interests in medical research, disease surveillance, and improving public health. President Obama and President Rousseff have further advanced our bilateral health cooperation through the U.S.-Brazil Working Group on Public Health, under the U.S.-Brazil Joint Commission on Science and Technology.
The U.S. and Brazilian governments have a strong and fruitful relationship on health cooperation including key collaborations such as:
Field Epidemiology Training Program (EPI-SUS): EPI-SUS trains Brazilian field epidemiologists to improve disease detection and response capacity and the exchange of information globally. In addition, EPI-SUS epidemiologists participate with U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Stop Transmission of Polio (STOP) activities in Angola.
Global HIV/AIDS: CDC has had an in-country office in Brazil since 2003 and is co-located within the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MOH). Through collaboration with the MOH and other in-country partners, CDC activities focus on HIV/AIDS program monitoring and evaluation within the national program.
Chronic Diseases: The United States and Brazil are working together to strengthen chronic disease surveillance and evaluation. The collaboration has resulted in the establishment of a risk factor surveillance system and expansion of national physical activity programs;
Immunizations: For the past four years, the United States and Brazil, together with the Pan American Health Organization, have supported Rubella Elimination in the Americas and other immunization-related objectives.
Influenza: CDC supports increased capacity for influenza surveillance, improved laboratory sampling and testing, and enhanced rapid response capability and training through a cooperative agreement with the Brazilian MOH. In collaboration with CDC, Brazil developed the fourth version of their pandemic influenza plan in 2010, which is based on lessons learned from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.
Research: As of 2010, Brazilian research institutions receive more National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported international research funds than any other country in Latin America – one indicator of the high quality of their research. CDC and NIH are also partnering with Brazil in the “Science without Borders” initiative.
Cancer: Brazil is one of five member countries (also Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay) of the U.S.-Latin America Cancer Research Network, an effort to involve regional academic laboratories, research institutes and centers, and hospital systems are developing the infrastructure to conduct and sustain high-quality cancer research throughout Latin America.
Advancement of Women’s Health: Under our joint US-Brazil Memorandum of Understanding on the Advancement of Women, we are also focusing on women’s health. Examples include a new partnership with the What to Expect Foundation to improve maternal health and literacy. The Institute for Training and Development and Smith College will partner with a Brazilian network of 53 non-government organizations (NGOs) in 16 Brazilian states, to send 20 women for six-week internships at U.S. women’s health NGOs. Our two governments are also in the early stages of considering bilateral engagement opportunities to promote women’s health in prisons.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Access and Care: Another high priority activity is the exchange of information and experts in furtherance of the Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities, which shares best practices between CDC, HHS, and the Brazilian MOH and civil society experts on racial disparities in access to health, data collection and hereditary diseases and blood disorders.
Regulatory Public Health Activity: Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ANVISA (the FDA counterpart agency within the Brazil Ministry of Health) have enjoyed a very productive and long relationship with informational exchange on processed food, medications and medical devices, and firm inspections being done by ANVISA in the U.S. and by FDA in Brazil. This relationship was further strengthened with the signing of a confidentiality commitment document by both Agencies. At this point, FDA and ANVISA are involved in pre-decisional as well as post-market assessment of regulated products and capacity-building events. With respect to the Brazil Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA which covers raw produce, fish and seafood), FDA has a close relationship with joint activity in the regulated food categories of interest and there are FDA firm inspections being conducted in Brazil.
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