U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS RESPONDS TO HURRICANE SANDY

Aerial views during an Army search and rescue mission show damage from Hurricane Sandy to the New Jersey coast, Oct. 30, 2012. The soldiers are assigned to the 1-150 Assault Helicopter Battalion, New Jersey Army National Guard. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2012 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ response to Hurricane Sandy has been aggressive, timely and very forward leaning in defining what support they can provide, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.

Speaking to Pentagon reporters, Little praised Army Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, commander of the Army Corps of Engineers and the Army’s chief of engineers, and his engineers’ efforts supporting the 13 states impacted by the Category 1 hurricane.

"There are numerous Army Corps of Engineers officials fanned out throughout the affected areas to assess what kind of expertise we can lend to the states and [to] local governments to determine what we might be able to do," Little said.

"The Corps has been very aggressive," he said. "In fact, General Bostick, the head of the Army Corps of Engineers, is in New York today. I think he went to New Jersey last night."

Little said the Corps is lending its expertise on the storm-stricken Eastern Seaboard to address power regeneration and other issues there.

"Power restoration is a top priority of this government with several million people left without power," he said. "We also have a major water event -- to put it mildly."

"The Army Corps of Engineers has a great deal of experience in what they call ‘unwatering’ [which] is pumping water out of tunnels, electrical substations and other locations that have been flooded," Little said.

The press secretary emphasized the Defense Department is prepared to provide assistance for any requests received.

"General Bostick and the entire Army Corps of Engineers stand ready to support FEMA," he said. "The Army Corps does, as I understand it, have resources such as generators and pumping equipment that can help."

Little noted the latest information on the number of generators and equipment provided is not currently available due to ongoing operations.

"[Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta] has been very clear that whatever requests come in, in support of our disaster relief efforts, we’re going to be very forward leaning," he said.

"There are generators that we have inside the Department of Defense, the Army Corps of Engineers, the services, and we can, perhaps, help source generators from private contractors as well," Little said.

The Defense Department is doing whatever it can, he said, in as timely a manner as possible, not only to assess the situation, but to deliver resources.

Little also noted there is an interagency effort to assist with the response to Hurricane Sandy.

"We’re in support of FEMA and the states, and local governments also have certain resources," he said. "FEMA has resources at its disposal as well, so this is not a DOD-only effort. I want to make that clear.

"But we’re going to do everything we can, working with our interagency partners and the federal government," Little added, "as well as the states and localities, to provide whatever support we can."

The press secretary said that while overall, DOD installations "weathered the storm fairly well," there was some reported damage.

Little said Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., experienced downed trees and water leaks. There was minor flooding at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, he added, and Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey experienced power outages.

"People are working very, very quickly to determine what the impact is to power grids, to transportation infrastructure and to other locations [that] have taken a hit from the storm," Little said.

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RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT BULLYING PREVENTION

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
An End to Bullying & Equal Opportunities for All Students
October 31st, 2012 Posted By Tracy Russo
The following post appears courtesy of the Civil Rights Division.

This October, in honor of National Bullying Prevention Month, communities across the country have come together to increase awareness about bullying prevention. The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division stands firmly behind these efforts, and will continue to make the most of our resources and authority to help stop bullying in schools. We will continue to work to ensure equal educational opportunity for all students.

Bullying is not a rite of passage; the impact of bullying extends far beyond the schoolhouse doors. Bullying can lead to violence, anxiety, depression and even suicide. School bullies become tomorrow’s hate crimes defendants, while victims of bullying are more likely to drop out of school, struggle in class, engage in illegal drug use or become involved in the criminal justice system. It is simply unacceptable, moreover, that any child should fear going to school because of harassment.

The Civil Rights Division is responsible for enforcing federal civil rights laws that protect young people who are targeted because of their race, national origin, religion, sex or disability. This includes students who are harassed because they do not conform to gender norms of how a boy or girl is "supposed to" act. We hold school systems accountable when they fail to take the proper steps to address harassment within their schools.

In response to incidents of harassment, the division investigates written complaints, helps to amend school policies and requires school districts to implement a host of other remedies, including providing training to teachers and administrators on how to better promote positive school climates and rid their schools of harassment. In the past few years, we have reached comprehensive and groundbreaking settlement agreements with numerous school districts across the country, including in Philadelphia, where Asian students were regularly harassed at a local high school, and in Mohawk County, N.Y., where a gay teen was physically and verbally abused for failing to conform to gender stereotypes.

We also reached an agreement with the school district in Anoka-Hennepin, Minn. The school district had failed to adequately address the harassment of students who did not conform to gender stereotypes in their schools. But students in Anoka-Hennepin were brave and spoke out. They brought the problems they were facing to the Civil Rights Division, and we worked with the school district to reach a blueprint for sustainable reform that we hope will be a model for schools across the nation.

In 2010, Attorney General Eric Holder launched the Defending Childhood Initiative to address the problem of children’s exposure to violence and to promote evidence-based practices. As part of the Defending Childhood Initiative, the department provided grants to eight jurisdictions to develop strategic plans for comprehensive community-based anti-violence efforts, including anti-bullying programs. In Boston, Mass., for example, we are supporting the implementation of state-wide bullying intervention and prevention legislation.

The Obama Administration has made clear that bullying prevention is an issue of national priority. Last year, the White House organized a summit on bullying and harassment in schools. Recently, the White House also announced its support for both the Student Non-Discrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act. These bills would help ensure that school environments are free from discrimination, bullying, and harassment.

Ending bullying is a common mission rooted in common experience. Many of us can recall being bullied during childhood, or have seen the effects of bullying on loved ones. National Bullying Prevention Month is a reminder that bullying in schools remains a serious and unacceptable problem. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously enforce the nation’s civil rights laws to support the common goal to end bullying and harassment. The work of our Civil Rights Division, as well as of our nationwide partners on this issue, is absolutely crucial to protect the safety and wellbeing of our students.

FORMER DELOITTE AND TOUCHE LLP PARTNER PLEADS GUILTY TO CRIMINAL SECURITIES FRAUD

FROM: U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Former Deloitte Partner Sentenced to 21 Months for Insider Trading
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that on October 26, 2012, the Honorable Robert M. Dow, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois sentenced Thomas P. Flanagan to 21 months of incarceration followed by supervised release of 12 months and ordered Flanagan to pay a $100,000 penalty. Flanagan, a former Deloitte and Touche LLP partner, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal securities fraud for engaging in insider trading after he obtained material, nonpublic information about several Deloitte clients. Flanagan, 65, of Chicago, used that information himself and shared it with a relative to make illegal trading profits. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois filed criminal charges against Flanagan on July 11, 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

The criminal charges arose out of the same facts that were the subject of a civil action that the SEC filed against Flanagan and his son, Patrick T. Flanagan, on August 4, 2010. The SEC's complaint alleged that Thomas Flanagan, a certified public accountant, worked at Deloitte for 38 years and rose to the level of Vice Chairman of Clients and Markets. The complaint alleged that Flanagan traded on nine occasions between 2005 and 2008 in the securities of multiple Deloitte clients and a company acquired by a Deloitte client while in possession of nonpublic information that he learned through his duties as a Deloitte partner. The information had not yet been disclosed to the public and concerned material, market-moving events such as earnings results, earnings guidance, and acquisitions. Thomas Flanagan's illegal trading resulted in profits of over $430,000. On four occasions, Thomas Flanagan relayed the nonpublic information to his son Patrick Flanagan who then traded based on that information. Patrick Flanagan realized profits of more than $57,000.

The SEC also instituted related administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings on August 4, 2010, finding that Flanagan violated the SEC's auditor independence rules on 71 occasions between 2003 and 2008 by trading in the securities of nine Deloitte audit clients. The SEC's settled administrative order found that during the time Flanagan owned or controlled these securities, Deloitte issued audit reports to the nine audit clients in which it stated that the financial statements contained in the reports had been audited by an independent auditor. However, due to Flanagan's ownership of the audit clients' securities, Deloitte was not independent. The companies then filed with the SEC annual reports and proxy statements which included the audit reports containing these false statements. As a result, the SEC's administrative order found that Flanagan caused and willfully aided and abetted Deloitte's violations of the SEC's auditor independence rules under Regulation S-X and also caused and willfully aided and abetted the companies' violations of the reporting and proxy provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

As alleged in the SEC's complaint, Thomas Flanagan concealed his trades in the securities of Deloitte's clients and circumvented Deloitte's independence controls. According to the SEC's complaint, he failed to report the prohibited trades to Deloitte, lied to Deloitte about his compliance with its independence policies, and provided false information to Deloitte's personal income tax preparers about the identity of the companies whose securities he traded.

As a result of their conduct, the SEC's complaint charged Thomas and Patrick Flanagan with violations of Sections 10(b) and 14(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5 and 14e-3. The SEC's administrative action found that Thomas Flanagan caused and willfully aided and abetted Deloitte's violations of Rule 2-02(b)(1) of Regulation S-X, and caused and willfully aided and abetted the clients' violations of Sections 13(a) and 14(a) of the Exchange Act, and Rules 13a-1, 13a-13, and 14a-3 thereunder. Without admitting or denying the SEC's allegations in the complaint and the findings in the administrative order, Thomas Flanagan consented to the entry of an order of permanent injunction, to pay disgorgement with prejudgment interest and civil penalties totaling $1,051,042, and to a denial of the privilege of appearing or practicing before the SEC as an accountant. Without admitting or denying the SEC's allegations in the complaint, Patrick Flanagan consented to the entry of an order of permanent injunction and to pay disgorgement with prejudgment interest and a civil penalty totaling $123,270.

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U.S. Department of Defense Armed with Science Update: 3D Printers and the Defense Department

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RECENT NAVY PHOTOS

FROM: U.S. NAVY
Interior Communications Electrician Fireman Carady Madden, right, from Tacoma, Wash., and Interior Communications Electrician Fireman Romika Kumar, from Kent, Wash., stand watch as phone talkers in repair locker 7-B during a general quarters drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. October is #Warfighting month focusing on Navy Warfighters, a fast and flexible force deployed worldwide to preserve peace, protect commerce, and deter aggression on, above, and below the sea. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate (Released) 121030-N-OY799-002

Joint Special Operation Task Force-Gulf Cooperation Council Operators exit from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Desert Hawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, to conduct daytime military free fall sustainment qualifications at the Bahrain Defense Force Taylor drop zone. America's Sailors are Warfighters, a fast and flexible force deployed worldwide. Join the conversation on social media using #warfighting. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derek R. Sanchez (Released) 121024-N-PF210-514

JAPANESE COMPANY AGREES TO PAY $17.7 MILLION CRIMINAL FINE

Photo Credit:  Wikipedia.
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Japanese Automobile Parts Manufacturer Agrees to Plead Guilty to Price Fixing and Obstruction of Justice ASHINGTON — Nagoya, Japan-based Tokai Rika Co. Ltd., has agreed to plead guilty and to pay a $17.7 million criminal fine for its role in a conspiracy to fix prices of heater control panels (HCPs) installed in cars sold in the United States and elsewhere, the Department of Justice announced today. Tokai Rika has also agreed to plead guilty to a charge of obstruction of justice related to the investigation of the antitrust violation.

According to a two-count felony charge filed today in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Detroit, Tokai Rika engaged in a conspiracy, by agreeing during meetings and conversations, to rig bids for, and to fix, stabilize and maintain the prices of HCPs sold to Toyota in the United States and elsewhere, on a model-by-model basis. According to the court document, Tokai Rika and its co-conspirators carried out the conspiracy from at least as early as September 2003 until at least February 2010.

Tokai Rika manufactures and sells a variety of automotive parts, including HCPs. HCPs are located in the center console of an automobile and control the temperature of the interior environment of a vehicle.

"The conspirators used code names and chose meeting places and times to avoid detection," said Scott D. Hammond, Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division’s criminal enforcement program. "They knew their actions would harm American consumers, and attempted to cover it up when caught. The division will continue to hold accountable companies who engage in anticompetitive conduct and who obstruct law enforcement."

According to the charge, in or about February 2010, after the company and its executives and employees became aware that the FBI had executed a search warrant on Tokai Rika’s U.S. subsidiary, a company executive directed employees to delete electronic data and destroy paper documents likely to contain evidence of antitrust crimes in the United States and elsewhere. The department said that as a result, electronic data was deleted and paper documents were destroyed, and some of the deleted electronic data and destroyed paper documents were non-recoverable.

"Those who engage in price fixing and obstruction of legal process will face severe consequences for their illegal acts," said Robert D. Foley III, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division. "The FBI is committed to stopping such criminal activity."

As part of the plea agreement, which will be subject to court approval, Tokai Rika has agreed to cooperate with the department’s ongoing investigation.

Including Tokai Rika, nine companies and 11 executives have pleaded guilty or agreed to plead guilty in the department’s ongoing investigation into price fixing and bid rigging in the auto parts industry. Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd., DENSO Corp., Yazaki Corp., G.S. Electech Inc., Fujikura Ltd., Autoliv Inc. and TRW Deutschland Holding GmbH pleaded guilty and were sentenced to pay a total of more than $790 million in criminal fines. Nippon Seiki Co. Ltd., has agreed to plead guilty and awaits arraignment and sentencing. Additionally, Junichi Funo, Hirotsugu Nagata, Tetsuya Ukai, Tsuneaki Hanamura, Ryoki Kawai, Shigeru Ogawa, Hisamitsu Takada, Norihiro Imai, Kazuhiko Kashimoto, Toshio Sudo and Makoto Hattori have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to pay criminal fines and to serve jail sentences ranging from a year and a day to two years each.

Tokai Rika is charged with price fixing in violation of the Sherman Act, which carries a maximum penalty of a $100 million criminal fine for corporations. The maximum fine for the company may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime, if either of those amounts is greater than the statutory maximum fine. The maximum fine for a company found guilty of obstruction of justice is $500,000.

U.S. FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST COMPANY THAT PROVIDED SECURITY GUARDS IN IRAQ

Photo Credit:  U.S. Army.
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Wednesday, October 31, 2012
United States Sues Virginia-based Contractor for False Claims Under Contract for Security in Iraq
Allegedly Billed US for Security Guards Who Did Not Meet Contract Requirements
The United States has filed a complaint against a Virginia-based contractor alleging that the company submitted false claims for unqualified security guards under a contract to provide security in Iraq, the Justice Department announced today. The company, Triple Canopy Inc. is headquartered in Reston, Va.

In June 2009, the Joint Contracting Command in Iraq/Afghanistan (JCC-I/A) awarded Triple Canopy a one-year, $10 million contract to perform a variety of security services at Al Asad Airbase – the second largest air base in Iraq. The multi-national JCC-I/A was established by U.S. Central Command in November 2004, to provide contracting support related to the government’s relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

The government’s complaint alleges that Triple Canopy knowingly billed the United States for hundreds of foreign nationals it hired as security guards who could not meet firearms proficiency tests established by the Army and required under the contract. The tests ensure that security guards hired to protect U.S. and allied personnel are capable of firing their AK-47 assault rifles and other weapons safely and accurately. The government also alleges that Triple Canopy’s managers in Iraq falsified test scorecards as a cover up to induce the government to pay for the unqualified guards, and that Triple Canopy continued to bill the government even after high-level officials at the company’s headquarters had been alerted to the misconduct. The complaint further alleges that Triple Canopy used the false qualification records in an attempt to persuade the JCC-I/A to award the company a second year of security work at the Al Asad Airbase.

"For a government contractor to knowingly provide deficient security services, as is alleged in this case, is unthinkable, especially in war time," said Stuart F. Delery, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. "The department will do everything it can to ensure that contractors comply with critical contract requirements and that contractors who don’t comply aren’t permitted to profit at the expense of our men and women in uniform and the taxpayers at home who support them."

"We will not tolerate government contractors anywhere in the world who seek to defraud the United States through deliberate or reckless conduct that violates contractual requirements and risks the security of government personnel," said Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The government’s claims are based on a whistleblower suit initially filed by a former employee of Triple Canopy in 2011. The suit was filed under the qui tam, or whistleblower, provision of the False Claims Act, which allows private persons to file suit on behalf of the United States. Under the act, the government has a period of time to investigate the allegations and decide whether to intervene in the action or to decline intervention and allow the whistleblower to go forward alone.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia; the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Justice Department’s Civil Division; and the Army Criminal Investigative Command (CID) and Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) of the Department of Defense.

The claims asserted against Triple Canopy are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability. The government is not aware of any injuries that occurred as a result of the alleged misconduct.

SPACE OPERATIONS SQUADRON GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM BLOCK IIF SATELLITE

FROM: U.S. AIR FORCE
Col. James Ross, 50th Space Wing commander, ceremoniously transfers command and control of the third Global Positioning System Block IIF satellite to Lt. Col. Thomas Ste. Marie, 2nd Space Operations Squadron commander, here Oct. 26. U.S. Air Force photo-Dennis Rodgers.

2 SOPS accepts command and control of newest GPS satellite

by Scott Prater
Schriever Sentinel
10/30/2012 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 2nd Space Operations Squadron accepted satellite control authority of its third Global Positioning System Block IIF satellite during a ceremony here Oct. 26.

Following its launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., Oct. 4, acquirers from the Space and Missile Systems Center and operators from the 50th and 310th Space Wings first performed a three-week check out of the spacecraft before placing it into a primary slot in the GPS constellation.

Col. Bernard Gruber, GPS director at SMC, initiated the Oct. 26 ceremony by transferring satellite control authority of the vehicle, known as SVN-65, to the 14th Air Force.

"Everything went smoothly following the launch," Gruber said. "This is the third GPS Block IIF that we've placed on orbit and the process seems to get better with each launch. We were able to decrease the timeline for checkout of the vehicle and it's clear we're on the right track for future success."

Col. Todd Brost, 14 AF director of operations and exercises, accepted SCA and transferred it to 50 SW Commander, Col. James Ross.

"Shrinking the checkout timeline is important because it means we can get these satellites available to the users as quickly as possible," Ross said. "This is a great model for the acquisition and operational communities to work together as a team."

Following acceptance of SCA, Ross then delegated command and control of SVN-65 to Lt. Col. Thomas Ste. Marie, 2 SOPS commander.

"I want to thank the full team who executed such a smooth transition from the Space and Missile Systems Center personnel who traveled from California, to the local partnership with our Air Force Reserve teammates in 19 SOPS, to my own team at 2 SOPS," Ste. Marie said. "Launch and initialization is one of those things that can keep a commander up at night, but there were no worries at all. It is this synchronized triple partnership between these organizations that made this SCA possible."

Global Positioning Satellites transmit digital radio signals to receivers on the ground, allowing military and civilian users to calculate their time, location and velocity.

The Block IIF series is the fifth generation of GPS spacecraft and provides improved timing technology, a more jam-resistant military signal and higher powered civilian signal compared to previous models. SVN-65 was designed to operate on orbit for 12 years and includes a reprogrammable processor capable of receiving software uploads.

Lt. Col. Dean Holthaus, 2 SOPS director of operations, had kudos for the Boeing team, who built not only this Block IIF satellite, SVN-65, but also the Block IIA it replaced.

"SVN-65 brings increased capability to the warfighter and replaces an aging satellite in the operational constellation that has served admirably and far surpassed its design life," Holthaus said.

The launch and orbit of SVN-65 was of particular significance for 2 and 19 SOPS members, who dedicated the launch and checkout to former 19 SOPS satellite vehicle operator, Capt. Vivian Elmo, who was killed in a traffic crash during the summer of 2011. Elmo played an integral role in the launch and operation of the first two GPS Block IIFs.


The new vehicle joins 30 other GPS satellites currently on orbit in operational status.

The next GPS Block IIF vehicle launch is slated for May of 2013.

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON'S REMARKS TO EMBASSY STAFF IN PRISTINA, KOSOVO

Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Meeting with Embassy Pristina Staff and their Families
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
U.S. Secretary of State
Swiss Diamond Hotel
Pristina, Kosovo
October 31, 2012

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much, Ambassador. Thank you all so much. Well, I have to say it is wonderful being back here in Pristina and having a chance to see all of you and thank each and every one of you for the work that you are doing. I was here in 2010, and I already have had good reports from the Ambassador about all of the progress that we’re seeing here and that we’re helping to facilitate.

I want to thank you, Ambassador, for your leadership. This is the third time Ambassasdor Jacobson has been an ambassador, and your ears should have been burning in the car ride from the airport as she spoke glowingly about the team here and the work you’re doing, and how significant it is. So her introduction just now was by no means only for public consumption. She is extremely proud, and we are proud of her. And we’re delighted to have her husband David, a British diplomat, lending a hand in this very exciting post.

I also want to thank DCM. Kelly, where – there you are Kelly. Thank you for your hard work. And I think that the exciting aspect of being here at this time is because we can see the progress that is taking place, and we can also work to facilitate the dialogue taking place between Kosovo and Serbia. I will be speaking about that with the leaders that I will be seeing later today.

I also want to recognize someone else. And that is Tristan DeWitt. Where’s Tristan? There you are, Tristan. Tristan and I both have the same birthday. (Laughter.) And Tristan was the first young person to arrive at post since Embassy Pristina opened to family members, so he represents all of the children and the family members who are here now as part of this important community.

I want to also recognize how significant the economic growth has been, and I know that you’re working to promote that, just like you are working to help empower women to be part of the economic and political future of this very young country. I know that many of you had the opportunity to work with Ambassador Larry Rossin, who was our first representative in Kosovo, and he will be certainly missed.

Now today is Halloween, I’m told, so I don’t know what it is planned, but I hope that all of the children here have a happy Halloween. And I especially want to thank our locally employed staff. Will all of our locally employed staff raise your hands, all of our Kosovo colleagues? Thank you so very much. (Applause.) Ambassadors come and go, as do Secretaries, but locally employed staff are the nerve center and the memory bank for every mission, and that’s especially true here as well.

Now as we move forward, I want to emphasize how important it is to have the interagency, whole of government approach, because that’s what we’re standing for in the State Department, that is, as the Ambassador said, the QDDR’s call that diplomacy development work together, our colleagues, military and civilian alike, are part of this great effort to help support this new young country, and to a better future. I’m very proud of what you’re doing. I know the significance of it. And I thank each and every one of you for your contributions.

Now I want to shake some hands and thank you personally. And I’ll start down there and have a chance to do that, but Ambassador, again thank you for your kind words, and thank you for your leadership. (Applause.)

　

Locator Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK
The central Balkans were part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires before ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century. During the medieval period, Kosovo became the center of a Serbian Empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites, including many architecturally significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries. The defeat of Serbian forces at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced the Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over Kosovo from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. After World War II, Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (S.F.R.Y.) with status almost equivalent to that of a republic under the 1974 S.F.R.Y. constitution. Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo's independence. At the same time, Serb nationalist leaders, such as Slobodan MILOSEVIC, exploited Kosovo Serb claims of maltreatment to secure votes from supporters, many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland. Under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia instituted a new constitution in 1989 that revoked Kosovo's status as an autonomous province of Serbia. Kosovo Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum that declared Kosovo independent. Under MILOSEVIC, Serbia carried out repressive measures against the Albanians in the early 1990s as the unofficial Kosovo government, led by Ibrahim RUGOVA, used passive resistance in an attempt to try to gain international assistance and recognition of an independent Kosovo. Albanians dissatisfied with RUGOVA's passive strategy in the 1990s created the Kosovo Liberation Army and launched an insurgency. Starting in 1998, Serbian military, police, and paramilitary forces under MILOSEVIC conducted a brutal counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians. Approximately 800,000 Albanians were forced from their homes in Kosovo during this time. International attempts to mediate the conflict failed, and MILOSEVIC's rejection of a proposed settlement led to a three-month NATO military operation against Serbia beginning in March 1999 that forced Serbia to agree to withdraw its military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. A UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo's final status. The negotiations ran in stages between 2006 and 2007, but ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, over 85 countries have recognized Kosovo, and it has joined the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence and in October 2008, it sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality under international law of Kosovo's declaration of independence. The ICJ released the advisory opinion in July 2010 affirming that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate general principles of international law, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, or the Constitutive Framework. The opinion was closely tailored to Kosovo's unique history and circumstances.

　

U.S. DEFENSE CONTINUES RESPONSE TO HURRICANE SANDY

Aerial views during an Army search and rescue mission show damage from Hurricane Sandy to the New Jersey coast, Oct. 30, 2012. The soldiers are assigned to the 1-150 Assault Helicopter Battalion, New Jersey Army National Guard. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
　
Defense Department Continues Supporting Storm Response
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2012 - The Defense Department continues to provide disaster response resources and capabilities as requested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Given the size and scope of the storm and its continuing impact throughout the eastern and northeastern United States, Pentagon officials said, the department is actively posturing forces to support civil authorities via U.S. Northern Command and the National Guard Bureau, with a particular emphasis on flood mitigation and energy restoration.

Today, DOD has focused on providing recovery support as requested by FEMA in coordination with federal, state and local partners with a single set of objectives -- saving lives, providing shelter, and helping restore communities, officials said.

About 10,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen are on duty supporting the governors in 13 Eastern Seaboard states. Dual-status commanders authorized to command both state National Guard and federal forces have been approved for Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. The special status enables the commanders to effectively integrate defense support and capabilities the governors request, officials explained.

The National Guard is working closely with state emergency response planners and providing input where necessary to identify and fill capability gaps.

Guard forces under state control are assembling and staging personnel; providing communications, shelter, engineer, evacuation, security, and high-water vehicle support; high-water search and rescue; debris removal; and transportation.

National Guard civil support teams are on stand-by for hazardous material response and providing a communications capability bridge between first responders and other local, state and federal agencies.

In West Virginia, the National Guard is patrolling Interstate 68 for stranded motorists and assisting the power company with generators.

Based on a request from the Department of Health and Human Services, DOD's U.S. Transportation Command airlifted about 120 medical personnel to New York City to augment medical staff providing care to nursing homes and at-risk elderly patients. Aircraft are standing by to support further missions, and medical personnel are being brought in from Colorado, Ohio and Texas.

The Defense Logistics Agency is providing fuel, fuel transportation, commodities and expeditionary teams to support FEMA and the Energy Department.

The Army Corps of Engineers has received 25 mission assignments from FEMA, with more than 400 people engaged to support the response mission.

The Corps of Engineers' priority is support to the New York City flood mitigation mission, deploying technical assistance and senior leadership oversight while working to identify and deploy 100 high-volume water pumps to FEMA mobilization centers. This is in addition to the 100 water pumps U.S. Northern Command is sourcing at FEMA's request, officials said.

The Corps of Engineers also is supporting states' and FEMA operations centers in three regions to organize response efforts. More than 20 team leaders or assistant team leaders have been alerted or deployed to provide public works and engineering expertise, such as damage modeling, storm surge modeling, and coastal preparations.

Other planning response teams remain on alert for debris management, commodities distribution, infrastructure assessment, temporary roofing, critical public facilities, water planning, and temporary housing. Additional temporary power teams have been placed on alert status.

Corps of Engineers senior leaders, power response teams, 249th Engineer Battalion Technical Assistance personnel and other technical experts are providing assistance at various locations.

To support the emergency temporary power mission in New York and New Jersey, the Corps of Engineers has staged 200 generators at four locations to provide capacity beyond state's capabilities. FEMA will deploy them as they are needed, officials said.

The Corps of Engineers is shipping 25 pumps from New Orleans and is meeting with other private pump suppliers to determine availability and capacity of pumps that could be delivered to the New York area.

Upon receiving a temporary power mission assignment from FEMA, the Corps of Engineers has deployed four planning and response teams, the 249th Engineer Battalion, six emergency command and control vehicles/deployable tactical operating systems and a mobile command vehicle. The Corps of Engineers also received a mission assignment from FEMA to provide 80 truckloads of water to West Virginia.

Army Corps of Engineers operations centers in affected districts have been activated, and emergency response assets are providing support around the clock, officials said. The Corps of Engineers also has assigned a liaison to the Energy Department and to the National Guard Bureau to coordinate combined response actions.

THE DEAD EXOPLANET

FROM: NASA
Study of Hubble Data Revives 'Dead' Exoplanet

In 2008, Hubble astronomers announced the detection of a giant planet around the bright star Fomalhaut. Recent studies have questioned this conclusion. Now, a reanalysis of Hubble data has revived the "deceased" exoplanet as a dust-shrouded world with less than twice the mass of Jupiter.

Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

U.S. State Department Daily Press Briefing - October 31, 2012

Daily Press Briefing - October 31, 2012

EPA WAIVES SOME CLEAN GASOLINE REQUIREMENTS IN SEVERAL STATES BECAUSE OF HURRICANE SANDY

Photo:  Hurricane Sandy.  Credit:  NOAA
FROM:  U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

EPA Approves Temporary Fuel Waivers to Assist States Impacted by Hurricane Sandy

WASHINGTON - EPA has exercised its authority under the Clean Air Act to temporarily waive certain federal clean gasoline requirements for gasoline sold and distributed in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, District of Columbia, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The waiver was granted by EPA in coordination with the Department of Energy (DOE).

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson determined that, as a result of effects of Hurricane Sandy, extreme and unusual supply circumstances exist, which may result in a temporary shortage of gasoline compliant with federal regulations. The federal waiver will help ensure an adequate supply of fuels in the impacted states.

The waiver allows the sale and distribution of conventional gasoline in a number of Eastern states that are required to use reformulated gasoline, and allows a number of additional states to mix reformulated gasoline and conventional gasoline to remove potential barriers to the supply of gasoline to the region

NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR OCTOBER 31, 2012

Photo Credit:  U.S. DOD
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Combined Force Kills Taliban LeaderFrom an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 31, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force killed a Taliban leader in Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported.

The Taliban leader, known as Sajid or Abdul Hakim, led an improvised explosive device cell operating in the province and was believed responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces based in the area.

In other operations yesterday:

-- In Ghazni province, Afghan Provincial Response Company Ghazni, enabled by coalition forces, seized a cache of homemade explosives during a search operation. The force destroyed the cache, which contained 660
pounds of potassium chlorate, an explosive, along with
detonation cords and initiators.

-- In Kandahar province, a combined force found and seized six victim-triggered homemade bombs, with power sources, in a compound during a foot patrol. The force dismantled the bombs.

HEAD OF U.S. NAVY'S CYBER COMMAND BLOGS ON CYBERSPACE SECURITY

Photo Credit:  U.S. Navy Fleet Cyber Command And 10th Fleet

FROM: U.S. NAVY, U.S. CYBER COMMAND

This blog was written by

Vice Admiral Michael Rogers, head of the Navy’s U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and TENTH fleet.
First and foremost, the men and women assigned to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S. TENTH Fleet (FCC/C10F) are warriors. I am proud of the work they do to defend the nation every day and the skills they bring to the fight.

While many Americans understand the importance of the network that connects them with the rest of the world, they may not be as familiar with our Navy cyber warfighters and what they do on a daily basis to maintain mission critical connectivity between our naval forces. Because the Navy’s combat power is drawn from a highly networked and electromagnetic spectrum dependent force, the Navy must continuously fight within cyberspace to preserve these networks to maintain our maritime superiority.

Think of it this way; cyberspace is the fifth warfighting domain that intersects the other four which are sea, land, air, and space. Commanding this domain is critical to the Navy’s core capabilities of forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response. The U.S. Department of Defense defines cyberspace as "a global domain within the information environment consisting of the interdependent network of information technology infrastructures, including the Internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems, and embedded processors and controllers." Controlling and defending this information flow is a warfighting imperative.

Just as the U.S. Navy dominates the sea domain, the FCC/C10F team of officers, enlisted, and civilian members fight each day to maintain our edge in cyberspace in defense and support of the Navy and Joint forces.

FCC/C10F warfighters contribute to the Navy’s overall mission by directing cyberspace operations to deter and defeat aggression while ensuring freedom of action in cyberspace. This means serving as the central operational authority for networks, cryptologic/signals intelligence, cyber, information operations, electronic warfare, and space capabilities for the Navy. We network widely dispersed forces to gain battle space awareness that extends our Navy’s operational reach to deliver massed and precision firepower at critical points – in other words, we fight the bad guys and empower our Navy and Joint partners in cyberspace by operating and protecting the networks that support the defense of our nation. To do this, we are continually striving to leverage technology and optimize our workforce through training and innovation to maintain our strategic, operational and tactical advantage in cyberspace.

We execute our mission set using the same traditional maritime warfighting organizations and mechanisms that the Navy uses in every other warfighting domain: a three-star numbered fleet that provides operational oversight and uses its Maritime Operations Center to execute command and control over its assigned forces, subordinate task forces that are organized to actually execute the actions necessary to achieving the mission within their assigned mission sets, and a highly motivated work force of uniformed and civilian teammates who are the cornerstone of our efforts in the cyber domain.

While networking our forces and cyber security is our focus every day, every military member and American citizen should understand the vulnerabilities in cyberspace and institute practical safeguards to protect their systems and information (from protecting your private information on social media sites to using unique and difficult-to-guess passwords). For that reason, October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and we invite you to learn more by visiting www.fcc.navy.mil.

As the FCC/C10F nears completion of its third year since standing up in January 2010, it is fitting to take a moment to reflect on the contributions our Navy cyber warfighters have made, because they have been the strength of our efforts over these years and they will continue to be the source of that strength. Well done and thank you for the hard work, FCC/C10F team.

Continued success in cyberspace requires a team effort across the entire Navy. Every Sailor, civilian and contractor must understand the vital role they play in safeguarding our networks and information. Cyber readiness and security is everyone’s responsibility and FCC/C10F looks forward to teaming with each of you.

More tanning bed cancers

More tanning bed cancers

TRAINING AFGHAN TRAINERS

Marine Corps Cpl. John Anthony Cleaver trains Afghan soldiers while serving at an austere forward operating base in Afghanistan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. James Mercure

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Face of Defense: Marine Trains Afghan Soldiers to Train Others

By Marine Corps Sgt. James Mercure
Regional Command Southwest
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SABIT QADAM, Afghanistan, Oct. 29, 2012 - Decisions at the age of 3 usually consist of which color crayon to use. For one Marine, it was a point where he made the biggest decision of his life.

Cpl. John Anthony Cleaver said becoming a Marine was something he's wanted to do since he started to talk, walk and wear his uncle's Marine "boonie cover," a floppy hat used in sunny climates.

Seventeen years later, Cleaver works directly with his Afghan National Army counterparts as an advisor, teaching them everything from patrolling tactics to how to guard their base in one of Afghanistan's most dangerous areas.

"We spend a lot of time with the ANA," Cleaver said. "We train the trainers, so to speak. We show their leadership how to do things the right way, so when they go back to their units, they can teach their soldiers."

Cleaver said he was brought up in South Philadelphia with a love for the Marine Corps and a love of hockey.

"For three years, I worked as an assistant for the Philadelphia Phantoms, which used to be the minor league team for the Philadelphia Flyers," he said. "I would get the players anything they needed during games, and sometimes I would go on the road with them. Philadelphia has some of the craziest fans in the world, and definitely I'm one of them."

Cleaver has put that intensity toward his job as a Marine, both as an advisor to the Afghan army and in his primary job as motor transport operator. Most operators just arriving to the operational forces would have little responsibility until they learned the ropes of how to do their job. But five months after arriving to the operational forces, Cleaver was meritoriously promoted to corporal.

"When I was promoted, I was put in charge of the [onboard vehicle equipment] for all of our Humvees," the 2010 Ridley High School graduate explained. "A few months later, I became the one of the line noncommissioned officers in charge and took care of more than 60 vehicles, 11 Marines and made sure all my guys were where they needed to be if a mission came up. It was a couple months when the order came down and they asked if I wanted to deploy on an [individual augment] billet. I couldn't have been happier that they picked me."

Cleaver said deploying and training soldiers with the Afghan army has been a positive experience that he hopes will leave a lasting legacy in Afghanistan.

"It's interesting living in a different culture," he said. "The soldiers take their training from us and make an 'Afghan solution' to keep their people safe and let them have security. They know we're not going to be here forever, so they listen and learn when we teach them. That transfers over to the safety of their people, and I'm glad I'm a part of that process."

U.S.-BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA REMARKS

Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook.
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Remarks With Bosnian Presidency Chairman Bakir Izetbegovic and EU High Representative Lady Catherine Ashton

Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Presidency
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
October 30, 2012

MODERATOR: (In Bosnian.)

PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC: (In Bosnian.)

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you President Izetbegovic and (inaudible). Sorry, I was thanking the Presidents for welcoming me back to Sarajevo. It is wonderful to be here again. I was here two years ago, and at that time, I expressed the commitment of the United States of America to a stable, prosperous, democratic, and multiethnic Bosnia-Herzegovina. We remain deeply committed to that goal, and I am pleased to be here with the High Representative Cathy Ashton, because it’s important that we convey a united message to the people of this country.

The United States shares with the European Union a vision of a peaceful, stable, prosperous Bosnia-Herzegovina that is fully integrated into the Euro-Atlantic institutions. We believe that joining the European Union and NATO offers this country, especially the young people of this country, the best path to lasting stability and prosperity. We have no doubt that Bosnia-Herzegovina belongs in Europe. And we also believe strongly that the young people, some of whom I was privileged to meet with two years ago, deserve that kind of future.

Now since my visit in 2010, there has been some progress toward these goals. Last month’s local elections showed the strength of the people’s commitment to their own future. Free and fair elections, including voting rights for internally displaced people and returnees, are a key element of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s future as a member of the EU and of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance.

We are here today to urge that all of the leaders of this country find common ground and act in the interests of the people. Obstacles that the country faced when I was last here still remain. Key reforms have not yet been made. Party differences stand in the way of shared progress. Now, as I know very well, coming from a political background in the United States, political compromise is rarely easy, but it is absolutely necessary. And so we hope that that compromise, which demonstrates brave and courageous leadership, can be made in order to move the country forward.

In addition, it is totally unacceptable that, 17 years after the war ended, some still question Bosnia-Herzegovina’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Such talk is a distraction from the problems facing the country and serves only to undermine the goal of European integration. The Dayton Accords must be respected and preserved, period.

The choice to make the necessary reforms and move beyond narrow political interests does not, however, belong to either the United States or the European Union. It belongs to you, the people and leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina. And as I conveyed in our meetings today, that future must be shaped by you, but the United States stands with the people in urging that the leaders do the business of the people and move forward.

The United States is very proud of our relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina. We were your partner through the Dayton process, we worked together to repair infrastructure destroyed by war, to bring to justice those who committed war crimes, to honor the victims, including those who died in the genocide at Srebrenica so they will never be forgotten and the lessons can be learned that this will never, ever happen again. We are invested in your future success.

So we are here today to urge leaders to put aside their political differences, put aside the rhetoric of dissolution, secession, denial of what tragically happened in the war, for the sake of the future of the young people of this country. That is the solemn obligation of any leader in the world today. And we call on all, particularly the people, to demonstrate your commitment to tolerance, diversity, and inclusiveness. That is the path to a multiethnic, democratic Bosnia-Herzegovina that is a member of the European Union, a member of NATO, a part of Europe that is whole, democratic, and free. That is the future that we know the people of this country want, and the United States will continue to work with you to achieve it. Thank you.

Locator Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

MODERATOR:
Thank you, Ms. Clinton. Ms. Ashton, the floor.

HIGH REPRESENTATIVE ASHTON: Thank you very much President Izetbegovic, Madam Secretary, Hillary, everyone. It’s a great delight to be back in this fabulous city of Sarajevo, and to do so with Secretary Clinton to underline our strong joint commitment to the future of Bosnia-Herzegovina. We want to see a united, stable, prosperous, multiethnic country that takes its rightful place in the European and transatlantic structures. I want to be clear that there’s no doubt amongst the 27 member-states of the European Union that your future is in the European Union. I want to underline that European Union perspective to say that it’s real and it has unanimous support.

I’m also here to say that action is required from the country’s political leaders to make that European Union future real, to achieve what the overwhelming majority of citizens here want. It’s important to look beyond the domestic divisions, the political rivalries, and the vested interest. Otherwise, this country risks being left behind by other countries in the region who are making strong progress towards the European Union. I believe people here want the real pressing challenges – the economy, jobs, the rule of law – to be addressed. There’s no time to waste on unproductive debates, such as those which question the statehood of this country.

Today, I’ve encouraged the presidency to work together with all political forces to achieve quick and concrete progress on the EU agenda. I believe the first priority is to put into effect the European Court of Human Right’s ruling on the Sejdic-Finci case. That will allow the EU to put into force our stabilization and association agreement and for Bosnia-Herzegovina to take further steps in EU integration, including a credible membership application.

In June 2012, the political leaders here agreed a roadmap to implement the key requirements and move this country towards Europe. This roadmap remains key to show the commitment to EU integration, and we want to see effective and determined action from the authorities. Of course, we’re ready to provide any help, and you will have our continued support and advice on your journey to the European Union. We want this country – we want Bosnia-Herzegovina – to succeed. Most importantly, we know it can. Thank you.

MODERATOR: (In Bosnian.)

QUESTION: (In Bosnian.)

HIGH REPRESENTATIVE ASHTON: Well, you’re right. The purpose of our visit is to show the united approach of the EU and the United States of America and the importance we attach to this country and its future and its success. We’ve outlined in our discussion with the Presidents the elements that we believe need to happen in order for the country to move forward. They’re well known in terms of dealing with the immediate issues and also of recognizing the importance of political leadership to take the country forward. And we really hope that the message that will go out from this meeting is the strength of our support, but also the urgency of our action.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first let me say that our goals are exactly the same. We want to see Bosnia-Herzegovina move toward the multiethnic, stable, prosperous democracy anchored in Europe and the Euro-Atlantic Alliance that is reflected in every report about the views and aspirations of the people yourselves.

Secondly, I can speak on behalf of NATO and can reiterate what the President said. There was an agreement last March about a way forward that would give you MAP, the action plan for membership. The constitutional court has clarified any remaining legal doubt about how to resolve the state property issue. Therefore, if there can be final decision coming out of the presidency in November, I will personally go to the NATO Ministerial in Brussels in December to push for MAP to be given to you.

We also strongly support the EU roadmap that Cathy Ashton has spoken to. So there is absolute unity in our goals. We want to see you in NATO, and we want to see you in the EU. But we have been – I will be honest with you – frustrated that your leadership has not, fairly, in our view, reflected the aspirations of the great majority of your people to move quickly toward NATO and EU.

So yes, is there a political crisis? There is. And that political crisis can only be resolved by leadership. Are there some structural issues that need to be addressed through constitutional reform? Yes, there are. Dayton was intended to end the war and begin the process of state building. We want to see the necessary constitutional changes that would give you greater flexibility and functionality, decided upon by the leaders and the people of the country.

But we’re here today with an unequivocal strong message: We are united in our goals to see you in NATO and EU as quickly as you possibly can, and we worry that if you do not make progress, you will be left behind in the rest of the region. We leave here and go to Belgrade. Belgrade is on the path for Serbia to become a member of the EU. We will then go to Pristina. Kosovo is on the path for a lot of positive changes. You’ve already seen Croatia go into the EU. You’ve got other neighbors who are making progress. This country has more potential than anyone if you will do what is necessary. That is our message.

MODERATOR: Thank you. (In Bosnian.) We will take one more question.

QUESTION: Yes. Brad Clapper from Associated Press. Sorry for being unable to rise. (Laughter). Lady Ashton, a month ago in New York, you were instructed or asked by the Security Council members and the P-5+1 to reach out to Iran’s nuclear negotiator Jalili and then with the hopes of restarting the P-5+1 negotiations. I wanted to ask you where you are in the process and where you see the space for a possible agreement in the future. And Madam Secretary, your thoughts on that process and where you see the possible area for convergence, and if you have any reactions to Ukraine’s elections as well. Thank you.

HIGH REPRESENTATIVE ASHTON: As you know, in New York, I was feeding back to the P-5+1/E-3+3 ministers on the discussions I’d been having with Dr. Jalili, who is the chief negotiator for the Iranians, on how to move forward. It is, as you know, my view that we have a twin-track approach of pressure and negotiation. The pressure you’ll have seen most recently in new rounds of sanctions from the European Union, and we continue to try and find ways to move forward on our negotiations.

Over the weekend, there was a contact between my deputy and Dr. Jalili’s deputy, and I will be making contact with Dr. Jalili in the near future. And I will continue to do everything I possibly can to move these negotiations forward, and I am pleased to do so with the full support of the ministers from the P-5+1/E-3+3, which is enormously important if we’re to make the progress I’d like to make.

MODERATOR: Thank you.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Let me just add that we so appreciate Cathy’s leadership in a unified P-5+1 approach, our dual-track approach, as she mentioned. So our message to Iran is clear: The window remains open to resolve the international community’s concerns about your nuclear program diplomatically and to relieve your isolation, but that window cannot remain open indefinitely. Therefore, we hope that there can be serious, good-faith negotiations commenced soon.

Regarding Ukraine, we share the view of the OSCE monitors that Sunday’s elections constituted a step backward for Ukrainian democracy. It was a step backward from the parliamentary elections and the 2010 presidential election. And we reiterate our deep concern that the politically motivated convictions of opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Tymoshenko, prevented them from running and standing in these elections, and we call upon the Government of Ukraine to put an immediate end to the selective prosecution and detention of political opponents.

Like the rest of Europe, the people of Ukraine deserve so much better. They deserve to live in a country with strong democratic institutions, that respects the rule of law, and these elections did not advance those goals. So the United States remains committed to the people of Ukraine. We want to work with them to strengthen their democracy, sovereignty, and independence of their state, as we have for more than 20 years. And we call upon the leadership to stop the backward slide that Ukraine is in and start, once again, living up to the aspirations of the Ukrainian people, and the United States will stand with them as they do.

MODERATOR: Excellencies, thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, press conference is over. Thank you very much.
 
　

Sarajevo lies in its namesake valley surrounded by the Dinaric Alps; the Miljacka River flows through the city. Photo Credit: CIA World Factbook

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM: CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

.Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991 was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that brought to a halt three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a multi-ethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government composed of two entities roughly equal in size: the Bosniak/Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments were charged with overseeing most government functions. The Dayton Accords also established the Office of the High Representative (OHR) to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. The Peace Implementation Council (PIC) at its conference in Bonn in 1997 also gave the High Representative the authority to impose legislation and remove officials, the so-called "Bonn Powers." In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission was to deter renewed hostilities. European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR in December 2004; their mission is to maintain peace and stability throughout the country. EUFOR's mission changed from peacekeeping to civil policing in October 2007, with its presence reduced from nearly 7,000 to less than 2,500 troops. Currently EUFOR deploys around 1,300 troops in theater.