Wednesday, April 17, 2013
ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN FOR APRIL 17, 2013
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| A coalition force member drives a vehicle during a patrol with Afghan special forces to escort a district governor in Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 14, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau |
Combined Force Kills Insurgents, Detains Taliban Leader
From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Release
KABUL, Afghanistan, April 17, 2013 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and detained a senior Taliban leader and three other insurgents today in the Marjah district of Afghanistan's Helmand province, military officials reported.
The Taliban leader is accused of coordinating and conducting direct-fire assaults, ambushes and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also is believed to be a supplier of IED components, heavy weapons and ammunition to Taliban fighters.
The security force also seized more than 10 pounds of opium during the operation.
Also today, a combined force in Paktia province's Tsamkani district killed an insurgent and detained a Haqqani network leader believed to have operational control over IED operations in Paktia and Khost provinces. He also is accused of planning and directing attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and of enlisting Afghan children to participate in insurgent activities. The security force also detained three other suspects and seized two assault rifles, a pistol and ammunition.
In Afghanistan operations yesterday:
-- Afghan special forces soldiers, supported by coalition forces, detained several suspected insurgents and recovered small-arms ammunition, fuses and a grenade in Badakhshan province's Warduj district after discovering a suspected insurgent medical facility.
-- Afghan Provincial Response Company Zabul, enabled by coalition forces, killed two insurgents and seized and destroyed 110 pounds of homemade explosives and IED components during a cordon-and-search operation in Zabul province.
In other news, Afghan and coalition security forces today confirmed the death of Khaliq Mir, a Haqanni network facilitator, during an April 15 operation in Khost province's Sabari district. Mir acquired and distributed weapons for insurgents throughout the province and belonged to a cell of fighters responsible for attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.
SECRETARY HAGEL WARNS CONGRESS OF CONSEQUENCES FROM U.S. DIRECT INTERVENTION IN SYRIA
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel Orders Unit to Jordan, Warns About Intervention in Syria
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 17, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today the deployment of an Army headquarters element to help Jordanian forces defend their border with Syria, while warning Congress of potential consequences of direct U.S. military action in the Syrian conflict.
Hagel joined Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, in reporting to the Senate Armed Services Committee that he ordered the Army deployment last week.
The contingent will enhance efforts of a small U.S. military team that has been working in Jordan since last year on planning related to chemical weapons and preventing a spillover of violence across Jordan's borders, the secretary told the Senate panel.
"These personnel will continue to work alongside Jordanian Armed Forces to improve readiness and prepare for a number of scenarios," he said.
Defense Department personnel and their interagency partners are helping Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and other Syrian neighbors counter the threat posed by Syria's chemical weapons, Hagel said. He noted that DOD deployed Patriot missile batteries to southern Turkey in December as part of NATO's mission to help Turkey protect its border with Syria.
These initiatives, being conducted through the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, include more than $70 million for activities in Jordan, he reported. This includes training and equipment to detect and stop chemical weapons transfers along Jordan's border with Syria, and developing Jordan's capacity to identify and secure chemical weapons assets.
Meanwhile, DOD has expanded security consultations regarding Syria with allies and partners, ensured that the U.S. military is strategically postured in the region and "engaged in robust military planning for a range of contingencies," Hagel said.
Regional security efforts will be a key focus of his trip later this week to meet with defense leaders of Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, Hagel said. The situation in Syria also will be a topic when Secretary of State John F. Kerry visits Turkey this weekend and during Dempsey's trip to China next week for talks with Chinese leaders.
The goal, Hagel said, is "to support broader U.S. diplomatic efforts while ensuring that the U.S. military is fully prepared to protect America's interests and meet our security commitments in the region."
Hagel spelled out U.S. government policy regarding the Syrian conflict:
-- To work with allies and partners, as well as the Syrian opposition;
-- To provide humanitarian assistance across Syria and the region;
-- To hasten an end to the violence; and
-- To bring about a political transition to a post-Assad authority that will restore stability, respect for the rights of all people, prevent Syria from becoming an extremist safe haven and to secure Syria's chemical and biological weapons.
"The best outcome for Syria -- and the region -- is a negotiated, political transition," Hagel told the senators.
Toward that end, the U.S. government is working to mobilize the international community, further isolate the Assad regime and support the Syrian Opposition Coalition, the moderate Syrian opposition, he said.
The U.S. has committed $117 million to the coalition in nonlethal assistance such as communications and medical equipment, Hagel said, and President Barack Obama has directed more for both the Syrian Opposition Coalition and the Supreme Military Council.
In addition, the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development are providing technical assistance and training for Syrian leaders and activists.
"The goal is to strengthen those opposition groups that share the international community's vision for Syria's future and minimize the influence of extremists," Hagel said.
Meanwhile, the United States has provided $385 million to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Syria and to help more than 1 million Syrian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries, he said.
The United States is rallying the international community, including Russia and China, to provide humanitarian support and resolve the crisis, Hagel said. He reported that international sanctions designed to pressure the Syrian government and help end the conflict are having an impact on the Assad regime's finances.
In addition, DOD has engaged in robust military planning for a range of contingencies, he said.
"President Obama has made clear that if Assad and those under his command use chemical weapons, or fail to meet their obligations to secure them, there will be consequences, and they will be held accountable," Hagel said. "The Department of Defense has plans in place to respond to the full range of chemical weapons scenarios."
So even as it provides options and planning for a post-Assad Syria, Hagel said, DOD is providing Obama and Congress regular assessments of options for U.S. military intervention.
He warned, however, of possible consequences of direct U.S. military action in Syria. It could hinder humanitarian relief operations, embroil the United States in a significant, lengthy and uncertain military commitment, and, if conducted unilaterally, strain U.S. relationships around the world, the secretary told the senators.
"And finally, a military intervention could have the unintended consequence of bringing the United States into a broader regional conflict or proxy war," he said.
Dempsey echoed Hagel, emphasizing that although the military stands ready to provide force, if directed, that such a decision is one no one takes lightly.
"In weighing options, we have a responsibility to align the use of force to the intended outcome," Dempsey said. "We also have a responsibility to articulate risk" -- not just to U.S. forces, but to other security responsibilities that could be compromised.
"So before we take action, we have to be prepared for what comes next," the chairman said. "The use of force, especially in circumstances where ethnic and religious factors dominate, is unlikely to produce predictable outcomes. ... Unintended consequences are the rule with military interventions of this sort."
"Military intervention is always an option, but an option of last resort," Hagel summarized. "The best outcome for Syria -- and the region -- is a negotiated, political transition to a post-Assad Syria."
Hagel Orders Unit to Jordan, Warns About Intervention in Syria
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 17, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today the deployment of an Army headquarters element to help Jordanian forces defend their border with Syria, while warning Congress of potential consequences of direct U.S. military action in the Syrian conflict.
Hagel joined Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, in reporting to the Senate Armed Services Committee that he ordered the Army deployment last week.
The contingent will enhance efforts of a small U.S. military team that has been working in Jordan since last year on planning related to chemical weapons and preventing a spillover of violence across Jordan's borders, the secretary told the Senate panel.
"These personnel will continue to work alongside Jordanian Armed Forces to improve readiness and prepare for a number of scenarios," he said.
Defense Department personnel and their interagency partners are helping Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and other Syrian neighbors counter the threat posed by Syria's chemical weapons, Hagel said. He noted that DOD deployed Patriot missile batteries to southern Turkey in December as part of NATO's mission to help Turkey protect its border with Syria.
These initiatives, being conducted through the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, include more than $70 million for activities in Jordan, he reported. This includes training and equipment to detect and stop chemical weapons transfers along Jordan's border with Syria, and developing Jordan's capacity to identify and secure chemical weapons assets.
Meanwhile, DOD has expanded security consultations regarding Syria with allies and partners, ensured that the U.S. military is strategically postured in the region and "engaged in robust military planning for a range of contingencies," Hagel said.
Regional security efforts will be a key focus of his trip later this week to meet with defense leaders of Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, Hagel said. The situation in Syria also will be a topic when Secretary of State John F. Kerry visits Turkey this weekend and during Dempsey's trip to China next week for talks with Chinese leaders.
The goal, Hagel said, is "to support broader U.S. diplomatic efforts while ensuring that the U.S. military is fully prepared to protect America's interests and meet our security commitments in the region."
Hagel spelled out U.S. government policy regarding the Syrian conflict:
-- To work with allies and partners, as well as the Syrian opposition;
-- To provide humanitarian assistance across Syria and the region;
-- To hasten an end to the violence; and
-- To bring about a political transition to a post-Assad authority that will restore stability, respect for the rights of all people, prevent Syria from becoming an extremist safe haven and to secure Syria's chemical and biological weapons.
"The best outcome for Syria -- and the region -- is a negotiated, political transition," Hagel told the senators.
Toward that end, the U.S. government is working to mobilize the international community, further isolate the Assad regime and support the Syrian Opposition Coalition, the moderate Syrian opposition, he said.
The U.S. has committed $117 million to the coalition in nonlethal assistance such as communications and medical equipment, Hagel said, and President Barack Obama has directed more for both the Syrian Opposition Coalition and the Supreme Military Council.
In addition, the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development are providing technical assistance and training for Syrian leaders and activists.
"The goal is to strengthen those opposition groups that share the international community's vision for Syria's future and minimize the influence of extremists," Hagel said.
Meanwhile, the United States has provided $385 million to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Syria and to help more than 1 million Syrian refugees who have fled to neighboring countries, he said.
The United States is rallying the international community, including Russia and China, to provide humanitarian support and resolve the crisis, Hagel said. He reported that international sanctions designed to pressure the Syrian government and help end the conflict are having an impact on the Assad regime's finances.
In addition, DOD has engaged in robust military planning for a range of contingencies, he said.
"President Obama has made clear that if Assad and those under his command use chemical weapons, or fail to meet their obligations to secure them, there will be consequences, and they will be held accountable," Hagel said. "The Department of Defense has plans in place to respond to the full range of chemical weapons scenarios."
So even as it provides options and planning for a post-Assad Syria, Hagel said, DOD is providing Obama and Congress regular assessments of options for U.S. military intervention.
He warned, however, of possible consequences of direct U.S. military action in Syria. It could hinder humanitarian relief operations, embroil the United States in a significant, lengthy and uncertain military commitment, and, if conducted unilaterally, strain U.S. relationships around the world, the secretary told the senators.
"And finally, a military intervention could have the unintended consequence of bringing the United States into a broader regional conflict or proxy war," he said.
Dempsey echoed Hagel, emphasizing that although the military stands ready to provide force, if directed, that such a decision is one no one takes lightly.
"In weighing options, we have a responsibility to align the use of force to the intended outcome," Dempsey said. "We also have a responsibility to articulate risk" -- not just to U.S. forces, but to other security responsibilities that could be compromised.
"So before we take action, we have to be prepared for what comes next," the chairman said. "The use of force, especially in circumstances where ethnic and religious factors dominate, is unlikely to produce predictable outcomes. ... Unintended consequences are the rule with military interventions of this sort."
"Military intervention is always an option, but an option of last resort," Hagel summarized. "The best outcome for Syria -- and the region -- is a negotiated, political transition to a post-Assad Syria."
STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES NEW RULES REGARDING TRADE IN SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGIES
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Export Control Reform: First Final Rules Mark Major Milestone
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 16, 2013
The Department of State and the Department of Commerce have issued the first set in a series of final rules that redefine how the U.S. Government protects sensitive technologies and regulates exports of munitions and commercial items with military applications. Modernizing U.S. export controls is a key component of the President’s Export Control Reform Initiative announced in 2009, which has brought together key experts from across the U.S. Government to overhaul the Cold War-era system of controls on exports of U.S.-manufactured defense articles to better meet current and emerging U.S. national security challenges and foreign policy objectives.
These rules, which define items regulated for export under the U.S. Munitions List’s Category VIII – Aircraft and Associated Equipment, and Category XIX – Gas Turbine Engines, are extremely important to the aerospace industry and represent more than $20 billion in annual exports. These are the first of 19 categories of the U.S. Munitions List categories that will be revised under Export Control Reform.
Based on a multi-year series of technical and policy reviews by representatives of the Departments of State, Defense, Commerce, and other agencies, these reforms will move less sensitive items, such as parts and components, from the State Department’s U.S. Munitions List to the Commerce Control List. The revised control lists have been developed in close consultation with the private sector and Congress. Each revised category will become effective 180 days after it is published in the Federal Register to allow companies and their customers time to adapt their internal business practices to the new controls. Work on the remaining categories is ongoing and they will similarly be notified to Congress and published over the coming months.
These reforms will allow the U.S. Government to better focus on controlling the export of sensitive technologies remaining on the U.S. Munitions List while streamlining exports of defense-related items to U.S. Allies and partners around the world, which will contribute to the health and competitiveness of the U.S. defense industrial base, an important national security imperative.
Over the longer term, the Administration remains committed to fundamental reform of the U.S. export control system, including the consolidation of export licensing functions under a single control agency and the creation of a single export control list.
Export Control Reform: First Final Rules Mark Major Milestone
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 16, 2013
The Department of State and the Department of Commerce have issued the first set in a series of final rules that redefine how the U.S. Government protects sensitive technologies and regulates exports of munitions and commercial items with military applications. Modernizing U.S. export controls is a key component of the President’s Export Control Reform Initiative announced in 2009, which has brought together key experts from across the U.S. Government to overhaul the Cold War-era system of controls on exports of U.S.-manufactured defense articles to better meet current and emerging U.S. national security challenges and foreign policy objectives.
These rules, which define items regulated for export under the U.S. Munitions List’s Category VIII – Aircraft and Associated Equipment, and Category XIX – Gas Turbine Engines, are extremely important to the aerospace industry and represent more than $20 billion in annual exports. These are the first of 19 categories of the U.S. Munitions List categories that will be revised under Export Control Reform.
Based on a multi-year series of technical and policy reviews by representatives of the Departments of State, Defense, Commerce, and other agencies, these reforms will move less sensitive items, such as parts and components, from the State Department’s U.S. Munitions List to the Commerce Control List. The revised control lists have been developed in close consultation with the private sector and Congress. Each revised category will become effective 180 days after it is published in the Federal Register to allow companies and their customers time to adapt their internal business practices to the new controls. Work on the remaining categories is ongoing and they will similarly be notified to Congress and published over the coming months.
These reforms will allow the U.S. Government to better focus on controlling the export of sensitive technologies remaining on the U.S. Munitions List while streamlining exports of defense-related items to U.S. Allies and partners around the world, which will contribute to the health and competitiveness of the U.S. defense industrial base, an important national security imperative.
Over the longer term, the Administration remains committed to fundamental reform of the U.S. export control system, including the consolidation of export licensing functions under a single control agency and the creation of a single export control list.
SECRETARY KERRY MEETS WITH STAFF AND FAMILIES AT EMBASSY IN TOKYO
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Meets with Staff and Families of Embassy Tokyo
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
U.S. Embassy Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
April 15, 2013
AMBASSADOR ROOS: Well, let me just briefly tell you how honored we are to have Secretary Kerry here. This is the end of a whirlwind, worldwide trip for the Secretary, and he’s getting on a plane to head back to Washington.
But let me just say one thing about the Secretary. I’ve had the honor and the privilege to have known him for years, and when he was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, every time I went back to Washington since I’ve been the Ambassador, I’ve spent time with him where he’s asked about what’s going on here in Japan and what you and the Embassy have been doing. And so when he became the Secretary of State, not only was he incredibly well-versed on the whole Asia Pacific area, but in particular, he has a real appreciation for what all of you do in Japan.
So it is really my distinct honor and privilege to turn the microphone over and introduce you to our great Secretary of State, John Kerry.
SECRETARY KERRY: Thanks, John. (Applause.) It’s really wonderful to be here. I’m happy to see all the kids here. Hi, guys. How are you? Are these young – where, two, three, four, five? The rest are in school. Did you get out of school? (Laughter.) You did? I love it. Thank you. (Laughter.) That’s very smart of you. I’m glad you came by. Thank you very, very much.
Well, hello, and hello, Tokyo. And I gather we’ve got some consulates. Well, how are you guys? In fact, just one consulate? We have four other somewhere. (Laughter.) They’re not being shown, right – oh, there they are. Another one from (inaudible). Hi, guys. How are you? Thank you. Which consulate is that? That’s (inaudible), and where’s the other one?
PARTICIPANT: They’re not on.
SECRETARY KERRY: Okay. They’re not on. And three got lost, sorry. (Laughter.)
PARTICIPANT: Right here.
SECRETARY KERRY: There you are. (Laughter.) Yay, there they are. Give them a cheer, everybody in Embassy Tokyo. (Applause.) We’re cheering for the other ones too. Oh, hi. (Laughter.) Everybody’s included.
Thank you for the privilege of being here with all of you. I really appreciate it very, very much. It’s the last leg and last event before we go to the airport and take off and go home with a brief stop in Chicago, and then back to work tomorrow morning if I can find the Department. (Laughter.) But I really want to thank all of you. It’s a great privilege for me to be here.
First of all, let me just say a huge thank you to my friend, the Ambassador. John and I got to know each other really well when I was running for president in ’04. He was my Northern California chairman of that effort, believe it or not, and I never cease to tell him that if he had just worked a little harder, I would have been president. (Laughter.) And he did a worthy job. It wasn’t his life’s work and mission.
He certainly – as you know, he won an award for the quality of the work that you all did together under the most trying of circumstances after the tragedy of the East Japan earthquake, and I want to thank you for that, but I want everybody here to also thank the team. Susie is part of the team, a huge part of it. Susie, thank you, and John, thanks so much for your leadership. I really appreciate both of you enormously. (Applause.) You’re all so disciplined with this red wine here. (Laughter.) (Inaudible.) It’s too organized for me. (Laughter.)
Anyway, we’ll bring you on afterwards because I want to come by and have a chance to shake hands and say hello to everybody. But I really want to thank you. Look, I had the privilege of giving a speech today at Tokyo Tech, and talked about the Asia Pacific future and the possibilities of the future. And I really believe in them, and you all are part of what the – I get into trouble if I start separating embassies and pointing out the differences, but really, this is one of our most – it’s a flagship embassy, and you all know that.
It’s because the Japanese are such close friends, and Japan is such an important part of our Asia Pacific and global partnership. And Japan is playing in all sorts of remarkable ways today: helping with Afghanistan, helping with Syria, helping with the Mideast peace process. We actually talked about that today with Prime Minister Abe. I mean, there are really unbelievable ways when this partnership shows itself in various places.
And it’s still building. It’s still got unfulfilled possibilities. So you’re on the cutting edge of the President’s rebalancing and the whole focus of building a stronger future Pacific region. I laid out today the different kinds of growth that are really going to define that – the smart growth, the just growth, the strong growth, and fair growth and so forth. These are the keys, and all of you, every single one of you, on a daily basis, whether you are locally hired and a Japanese citizen working for the Embassy of the United States – we couldn’t do it without you; it’s (inaudible) – or whether you’re an American FSO or civil servant or part of one of the agencies that are all cross-fertilized in an embassy.
You are all ambassadors for the United States, because you’re the contact with the American Embassy. And in many cases, that's the only contact some people will ever have with the Government of the United States directly. So how you treat people, and how fast you get back to people, and what kind of experience they have in the Embassy, and what they hear from you is all part of our diplomacy, part of our effort to share our values and our hopes and our aspirations with people around the world. And the very practical things you also do, like help get a joint strike fighter agreement which actually creates jobs at home, even as you strengthen the relationship and strengthen our security here. Or the Tomodachi program, where you’re working with young kids and giving them an opportunity to be able to have a sense of leadership and a sense of the possibilities of the future. So every single part of these things are part of the web that is diplomacy.
Now, I mentioned earlier that I’m going to be stopping in Chicago on the way back. The reason I’m stopping in Chicago is to visit with the parents of Anne Smedinghoff, who we lost just, as you know, a few days ago. And this is a family. Everybody understands and feels that kind of a loss. A 25-year-old young woman, full of idealism, full of hopes, taking books to children in a school so they can learn, and wiped out by terrorism, by the worst kind of nihilistic nothing – violence that doesn’t stand for anything except killing people and stopping the future.
So we’re not going to be deterred. We’re going to be inspired. And we’re going to use Anne’s idealism as another motivation for the idealism that brings all of you to this effort in the first place. We can make this world better. We can strengthen other countries. We’ve seen it happen. I used the example earlier today of what we did only 10, 20 years ago: We were giving aid to the Republic of Korea, and it was still struggling and emerging. Today, Korea is giving aid to other countries, and it’s a strong nation with a vibrant democracy, and it’s a partner in these kinds of efforts. That’s what this is all about. Mongolia today, hosting a conference on democracy; who would have thought about that a number of years ago? Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi standing with the generals, a prisoner of 20 years, and working towards democracy. That’s what this is all about.
So I just want to say a profound thank you to all of you. As long as I’m Secretary of State, I promise you I will do everything in my power to cover your back. You cover mine, and we’ll be a good team together and we’ll get the job done.
Thank you all, and God bless. (Applause.)
Meets with Staff and Families of Embassy Tokyo
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
U.S. Embassy Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
April 15, 2013
AMBASSADOR ROOS: Well, let me just briefly tell you how honored we are to have Secretary Kerry here. This is the end of a whirlwind, worldwide trip for the Secretary, and he’s getting on a plane to head back to Washington.
But let me just say one thing about the Secretary. I’ve had the honor and the privilege to have known him for years, and when he was chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, every time I went back to Washington since I’ve been the Ambassador, I’ve spent time with him where he’s asked about what’s going on here in Japan and what you and the Embassy have been doing. And so when he became the Secretary of State, not only was he incredibly well-versed on the whole Asia Pacific area, but in particular, he has a real appreciation for what all of you do in Japan.
So it is really my distinct honor and privilege to turn the microphone over and introduce you to our great Secretary of State, John Kerry.
SECRETARY KERRY: Thanks, John. (Applause.) It’s really wonderful to be here. I’m happy to see all the kids here. Hi, guys. How are you? Are these young – where, two, three, four, five? The rest are in school. Did you get out of school? (Laughter.) You did? I love it. Thank you. (Laughter.) That’s very smart of you. I’m glad you came by. Thank you very, very much.
Well, hello, and hello, Tokyo. And I gather we’ve got some consulates. Well, how are you guys? In fact, just one consulate? We have four other somewhere. (Laughter.) They’re not being shown, right – oh, there they are. Another one from (inaudible). Hi, guys. How are you? Thank you. Which consulate is that? That’s (inaudible), and where’s the other one?
PARTICIPANT: They’re not on.
SECRETARY KERRY: Okay. They’re not on. And three got lost, sorry. (Laughter.)
PARTICIPANT: Right here.
SECRETARY KERRY: There you are. (Laughter.) Yay, there they are. Give them a cheer, everybody in Embassy Tokyo. (Applause.) We’re cheering for the other ones too. Oh, hi. (Laughter.) Everybody’s included.
Thank you for the privilege of being here with all of you. I really appreciate it very, very much. It’s the last leg and last event before we go to the airport and take off and go home with a brief stop in Chicago, and then back to work tomorrow morning if I can find the Department. (Laughter.) But I really want to thank all of you. It’s a great privilege for me to be here.
First of all, let me just say a huge thank you to my friend, the Ambassador. John and I got to know each other really well when I was running for president in ’04. He was my Northern California chairman of that effort, believe it or not, and I never cease to tell him that if he had just worked a little harder, I would have been president. (Laughter.) And he did a worthy job. It wasn’t his life’s work and mission.
He certainly – as you know, he won an award for the quality of the work that you all did together under the most trying of circumstances after the tragedy of the East Japan earthquake, and I want to thank you for that, but I want everybody here to also thank the team. Susie is part of the team, a huge part of it. Susie, thank you, and John, thanks so much for your leadership. I really appreciate both of you enormously. (Applause.) You’re all so disciplined with this red wine here. (Laughter.) (Inaudible.) It’s too organized for me. (Laughter.)
Anyway, we’ll bring you on afterwards because I want to come by and have a chance to shake hands and say hello to everybody. But I really want to thank you. Look, I had the privilege of giving a speech today at Tokyo Tech, and talked about the Asia Pacific future and the possibilities of the future. And I really believe in them, and you all are part of what the – I get into trouble if I start separating embassies and pointing out the differences, but really, this is one of our most – it’s a flagship embassy, and you all know that.
It’s because the Japanese are such close friends, and Japan is such an important part of our Asia Pacific and global partnership. And Japan is playing in all sorts of remarkable ways today: helping with Afghanistan, helping with Syria, helping with the Mideast peace process. We actually talked about that today with Prime Minister Abe. I mean, there are really unbelievable ways when this partnership shows itself in various places.
And it’s still building. It’s still got unfulfilled possibilities. So you’re on the cutting edge of the President’s rebalancing and the whole focus of building a stronger future Pacific region. I laid out today the different kinds of growth that are really going to define that – the smart growth, the just growth, the strong growth, and fair growth and so forth. These are the keys, and all of you, every single one of you, on a daily basis, whether you are locally hired and a Japanese citizen working for the Embassy of the United States – we couldn’t do it without you; it’s (inaudible) – or whether you’re an American FSO or civil servant or part of one of the agencies that are all cross-fertilized in an embassy.
You are all ambassadors for the United States, because you’re the contact with the American Embassy. And in many cases, that's the only contact some people will ever have with the Government of the United States directly. So how you treat people, and how fast you get back to people, and what kind of experience they have in the Embassy, and what they hear from you is all part of our diplomacy, part of our effort to share our values and our hopes and our aspirations with people around the world. And the very practical things you also do, like help get a joint strike fighter agreement which actually creates jobs at home, even as you strengthen the relationship and strengthen our security here. Or the Tomodachi program, where you’re working with young kids and giving them an opportunity to be able to have a sense of leadership and a sense of the possibilities of the future. So every single part of these things are part of the web that is diplomacy.
Now, I mentioned earlier that I’m going to be stopping in Chicago on the way back. The reason I’m stopping in Chicago is to visit with the parents of Anne Smedinghoff, who we lost just, as you know, a few days ago. And this is a family. Everybody understands and feels that kind of a loss. A 25-year-old young woman, full of idealism, full of hopes, taking books to children in a school so they can learn, and wiped out by terrorism, by the worst kind of nihilistic nothing – violence that doesn’t stand for anything except killing people and stopping the future.
So we’re not going to be deterred. We’re going to be inspired. And we’re going to use Anne’s idealism as another motivation for the idealism that brings all of you to this effort in the first place. We can make this world better. We can strengthen other countries. We’ve seen it happen. I used the example earlier today of what we did only 10, 20 years ago: We were giving aid to the Republic of Korea, and it was still struggling and emerging. Today, Korea is giving aid to other countries, and it’s a strong nation with a vibrant democracy, and it’s a partner in these kinds of efforts. That’s what this is all about. Mongolia today, hosting a conference on democracy; who would have thought about that a number of years ago? Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi standing with the generals, a prisoner of 20 years, and working towards democracy. That’s what this is all about.
So I just want to say a profound thank you to all of you. As long as I’m Secretary of State, I promise you I will do everything in my power to cover your back. You cover mine, and we’ll be a good team together and we’ll get the job done.
Thank you all, and God bless. (Applause.)
MEASURING THE MOON'S ATMOSPHERE
FROM: NASA
Until recently, most everyone accepted the conventional wisdom that the moon has virtually no atmosphere. Just as the discovery of water on the moon transformed our textbook knowledge of Earth’s nearest celestial neighbor, recent studies confirm that our moon does indeed have an atmosphere consisting of some unusual gases, including sodium and potassium, which are not found in the atmospheres of Earth, Mars or Venus. It’s an infinitesimal amount of air when compared to Earth’s atmosphere. At sea level on Earth, we breathe in an atmosphere where each cubic centimeter contains 10,000,000,000,000,000,000 molecules; by comparison the lunar atmosphere has less than 1,000,000 molecules in the same volume. That still sounds like a lot, but it is what we consider to be a very good vacuum on Earth. In fact, the density of the atmosphere at the moon’s surface is comparable to the density of the outermost fringes of Earth’s atmosphere where the International Space Station orbits.
What is the moon’s atmosphere made of? We have some clues. The Apollo 17 mission deployed an instrument called the Lunar Atmospheric Composition Experiment (LACE) on the moon’s surface. It detected small amounts of a number of atoms and molecules including helium, argon, and possibly neon, ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide. From here on Earth, researchers using special telescopes that block light from the moon’s surface have been able to make images of the glow from sodium and potassium atoms in the moon’s atmosphere as they are energized by the sun. Still, we only have a partial list of what makes up the lunar atmosphere. Many other species are expected.
We think that there are several sources for gases in the moon’s atmosphere. These include high energy photons and solar wind particles knocking atoms from the lunar surface, chemical reactions between the solar wind and lunar surface material, evaporation of surface material, material released from the impacts of comets and meteoroids, and out-gassing from the moon’s interior. But which of these sources and processes are important on the moon? We still don’t know.
With the discovery of significant ice deposits at the moon’s poles by NASA's Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) missions, and the discovery of a thin scattering of water molecules in the lunar soil by the Chandrayaan X-ray Observatory, another fascinating possibility has captured researchers’ interest. The moon’s atmosphere may play a key role in a potential lunar water cycle, facilitating the transport of water molecules between polar and lower latitude areas. The moon may not only be wetter than we once thought, but also more dynamic.
One of the critical differences between the atmospheres of Earth and the moon is how atmospheric molecules move. Here in the dense atmosphere at the surface of Earth, the molecules’ motion is dominated by collisions between the molecules. However the moon’s atmosphere is so thin, atoms and molecules almost never collide. Instead, they are free to follow arcing paths determined by the energy they received from the processes described above and by the gravitational pull of the moon.
The technical name for this type of thin, collision-free atmosphere that extends all the way down to the ground is a "surface boundary exosphere." Scientists believe this may be the most common type of atmosphere in the solar system. In addition to the moon, Mercury, the larger asteroids, a number of the moons of the giant planets and even some of the distant Kuiper belt objects out beyond the orbit of Neptune, all may have surface boundary exospheres. But in spite of how common this type of atmosphere is, we know very little about it. Having one right next door on our moon provides us with an outstanding opportunity to improve our understanding.
Among the goals of the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) are to determine the composition and structure of the tenuous lunar atmosphere and to understand how these change with time, and as external conditions vary. LADEE’s measurements come at a key time: with increasing interest in the moon by a number of nations, future missions could significantly affect the natural composition of the lunar atmosphere.
Article author: Brian Day
 |
| The Lunar Atmospheric Composition Experiment (LACE) deployment during the Apollo 17 mission. Image credit: NASA |
FROM: NASA
Until recently, most everyone accepted the conventional wisdom that the moon has virtually no atmosphere. Just as the discovery of water on the moon transformed our textbook knowledge of Earth’s nearest celestial neighbor, recent studies confirm that our moon does indeed have an atmosphere consisting of some unusual gases, including sodium and potassium, which are not found in the atmospheres of Earth, Mars or Venus. It’s an infinitesimal amount of air when compared to Earth’s atmosphere. At sea level on Earth, we breathe in an atmosphere where each cubic centimeter contains 10,000,000,000,000,000,000 molecules; by comparison the lunar atmosphere has less than 1,000,000 molecules in the same volume. That still sounds like a lot, but it is what we consider to be a very good vacuum on Earth. In fact, the density of the atmosphere at the moon’s surface is comparable to the density of the outermost fringes of Earth’s atmosphere where the International Space Station orbits.
What is the moon’s atmosphere made of? We have some clues. The Apollo 17 mission deployed an instrument called the Lunar Atmospheric Composition Experiment (LACE) on the moon’s surface. It detected small amounts of a number of atoms and molecules including helium, argon, and possibly neon, ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide. From here on Earth, researchers using special telescopes that block light from the moon’s surface have been able to make images of the glow from sodium and potassium atoms in the moon’s atmosphere as they are energized by the sun. Still, we only have a partial list of what makes up the lunar atmosphere. Many other species are expected.
We think that there are several sources for gases in the moon’s atmosphere. These include high energy photons and solar wind particles knocking atoms from the lunar surface, chemical reactions between the solar wind and lunar surface material, evaporation of surface material, material released from the impacts of comets and meteoroids, and out-gassing from the moon’s interior. But which of these sources and processes are important on the moon? We still don’t know.
With the discovery of significant ice deposits at the moon’s poles by NASA's Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) missions, and the discovery of a thin scattering of water molecules in the lunar soil by the Chandrayaan X-ray Observatory, another fascinating possibility has captured researchers’ interest. The moon’s atmosphere may play a key role in a potential lunar water cycle, facilitating the transport of water molecules between polar and lower latitude areas. The moon may not only be wetter than we once thought, but also more dynamic.
One of the critical differences between the atmospheres of Earth and the moon is how atmospheric molecules move. Here in the dense atmosphere at the surface of Earth, the molecules’ motion is dominated by collisions between the molecules. However the moon’s atmosphere is so thin, atoms and molecules almost never collide. Instead, they are free to follow arcing paths determined by the energy they received from the processes described above and by the gravitational pull of the moon.
The technical name for this type of thin, collision-free atmosphere that extends all the way down to the ground is a "surface boundary exosphere." Scientists believe this may be the most common type of atmosphere in the solar system. In addition to the moon, Mercury, the larger asteroids, a number of the moons of the giant planets and even some of the distant Kuiper belt objects out beyond the orbit of Neptune, all may have surface boundary exospheres. But in spite of how common this type of atmosphere is, we know very little about it. Having one right next door on our moon provides us with an outstanding opportunity to improve our understanding.
Among the goals of the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) are to determine the composition and structure of the tenuous lunar atmosphere and to understand how these change with time, and as external conditions vary. LADEE’s measurements come at a key time: with increasing interest in the moon by a number of nations, future missions could significantly affect the natural composition of the lunar atmosphere.
Article author: Brian Day
ISAF COMMANDER IN AFGHANISTAN SAYS THERE IS GROWING UNCERTAINTY IN REGION
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
ISAF Commander Notes 'Growing Uncertainty' in Afghanistan
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2013 - Dynamic and compelling commitment from the United States is necessary to confront growing uncertainty in Afghanistan and the region when the International Security Assistance Force mission ends next year, the top commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said today.
"We [must] confront growing uncertainty in Afghanistan and in the region," Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Many Afghans have told me they no longer fear the Taliban as much as they fear what will happen after 2014."
One Afghan described it as the "Y2K effect," Dunford said, alluding to a period of uncertainty late in the 20th century driven by questions of how computer-controlled systems would behave with a complete rollover of the calendar year's digits on Jan. 1, 2000.
"There is a growing sense that December 2014 is a cliff for the Afghan people," he added. "[This] dynamic must be addressed with an incredible, compelling narrative of U.S. commitment."
The general said that in the absence of confidence and hope for a brighter future, Afghan leaders, the Afghan people and regional actors will continue to hedge and plan for the worst case.
The behavior associated with that mindset, Dunford said, has the very real potential to undermine the campaign.
Dunford noted ISAF remains focused on denying safe haven in Afghanistan to the al-Qaida terrorists who attacked the U.S. on 9/11, and denying the Taliban, who harbored them, the ability to overthrow the Afghan government.
"We recognize that our national interest in the region is served by a secure and stable Afghanistan at peace with its neighbors," he said. "I appear before you this morning confident in the cardinal direction of the campaign. My confidence is based on the very real progress we have made since the surge of forces began in late 2009, and that surge allowed us to move the campaign forward."
Constant pressure on the remnants of al-Qaida in Afghanistan, he said, has disrupted the terror organization's ability to plan and conduct operations against the West.
Dunford said coalition and Afghan-partnered operations have pushed the Taliban away from Afghanistan's populated areas and have prevented them from meeting their campaign objectives in 2012.
"While they remain resilient, they are less of a threat against the Afghan government than they were in 2011," the general said. "Most significantly, our efforts, since 2009, have provided the Afghan forces the time and space necessary to grow and assume the lead."
Afghan security forces have recruited and fielded most of their authorized strength of 352,000, Dunford said. "They are leading approximately 80 percent of all combat operations being conducted, and they have the lead security responsibility for territory where nearly 90 percent of the population lives," he added.
Later this spring, Dunford said, Afghan forces will be completely in the lead for combat operations across the nation, in keeping with agreements at the last two NATO summits. His testimony today comes during an inflection point in the Afghan campaign, the general added, with many reasons to be optimistic and several significant challenges to overcome.
"Up to this point, it's fair to say we were focused on growing the size of the Afghan security forces," he said. "We are now focused on improving the quality of the [security forces]."
Dunford said in the months ahead, ISAF will continue to focus on a wide range of issues to include leadership development, ministerial capacity, aviation, and the systems, processes and institutions needed to sustain a modern, professional force.
"We'll also need to address very real political and psychological factors that will affect the outcome of the campaign," he said.
Dunford acknowledged "real tension" between increasing aspirations of Afghan sovereignty and the reality of operations conducted in accordance with the U.N. Security Council mandate, the Law of Armed Conflict and the Military Technical Agreement. Properly managing this tension has become a campaign imperative, he said, along with the psychological aspect.
"Psychology will influence the performance of the Afghan forces this summer and affect the critical elections of 2014," Dunford said.
Dunford told the senators the campaign is in the "decisive phase of transition."
"The progress we have made to date provides real opportunity, but not inevitability," he said. "There will continue to be challenges that will test our will and endurance.
"But in the end," he continued, "if we define winning as completing political and security transition while rendering al-Qaida operationally ineffective [and] as setting the conditions for the Afghans to exploit a decade of opportunity that will begin in 2015, I firmly believe we can win."
ISAF Commander Notes 'Growing Uncertainty' in Afghanistan
By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2013 - Dynamic and compelling commitment from the United States is necessary to confront growing uncertainty in Afghanistan and the region when the International Security Assistance Force mission ends next year, the top commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said today.
"We [must] confront growing uncertainty in Afghanistan and in the region," Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "Many Afghans have told me they no longer fear the Taliban as much as they fear what will happen after 2014."
One Afghan described it as the "Y2K effect," Dunford said, alluding to a period of uncertainty late in the 20th century driven by questions of how computer-controlled systems would behave with a complete rollover of the calendar year's digits on Jan. 1, 2000.
"There is a growing sense that December 2014 is a cliff for the Afghan people," he added. "[This] dynamic must be addressed with an incredible, compelling narrative of U.S. commitment."
The general said that in the absence of confidence and hope for a brighter future, Afghan leaders, the Afghan people and regional actors will continue to hedge and plan for the worst case.
The behavior associated with that mindset, Dunford said, has the very real potential to undermine the campaign.
Dunford noted ISAF remains focused on denying safe haven in Afghanistan to the al-Qaida terrorists who attacked the U.S. on 9/11, and denying the Taliban, who harbored them, the ability to overthrow the Afghan government.
"We recognize that our national interest in the region is served by a secure and stable Afghanistan at peace with its neighbors," he said. "I appear before you this morning confident in the cardinal direction of the campaign. My confidence is based on the very real progress we have made since the surge of forces began in late 2009, and that surge allowed us to move the campaign forward."
Constant pressure on the remnants of al-Qaida in Afghanistan, he said, has disrupted the terror organization's ability to plan and conduct operations against the West.
Dunford said coalition and Afghan-partnered operations have pushed the Taliban away from Afghanistan's populated areas and have prevented them from meeting their campaign objectives in 2012.
"While they remain resilient, they are less of a threat against the Afghan government than they were in 2011," the general said. "Most significantly, our efforts, since 2009, have provided the Afghan forces the time and space necessary to grow and assume the lead."
Afghan security forces have recruited and fielded most of their authorized strength of 352,000, Dunford said. "They are leading approximately 80 percent of all combat operations being conducted, and they have the lead security responsibility for territory where nearly 90 percent of the population lives," he added.
Later this spring, Dunford said, Afghan forces will be completely in the lead for combat operations across the nation, in keeping with agreements at the last two NATO summits. His testimony today comes during an inflection point in the Afghan campaign, the general added, with many reasons to be optimistic and several significant challenges to overcome.
"Up to this point, it's fair to say we were focused on growing the size of the Afghan security forces," he said. "We are now focused on improving the quality of the [security forces]."
Dunford said in the months ahead, ISAF will continue to focus on a wide range of issues to include leadership development, ministerial capacity, aviation, and the systems, processes and institutions needed to sustain a modern, professional force.
"We'll also need to address very real political and psychological factors that will affect the outcome of the campaign," he said.
Dunford acknowledged "real tension" between increasing aspirations of Afghan sovereignty and the reality of operations conducted in accordance with the U.N. Security Council mandate, the Law of Armed Conflict and the Military Technical Agreement. Properly managing this tension has become a campaign imperative, he said, along with the psychological aspect.
"Psychology will influence the performance of the Afghan forces this summer and affect the critical elections of 2014," Dunford said.
Dunford told the senators the campaign is in the "decisive phase of transition."
"The progress we have made to date provides real opportunity, but not inevitability," he said. "There will continue to be challenges that will test our will and endurance.
"But in the end," he continued, "if we define winning as completing political and security transition while rendering al-Qaida operationally ineffective [and] as setting the conditions for the Afghans to exploit a decade of opportunity that will begin in 2015, I firmly believe we can win."
SCIENTISTS FIND REDUCTIONS IN FOUR POLLUTANTS CAN SLOW SEA LEVEL RISE
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| Black carbon, a short-lived pollutant (shown in purple), shrouds the globe. Credit-NOAA |
Cutting Specific Atmospheric Pollutants Would Slow Sea Level Rise
With coastal areas bracing for rising sea levels, new research indicates that cutting emissions of certain pollutants can greatly slow sea level rise this century.
Scientists found that reductions in four pollutants that cycle comparatively quickly through the atmosphere could temporarily forestall the rate of sea level rise by roughly 25 to 50 percent.
The researchers focused on emissions of four heat-trapping pollutants: methane, tropospheric ozone, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon.
These gases and particles last anywhere from a week to a decade in the atmosphere and can influence climate more quickly than carbon dioxide, which persists in the atmosphere for centuries.
"To avoid potentially dangerous sea level rise, we could cut emissions of short-lived pollutants even if we cannot immediately cut carbon dioxide emissions," says Aixue Hu of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colo., first author of a paper published today in the journal Nature Climate Change.
"Society can significantly reduce the threat to coastal cities if it moves quickly on a handful of pollutants."
The research was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Energy.
"Sea level rise and its consequences present enormous challenges to modern society," says Anjuli Bamzai, program director in NSF's Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences, which supported the research.
"This study looks at projections of global sea level rise, unraveling the effects of mitigating short-lived greenhouse gases such as methane, tropospheric ozone, hydrofluorocarbons and black carbon, as well as long-lived greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide," says Bamzai.
It is still not too late, "by stabilizing carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere and reducing emissions of shorter-lived pollutants, to lower the rate of warming and reduce sea level rise by 30 percent," says atmospheric scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) in San Diego, a co-author of the paper. Ramanathan initiated and helped oversee the study.
"The large role of the shorter-lived pollutants is encouraging since technologies are available to drastically cut their emissions," says Ramanathan.
The potential effects of rising oceans on populated areas are of great concern, he says.
Many of the world's major cities, such as New York, Miami, Amsterdam, Mumbai, and Tokyo, are located in low-lying areas along coasts.
As glaciers and ice sheets melt, and warming oceans expand, sea levels have been rising by an average of about 3 millimeters annually in recent years (just over one-tenth of an inch).
If temperatures continue to warm, sea levels are projected to rise between 18 and 200 centimeters (between 7 inches and 6 feet) this century, according to reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the U.S. National Research Council.
Such an increase could submerge coastal communities, especially when storm surges hit.
Previous research by Ramanathan and Yangyang Xu of SIO, a co-author of the paper, showed that a sharp reduction in emissions of shorter-lived pollutants beginning in 2015 could offset warming temperatures by up to 50 percent by 2050.
Applying those emission reductions to sea level rise, the researchers found that the cuts could dramatically slow rising sea levels.
The results showed that total sea level rise would be reduced by an estimated 22 to 42 percent by 2100, depending on the extent to which emissions were cut.
However, the study also found that delaying emissions cuts until 2040 would reduce the beneficial effect on year-2100 sea level rise by about a third.
If society were able to substantially reduce both emissions of carbon dioxide as well as the four other pollutants, total sea level rise would be lessened by at least 30 percent by 2100, the researchers conclude.
"We still have some control over the amount of sea level rise we are facing," Hu says.
Another paper co-author, Claudia Tebaldi of Climate Central, adds: "Without diminishing the importance of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the long-term, this study shows that more immediate gains from shorter-lived pollutants are substantial.
"Cutting emissions of those gases could give coastal communities more time to prepare for rising sea levels," says Tebaldi. "As we have seen recently, storm surges in populated regions of the East Coast show the importance of making such preparations and cutting greenhouse gases."
To conduct the study, Hu and colleagues turned to the NCAR-based Community Climate System Model, as well as a second computer model that simulates climate, carbon and geochemistry.
They also drew on estimates of future emissions of heat-trapping gases under various social and economic scenarios and on computer models of melting ice and sea level rise.
The study assumes that society could reduce emissions of the four gases and particles by 30-60 percent over the next several decades.
That is the steepest reduction believed achievable by economists who have studied the issue at Austria's International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, one of the world's leading research centers into the effects of economic activity on climate change.
"It must be remembered that carbon dioxide is still the most important factor in sea level rise over the long-term," says NCAR scientist Warren Washington, a paper co-author. "But we can make a real difference in the next several decades by reducing other emissions."
-NSF-
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
SOUTH SUDAN ECONOMIC PARTNERS FORUM COMMUNIQUE
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
South Sudan Economic Partners Forum Communique
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 16, 2013
Following is the text of a communiqué from participants in the South Sudan Economic Partners Forum, which was hosted by the Department of State on April 16.
Begin Text:
The Governments of the United States and the Republic of South Sudan, in coordination with the European Union, Norway and the United Kingdom, met April 16 with more than forty other governments and international organizations at the South Sudan Economic Partners Forum in Washington, DC. The forum marked the start of an enhanced partnership to strengthen governance, political inclusiveness and sustainable development in South Sudan. Hosted by the U.S. Government, the Partners Forum reviewed South Sudan’s progress over the challenging past 18 months, welcomed the Government’s fiscal and economic strategy, and agreed on the outlines of a compact based on mutual commitments to reform and international engagement.
The Government of South Sudan highlighted the major macro-economic challenges the new nation has faced over the past 18 months and key reform priorities moving forward. The shutdown of oil production in January 2012 sparked a severe fiscal crisis. In response, the Government of South Sudan has undertaken to put in place fiscal and monetary policies to stabilize the macro-economy and is currently negotiating an economic program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The development partners emphasized the importance of a rapid conclusion of this program. Following the recent agreement between South Sudan and Sudan to resume oil production and open borders for trade, the Government of South Sudan has committed to put in place additional policy measures to establish macroeconomic stability, strengthen governance, guarantee political space and fundamental rights, enhance the management of public finances and natural resources, combat corruption, increase capacity for basic social services, and boost broad-based economic growth in order to transform the lives of the South Sudanese people. As a critical first step, the Government of South Sudan emphasized its commitment to strengthen its macro-economic framework with support from the IMF and embark on an economic reform program in cooperation with international financial institutions.
Participants in the forum applauded progress achieved in implementation of the September 27 cooperation agreements between South Sudan and Sudan, which has led, among other benefits, to resumption of oil production in South Sudan with exportation through Sudan. Direct consultations between South Sudanese President Kiir and Sudanese President Bashir, which took place in Juba on April 12, produced further progress toward finding practical solutions for the remaining outstanding issues and establishing mutually beneficial relations between the two peoples and their states. Participants strongly believe it is in the interests of both countries to seek constructive solutions to all their remaining differences, which will lay the foundations for building two peaceful, prosperous and viable states.
Recognizing the fragility of South Sudan’s progress, the Government of South Sudan and its international partners will renew and enhance their partnership in the spirit of the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States to enable the transition toward greater economic resilience. Acknowledging the toll of decades of violence and the continuing impact of conflict and insecurity on the people of South Sudan, the government is committed to work to prevent and to reduce hostilities in an integrated, inclusive and non-violent way. This requires a coordinated approach to the use of political, security, humanitarian and development approaches. Now, more than ever, it is important to sustain and accelerate South Sudan’s reform momentum. The international community is committed to long-term engagement with South Sudan in order to support inclusive political governance, public accountability, effective social services and a vibrant private sector.
South Sudan, as a leading member of the g7+ group of fragile states, proposed a compact with international partners to engender mutual commitments towards greater reform and aid effectiveness. Over the coming months, a broad range of stakeholders will develop a partnership compact for South Sudan, which will include mutually agreed policy benchmarks for the Government of South Sudan, matched with commitments from partners to build capacity and improve the effectiveness of aid. Once finalized, the compact is intended to provide an umbrella agreement for innovative financing from a range of international partners, including through proposed additional support for education and health sector salaries and the development of a new South Sudan Partnership Fund to support capacity building for good governance, investments in priority sectors and support for basic services. Various international partners indicated during the forum that they foresee adding substantial new support to their contributions – up to $300 million. This year approximately $1.3 billion is provided by donors to South Sudan.
Convinced that a thriving private sector is critical to job creation, improved livelihoods and economic growth, international partners also agreed to support the Government of South Sudan to organize a Private Sector Investment Conference in Juba in late 2013.
South Sudan Economic Partners Forum Communique
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 16, 2013
Following is the text of a communiqué from participants in the South Sudan Economic Partners Forum, which was hosted by the Department of State on April 16.
Begin Text:
The Governments of the United States and the Republic of South Sudan, in coordination with the European Union, Norway and the United Kingdom, met April 16 with more than forty other governments and international organizations at the South Sudan Economic Partners Forum in Washington, DC. The forum marked the start of an enhanced partnership to strengthen governance, political inclusiveness and sustainable development in South Sudan. Hosted by the U.S. Government, the Partners Forum reviewed South Sudan’s progress over the challenging past 18 months, welcomed the Government’s fiscal and economic strategy, and agreed on the outlines of a compact based on mutual commitments to reform and international engagement.
The Government of South Sudan highlighted the major macro-economic challenges the new nation has faced over the past 18 months and key reform priorities moving forward. The shutdown of oil production in January 2012 sparked a severe fiscal crisis. In response, the Government of South Sudan has undertaken to put in place fiscal and monetary policies to stabilize the macro-economy and is currently negotiating an economic program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The development partners emphasized the importance of a rapid conclusion of this program. Following the recent agreement between South Sudan and Sudan to resume oil production and open borders for trade, the Government of South Sudan has committed to put in place additional policy measures to establish macroeconomic stability, strengthen governance, guarantee political space and fundamental rights, enhance the management of public finances and natural resources, combat corruption, increase capacity for basic social services, and boost broad-based economic growth in order to transform the lives of the South Sudanese people. As a critical first step, the Government of South Sudan emphasized its commitment to strengthen its macro-economic framework with support from the IMF and embark on an economic reform program in cooperation with international financial institutions.
Participants in the forum applauded progress achieved in implementation of the September 27 cooperation agreements between South Sudan and Sudan, which has led, among other benefits, to resumption of oil production in South Sudan with exportation through Sudan. Direct consultations between South Sudanese President Kiir and Sudanese President Bashir, which took place in Juba on April 12, produced further progress toward finding practical solutions for the remaining outstanding issues and establishing mutually beneficial relations between the two peoples and their states. Participants strongly believe it is in the interests of both countries to seek constructive solutions to all their remaining differences, which will lay the foundations for building two peaceful, prosperous and viable states.
Recognizing the fragility of South Sudan’s progress, the Government of South Sudan and its international partners will renew and enhance their partnership in the spirit of the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States to enable the transition toward greater economic resilience. Acknowledging the toll of decades of violence and the continuing impact of conflict and insecurity on the people of South Sudan, the government is committed to work to prevent and to reduce hostilities in an integrated, inclusive and non-violent way. This requires a coordinated approach to the use of political, security, humanitarian and development approaches. Now, more than ever, it is important to sustain and accelerate South Sudan’s reform momentum. The international community is committed to long-term engagement with South Sudan in order to support inclusive political governance, public accountability, effective social services and a vibrant private sector.
South Sudan, as a leading member of the g7+ group of fragile states, proposed a compact with international partners to engender mutual commitments towards greater reform and aid effectiveness. Over the coming months, a broad range of stakeholders will develop a partnership compact for South Sudan, which will include mutually agreed policy benchmarks for the Government of South Sudan, matched with commitments from partners to build capacity and improve the effectiveness of aid. Once finalized, the compact is intended to provide an umbrella agreement for innovative financing from a range of international partners, including through proposed additional support for education and health sector salaries and the development of a new South Sudan Partnership Fund to support capacity building for good governance, investments in priority sectors and support for basic services. Various international partners indicated during the forum that they foresee adding substantial new support to their contributions – up to $300 million. This year approximately $1.3 billion is provided by donors to South Sudan.
Convinced that a thriving private sector is critical to job creation, improved livelihoods and economic growth, international partners also agreed to support the Government of South Sudan to organize a Private Sector Investment Conference in Juba in late 2013.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE SAYS DOD SUPPORTS VICTIMS OF MARATHON BOMBING
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hagel Says DOD Will Provide Support After 'Cruel Act of Terror'
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2013 - The thoughts and prayers of all members of the Defense Department are with the people of Boston and the victims of the marathon bombing yesterday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today.
Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appearing before the defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee for a budget hearing, also spoke about the situation in Boston.
The defense secretary pledged to provide any support from DOD that law enforcement agencies deem necessary as they investigate "this cruel act of terror." Dempsey told representatives that DOD officials have been in constant contact with state and federal agencies.
Three are dead from the attack, and more than 170 were wounded. Many service members had traveled to Boston to run in the iconic marathon, and Hagel said his thoughts are with them as well.
"As the president said yesterday, we still do not know who did this or why," he said. "A thorough investigation will have to determine whether it was planned and carried out by a terrorist group, foreign or domestic."
The secretary asked Americans not to jump to conclusions, but "any event with multiple explosive devices -- as this appears to be -- is clearly an act of terror, and will be approached as an act of terror."
Hagel commended local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for their quick response to the explosions that detonated near the Boston Marathon finish line. He also expressed gratitude to the 460 members of the Massachusetts National Guard who were called up to help with the marathon and ended up providing life-saving aid to those affected.
Dempsey said Massachusetts Guardsmen continue to flow into the scene, and that more than 1,000 Guardsmen have been called up for this crucial state mission.
"The Department of Defense is prepared to respond quickly to any request for additional support from domestic law enforcement agencies," Hagel said. "I will continue to consult closely with DOD's senior leaders and my counterparts in other agencies on how we can best support the government's response and investigation."
Massachusetts officials asked for and received the services of a Navy explosive ordnance disposal team yesterday. Guardsmen also remain on duty helping to secure the crime scene.
Hagel Says DOD Will Provide Support After 'Cruel Act of Terror'
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2013 - The thoughts and prayers of all members of the Defense Department are with the people of Boston and the victims of the marathon bombing yesterday, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today.
Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appearing before the defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee for a budget hearing, also spoke about the situation in Boston.
The defense secretary pledged to provide any support from DOD that law enforcement agencies deem necessary as they investigate "this cruel act of terror." Dempsey told representatives that DOD officials have been in constant contact with state and federal agencies.
Three are dead from the attack, and more than 170 were wounded. Many service members had traveled to Boston to run in the iconic marathon, and Hagel said his thoughts are with them as well.
"As the president said yesterday, we still do not know who did this or why," he said. "A thorough investigation will have to determine whether it was planned and carried out by a terrorist group, foreign or domestic."
The secretary asked Americans not to jump to conclusions, but "any event with multiple explosive devices -- as this appears to be -- is clearly an act of terror, and will be approached as an act of terror."
Hagel commended local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for their quick response to the explosions that detonated near the Boston Marathon finish line. He also expressed gratitude to the 460 members of the Massachusetts National Guard who were called up to help with the marathon and ended up providing life-saving aid to those affected.
Dempsey said Massachusetts Guardsmen continue to flow into the scene, and that more than 1,000 Guardsmen have been called up for this crucial state mission.
"The Department of Defense is prepared to respond quickly to any request for additional support from domestic law enforcement agencies," Hagel said. "I will continue to consult closely with DOD's senior leaders and my counterparts in other agencies on how we can best support the government's response and investigation."
Massachusetts officials asked for and received the services of a Navy explosive ordnance disposal team yesterday. Guardsmen also remain on duty helping to secure the crime scene.
RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS
FROM: U.S. NAVY
Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) watch as a Standard Missile 2 (SM-2) leaves the launcher during a live-fire exercise as part of Multi-Sail 13. Multi-Sail 13 is a training exercise designed to test ships operating ability across a wide range of disciplines including anti-submarine warfare, live fire exercises, and high value unit escort scenarios. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul Kelly (Released) 130411-N-TX154-070
Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Beaty pilots an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Rampagers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83 while conducting aerial refueling with an Air Force KC-135R during combat missions with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Dwight D. Eisenhower is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility promoting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Greg Linderman (Released) 130409-N-DO750-001
ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER COMMENTS REGARDING ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO BOSTON EXPLOSIONS
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder on the Ongoing Investigation into Explosions in Boston
The Attorney General released the following statement today on the ongoing investigation into the explosions in Boston:
"I want to express my deepest sympathies to the victims of yesterday’s heinous attack in Boston, to those who suffered injuries, and to those who lost friends and loved ones. All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
"As our nation struggles to make sense of this attack, I want to assure the citizens of Boston – and all Americans – that the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, and all of our federal, state, and local partners are working tirelessly to determine who was responsible for these unspeakable acts, and to make certain they are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and by any means available to us. To this end, I have directed that the full resources of the Department be deployed to ensure that this matter is fully investigated. We will continue working closely with the Boston Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police – who have performed superbly – to respond to this tragedy, to maintain a heightened state of security, and to prevent any future attacks from occurring.
"As President Obama stated earlier today, we are treating this event as an act of terror. This morning, I met with the President and my fellow members of his national security team to discuss our continuing response. Although it is not yet clear who executed this attack, whether it was an individual or group, or whether it was carried out with support or involvement from a terrorist organization – either foreign or domestic – we will not rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice. The FBI is spearheading a multi-agency investigation through the Boston Joint Terrorism Task Force. They are devoting extensive personnel and assets to this effort – and have already begun conducting exhaustive interviews, analyzing evidence recovered from the scene, and examining video footage for possible leads. In addition, the ATF is providing bomb technicians, explosives assets, and other substantial investigative support. The DEA and U.S. Marshals Service are providing further assistance. And the Office of Justice Programs will coordinate victim support that the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may request under the Anti-terrorism Emergency Assistance Program.
"As our active and comprehensive investigation unfolds, these federal assets are coordinating with prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, the Justice Department’s National Security Division, and federal agencies across the government – including members of the Intelligence Community. This matter is still in the early stages, and it’s important that we let the investigation run its full course. I urge members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with law enforcement, and be vigilant. The FBI has set up a tip line – at 1-800-CALL-FBI – for anyone who has information, images, or details relating to yesterday’s explosions along the Boston Marathon route. We are particularly interested in reviewing video footage captured by bystanders with cell phones or personal cameras near either of the blasts. In an investigation of this nature, no detail is too small.
"Finally, I want to recognize and thank all of the brave law enforcement officials, firefighters, National Guardsmen, medical staff, bystanders, and other first responders in Boston yesterday afternoon who heard the explosions, or received reports of casualties, or saw the shattered glass and rising smoke, and rushed to provide assistance to those in need.
"Each of these remarkable women and men placed the safety of others above their own. Their heroic actions undoubtedly saved lives. And their stories of courage and selflessness remind us that – even in our darkest moments – the American people have always displayed an extraordinary capacity for resilience. We will always be strongest when we stand united. And although today our hearts are broken, my colleagues and I are resolved to bring those responsible for this cowardly act to justice. We will be relentless in our pursuit of the individual or group that carried out this attack, while staying true to our most sacred values. And – as our investigation continues, I am confident that our nation will recover, and that we will emerge from this terrible tragedy not only safer, but stronger, than ever before."
UNDER SECRETARY SONENSHINE'S REMARKS AT TBILISI STATE UNIVERSITY
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Remarks On Media Freedom
Remarks
Tara Sonenshine
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
Tbilisi State University
Tbilisi, Georgia
April 15, 2013
Thank you, Rector Kvitashvili. And thank you to all the journalism students, American studies students, international affairs/relations students, and political scientists gathered here. I appreciate having the opportunity to address you.
It’s an honor to speak to you at Tbilisi State University – the largest university in Georgia, and the oldest in the Caucasus. You know, I was looking at old photographs from the college’s earliest years – and I couldn’t help noticing that even in the most formal pictures, there was intensity and brightness in the faces of the men and the women. And there was always the hint of a smile ready to happen.
I saw women in the photographs too, I am happy to report. One 1935 photograph of the first staff of the newly established Institute of Physiology showed 14 men and eight women. I found that very encouraging, since I have been talking with women in the region about the representation of women in economic and political life – and how important that is for building strong economies and representative democracies.
Today, I come to talk to you – the young minds of Georgia – about something that’s also deeply and profoundly important. And that’s media freedom. Why is media freedom so important? Because – as I often say – information is the oxygen that a free and civilized society needs to breathe. Without it societies suffocate.
Sometimes there’s no information at all – because governments repress it, or journalists are too intimidated or unmotivated or irresponsible to report the truth. Sometimes the information consists primarily of gossip, rumor, hearsay, and conspiracy theories.
So it’s important that we have a diverse and independent press, so the people can trust what they read, hear, and see in the media. When we have a free, fair, and vigorous media environment in a democratic society, we are informed about the truth. And that allows us to make the best decisions we can, based on the most reliable information we can find.
We need all sides of the equation to be mutually reinforcing: On one side, there are the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and association that are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and on the other, we need to have freedom of the media so they can hold accountable anyone or any institution that abuses those freedoms. That balance is crucial to a robust democracy.
And that’s where education plays a crucial role. We need whole generations of well-trained journalists who can report information reliably, accurately, and with a sense of fairness and balance — who are not satisfied with false innuendo; who practice analytical reporting that examines the finer details and nuances of the truth; who can learn to adopt – and accept nothing less than – high professional and ethical standards.
We see that media pluralism in Georgia is still evolving, and facing many challenges. The press is often criticized for being unprofessional. People accuse media outlets of being too closely connected to the UNM or Georgian Dream. And more independent, regional media outlets continue to struggle.
Not only that, there are pending elections. So the need to provide fair and balanced media coverage, so voters can make the right choices, is crucial. And in that regard, Georgians face some critical issues.
One is making sure that they can have access to a variety of news channels in the pre-election period. Given the limited variety of media outlets currently available in Georgia, and the clear appetite of the Georgian people for a wide variety of programming and opinion, it is important that they have that programming.
That’s why we are supporting the USAID-funded Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry, and Accountability. It’s better known as G-MEDIA. The goal of this $12.9 million program is to improve the Georgian public’s access to a range of sources of news and information by developing a more politically balanced, editorially independent, professional, and viable media sector that reaches audiences across Georgia through diverse delivery channels.
As we continue to advocate for freedom of expression and citizen access to more independent, balanced, and reliable sources of information, we also recognize that Georgia does not face media challenges alone.
In the U.S., print media struggles to maintain profitability and journalistic independence. As newsrooms shrink, many critics talk about the drop in quality of reporting. And major news outlets accuse one another of political biases, a lack of journalistic integrity, and poor quality of reporting.
However, America’s media truly serves its role as the watchdog on the government to ensure that the people’s fundamental freedoms are being protected. And we recognize the contributions that journalists make to the struggle for human dignity, liberty, and prosperity. And through our public diplomacy, we echo those values in our promotion of media freedom and journalistic professionalism throughout the world.
We do that through a robust array of programs through our Public Affairs Office and the USAID. In Georgia, that includes sending Georgian news teams to the U.S. to cover major events like our November presidential elections; or building partnerships between U.S. and Georgian media outlets; or establishing a journalism partnership program between The Georgia Institute for Public Affairs Media School and the University of South Carolina.
We look forward to working with the Government of Georgia, civil society, and media organizations to promote the idea that even the smallest voice from the tiniest village must be heard.
But the real future is with young people like you – not only working as journalists with high standards, but acting as citizens who demand and support a free and vigorous media that doesn’t let emotions get in the way of truth. On those foundations, democracies are built. The future depends on all of you.
Thank you.
Remarks On Media Freedom
Remarks
Tara Sonenshine
Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
Tbilisi State University
Tbilisi, Georgia
April 15, 2013
Thank you, Rector Kvitashvili. And thank you to all the journalism students, American studies students, international affairs/relations students, and political scientists gathered here. I appreciate having the opportunity to address you.
It’s an honor to speak to you at Tbilisi State University – the largest university in Georgia, and the oldest in the Caucasus. You know, I was looking at old photographs from the college’s earliest years – and I couldn’t help noticing that even in the most formal pictures, there was intensity and brightness in the faces of the men and the women. And there was always the hint of a smile ready to happen.
I saw women in the photographs too, I am happy to report. One 1935 photograph of the first staff of the newly established Institute of Physiology showed 14 men and eight women. I found that very encouraging, since I have been talking with women in the region about the representation of women in economic and political life – and how important that is for building strong economies and representative democracies.
Today, I come to talk to you – the young minds of Georgia – about something that’s also deeply and profoundly important. And that’s media freedom. Why is media freedom so important? Because – as I often say – information is the oxygen that a free and civilized society needs to breathe. Without it societies suffocate.
Sometimes there’s no information at all – because governments repress it, or journalists are too intimidated or unmotivated or irresponsible to report the truth. Sometimes the information consists primarily of gossip, rumor, hearsay, and conspiracy theories.
So it’s important that we have a diverse and independent press, so the people can trust what they read, hear, and see in the media. When we have a free, fair, and vigorous media environment in a democratic society, we are informed about the truth. And that allows us to make the best decisions we can, based on the most reliable information we can find.
We need all sides of the equation to be mutually reinforcing: On one side, there are the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, and association that are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and on the other, we need to have freedom of the media so they can hold accountable anyone or any institution that abuses those freedoms. That balance is crucial to a robust democracy.
And that’s where education plays a crucial role. We need whole generations of well-trained journalists who can report information reliably, accurately, and with a sense of fairness and balance — who are not satisfied with false innuendo; who practice analytical reporting that examines the finer details and nuances of the truth; who can learn to adopt – and accept nothing less than – high professional and ethical standards.
We see that media pluralism in Georgia is still evolving, and facing many challenges. The press is often criticized for being unprofessional. People accuse media outlets of being too closely connected to the UNM or Georgian Dream. And more independent, regional media outlets continue to struggle.
Not only that, there are pending elections. So the need to provide fair and balanced media coverage, so voters can make the right choices, is crucial. And in that regard, Georgians face some critical issues.
One is making sure that they can have access to a variety of news channels in the pre-election period. Given the limited variety of media outlets currently available in Georgia, and the clear appetite of the Georgian people for a wide variety of programming and opinion, it is important that they have that programming.
That’s why we are supporting the USAID-funded Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry, and Accountability. It’s better known as G-MEDIA. The goal of this $12.9 million program is to improve the Georgian public’s access to a range of sources of news and information by developing a more politically balanced, editorially independent, professional, and viable media sector that reaches audiences across Georgia through diverse delivery channels.
As we continue to advocate for freedom of expression and citizen access to more independent, balanced, and reliable sources of information, we also recognize that Georgia does not face media challenges alone.
In the U.S., print media struggles to maintain profitability and journalistic independence. As newsrooms shrink, many critics talk about the drop in quality of reporting. And major news outlets accuse one another of political biases, a lack of journalistic integrity, and poor quality of reporting.
However, America’s media truly serves its role as the watchdog on the government to ensure that the people’s fundamental freedoms are being protected. And we recognize the contributions that journalists make to the struggle for human dignity, liberty, and prosperity. And through our public diplomacy, we echo those values in our promotion of media freedom and journalistic professionalism throughout the world.
We do that through a robust array of programs through our Public Affairs Office and the USAID. In Georgia, that includes sending Georgian news teams to the U.S. to cover major events like our November presidential elections; or building partnerships between U.S. and Georgian media outlets; or establishing a journalism partnership program between The Georgia Institute for Public Affairs Media School and the University of South Carolina.
We look forward to working with the Government of Georgia, civil society, and media organizations to promote the idea that even the smallest voice from the tiniest village must be heard.
But the real future is with young people like you – not only working as journalists with high standards, but acting as citizens who demand and support a free and vigorous media that doesn’t let emotions get in the way of truth. On those foundations, democracies are built. The future depends on all of you.
Thank you.
CALIFORNIA BUSINESSWOMAN PLEADS GUILTY FOR ROLE IN CONCEALING FOREIGN BANK ACCOUNTS
FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Friday, April 12, 2013
California Businesswoman Agrees to Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Conceal Israeli Bank Accounts
Los Angeles Resident is Second Individual Charged with Conspiring with Bankers to Hide Secret Israeli Bank Accounts
Guity Kashfi of Los Angeles, was charged today in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California with conspiracy to defraud the United States, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) announced. A signed plea agreement was filed along with the charging document.
According to court documents, Kashfi, a U.S. citizen, maintained undeclared bank accounts at an international bank headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel. The accounts were held in the names of nominees in order to keep them secret from the United States government. Kashfi used the accounts to obtain "back-to-back" loans from a branch of the bank in Los Angeles. Although the loans were secured or collateralized with certificates of deposit held in Kashfi’s undeclared offshore accounts, that fact was concealed to keep Kashfi’s offshore accounts secret.
According to the plea agreement, in 2008, Kashfi was told by a banker in Los Angeles that the bank was going to use the funds in her account in Israel to pay off her back-to-back loans in Los Angeles. Rather than pay off the loans, Kashfi transferred approximately $2 million to an account located in Luxembourg at a branch of a second Israeli bank. Kashfi did this to avoid repatriating funds from her first Israeli account back to the United States to pay back her loans in Los Angeles. Kashfi eventually used the funds in Luxembourg to obtain a new back-to-back loan from a branch of the second Israeli bank located in Los Angeles. In 2009, Kashfi went to Luxembourg to close her account. While there, two foreign bankers advised Kashfi that her money was safe in Luxembourg because the bank was a private bank and no one could get information relating to bank accounts located in Luxembourg. In 2011, Kashfi closed all her accounts in Luxembourg by signing paperwork in Los Angeles. She then transferred the funds to banks in the United States.
According to the plea agreement, Kashfi never told her accountant about her undeclared accounts, and failed to report any income from the accounts on her individual income tax returns that were filed with the IRS. For tax years 2005 through 2011, Kashfi failed to report interest income of approximately $221,306. The highest balance in Kashfi’s undeclared accounts was approximately $2,501,469.
Kashfi is the second defendant charged in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California with failing to report income from undeclared accounts in Israel.
On March 29, 2013, Zvi Sperling of Beverly Hills, Calif., appearing before United States District Judge John F. Walter, pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States in connection with back-to-back loans obtained in Los Angeles that were secured by funds in undeclared bank accounts in Israel. For tax years 2005 through 2008, Sperling failed to report income of approximately $381,563. The highest balance in Sperling’s undeclared accounts was approximately $4 million.
"Today’s guilty plea is a stark reminder that those who attempt to hide their income and assets from the United States are running out of places to hide," said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Tax Division Kathryn Keneally. "The Internal Revenue Service will find the hiding places and the Department of Justice will criminally prosecute the tax cheats. And in the end, they will still owe and be required to pay the taxes due."
"We will continue to work aggressively to uncover and prosecute those who hide unreported income in secret offshore bank accounts as well as the employees of financial institutions and the financial institutions themselves who facilitate such crimes," said U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California André Birotte Jr.
"Most individuals file truthful tax returns voluntarily and pay their share of taxes," said Richard Weber, Chief, IRS-CI. "As these two defendants have learned, hiding income and assets offshore is not tax planning, it’s tax fraud. The IRS is vigorously pursuing unreported income in hidden offshore accounts, as well as the banks and bankers who assist them."
United States citizens and residents who have an interest in, or signature or other authority over, a financial account in a foreign country with assets in excess of $10,000 are required to disclose the existence of such account on Schedule B, Part III, of their individual income tax returns. Additionally, U.S. citizens and residents must file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Reports (FBAR) with the U.S. Treasury disclosing any financial account in a foreign country with assets in excess of $10,000 in which they have a financial interest, or over which they have signature or other authority.
Both Kashfi and Sperling have agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of 50 percent of the high balance of their undeclared accounts to resolve their civil liability with the IRS for failing to file FBARs.
Both Kashfi and Sperling face a potential maximum prison term of five years and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Assistant Attorney General Keneally and U.S. Attorney Birotte thanked special agents of IRS-CI, who investigated the case, and Tax Division Senior Litigation Counsel John E. Sullivan and Assistant Chief Elizabeth C. Hadden, who prosecuted these cases, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra A. Brown of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, who assisted with the prosecutions.
Friday, April 12, 2013
California Businesswoman Agrees to Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Conceal Israeli Bank Accounts
Los Angeles Resident is Second Individual Charged with Conspiring with Bankers to Hide Secret Israeli Bank Accounts
Guity Kashfi of Los Angeles, was charged today in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California with conspiracy to defraud the United States, the Justice Department and Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) announced. A signed plea agreement was filed along with the charging document.
According to court documents, Kashfi, a U.S. citizen, maintained undeclared bank accounts at an international bank headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel. The accounts were held in the names of nominees in order to keep them secret from the United States government. Kashfi used the accounts to obtain "back-to-back" loans from a branch of the bank in Los Angeles. Although the loans were secured or collateralized with certificates of deposit held in Kashfi’s undeclared offshore accounts, that fact was concealed to keep Kashfi’s offshore accounts secret.
According to the plea agreement, in 2008, Kashfi was told by a banker in Los Angeles that the bank was going to use the funds in her account in Israel to pay off her back-to-back loans in Los Angeles. Rather than pay off the loans, Kashfi transferred approximately $2 million to an account located in Luxembourg at a branch of a second Israeli bank. Kashfi did this to avoid repatriating funds from her first Israeli account back to the United States to pay back her loans in Los Angeles. Kashfi eventually used the funds in Luxembourg to obtain a new back-to-back loan from a branch of the second Israeli bank located in Los Angeles. In 2009, Kashfi went to Luxembourg to close her account. While there, two foreign bankers advised Kashfi that her money was safe in Luxembourg because the bank was a private bank and no one could get information relating to bank accounts located in Luxembourg. In 2011, Kashfi closed all her accounts in Luxembourg by signing paperwork in Los Angeles. She then transferred the funds to banks in the United States.
According to the plea agreement, Kashfi never told her accountant about her undeclared accounts, and failed to report any income from the accounts on her individual income tax returns that were filed with the IRS. For tax years 2005 through 2011, Kashfi failed to report interest income of approximately $221,306. The highest balance in Kashfi’s undeclared accounts was approximately $2,501,469.
Kashfi is the second defendant charged in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California with failing to report income from undeclared accounts in Israel.
On March 29, 2013, Zvi Sperling of Beverly Hills, Calif., appearing before United States District Judge John F. Walter, pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States in connection with back-to-back loans obtained in Los Angeles that were secured by funds in undeclared bank accounts in Israel. For tax years 2005 through 2008, Sperling failed to report income of approximately $381,563. The highest balance in Sperling’s undeclared accounts was approximately $4 million.
"Today’s guilty plea is a stark reminder that those who attempt to hide their income and assets from the United States are running out of places to hide," said Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Tax Division Kathryn Keneally. "The Internal Revenue Service will find the hiding places and the Department of Justice will criminally prosecute the tax cheats. And in the end, they will still owe and be required to pay the taxes due."
"We will continue to work aggressively to uncover and prosecute those who hide unreported income in secret offshore bank accounts as well as the employees of financial institutions and the financial institutions themselves who facilitate such crimes," said U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California André Birotte Jr.
"Most individuals file truthful tax returns voluntarily and pay their share of taxes," said Richard Weber, Chief, IRS-CI. "As these two defendants have learned, hiding income and assets offshore is not tax planning, it’s tax fraud. The IRS is vigorously pursuing unreported income in hidden offshore accounts, as well as the banks and bankers who assist them."
United States citizens and residents who have an interest in, or signature or other authority over, a financial account in a foreign country with assets in excess of $10,000 are required to disclose the existence of such account on Schedule B, Part III, of their individual income tax returns. Additionally, U.S. citizens and residents must file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Reports (FBAR) with the U.S. Treasury disclosing any financial account in a foreign country with assets in excess of $10,000 in which they have a financial interest, or over which they have signature or other authority.
Both Kashfi and Sperling have agreed to pay a civil penalty in the amount of 50 percent of the high balance of their undeclared accounts to resolve their civil liability with the IRS for failing to file FBARs.
Both Kashfi and Sperling face a potential maximum prison term of five years and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Assistant Attorney General Keneally and U.S. Attorney Birotte thanked special agents of IRS-CI, who investigated the case, and Tax Division Senior Litigation Counsel John E. Sullivan and Assistant Chief Elizabeth C. Hadden, who prosecuted these cases, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra A. Brown of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, who assisted with the prosecutions.
U.S. OFFICIAL'S REMARKS ON FUTURE COOPERATION WITH AISA IN SPACE
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| Photo: Spacewalk. Credit: NASA. |
Rebalancing Towards Asia With Space Cooperation
Remarks
Frank A. Rose
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance
National Space Symposium
Colorado Springs, CO
April 11, 2013
As prepared
I am very pleased and honored to be back in Colorado Springs for my third National Space Symposium. I have had great experiences during my last two symposia, and I’d like to thank the Space Foundation for inviting me back. Given the U.S. Government’s much-talked-about "Asia Pivot," I am very pleased that this year’s Symposium is featuring a panel on "Space in the Asia-Pacific" where we can talk about how this strategic "rebalance" affects our space cooperation.
Over fifty-five years have passed since Sputnik was launched, and much has changed, both in the breadth of space capabilities and in the growing challenges we face. Today, the world relies on satellites for communications, for disaster management and relief, for treaty monitoring, and for sustainable development, among many other things. Our world’s increasing reliance on space assets is also reflected in the number of nations now operating in space. Today, there are approximately sixty nations and government consortia, as well as numerous private sector organizations that operate in space, and that number is expected to continue to grow. This increasing use – coupled with space debris resulting from past launches, space operations, orbital accidents, and testing of destructive ASATs which generated long-lived debris – has resulted in increased orbital congestion, complicating space operations for all those that seek to benefit from space. As the United States’ strategic guidance for Priorities for 21st Century Defense points out, "Growth in the number of space-faring nations is also leading to an increasingly congested and contested space environment, threatening safety and security."
The Department of Defense’s Priorities for 21st Century Defense also intrinsically ties the emerging challenges of the global security environment to increased engagement in the Asia-Pacific, noting that:
"U.S. economic and security interests are inextricably linked to developments in the arc extending from the Western Pacific and East Asia into the Indian Ocean region and South Asia, creating a mix of evolving challenges and opportunities. […] We will of necessity rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region."
Over the past decade, Asian nations have increased their profile on the world stage and continue to increase their role in addressing global challenges. Our Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy reflects recognition by the United States that we must broaden and deepen our engagement in the region at all levels. This includes cooperation to ensure the long-term sustainability, stability, safety, and security of the space environment. To deepen our engagement, we are following the comprehensive, multidimensional strategy laid out by President Obama and other senior leaders, including: strengthening alliances; deepening partnerships with emerging powers; empowering regional institutions; and building a stable and constructive relationship with China.
Strengthening Alliances
As National Security Advisor Donilon said just last month, "For all of the changes in Asia, this much is settled: our alliances in the region have been and will remain the foundation of our strategy." Not only are we strengthening our alliances in the Asia-Pacific region, but in many cases, we’re updating them to face evolving security challenges, such as those in the space environment.
Recognizing the numerous opportunities for cooperation on space issues, the United States and Japan have held several space security dialogues in the last three years, in addition to ongoing civil space dialogues. The discussions in these meetings have led to recognition by the highest levels of our governments of the importance of space to our nations and our alliance. In 2011, for the first time our Ministers included maintaining cooperation with respect to protection of and access to space as one of the Common Strategic Objectives of the Alliance. A year later, President Obama and former Prime Minister Noda recognized space cooperation in their joint statement and issued a list of six space initiatives for expanded space cooperation between the United States and Japan. One of those high-level initiatives was the Comprehensive Dialogue on Space, intended to address the bilateral relationship at a strategic level and to ensure a whole-of-government approach to space matters. The President and former Prime Minister Noda also agreed to develop a framework for sharing space situational awareness services and information, which we hope to have signed in the near future.
Space has also played a crucial role in revitalizing our alliance with Australia, with discussions on space beginning as early as the 2008 Australia-U.S. Ministerial (AUSMIN). At the 2010 AUSMIN, our governments acknowledged the growing problem of space debris, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on space surveillance. Two years later, we continued that cooperation at the 2012 AUSMIN when we announced that the United States will transfer a C-Band radar to Australia. This radar will help expand our ability to track space debris in that part of the world. We are also considering the transfer of a space surveillance telescope to Australia for the same purpose. As then-Defense Secretary Panetta said when these initiatives were announced, "all of that represents a major leap forward in bilateral space cooperation and an important new frontier in the United States rebalance to the Asia Pacific region." We also continue to have ongoing space security dialogues with Australia, have recently expanded these dialogues to include trilateral discussions with Japan, and are currently finalizing a space situational awareness sharing agreement between our two countries.
Discussions on space security have also been increasing between our government and that of the Republic of Korea, and the establishment of a formal space security dialogue between our nations is currently being considered. Like the United States, the Republic of Korea supports the creation of transparency and confidence-building measures (TCBMs) and rules of responsible behavior in space, such as the International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities, as do Japan and Australia. The United States and the ROK also closely coordinate on the work of the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts study on Outer Space TCBMs, which we are both members of.
Deepening Partnerships and Empowering Regional Institutions
As we update our alliances for the new demands of the 21st century, we are also building new partnerships to help solve the shared problems of the space environment. All nations – established and emerging spacefaring nations, as well as those just beginning to consider how they can use space – have a stake in maintaining the sustainability and security of the space environment.
Building upon our robust civil space cooperation, we see a strong role for greater U.S.-India cooperation on space security issues, in the Asia-Pacific and internationally. As President Obama said in 2010, the relationship between India and America will be one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century. While India has long focused on using space for the benefit of its people, as an established spacefaring nation with close ties to other regional space actors and emerging spacefaring nations, we see a strong role for Indian leadership in regional and multilateral space fora, where India has much to give, and also to gain. It is clear that there are significant areas of strategic convergence between India and the United States on space issues. This is why, in 2011, we launched the first U.S.-India space security discussions as part of an effort to ensure that our two countries exchange views on this increasingly important domain.
We are not only looking to strengthen our current alliances and partnerships, but to forge deeper ties with emerging spacefaring nations. That is why I’ve spent a great deal of time in Asia in the past two years, discussing space security issues with my counterparts in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Our increasing engagement with ASEAN members is part of a broader effort by the United States to deepen our commitment to the region and to work with all nations to ensure a sustainable and secure space environment. To that end, we were proud to participate in and support last December’s ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) workshop on space security, co-hosted by Vietnam and Australia. This event was extremely important in that it was the first time the ARF members had come together to discuss space security issues. The event truly emphasized that space is vital for development and security of all nations, and that we must work together to preserve the benefits for future generations. ARF members welcomed space issues into the ARF and called for more workshops. As a major forum for a large group of established and emerging spacefaring nations, the ARF provides an ideal opportunity to strengthen and develop the region’s space expertise.
Building our Relationship with China
Finally, another pillar of our approach to the rebalance is building a constructive relationship with China. There are few diplomatic, economic, or security challenges in the world that can be addressed without China at the table, including the issues confronting the space environment. To that end, we are also trying to engage China on space security bilaterally and multilaterally. Both the United States and China have an interest in maintaining the long-term sustainability of the space environment, especially limiting the creation of long-lived space debris. To this end, we are working to establish a direct line of communication between U.S. and Chinese officials in order to provide the Chinese with timely conjunction notifications. Additionally, it is important that we discuss space security issues bilaterally given our common interests in preventing misperceptions, mistrust, and miscalculations. While we recognize that we may not agree on every issue, it is vital that we begin these discussions and keep improving our channels of communication.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I’d like to quote former Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, who in 2012 said, "The long-term sustainability of our space environment is at serious risk from space debris and irresponsible actors. Ensuring the stability, safety, and security of our space systems is of vital interest to the United States and the global community." The United States is committed to addressing the challenges facing the space environment. However, we recognize that we cannot address these challenges alone. All nations – including those in the Asia-Pacific region, which is seeing a rapid expansion in its number of spacefaring nations, and rapid development of those nations’ capabilities – should work together to adopt approaches for responsible activity in space to preserve its use for the benefit of future generations. Therefore, as U.S. foreign and defense policy rebalances to the Asia-Pacific, we are deepening our engagement with the region on space security issues.
Thank you again for the opportunity to speak here today. I look forward to the discussion.
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