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A very specific special envoy appointed - Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy

US STATE DEPT: The Secretary has appointed Ambassador Richard L. Morningstar as Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy.

Ambassador Morningstar and his staff will support the United States’ energy goals in the Eurasian region. He will work on key energy issues relating to Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Central Asia and the Caucasus. He will provide the Secretary with strategic advice on policy issues relating to development, transit, and distribution of energy resources in Eurasia.

U.S.-MEXICO ANNOUNCE BILATERAL FRAMEWORK ON CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

THIS RELEASED FROM THE WHITE  HOUSE --- U.S.-MEXICO  ANNOUNCE BILATERAL FRAMEWORK ON CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

President Obama and President Calderon today announced plans to strengthen and deepen bilateral cooperation by establishing the US-Mexico Bilateral Framework on Clean Energy and Climate Change. During their first conversation in January 2009, then President-elect Obama and President Calderon discussed the need for joint efforts to reach our common goal of achieving a low carbon future and a clean energy economy. This framework builds on that discussion.

During their discussions in Mexico City today, the two leaders agreed on the importance of promoting clean energy and combating climate change and the value of joint and practical collaboration in achieving these goals.

US asked to leave Yongbyon North Korea -- Abort Shutdown, Monitoring

Four U.S technical experts are currently at Yongbyon. They are preparing to leave. Questions about North Korea continued at a fierce pace for a second day. Here's the US State Dept. Daily Press Briefing
April 15, 2009 - STATEMENTS RELATED TO NORTH KOREA

US STATE DEPT: U.S. Government experts and staff monitoring the shutdown and disablement of the Yongbyon facilities have been asked by North Korean authorities to depart the DPRK. Our team on the ground is making preparations to leave. We are discussing next steps on this matter with the DPRK.

The IAEA informed members of the Board of Governors on Tuesday that the DPRK had decided to cease all cooperation immediately with the IAEA, and requested IAEA inspectors to leave the DPRK at the earliest possible time. We refer to you the IAEA regarding the current status of their experts in Yongbyon. So that’s where we are.

IRAN Diplomacy = P-5+1 and the IAEA

Secy. Clinton commented on the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) process :
Under Secretary Bill Burns is now participating in the P-5+1 as a full participant, not just as an observer. And obviously, we believe that, you know, pursuing very careful engagement on a range of issues that affect our interests and the interests of the world with Iran makes sense, and there’s nothing more important than trying to convince Iran to cease its efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon. --Wash. DC, April 8th, 2009

Here's the March 5th Statement of “P5+1” Group on Iran’s Nuclear Program from the IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS, March 2009 SESSION

 STATEMENT

Statement on behalf of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

We thank the Director General for his report on the "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards and relevant provisions of UN Security Council Resolutions 1737, 1747, 1803, and 1835 in the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The Diplomacy of Climate Change -- US to World: 'We believe'

'George Bush didn't believe in climate change. I do...'
'we're going to turn off all the lights and everybody is going to stop driving...'

Climate Change and environmental issues have not been center stage on US President Barak Obama's diplomatic, economic (G20) and defense (NATO) tour of Europe. The Climate issue has been ever-present, however, in the more informal sessions and Town Halls, many having younger demographics.

These remarks came in response to questions from the audience at Obama's Town Hall in Istanbul, TURKEY, Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Responding to how he is different than Pres. Bush:
OBAMA: When it comes to climate change, George Bush didn't believe in climate change. I do believe in climate change, I think it's important. That doesn't mean that suddenly the day I'm elected I can say, OK, we're going to turn off all the lights and everybody is going to stop driving. Right? All I can do is to start moving policies that over time are going to obtain different results.

He also responded to a question specifically about what he will do about Climate Change:
OBAMA: As many of you know, I think the science tells us that the planet is getting warmer because of carbon gases that are being sent into the atmosphere. And if we do not take steps soon to deal with it, then you could see an increase of three, four, five degrees, which would have a devastating effect, the oceans would rise; we don't know what would happen to the beauty of Istanbul if suddenly the seas rise. Changing weather patterns would create extraordinary drought in some regions, floods in others. It could have a devastating effect on human civilization. So we've got to take steps to deal with this.

When the Kyoto Protocol was put forward, the United States opted out of it, as did China and some other countries, and I think that was a mistake, particularly because the United States and, is the biggest carbon, has been the biggest carbon producer. China is now becoming the biggest carbon producer because its population is so large. And so we need to bring an international agreement together very soon.

INDIA - US Relationship: Energy and Climate Change

Selected excerpts Release by US State Dept.:
Energy is another fruitful avenue for bilateral cooperation. In a country where 500 million people still lack access to electricity, the United States and India have enormous opportunities to collaborate on energy generation and infrastructure. The U.S. is committed to working directly with India as a robust partner on civilian nuclear energy. Our governments have taken some steps toward realization of the 1-2-3 Agreement, but we both need to do more, and we look forward to working with India to fulfill the promise of civilian nuclear energy cooperation. President Obama has just sent our first trade mission to India, and it’ s on solar energy. Energy is a focal point of our relationship, and trade in renewable energy technologies has the possibility of taking our relationship to new heights...

Later this year, the world will come together in Copenhagen to consider the next steps in addressing climate change. The United States and India are at different stages of development, and India’s overall share of greenhouse gas emissions is small compared to the U.S. and other leading emitters. Indian Special Envoy on climate change Shyam Saran is in Washington this week, and will be speaking to you later today, and we look forward to engaging with him on this important issue.

The U.S. is committed to putting in place a mandatory plan to cut its own emissions. But India too has a responsibility to play a leadership role in helping to bring about a consensus that brings both developed and developing countries into a global framework. I understand that India has concerns about caps, but with its growing emissions, we must work with India to ensure it is part of any effective solution to climate change. We stand ready not only to look at how American technologies can be linked to any solution, but how we can partner with India to develop new, greener energy sources and promote conservation. Furthermore, India’s high energy demand and insufficient domestic energy resources make it a prime partner for potential investment and technology sharing, both as part of the climate change agenda and also broader energy development.

-- Excerpts of statement by James B. Steinberg, Deputy Secretary, The Brookings Institution,
Washington, DC, March 23, 2009   Release by US State Dept. --

Special Envoy for Climate Change

From US State Dept, Washington, DC, March 23, 2009

Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change Jonathan Pershing

Jonathan Pershing was sworn in as Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change on March 19, 2009. In this capacity, he will report to Special Envoy Todd Stern and serve as the Department’s senior climate negotiator and Head of Delegation at official level meetings of UN climate change conferences. Dr. Pershing brings more than 20 years of domestic and international experience in climate change science, technology, and policy to his new position as a key advisor on United States international climate policy and strategy.
Prior to joining the State Department, Dr. Pershing served as Director of the Climate, Energy and Pollution Program at the World Resources Institute (WRI), a non-partisan environmental think tank in Washington, D.C. He also directed the Environment Program at the International Energy Agency in Paris, and spent nearly a decade in the State Department as a senior climate official in the 1990s. Dr. Pershing is widely recognized for his work on international climate change architecture, including the design of a post-Kyoto Protocol climate change agreement. He has served on multinational advisory boards supporting the development of both U.S. domestic and international climate policy.

Secy. Clinton thinking about the Environment -- New EPA to prioritize Greenhouse Gas Emissions?

Daily Appointments Schedule for Secretary of State Clinton, March 20, 2009, Washington, DC

SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON:
8:30 a.m. -- Breakfast meeting with EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) Administrator Lisa Jackson.
1:30 p.m. -- Meeting with American Foreign Service Association officials.

Today's BIO BRIEF-- Lisa P. Jackson: Administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency : Born in Pennsylvania, and grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tulane, Princeton Universities: Chemical Engineering. Other positions before becoming EPA’s Administrator: Chief of Staff, New Jersey Gov. Corzine, Commissioner of the N.J.Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); More from her EPA bio: "...known for her advocacy for reducing greenhouse gases, aggressively addressing pollution, and having an open and honest dialogue with stakeholders in the public policy process.  She was also noted for ensuring that underserved communities received fair environmental protection under the law...
...As EPA’s Administrator, Lisa P. Jackson leads a staff of approximately 18,000 professionals dedicated to protecting the public health and environment of all Americans.  She was nominated to lead the Agency by President Barack Obama on December 15, 2008 and confirmed by the Senate on January 23, 2009.  She is the first African American to serve in that position...Administrator Jackson lists among her priorities reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, managing chemical risks, cleaning up hazardous waste sites, and protecting America’s water."

She recently proposed a 'comprehensive national system for reporting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by major sources in the United States'. Regarding the system she said; “Our efforts to confront climate change must be guided by the best possible information...Through this new reporting, we will have comprehensive and accurate data about the production of greenhouse gases. This is a critical step toward helping us better protect our health and environment – all without placing an onerous burden on our nation’s small businesses."

IRAN to be part of UK's 'global nuclear bargain' ?

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown has called for a “global nuclear bargain for our times”. Speaking, Tues. March 17th, at the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference in London, he spoke about the balance between global society's needs of nuclear power and the threats of nuclear proliferation. He said:  “We must invest in all sources of carbon energy - energy efficiency, renewables, carbon capture and storage, and nuclear power. Given the scale of global emissions reductions required and the likely costs, no cost-effective low carbon technology must be off-limits.”

He cited Iran as a test case, saying that Iran has to make a "clear choice” to continue as usual face further sanctions, or adopt a UN overseen civil nuclear energy program.
Read more from 10 Downing Street.

World Leaders prepare for London: G-20 Agenda INTRO | BRIEF

Leaders from the G-20, or Group of 20 are gearing up to meet in London April 2nd.
 Argentina  Australia  Brazil  Canada  China  France  Germany  India
  Indonesia  Italy  Japan  Mexico  Russia  Saudi Arabia  South Africa
 South Korea  Turkey  United Kingdom  United States   European Union

Clearly it's all about global economic crisis, but what specifically, is on the agenda? Major areas include: International Cooperation, Bank Supervision, Credit, Unemployment, Trade / Export, Climate Change, Oil / Energy Policy.

The UK is the host and UK leaders have been commenting on the proposed agenda for the highly important, high-level meeting.  The G20 Research Group at the Univ. of Toronto, has produced a report called Plans for the London G20 Summit. Here are a few highlights, excerpted from major agenda items section of an in-depth report by Jenilee Guebert, Senior Researcher at the G 20 Information Center

International Cooperation: In late January, British prime minister Gordon Brown set out his agenda for the G20 crisis summit in London, saying he would push for a new global financial architecture to prevent future turmoil... The priorities would be “an early warning system of risk on any continent in the world economy,” as well as replacing “the patchwork of current regulation.”

Bank Supervision:  As of February 11, G20 countries planned to increase capital requirements for banks and take a tough stance against tax havens. According to unnamed sources, the G20 countries were discussing a model whereby banks would be required to boost their capital in good economic times to ensure they had a cushion during the bad times…European leaders will discuss their ideas for “bad banks” to absorb toxic assets and take their proposals to the G20 meeting in London in April.

Hedge Funds:   tighter controls...brought into the regulatory net under a widely predicted shake-up.
Credit Cards: Gordon Brown said there needed to be “proper measures to regulate” the credit card industry...“excessive interest rates that are being charged.”

Unemployment: Labor Leaders: The financial crisis will turn into a social time-bomb unless the G20 takes immediate and radical action to save and create jobs...risk of a return to the deflationary environment of the 1930s as businesses sought to cut costs...need for a “Green new deal”...climate-friendly investment and jobs.

Trade: British finance minister: The G20 meeting in April must come out with a very strong statement against protectionism...[need to be] very tough on protectionism. It was disastrous in the 1930s. It would be disastrous today...

Climate Change: The G20 leaders are expected to ensure that their fiscal stimulus measures to address the global financial crisis will also lead to the creation of a low-carbon world economy...further talks on 'Green new deal' to address the financial crisis and climate change simultaneously, a plan to spur green technology investment and generate jobs advocated by U.S. president Barack Obama, UN secretary general Ban Ki Moon and other world leaders.

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In an a backgrounder from the Council on Foreign Relations,  Lee Hudson Teslik, says that setting the agenda priorities for future meetings is also imperative:  "Given the problems facing G-20 leaders--and the fact that the summit itself will last a matter of hours--setting out a list of priorities for future meetings will be a major first objective. This is particularly true when it comes to coordinating financial reforms..."  He also reports that "...Experts say G-20 leaders can reassure markets" by confirming certain G20 agenda items"... but that "comments from the media and policymakers--Gordon Brown's "global New Deal," for instance--create 'lofty expectations'. 

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The official statement from the LONDON SUMMIT 2009 website, says that 'World leaders must make three commitments'.

On 2 April 2009, world leaders from the G20 countries – representing 85% of the world’s output – will meet in London. They will meet against the backdrop of the worst international banking crisis in generations.

Confidence in the international banking system has fallen. Major institutions have failed. Countries around the world have entered recession, with falling trade and rising unemployment.

At the Summit, countries need to come together to enhance global coordination in order to help restore global economic growth. World leaders must make three commitments:

• First, to take whatever action is necessaryry to stabilise financial markets and enable families and businesses to get through the recession.

• Second, to reform and strengthen the global financial and economic system to restore confidence and trust.

• Third, to put the global economy on track for sustainable growth.

The London Summit will take place against the backdrop of exceptionally challenging economic circumstances. But, just as after the Second World War visionary leaders laid the groundwork for 30 years of prosperity and growth, built on international economic cooperation, this crisis is also an opportunity.

The world’s leading economies can come together and lay the foundations not just for a sustainable economic recovery, but also for a genuinely new era of international economic partnership – a global deal,in which all countries have a part to play and all will see the benefits.

Obama on Energy: 'We have a lot to learn from Brazil

US President Influencial Latin American Leader find common ground on 'progressive, forward-looking leadership'

a After his White House meeting with the President of Brazil, Obama said that he is "great admirer of the progressive, forward-looking leadership that President Lula has shown,"  President Lula said that a range of the topics covered in the meeting, including:  stemming the global financial crisis, global unemployment and development in Africa and Latin America.

The two leaders also talked about energy. Would Brazil's cutting edge embrace of biofuels create competitive friction between the US and Brazil? Obama said:  "I think Brazil has shown extraordinary leadership when it comes to biofuels.  And I've been a great admirer of the steps that have been taken by President Lula's government in pursuing biofuels and developing them.  And this is an investment that Brazil has made for a very long time. My policies coming into this administration have been to redouble efforts here in the United States to pursue a similar path of clean energy development.  And I think we have a lot to learn from Brazil."

 

"...As I mentioned to President Lula, I think we have the potential to exchange ideas, technology to build on the biodiesel cooperation structure that we've already established.  I know that the issue of Brazilian ethanol coming into the United States has been a source of tension between the two countries.  It's not going to change overnight, but I do think that as we continue to build exchanges of ideas, commerce, trade around the issue of biodiesel, that over time this source of tension can get resolved."

 

Continuing on the topic of Energy, President Lula said:  "As time goes by, Brazil is proving that biofuel is an extraordinary alternative...And slowly other countries will join the biofuel effort...
...I talked with President Obama about the possibility for us to build partnerships with third-party countries, especially a joint project with the African continent.  And things will move forward as people start changing.  No one can change overnight, in terms of their energy matrix.  Thank God for 30 years Brazil has already control -- technological control and know-how on this issue...And when President Obama comes to visit Brazil I'm going to ask him to get inside a car that is run by a flex-fuel engine and he will feel very comfortable..."

 

Obama - Lula Meeting -- An opening to Latin America?

President Obama's meeting with the Brazilian leader is being seen by regional experts as more than just a bilateral talk between to large nations. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is very popular in Brazil and influential in Latin America. Will he be a bridge to better US relations with Venezuela, Ecuador or even Bolivia? The two leaders met Saturday, March 14th, at the White House.
A few highlights from this State Dept. Briefing:
This will be the first opportunity for the Brazilian president and President Obama to meet here in Washington, D.C. They have spoken by phone several times, both after the election of President Obama and especially following his Inauguration. This, from our point of view, is a great opportunity for the United States to build on an important relationship that we have with Brazil, a country which we have an important bilateral relationship with, an important regional relationship with, and an important global relationship.
And it is a relationship that has focused broadly not only on the diplomatic challenges that we face throughout the region and globally, but also focuses on issues such as energy partnership, the fight to promote social inclusion, and especially the – our ability to work together with an international organization in pursuit of broad goals of peace and development throughout the world...
...We appreciate Brazil’s interest in promoting constructive dialogue throughout the region. This has been an important aspect of Brazilian diplomacy for quite some time.

From: Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., Assistant Secretary to Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs

Bio Brief on the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva: Born in 1945, Lulu's early emergence into the realm of politics began in 1969 with elected positions in the Metallurgist’s Trade Union and later in other areas of the Brazilian Union movement. In 1980 Lula founded the Workers Party (PT).  According to the President's official bio., prior to being elected President:  "the National PT Convention approved a broad political alliance (PT, PL, PCdoB, PCB and PMN) based on a government program intended to redeem the essential social debts that the country owes to the great majority of the Brazilian people. Lula was first elected President of Brazil in 2002 and re-elected President in 2006.  Read the official Bio.