INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Request for Wirec Follow-Up; Honorable Kazuyuki

Published: Wed 31 Oct 2007 07:06 PM
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OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #1077 3041923
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O 311906Z OCT 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 0000
UNCLAS STATE 151077
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR ECON AND ESTOFF
FOR COPHENHAGEN PLEASE PASS TO REO
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TRGY SOCI KPAO ENRG JA
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR WIREC FOLLOW-UP; HONORABLE KAZUYUKI
TAKEUCHI (DIRECTOR, ECONOMIC SECURITY DIVISION, MINISTRY
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS)
1. THIS IS AN ACTION CABLE, PLEASE SEE PARA 3.
2. SUMMARY: The week of September 24th, OES P/DAS Reno
Harnish met with Japan's Kazuyuki Takeuchi (Director,
Economic Security Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to
discuss the Washington International Renewable Energy
Conference (WIREC 2008). As part of that discussion, Harnish
highlighted the need for strong developing country
participation and requested Japan's consideration of
providing financial support (REFTEL). This letter follows up
on those conversations and requests the Government of Japan's
financial support for developing country participants to
attend WIREC 2008. END SUMMARY.
3. ACTION: Post is requested to deliver the letter dated
October 22, 2007 to Mr. Takeuchi.
(NB: The hard copy of the letter has been delivered to the
DCM at their embassy in Washington).
4. BEGIN TEXT
Dear Mr. Takeuchi:
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of meeting with
Minister Kenji Goto and First Secretary Naoki Hikota to
discuss the Washington International Renewable Energy
Conference (WIREC 2008), which will be held March 4-6, 2008
at the Washington Convention Center. I enjoyed meeting
them, and look forward to our continued interaction
concerning WIREC 2008, and creating synergies between the
conference and Japan,s chairmanship of the G8, which I
understand will include a focus on renewable energy.
As the third global ministerial-level event on renewable
energy, WIREC 2008 is expected to draw 2,000 senior level
participants from around the world, including leaders from
national and sub-national governments, the private sector,
and civil society. WIREC 2008 will also feature a co-located
trade show/business conference, separately managed by the
American Council on Renewable Energy and other renewable
energy partnering organizations from U.S. and international
renewable energy associations.
Since my meeting with Minister Goto and First Secretary
Hikota, the State Department hosted WIREC,s kick-off event
on October 2. The event drew over two hundred
representatives from the private sector, civil society and
foreign governments. Under Secretary of State for Democracy
and Global Affairs Dobriansky and Under Secretary of
Agriculture for Rural Development provided opening remarks
and representatives from the White House, the Departments of
Energy and Commerce and the Environmental Protection Agency
also participated. Please see www.wirec2008.gov for
additional information.
Robust participation of developing countries from
government (federal and subnational), the private sector and
civil society will enhance the success of WIREC 2008. We
would like to provide financial support for both official
delegations as well as key developing country renewable
energy experts. We estimate that $5,500 will be needed to
cover the travel and per diem costs for each developing
country participant. During our meeting, you indicated the
possibility of providing funds to support the attendance of
developing country delegates. The purpose of my letter is to
follow up on our discussion.
I would be grateful for any assistance the Government of
Japan could provide to help us achieve our goal. If you wish
to provide support for developing country travel, you may
provide funds to a special account established by the US
Energy Association (USEA) for this purpose. USEA is a
non-governmental entity, which has served a similar
coordinating role for previous Ministerial-level conferences
and is also serving as our contractor for other aspects of
WIREC 2008). USEA will coordinate with donor governments to
handle the necessary travel arrangements and provide donor
governments with an accounting for the sponsored delegations.
Ms. Marjorie Jean-Pierre, Deputy Program Manager, is the
USEA point of contact. She can be reached by phone at
1-202-312-1230 or via e-mail at mjean-pierre@usea.org.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding
this request. I am also eager to hear your suggestions and
recommendations. If you would find it helpful, I would
welcome the chance to discuss WIREC 2008 with you in greater
detail either when you are next in Washington, or via a video
or telephone conference call. I would also appreciate your
providing me with a working contact in your ministry for my
staff to discuss WIREC,s progress in detail. Sincerely, Reno
Harnish Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary. End Text.
5. No hard copy to follow.
RICE
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