Con-Dem government's 'recipe for muddle and confusion' on energy – Ed Miliband
Ed Miliband MP, Labour's Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary, today told the House of Commons that the coalition’s energy policy is only papering over the cracks and fails to deliver the long term coherence and certainty that the country needs.Ed Miliband said:"In this area above all the country needs a clear sense of direction. Instead this is a government with not one, not two but three positions on new nuclear:"A government notionally in favour of it."A Liberal Democrat representative who will speak against it."And the party itself that will sit on the fence in any vote."We always knew being a Lib Dem in opposition meant not having to choose but old habits seem to die hard."If this government carries on as it has started, fudging some key differences, papering over the cracks, it will be a recipe for muddle and confusion and not the long-term direction we need."Their renewables policy doesn’t yet add up because they have Lib Dem targets with Tory planning policy."Their nuclear policy doesn’t add up because they have three positions."And on industrial policy, the risk is that short-term cuts will deny us the long-term economic strength we need."In the months ahead we will be holding them to account to deliver – because it is in everyone in this country’s interests that we deliver on fairness, on energy security, and on climate change."

The Tanzania Prime minister Hon.Mizengo Pinda was in London to meet the community

Ayoub Mzee with the Tanzania Prime Minister Hon Mizengo Pinda and The Tanzani High commissioner in London H.E Mwanaidi Sinare Majaar

TA leaders listening attentively

Waziri Mkuu Pinda , The Chairman of TA Mr Joh Lusingu , the High commissioner nad the secretary General of TA Mr Hafidh at at the High Table

Signing the visitors book

Tanzania Prime minister Mizengo Kayanza Peter Pinda signing the visitor's book at the Tanzania High commission London

The Tanzania Prime minister giving certificates of appreciation to the Tanzania Association Leaders in London

SPEECH BY H.E. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, TO THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE SECOND EAST AFRICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY; Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, Kenya, 25 May 2010




SPEECH: State of the East African Community Address by H.E Jakaya Kikwete



SPEECH BY H.E. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, TO THE FIFTH MEETING OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE SECOND EAST AFRICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY; Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, Kenya, 25 May 2010
Rt Hon. Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly; Rt Hon. Kenneth Marende, Speaker of the Kenyan Parliament;Honourable Chairperson of the Council of Ministers;Honourable Members of the East African Legislative Assembly;Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen,
I thank you, Mr. Speaker, for inviting me to address this august East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on the State of the East African Community. I also thank the Speaker of the Kenyan Parliament Hon. Kenneth Marende for the warm words of welcome and for the gracious hospitality in allowing the EALA to use this historic chamber of his Parliament.
Mr. Speaker,I applaud and congratulate you for the wise decision of instituting the annual State of the East African Community Address to be made by the seating Chairman of the Assembly of Heads of States of the East African Community Partner States. I am here today because of that noble decision of yours and I pray that this tradition is maintained. May I suggest that in future we do two things. Let there be a specific written report on the state of the Community to be tabled, by the Chairman before this House for discussion. And, then the Chairman’s speech in the House presenting that report. I suggest this because there are so many important things that happen in a year which cannot be covered in the limited time of the Chairman’s address.
Let me hasten to say that the East African Community is a vibrant and very strong regional integration organisation. It is ever growing from strength to strength with each passing year. Thanks to the commitment and steadfastness of the people of East Africa, their governments and, we, their leaders including you, Members of the East African Legislative Assembly, for the lofty gains made so far. I look to the future of our Community with a great sense of optimism for even greater successes.
Honourable Speaker,The past year has been very eventful for our Community and our integration agenda. We celebrated the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the East African Community. Indeed, it was a decade of great progress as we successfully navigated our way from cooperation to integration. As you may remember, the Charter of the Establishment of the East African Community stipulates that the Customs Union will be the entry point in our integration roadmap. December 31st, 2009 marked the successful completion of the 5-year transition period of the East African Customs Union. Beginning January 1st, 2010 East Africa became a full fledged Customs Union region. Since then, all goods produced in East Africa which conform to the agreed rules of origin principle move across the borders of the five East African Community member states duty free and without non-tariff barriers.




Honourable Speaker, The Customs Union has had a positive impact on the economies of the Partner States contrary to the original fears that it could be otherwise. Trade has increased tremendously and all nations have benefitted. By comparison, between 2005 and 2008 intra-East African Community trade increased from USD1,847.3 million to USD 2,715.4 million. Government revenues which were feared would drop have not and, instead, there is evidence of increase.
The Customs Union has worked well for all of us so far. I am aware that there is need to do some more work to smoothen matters so as to enable it to attain optimal operational status. Fortunately, we all know what needs to be done, in this regard. I have no doubt in my mind that we will surely do the needful and get where we want to be. The only thing that is required of us is continued commitment and dedicated service to make things happen the way we want them.
Honourable Speaker,There are three things, among the several others, that I would like to highlight. I mention these because I think they need to be given special attention. The first one is about how to fully integrate Rwanda and Burundi into the East African Customs Union. These two sister countries are late comers and they are relatively smaller economies compared to the three original East African Community countries of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. I am sure these need to be assisted accordingly.
The second is about how to make our region a single customs territory whereby duties for imported goods are paid at the port of entry. This way evasion of tax that could be done by some unscrupulous importers in the name of transit goods could be avoided. I am aware that elaborate systems should be put in place so that the revenues that are due to the nation where goods are destined are expeditiously and duly remitted by the collecting nation.

Honourable Speaker, The third thing I would like to mention is the removal of infrastructure related barriers both physical and non physical. This is critical for smooth flow of trade and people of our region, who are the main actors and objects of the integration project. Good physical infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports, inland water ways, airports, energy and telecommunications are essential for a well functioning customs union and common market. Despite the huge challenges, I am happy with our commitments to overcome them. I know and applaud the many plans and programmes to address each of the infrastructure deficit. We need to stay the course. And, we also need to do a lot more in terms of using own resources where possible and mobilisation of donor support, where feasible, for infrastructure development in East Africa. It is not possible for our nations to realise the full benefits of regional integration where there is no reliable infrastructure. For sure the markets will not be accessible, hence render all of our effort an exercise in futility. COMMON MARKET
Honourable Speaker,Another major milestone erected last year in our integration process is the signing of the Common Market Protocol. That act alone propelled the East African Community into the most advanced regional integration organisation on the African continent. I am glad to learn that all member states have started the process of ratification of the Protocol.
I am aware also that some have done so already and some have even gone further and deposited the instruments of ratification with the Secretary General of the East African Community. I am quite confident that come 1st July, 2010 the East African Common Market will be in place. I am happy, also, that work is underway on the draft protocol on the establishment of the Monetary Union. I hope the negotiation process will as anticipated, be completed within the set time frames.
Honourable Speaker,The significance of the EAC Common Market should also be viewed in the context of the emerging COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite arrangement whereby the three Regional Economic Communities are working towards the establishment of a Grand Free Trade Area, later a Customs Union and eventually their merger into one Economic Community. I would like to commend the Secretariats of the three RECs for the good work done so far. Consultations are now underway to hold the Tripartite Summit during this year where the Heads of State will pronounce themselves on the exact date for the commencement of the FTA. Let me add, Mr Speaker, that through the Tripartite Arrangement, a unique collaboration has emerged to address regional infrastructure challenges. COMESA-EAC-SADC are now jointly working on mobilising resources for the development of the major transport corridors in our new expanded region. The corridors include the following: the North-South Corridor linking the port of Dar-es-Salaam and the port of Durban; the Northern Corridor linking the Mombasa Port with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern DRC; and the Central Corridor linking Dar-es-Salaam Port with Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Eastern DRC.
Under the Tripartite arrangement, plans are being made to hold an Aid for Trade Conference to identify potential resources for the development of these three corridors. A new Corridor is also under development linking the new Port at Lamu with Juba in Southern Sudan and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. I am aware that the Kenya Government is at an advanced stage in securing funding for implementation.
DROUGHT AND FOOD SECURITY IN EAST AFRICA
Mr. Speaker, Despite the successes we have attained in the integration process, the past year has been a very challenging one for the economic wellbeing of our countries. Firstly, there was the worst drought our region has encountered in many decades. The drought and its resultant food insecurity exposed our region to its most vulnerable state. Crops failed and pastoralists in some parts of Kenya and northern Tanzania lost a lot of their livestock. Some lost up to 60 and 70 percent of their herds.
Many of our people had to suffer the indignity of begging food as their means of livelihoods were entirely destroyed. This year, the rains are good and in some parts they have been in excess thus causing floods and their resultant damages. There will be good harvest in many areas that suffered the drought. However, the adversities we faced during 2009 were a grim reminder of our vulnerability. We need to improve on our disaster preparedness, ensure food security and pay greater attention to the environmental threats and its direct effect on the quality of lives of our people.
Honourable Speaker,The EAC will have to place high priority on food security and agricultural development and environmental management. Following our decision at the last November Summit, the first EAC Special Summit on Food Security and Climate Change will be held this year. The Summit will focus on how best to expand agricultural production and improve agricultural productivity within our national and regional framework, as well as to set out effective measures to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The other challenge which proved to be a major threat to the economic wellbeing of our countries and people was the global economic financial crisis and slowdown. None of our countries was responsible for this problem but, we suffered adversely and continue to suffer from its effects. We have suffered from declining demand and low prices for our export as well as low tourist arrivals and low revenues as a result, GDP growth declined to less than projected.
We were faced with the daunting responsibility of rescuing and assisting the affected sectors and businesses a matter which we could not do much. There is some glimmer of hope but the great challenges remain ahead of us. We have to remain watchful. I suggest that we, in the East African Community need to find time and discuss this problem and agree on the common course of action going forward.
POLITICS AND DEMOCRACY IN EAST AFRICA
Mr. Speaker, This year is a very important one for politics and democracy in our region. Within the coming 10 months, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda will be holding elections. Kenya will be involved in a constitutional referendum and so will Tanzania, Zanzibar. This is both an exciting and challenging time for our region. Exciting because we have an opportunity to demonstrate to the entire world and to our own people, that democracy reigns and democratic values are taking root in our Community.
It is challenging because we have to ensure that the elections and referendums are conducted in a manner that they will be free, fair and peaceful. Experience has shown that many countries in Africa have degenerated into political crises and violence after elections. Partly this is precipitated by flaws in management of the electoral processes – but, also because some people are yet to embrace the culture of accepting defeat and acknowledging winners.
Honourable Speaker, Entrenching democracy, democratic values and culture in our region, are critical for ensuring smooth integration as well as peace and prosperity. I congratulate this House for its strong advocacy for democracy in our region. We have to make all efforts to build the administrative capacity and muster political will to conduct free, fair and peaceful elections.
I understand that, over the years, the EALA has participated in election observation in the Partner States and contributed to the quest for strengthening democracy in our region. I also understand that the EAC Council of Ministers will examine an Electoral Observation Manual for EAC. This is a good development which I fully support. I am of the view, however, that the time has come for the East African Community to consider developing common principles and guidelines governing democratic elections in our region and ensures their observance.
CRITICAL ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD
Mr. Speaker, Before I conclude, allow me to highlight some of the challenges facing the Community today and how we can work together to address them. The first relates to the need for a reliable and sustainable financing of the Community. This is a long standing issue. It assumes greater importance today because deeper integration requires higher levels of resource availability. Apart from perennial appeals to Partner States for timely remittances of contributions, it is imperative that we develop alternative mechanisms of funding the EAC. The Summit is keen on getting concrete proposals on this important matter.
The second critical challenge centres on better planning and implementation of regional programmes. It is opportune that we have just embarked on the preparation of the 4th EAC Development Strategy (2011-2016). We need to ensure, therefore, that the Strategy focuses on well selected objectives which are SMART; that is to say they are Simple, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. Sometimes our resource deficit is compounded by our strategies which are very broad and unfocused. The late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere taught Tanzanians one good thing about that “Kupanga ni Kuchagua” which literally means that “to plan is to choose”. Let us be guided by this mantra in developing the 4th development strategy.
Last but not least, we need greater political will and popular participation in the Community. This involves a multi-variety of interventions by the broad spectrum of EAC stakeholders on aligning national visions, activities and strategic plans to regional integration objectives and goals. The overriding principle of a people centred integration demands that the East African regional integration process be owned by the people for it to have relevance and chance of success. As we move into the Common Market, a number of challenges will emerge requiring broad based stakeholder consultation. Our Community is people-centered so, let us make sure that we pursue broader participation in every step of the way.
Mr. Speaker,In posing these challenges, I am also making an appeal to this Assembly to ensure that it examines these issues and comes up with ideas, strategies and programmes which can be shared with other EAC organs and institutions in making the EAC a more effective organisation. The EAC mission is definitely clear and ambitious: to maintain the momentum and build on our strengths and successes to realise higher levels of integration. We have established high goals in our regional integration agenda and let each one of us play his or her part properly in realising these goals.
AVOID DANGER TO OUR COMMUNITY
Honourable Speaker, The successes we have attained are so precious that we must make all efforts to protect and sustain them. We must guard against reversals and for us who have the experience of a Community collapsing in 1977 have to be extra vigilant. I must acknowledge that so far, we have done well in trying to avoid the mistakes of the past which brought down the previous Community. I call upon all East Africans political leaders, journalists, opinion leaders and commentators, to avoid taking actions or making utterances that would antagonise another Partner State or their leaders and people. Such are things which erode mutual trust and confidence, which are critical for a successful regional integration project. We should realise that it is words as much as deeds, that brought down the EAC in 1977.
In fact, it is lack of mutual trust and confidence among the Partner States, that ensured because of that which precipitated the demise of the former East African Community. We must guard against repeating that mistake again. I know, there may arise differences among us but let’s find better ways of working them out. And, the best way is to sit down and talk about them. We should avoid making public statements against each other which will poison the goodwill and kill the existing spirit of brotherhood and cooperation. We must know that we cannot move forward this integration project in an atmosphere of bad faith and mistrust.
Also, as partners in a joint endeavour we should not rejoice at, or partake in engineering the setbacks of our fellow members. And, we certainly do not have to be despondent at, or downplay, the triumphs of our fellow members. If we let these things take hold, we will just move with our integration on paper, but we will have left behind the hearts and minds of our people and of our own. We will have failed as leaders because we will weaken the noble institution we are trying to build with dire consequences. We cannot afford to fail this time around. We should all say, Never and Never Again”.In concluding, I must thank my Brother, H.E President Mwai Kibaki for the usual warm reception and hospitality. We in the EAC wish him and the brotherly people of Kenya every best wishes and God speed in the forthcoming Constitution referendum.
Mr. Speaker, I once again thank you for your invitation and wish you and esteemed Members of the East African Assembly well as you continue to serve the interests of the East African people. I thank you for your kind attention!

U.S. Department of State

WHAT: Washington Foreign Press Center On-The-Record BriefingBRIEFERS: Cristián Maquieira, Chair, International Whaling Commission Monica Medina, U.S. Commissioner, International Whaling Commission and Commerce Department Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and AtmosphereTOPIC: International Whaling Commission’s Proposal to Limit Commercial Whaling
WHEN: Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 11:30 a.m.WHERE: National Press Building, 529 14th Street, NW, Suite 800
In 1986 a ban was enacted that was supposed to stop commercial whaling. But whaling never ended. Over the past twenty-four years, more than 35,000 whales have been hunted and the numbers continue to grow. To save whales from being killed, the International Whaling Commission (IWC, http://www.iwcoffice.org/) issued a draft proposal on April 22, 2010 representing a historic step forward. The proposal offered a “10-year peace plan” during which several thousand whales would be saved and there would be strict, enforceable, limits on all whaling operations, including those in the three countries currently setting their own catch limits: Japan, Norway and Iceland. If agreed to in Agadir, Morocco during the June 21-25 meetings, the proposal will lift the largely unsuccessful ban on commercial whaling for the first time since 1986. An agreement reached by the IWC’s 88-member governments would be a sharp change from longstanding pro- or anti- whaling sentiments and allow the focus to be on concerns such as climate change, pollution, and the hundreds of ship strikes and thousands of fatal fishing gear entanglements that have killed thousands of whales over the years.
Please RSVP to Jean Duggan at http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=dugganjc@state.gov, or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/USDoS.FPC

Queen's Speech 2010: Bill by bill
Here is an at-a-glance list of the bills outlined in the 2010 Queen's Speech programme:
Academies Bill
Will give more schools in England, including primaries, the freedom to become academies allowing them to opt out of local authority control. Will also make it easier for parents and other groups to set up "free schools". A second bill in the autumn will give schools greater freedom over the curriculum and give teachers greater powers to deal with bad behaviour. It will also set up the "pupil premium" to help disadvantaged children.
Airport Economic Regulation Bill
Includes measures to increase the competitiveness of UK airports , having ruled out new runways in the South-East of England. More details to be announced in due course. Would apply across the UK, except Northern Ireland, which regulates its own airports. The government is in discussions with Northern Ireland over whether to adopt the reforms there.
Armed Forces Bill
Will increase support for serving personnel, maximising leave periods and giving more assistance to their families. Will provide extra mental health services for veterans.
Decentralism and Localism Bill
Will give councils more powers over housing and planning decisions and begin a review of local government finance. Will apply to England and Wales but implications for Scotland cannot be ruled out because of the "wide scope" of the Bill.
Energy and Green Economy Bill
Will promote enhanced energy efficiency, including the roll-out of smart meters. Will promote low-carbon energy production. Most of the measures will apply to England, Wales and Scotland with some devolved elements, "depending on the final detail".
Equitable Life Payments Scheme Bill
Will secure compensation for nearly a million policyholders hit by the near collapse of the insurer Equitable Life UK-wide.
European Union Bill
Will mean a referendum must be held to approve any future treaties handing powers to the European Union.
Financial Reform Bill
Will shift responsibility for macro-regulation of the banking system from the Financial Services Authority to the Bank of England . Despite earlier reports there is no mention of a levy on the profits of UK banks.
Freedom (Great Repeal) Bill
Will limit the amount of time that DNA profiles of innocent people can be held on national database. Will tighten regulation on the use of CCTV cameras, remove limits on right to peaceful protest. The storage of DNA is a power devolved to the Scottish Parliament. The Bill would adopt the Scottish model.
Identity Documents Bill
Will scrap identity cards and National Identity Register introduced by Labour and cancel the next generation of biometric passports. UK-wide legislation.
Health Bill
Will seek to give health professionals and patients more say over NHS decision-making. Will cut health service quangos and some central targets and increase focus on "health inequalities".
Local Government Bill
Will block the creation of single-tier councils in Exeter and Norwich.
National Insurance Contributions Bill
Will block next year's 1% rise in NI contributions by employers. UK-wide.
Office of Budget Responsibility Bill
Will provide a "statutory underpinning" to new Office of Budget Responsibility, which will provide borrowing and economic growth forecasts for the Treasury. Main elements of the proposed bill "have yet to be decided upon". No mention of reforming the remit of the National Audit Office, which was predicted in advance media coverage.
Parliamentary Reform Bills
Measures will be introduced to establish fixed-term elections for Parliament, held every five years . Will require 55% of MPs to vote for a dissolution of Parliament between scheduled elections. Will give constituents the right to "recall" corrupt MPs between elections. Will reduce the number of MPs by about 50. Review of reform of the House of Lords may be included in a separate draft bill later in the year. A Bill will also be introduced for a referendum on changing the voting system to the Alternative Vote. Will apply to the whole of the UK.
Pensions and Savings Bill
Will restore the link between earnings and the state pension from 2012 . Applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Will legislate for the phasing out of the default retirement age and set a timetable for raising the state pension age, depending on the outcome of a review.
Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill
Will provide for directly elected commissioners to oversee local police forces. There is no mention of monthly local crime statistics, which were mentioned in earlier reports. Will also give police more power to deal with alcohol-related violence and ban sale of below cost price alcohol. Would also establish a dedicated border police force, as part of a refocused Serious and Organised Crime Agency. Applies to England and Wales only, except border police force, the scope of which is "to be confirmed".
Postal Services Bill
Will allow injection of private capital into the Royal Mail, address its pension deficit, guarantee the post office network remains in public hands and seek to improve staff relations with management. Would apply to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Public Bodies Bill
Will abolish a number of non-department government bodies and limit the powers of other quangos. Applies to England and Wales only.
Scotland Bill
Will grant the Scottish Parliament more powers over taxation and borrowing under proposals made by the Calman Commission.
Terrorist Asset Freezing Bill
Will expand scope of existing legislation to cover new organisations thought to present threat to security. UK wide legislation.
Welfare Reform Bill
Will create a single welfare-to-work programme and make benefit payments more conditional on willingness to accept work. Benefit changes will be UK-wide, but will need parallel legislation in Northern Ireland, where it is devolved.
Other measures will be implemented via secondary legislation, included in future draft bills or remain commitments at this stage.
Commitment to raise spending on overseas aid by 2013
Cap on non-EU economic migrants allowed to work in UK (secondary legislation)
Reform of Parliamentary privilege laws (draft bill)
Construction of high-speed rail line (bill to come "in due course")
Increased investment in high-speed broadband (secondary legislation)
Extending the right to flexible working to all employees in the future (to be consulted on)

Tuesday, May 25, 2010WHEN: 8:00 a.m.WHAT: Council on Foreign Relations Discussion on Liberia's progress, continuing challenges ahead of the national elections in 2011, peace and development, and Liberia's relationship with the United States. Speaker: Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.WHERE: CFR, 1777 F Street NW, Washington, DC.CONTACT: Lucy Dunderdale, 202-509-8525, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=DCpressRSVP@cfr.org&subject=Liberian%20President%20Ellen%20Johnson%20Sirleaf%20-%20Discussion%20; web site: http://www.cfr.org/NOTE: RSVP required by 3 p.m. May 24. WHEN: 8:15 a.m.WHAT: The George C. Marshall Institute Discussion on the "Future of the Space Industrial Base." Speakers: Brett Lambert, Director of Industry Policy at the Defense Department; Vincent Davis, Principal at Deloitte Consulting; and William Adkins, President of Adkins Strategies.WHERE: National Press Club, 14th and F Streets NW, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 571-970-3180; web site: http://www.marshall.org/ NOTE: RSVP to http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@marshall.org&subject=The%20George%20C.%20Marshall%20Institute%20-%20Workshop%20WHEN: 9:00 a.m.WHATL The Woodrow Wilson Center discussion on "Drug Policy in Mexico: Examining Mexico's efforts to reduce drug use and the impacts of Mexico's new drug laws." Speakers: Jorge Hernandez Tinajero, president of the Collective for an Integral Drug Policy in Mexico (CUPIHD) and Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico professor and specialist on drug policy in Mexico; Carlos Zamudio, A member of CUPIHD and a specialist on drug consumption and small-scale drug dealing in Mexico; Ana Paula Hernandez, a member of CUPIHD and a specialist in drug policy and human rights in Mexico; Eric Olson, senior adviser of the security initiative at the Mexico Institute; and Maureen Meyer, associate for Mexico and Central America in the Washington Office on Latin America.
WHERE: WWC, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 5th Floor Conference Room, Washington DC.
WHERE: 202-691-4000; web site: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/
NOTE: RSVP: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.event_rsvp&event_id=620622

WHEN: 9:30 a.m.WHAT: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on "The Role of Strategic Arms Control in a Post-Cold War World." Witness: Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.WHERE: Room 419 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-224-4651; web site: http://foreign.senate.gov/ WHEN: 10:00 a.m.WHAT: House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on "The Great Lakes Region: Current Conditions and U.S. Policy." Witnesses: Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson; Franklin Moore, Deputy Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development's Bureau for Africa; and John Prendergast, Co-founder of the Enough Project.WHERE: Room 2172 Rayburn House Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-225-5021; web site: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/WHEN: 10:00 a.m.WHAT: The National Geographic Society hosts the preliminary round 2010 National Geographic Bee, featuring 54 state level winners, ages 10-14, that represent all 50 states, District of Columbia, Atlantic Territories, Pacific Territories and Defense Department Dependents Schools, May 25-26.WHERE: Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle NW, Lobby Level, Washington, DC.CONTACT: Stephanie Montgomery, 202-857-5838, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=smontgom@ngs.org&subject=The%20National%20Geographic%20Society%20-%20Event%20; or John McFeely, 202-857-7659, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jmcfeely@ngs.org&subject=The%20National%20Geographic%20Society%20-%20Event%20; web site: http://www.ngs.org/ NOTE: Doors open for media at 9 a.m.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m.WHAT: The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Discussion on "International Energy Outlook 2010," which presents projections of world energy supply and demand through 2035 with the release of the reference case projections. Speaker: Energy Information Administration Deputy Administrator Howard Gruenspecht.WHERE: CSIS, 1800 K Street NW, B-1 Conference Level, Washington, DC.CONTACT: Jonathan Cogan, 202-586-8719, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jcogan@eia.doe.gov&subject=The%20Center%20for%20Strategic%20and%20International%20Studies%20(CSIS)%20-%20Discussion%20 (Media); or Neil Urwitz, 202-775-3167, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=nurwitz@csis.org&subject=The%20Center%20for%20Strategic%20and%20International%20Studies%20(CSIS)%20-%20Discussion%20 WHEN: 12:00 p.m.WHAT: The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies' International Center for Terrorism Studies Seminar on "Terrorists in Our Midst: Combating Foreign Affinity Terrorism in America. Speakers: Michael Swetnam, CEO and Chairman of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, will deliver opening address; Yonah Alexander, Director of the Institute Center for Terrorism Studies; retired Marine Corps Gen. David Reist; Raymond Tanter, Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan; William Lewis, former professor at Johns Hopkins University; and Oliver Revell, former Associate Deputy Director of Investigations at the Federal Bureau of Investigation.WHERE: The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, 901 North Stuart Street, Suite 200, Arlington, Va.CONTACT: 703-562-4522, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=icts@potomacinstitute.org&subject=The%20Potomac%20Institute%20for%20Policy%20Studies; web site: http://www.potomacinstitute.org/ NOTE: RSVP required. WHEN: 12:00 p.m.WHAT: The Hudson Institute Discussion on "Necessary Secrets; National Security, the Media, and the Rule of Law," and the unauthorized disclosure to the press of secret information. Speakers: Author Gabriel Schoenfeld; Benjamin Wittes, Senior Fellow of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution; Steve Aftergood, Director of the Project on Government Secrecy at the Federation of American Scientists; former Central Intelligence Agency Director Michael Hayden; and Hudson Institute CEO Kenneth Weinstein.WHERE: Hudson Institute, 1015 15th Street NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-223-7770; web site: http://www.hudson.org/NOTE: RSVP to http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=events@hudson.org&subject=The%20Hudson%20Institute%20-%20Seminar%20 with your name and affiliation with "Necessary Secrets" in the subject line of the email.WHEN: 12:00 p.m.WHAT: The Cato Institute Briefing on "Does Homeland Security Work? Evaluating DHS's (Homeland Security Department) Efforts to Make Us Safer." Speakers: Benjamin Friedman, Research Fellow of Defense and Homeland Security Studies at the Cato Institute; and John Mueller, Chair of National Security Studies at the Mershon Center of Ohio State University.WHERE: B-339 Rayburn House Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-789-5200; web site: http://www.cato.org/NOTE: Register to, 202-789-5229 or online: http://www.cato.org/ by noon on May 24. WHEN: 12:00 p.m.WHAT: The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Discussion on "Access Controlled: The Shaping of Power, Rights, and Rule in Cyberspace," the second volume of the OpenNet Initiative. Speakers: Bob Boorstin of Google, Inc.; Ronald Deibert of the University of Toronto; John Palfrey and Jonathan Zittrain of Harvard University; Rafal Rohozinski of SecDev Group; and Moises Naim of Foreign Policy magazine.WHERE: NED, 1025 F Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-378-9700; web site: http://www.ned.org/WHEN: 1:00 p.m.
WHAT: Center for Strategic and International Studies' (CSIS) Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) Debates the Issues holds a discussion on "U.S. Nuclear Declaratory Policy." Speakers: Scott Sagan, co-director of the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University; Keith Payne, CEO and president of the National Institute for Public Policy; Clark Murdock, senior adviser at the International Security Program; and Linton Brooks, CSIS nonresident senior adviser, former Energy Department Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and former Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration
WHERE: CSIS, 1800 K Street NW, B-1 Conference Level, Washington D.C.
CONTACT: Chris Jones, 202-775-3234, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cjones@csis.org ; web site: http://www.csis.org/

WHEN: 2:00 p.m.WHAT: House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing on "Combating the BP Oil Spill." Witnesses: TBAWHERE: Room 2123 Rayburn House Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-225-2927; web site: http://energycommerce.house.gov/
WHEN: 2:30 p.m.WHAT: The Woodrow Wilson Center's (WWC) Asia Program Discussion on "Legitimizing the Illegitimate? Burma's Political Dilemmas." Speakers: Mark Callahan of the University of Washington; Jurgen Haacke of the London School of Economics; David Steinberg of Georgetown University; and Min Zin of the UniversityWHERE: WWC, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-691-4000; web site: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/NOTE: RSVP to http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=asia@wilsoncenter.org&subject=The%20Woodrow%20Wilson%20Center WHEN: 2:30 p.m.WHAT: The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) Hearing on "Holocaust Era Assets-After the Prague Conference." Speakers: Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md.; Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla.; and former Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs Stuart EizenstatWHERE: Room 428-A Russell Senate Office BuildingCONTACT: Erika Schlager, 202-225-4555, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=erika.schlager@mail.house.gov&subject=The%20Commission%20on%20Security%20and%20Cooperation%20in%20Europe%20(Helsinki%20Commission)%20-%20Hearing%20WHEN: 2:30 p.m.WHAT: The Institute for the Study of War Briefing on "Iraq's Political Crisis," focusing on analyzing the challenges facing government formation and the consequences of recent political developments. Speakers: Kenneth Pollack, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution; Kimberly Kagan, President at the Institute for the Study of War; and Marisa Cochrane Sullivan, Research Director at the Institute for the Study of War.WHERE: HC-8, U.S. CapitolCONTACT: Maggie Rackl, 202-293-5550, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=rsvp@understandingwar.org&subject=The%20Institute%20for%20the%20Study%20of%20War%20-%20Briefing%20; web site: http://www.understandingwar.org/ NOTE: RSVP to Maggie Rackl.WHEN: 3:00 p.m.WHAT: The Woodrow Wilson Center (WWC) Book Discussion on "The Betrayal of American Prosperity: Free Market Delusions, America's Decline, and How We Must Compete in the Post-Dollar Era." Speakers: Author Clyde Prestowitz, Founder and President of the Economic Strategy Institute; and Kent Hughes, Director of the Program on America and the Global Economy.WHERE: WWC, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-691-4000; web site: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/WHEN: 5:00 p.m.WHAT: The Heritage Foundation Film Screening of "Terror in Mumbai," a documentary of the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba's shooting and bombing attacks which killed more than 170 people. Speakers: Arun Singh, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India; and Kim Holmes, Vice President of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the Heritage FoundationWHERE: Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Allison Auditorium, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-675-1752, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=lectures.seminars@heritage.org&subject=The%20Heritage%20Foundation%20-%20Film%20screening%20; web site: http://www.heritage.org/ NOTE: RSVP to 202-675-1752.

******************************************************Wednesday, May 26, 2010WHEN: 8:00 a.m.WHAT: The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Discussion on "International Competitiveness and Education." Speakers: Education Secretary Arne Duncan; and John DeGioia, President of Georgetown University.WHERE: CFR, 1777 F Street NW, Washington, DC.CONTACT: Lucy Dunderdale, 202-509-8525, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=dcpressrsvp@cfr.org&subject=The%20Council%20on%20Foreign%20Relations%20(CFR)%20-%20Discussion%20; web site: www.cfr.org NOTE: RSVP required to http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=dcpressrsvp@cfr.org&subject=The%20Council%20on%20Foreign%20Relations%20(CFR)%20-%20Discussion%20 by 3 p.m. on May 25.WHEN: 8:30 a.m.WHAT: The Woodrow Wilson Center (WWC) Conference on "China, Latin America, and the United States: The New Triangle":- 8:30 a.m.: Introductory remarks by Cynthia Arnson, Director of the Latin American Program at WWC; and Jeffrey Davidow, President of the Institute of the Americas- 8:45 a.m.: Keynote presentation by Enrique Garcia, President of the Corporacion Andina de Fomento- 11:20 a.m.: Panel discussion on "China and Latin America: Political and Economic Partners, or Competitors?" with Cynthia Sanborn, Professor of Universidad del Pacifico, Lima; Hongbo Sun of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Philip Yang, Founder and Executive Board Member at Petra Energia in Brazil; and Jeremy Martin, Director of the Energy Program at the Institute of the AmericasWHERE: WWC, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, 6th Floor Flom Auditorium, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-691-4000; web site: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/NOTE: RSVP to http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=lap@wilsoncenter.org&subject=The%20Woodrow%20Wilson%20Center%20(WWC)%20-%20Conference%20 WHEN: 9:00 a.m.WHAT: The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) Discussion on "Capital Flows to Emerging Economies: Risking a Bubble?" Speakers: Amar Bhattacharya, Director of the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development; John Williamson, Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics; Arturo Porzecanski, Distinguished Economist-in-Residence at American University's School of International Service; and Uri Dadush, Director of the CEIP's International Economics ProgramWHERE: CEIP, 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC.CONTACT: David Kampf, 202-939-2233 (Media); web site: http://www.carnegieendowment.org/
WHEN: 9:00 a.m.WHAT: The New America Foundation (NAF) Discussion on "U.S.-Cuba Engagement in the Gulf: Lessons from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill." Speakers: Former Amoco Oil Latin America President, Jorge Pinon, Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Florida Cuban Research Institute; Brian Petty, Executive Vice President of the International Association of Drilling Contractors; Dan Whittle, Cuba Program Director at the Environmental Defense Fund; Robert Muse, attorney at Muse and Associates; and Anya Landau French, Director of the U.S.-Cuba Policy Initiative at NAF.WHERE: NAF, 1899 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC.CONTACT: Kate Brown, 202-596-3365, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=brown@newamerica.net&subject=The%20New%20America%20Foundation%20(NAF)%20-%20Discussion%20; http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=communications@newamerica.net&subject=The%20New%20America%20Foundation%20(NAF)%20-%20Discussion%20; web site: http://www.newamerica.net/ WHEN: 9:45 a.m.WHAT: The National Geographic Society hosts the final and championship rounds of the 2010 National Geographic Bee, featuring 54 state level winners, ages 10-14, that represent all 50 states, District of Columbia, Atlantic Territories, Pacific Territories and Defense Department Dependents Schools, May 25-26. Alex Trebek, host of "Jeopardy!" moderates the final and championship rounds.WHERE: Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle NW, Lobby Level, Washington, DC.CONTACT: Stephanie Montgomery, 202-857-5838, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=smontgom@ngs.org&subject=The%20National%20Geographic%20Society%20-%20Event%20; or John McFeely, 202-857-7659, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=jmcfeely@ngs.org&subject=The%20National%20Geographic%20Society%20-%20Event%20; web site: http://www.ngs.org/ NOTE: Doors open for media at 8:15 a.m.
WHEN: 10:00 a.m.WHAT: House Natural Resources Committee Hearing on "Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Strategy and Implications of the Deepwater Horizon Rig Explosion." Witnesses: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar; U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Peter Neffenger, Deputy National Incident Commander for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response; Commerce Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Jane Lubchenco, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and Minerals Management Service Director Elizabeth Birnbaum.WHERE: Room 1324 Longworth House Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-225-6065; web site: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/NOTE: Hearing will continue on May 27.
WHEN: 10:00 a.m.WHAT: House Financial Services Committee Hearing on "Anti-Money Laundering: Blocking Terrorist Financing and Its Impact on Lawful Charities." Witnesses: TBAWHERE: Room 2128 Rayburn House Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-225-4247; web site: http://financialservices.house.gov/WHEN: 12:00 p.m.WHAT: The Center for National Policy (CNP) Discussion on "Arming Taiwan: Impact on Asian Society and U.S.-People's Republic of China Relations." Speakers: Dean Cheng of the Heritage Foundation; and Ted Galen Carpenter of the Cato Institute.WHERE: CNP, 1 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Third Floor, Suite 333, Washington, DC.CONTACT: Patrick Doherty, 202-682-4119, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=pdoherty@cnponline.org&subject=The%20Center%20for%20National%20Policy%20-%20Discussion%20; web site: http://www.cnponline.org/WHEN: 12:15 p.m.WHAT: The New America Foundation (NAF) Book Discussion on "How Enemies Become Friends: The Sources of Stable Peace." Speakers: Author Charlie Kupchan, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations; and Steve Clemons, Director of the American Strategy Program at NAF.WHERE: NAF, 1899 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC.CONTACT: Kate Brown, 202-596-3365, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=brown@newamerica.net&subject=The%20New%20America%20Foundation%20(NAF)%20-%20Book%20discussion%20; http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=communications@newamerica.net&subject=The%20New%20America%20Foundation%20(NAF)%20-%20Book%20discussion%20; web site: http://www.newamerica.net/NOTE: RSVP online: http://www.newamerica.net/events/2010/charlie_kupchanWHEN: 12:15 p.m.WHAT: The New America Foundation (NAF) Book Discussion on "How Enemies Become Friends: The Sources of Stable Peace." Speakers: Author Charlie Kupchan, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations; and Steve Clemons, Director of the American Strategy Program at NAF.WHERE: NAF, 1899 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC.CONTACT: Kate Brown, 202-596-3365, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=brown@newamerica.net&subject=The%20New%20America%20Foundation%20(NAF)%20-%20Book%20discussion%20; http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=communications@newamerica.net&subject=The%20New%20America%20Foundation%20(NAF)%20-%20Book%20discussion%20; web site: http://www.newamerica.net/NOTE: RSVP online: http://www.newamerica.net/events/2010/charlie_kupchan WHEN: 12:30 p.m.
WHAT: Brookings Institution webinar on "The Greek Debt Crisis and Europe's Reaction." Speakers: Domenico Lombardi, nonresident senior fellow on global economy and development at Brookings; and David Mark, senior editor at Politico.
WHERE: Online
CONTACT: 202-797-6105, events@brookings.edu; web site: http://www.brookings.edu/
NOTE: Advanced questions may be submitted to http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ScoutingReport@brookings.edu

WHEN: 12:30 p.m.WHAT: National Press Club Speakers Committee Luncheon with remarks by Barbara Bush, President of Global Health Corps and daughter of President George W. Bush.WHERE: National Press Club, 14th and F Streets NW, Ballroom, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-662-7500, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=mcooke@press.org&subject=Barbara%20Bush,%20president%20of%20Global%20Health%20Corps%20and%20daughter%20of%20President%20George%20W.%20Bush%20-%20Discussion%20; web site: http://npc.press.org/ WHEN: 2:00 p.m.WHAT: The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Discussion on "The Nigerian Predicament: Strategies for Advancing Growth, Governance and Security." Speakers: Richard Joseph, Professor of Northwestern University; Oka Obono, Senior Lecturer at the University of Ibadan; Layi Erinosho, President of the African Sociological Association; and Dorina Bekoe, Senior Research Associate at USIP.WHERE: USIP, 1200 17th Street NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-429-3822, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@usip.org&subject=The%20United%20States%20Institute%20of%20Peace%20(USIP)%20-%20Discussion%20; web site: http://www.usip.org/NOTE: RSVP required.WHEN: 2:30 p.m.WHAT: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on "Assessing Challenges and Opportunities for Peace in Sudan." Witnesses: Katherine Almquist, Senior Fellow at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies; Alison Giffen, Deputy Director of the Future of Peace Operations Program at the Henry L. Stimson Center; David Mozersky, Associate Director of Humanity United, Redwood City, Calif.; Anne Richard, Vice President for Government relations and Advocacy for the International Rescue Committee.WHERE: Room 419 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-224-4651; web site: http://foreign.senate.gov/
WHEN: 4:00 p.m.WHAT The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Discussion on "Thailand on the Brink." Speakers: Sunai Phasuk, Senior Researcher on Thailand at Human Rights Watch; Joshua Kurlantzick, Fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations; Brian Joseph, NED's Senior Director on Asia and Global Programs.WHERE: NED, 1025 F Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DCCONTACT: 202-378-9700, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@ned.org&subject=The%20National%20Endowment%20for%20Democracy%20(NED)%20-%20Discussion%20; web sit e:http://www.ned.org/WHEN: 6:30 p.m.WHAT: The Center for American Progress (CAP) Discussion on the publication, "Arsenal of Democracy: The Politics of National Security-From World War II to the War on Terrorism." Speakers: Author Julian Zelizer; and CAP Senior Fellows John Halpin and Ruy Teixeira.WHERE: CAP, 1333 H Street NW, 10th Floor, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-741-6246; web site: http://www.americanprogress.org/NOTE: RSVP required.
**************************************************Thursday, May 27, 2010WHEN: 9:00 a.m.
WHAT: Brookings Institution discussion on "Ending Nigeria's HIV/AIDS Pandemic." Speakers: Richard Joseph, nonresident senior fellow at The Brookings Institution, principal investigator for the Research Alliance to Combat HIV/AIDS (REACH), and professor at Northwestern University; Ernest Aryeetey, senior fellow and director of the Africa growth Initiative; Layi Erinosho, president of the African Sociological Association; Uche Isiugo-Abanihe, professor of demography and REACH chairman at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; Gbenga Sunmola, principal researcher at REACH and research coordinator at Nigeria's National Agency for the Control of Aids; Oka Obono, principal researcher at REACH at the University of Ibadan; Jacques van der Gaag, senior fellow and co-director of the Center for Universal Education; Phillip Nieburg, public health epidemiologist at REACH and senior associate for the Center for Strategic and International Studies; and Nkem Dike, associate project director of REACH at Northwestern University.
WHERE: Brookings Institution, 1775 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Falk Auditorium, Washington D.C.
CONTACT: 202-797-6105, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=communications@brookings.edu; web site: http://www.brookings.edu/
WHEN: 10:00 a.m.WHAT: House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on "U.S.-Mexico Security Cooperation: Next Steps for the Merida Initiative." Witnesses: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson of the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs; and Shannon O'Neill, Fellow for Latin American Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.WHERE: Room 2172 Rayburn House Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-225-5021; web site: http://www.foreignaffairs.house.gov/ WHEN: 10:00 a.m.WHAT: House Judiciary Committee Hearing on "Legal Liability Issues Surrounding the Gulf Coast Oil Disaster." Witnesses: TBAWHERE: Room 2141 Rayburn House Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-225-3951; web site: http://www.judiciary.house.gov/
WHEN: 10:00 a.m.WHAT: House Natural Resources Committee Hearing on "Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Strategy and Implications of the Deepwater Horizon Rig Explosion." Witnesses: Lamar McKay, Chairman and President of BP America, Inc.; Steven Newman, President and CEO of Transocean Ltd.; Randall Luthi, President of the National Ocean Industries Association; Jack Gerard, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute; Michael Hirshfield, Senior Vice President for North America and Chief Scientist for Oceana; and Michelle Foss, Head of the Center for Energy Economics and Chief Energy Economist at the University of Texas.WHERE: Room 1324 Longworth House Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-225-6065; web site: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/ NOTE: This hearing is continued from May 26.WHEN: 10:00 a.m.WHAT: House Appropriations Committee Hearing on "BP-Transocean Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster: Ongoing Response and Environmental Impacts." Witnesses: Interior Secretary Ken Salazar; Minerals Management Service Director Elizabeth Birnbaum; Deputy EPA Administrator Bob Perciasepe; Assistant Interior Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland; and U.S. Geological Survey Director Marica McNutt.WHERE: Room 2359 Rayburn House Office BuildingCONTACT: 202-225-2771; web site: http://appropriations.house.gov/ WHEN: 12:00 p.m.WHAT: The National Endowment for Democracy's (NED) Center for International Media Assistance Discussion on "The Role of Media in Humanitarian Crises: Lessons Learned from the Earthquake in Haiti." Speakers: Mark Frohardt, Vice President of Africa, Health, and Humanitarian Media at Internews Network; Patrick Meier, Director of Crisis Mapping at Ushahidi; and Ivan Sigal, Executive Director of Global Voices.WHERE: NED, 1025 F Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-378-9700, http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=info@ned.org&subject=The%20National%20Endowment%20for%20Democracy; web site: http://www.ned.org/NOTE: RSVP to http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=CIMA@ned.org&subject=The%20National%20Endowment%20for%20Democracy with your name and affiliation by May 24. WHEN: 12:15 p.m.
WHAT: New America Foundation (NAF) book discussion on "The End of the Free Market: Who Wins the War Between States and Corporations?" Speakers: author Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group; and Steve Clemons, director of the American Strategy Program at NAF.
WHERE: The New America Foundation, 1899 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C.
CONTACT: Kate Brown, 202-596-3365, brown@newamerica.net; http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=communications@newamerica.net; web site: http://www.newamerica.net/WHEN: 3:00 p.m.
WHAT: American Enterprise Institute discussion on “The Art of Command in Counterinsurgency Operations.” Speakers: Brigadier General H. R. McMaster and Thomas Donnelly, AEI.
WHERE: Wohlstetter Conference Center, Twelfth Floor, AEI
1150 Seventeenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 CONTACT: Hampton Foushee, American Enterprise Institute, 1150 Seventeenth Street, N.W.
Washington D.C.
CONTACT: 202-862-5806; http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Hampton.Foushee@aei.org
NOTE: RSVP: https://www.aei.org/aeisecure/accReg?pub=Events&pubId=100249&getThis=1

WHEN: 5:30 p.m.WHAT: The Media Future Now Discussion on "Why the Broadband Plan Matters - Really, Why?" Speakers: Shireen Mitchell, a digital media, technology and diversity analyst; Elise Kohn, Adoption Director for the Federal Communication Commission's National Broadband Team; and Alan Rosenblatt, Associate Director of Online Advocacy at the Center for American Progress.WHERE: The New America Foundation, 1899 L Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC.CONTACT: 202-339-0303; web site: http://mediafuturenow.com/ NOTE: For more details and to RSVP: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126190444061651&ref=ts
**********************************************Friday, May 28, 2010WHEN: 10:00 a.m.WHAT: Vice President Biden delivers a commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy’s commissioning ceremonies.WHERE: U.S. Naval Academy, 121 Blake Road, Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md.CONTACT: 202-456-2881WHEN: 12:00 p.m.WHAT: The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Briefing on “Nuclear Power’s Role in the U.S. Energy Mix: Current Issues.” Speakers: Clifford Singer, Professor of Nuclear, Plasma and radiological Engineering and Political Science at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.WHERE: B-354 Rayburn House Office BuildingCONTACT: Earl Lane at 202-326-6431NOTE: RSVP to http://uk.mc274.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=elane@aaas.org; web site: http://www.aaas.org/

WEEK AHEAD CALENDAR: May 24 – 28, 2010
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The Foreign Press Center is pleased to share with you our weekly announcement of events in the Washington, DC area. The Washington Foreign Press Center provides this information as a convenience, and the inclusion of an organization or activity does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation. Please note that this information is subject to change.

NOTE: For the latest information on events, please check our online Week Ahead Calendar at:
www.fpc.state.gov/events/index.htm

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Monday, May 24, 2010

WHEN: 8:30 a.m.
WHAT: The New America Foundation (NAF) Discussion on "Warring Futures: How Biotech and Robotics are Transforming Today's Military - and How That Will Change the Rest of Us":
- 9:15 a.m.: Panel on "What's Coming at Us" with Retired Navy Vice Adm. Joseph Dyer, president of the Government and Industrial Robots Division at iRobot (with robots); Jon Mogford, Acting Deputy Director of the Defense Sciences Office at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; Stephen Helms Tillery of the Harrington Department of Bioengineering at Arizona State University; and Steve Coll, President of NAF
- 12:30 p.m.: Keynote remarks on "Bugs, Bits and Engineering Bioforms: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" by George Poste, Chief Scientist at the Complex Adaptive Systems Initiative at Arizona State University
WHERE: The Army and Navy Club, 901 17th Street NW, Farragut Square, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: Kate Brown, 202-596-3365, brown@newamerica.net; communications@newamerica.net; web site: http://www.newamerica.net


WHEN: 9:00 a.m.
WHAT: The American Institute for Contemporary German Studies and German Marshall Fund of the United States Discussion on "German and European Foreign Policy After the Lisbon Treaty," which will analyze the impact of the Lisbon Treaty on German and European foreign policy; the implications of such issues as relations between the EU and NATO; European and transatlantic energy policy; and EU enlargement.
WHERE: Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Crentz Room, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: 202-332-9312, jriester@aicgs.org; web site: http://www.aicgs.org/index.aspx


WHEN: 9:30 a.m.
WHAT: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center holds a media day to demonstrate how technology is taking the search out of "Search and Rescue":
- 9:30 a.m.: Press arrive at Goddard Visitor's Center
- 9:45 a.m.: Press board bus to Search and Rescue Lab
- 10 a.m.: Press Briefing
- 10:30 a.m.: Question and answers with reporters
- 11 a.m.: Demo on new search and rescue technology
WHERE: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, Md.
CONTACT: Edward Campion, edward.s.campion@nasa.gov; or Rani Gran, rani.c.gran@nasa.gov; web site: www.nasa.gov


WHEN: 11:00 a.m.
WHAT: Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) lecture on "Reflections on Fiscal Policy and Economic Strategy." Speaker: Lawrence Summers, White House National Economic Council Director.
WHERE: SAIS, Nitze Building, 1740 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: Felisa Neuringer Klubes at 202-663-5626 or fklubes@jhu.edu ; web site: www.sais-jhu.edu.
NOTE: SAIS also will host a live Webcast of the event accessible at www.sais-jhu.edu.


WHEN: 12:00 p.m.
WHAT: The Woodrow Wilson Center (WWC) Discussion on "The United States and Cuba: Implications of an Economic Relationship":
- 12:00 p.m. Welcoming remarks by Cynthia Arnson, Director of the Latin American Program at WWC
- 12:10 p.m.: Panel discussion on "An Economic Relationship-General Overview and Policy Obstacles" with William Reinsch of the National Foreign Trade Council; Christopher Sabatini of the Council of the Americas; Jose Azel of the University of Miami's Center for Cuban and Cuban American Studies; and Jorge Pinon, visiting research fellow at the Cuban Research Institute of Florida
WHERE: WWC, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: 202-691-4000; web site: http://www.wilsoncenter.org
NOTE: RSVP to lap@wilsoncenter.org




WHEN: 12:30 p.m.
WHAT: The Woodrow Wilson Center (WWC) Discussion on "US-Mexico Cooperation on Renewable Energy: Building a Green Agenda." Speakers: Duncan Wood, Director of International Relations at the Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico and Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); Joe Dukert, independent energy analyst and senior associate at CSIS; and Johanna Mendelson Forman, senior associate of the Americas Program at CSIS.
WHERE: WWC, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: 202-691-4000; web site: http://www.wilsoncenter.org




WHEN: 2:00 p.m.
WHAT: The Hudson Institute Discussion on "The NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) Review Conference: Where Do We Stand?" Speakers: Richard Weitz, Senior Fellow and Director of Hudson Institute's Center for Political-Military Analysis; Joy Drucker, Executive Director of the Partnership for a Secure America; Deepti Choubey, Deputy Director of the Nuclear Policy Program at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and Christopher Ford, Senior Fellow and Director of Hudson Institute's Center for Technology and Global Security.
WHERE: Hudson Institute, Walter and Betsy Stern Conference Center, 1015 15th Street NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: 202-223-7770; web site: http://www.hudson.org
NOTE: RSVP to Richard Weitz, Weitz@hudson.org


WHEN: 2:00 p.m.
WHAT: The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Discussion on "Neutrality with Dialogue: International Committee of the Red Cross Relations to the U.S. Military in a Complex World." Speakers: Reuben Brigety, State Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Population, Refugees and Migration; Beat Schweizer, Deputy Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross; Pete Verga, Defense Department's Deputy Under Secretary for Policy Integration and Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary for Policy; Ambassador George Moose, Vice Chairman of the USIP Board of Directors and the State Department's former Assistant Secretary for African Affairs; and Beth Cole, USIP's Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Co-Chairman of the Working Group on Civil-Military Relations in Non-Permissive Environments.
WHERE: USIP, 1200 17th Street NW, 2nd Floor Conference Room, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: 202-429-3822, info@usip.org; web site: http://www.usip.org
NOTE: RSVP required to Megan Chabalowski, mchabalowski@usip.org


WHEN: 3:00 p.m.
WHAT: The National Press Club (NPC) Newsmakers Committee Discussion with its "Afternoon Newsmaker" about ongoing international rebuilding efforts in Afghanistan, current political and security situations in the country, and opportunities to support sustainable peace and stability. Speaker: Abdullah Abdullah, former Foreign Minister of Afghanistan and presidential candidate in Afghanistan's 2009 elections.
WHERE: NPC, 14th and F Streets NW, Zenger Room, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: Peter Hickman, 301-530-1210, pjhickman@hotmail.com; web site: http://ncp.press.org


WHEN: 3:30 p.m.
WHAT: The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Discussion on "Radicalization and Counter-Radicalization in Indonesia: Taking Stock." Speakers: Sidney Jones, Senior Adviser to the International Crisis Group; and Ernest Bower, Senior Adviser and Director of the Southeast Asia Program at CSIS.
WHERE: CSIS, 1800 K Street NW, B-1 Conference Level, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: Andrew Schwartz, 202-775-3242, aschwartz@csis.org; web site: http://www.csis.org




WHEN: 4:00 p.m.
WHAT: The Cato Institute Book Discussion on "Terrorizing Ourselves: Why U.S. Counterterrorism Policy Is Failing and How to Fix It." Speakers: Benjamin Friedman, Research Fellow in Defense and Homeland Security Studies at Cato; Rick "Ozzie" Nelson, Director of the Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Jim Harper, Director of Information Policy Studies at Cato; Christopher Preble, Director of Foreign Policy Studies at Cato.
WHERE: Cato Institute, 1000 Massachusetts Avenue NW, F.A. Hayek Auditorium, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: 202-789-5200; web site: http://www.cato.org


WHEN: 4:30 p.m.
WHAT: The Library of Congress' (LOC) Asian Division; the Japan Commerce Association of Washington; and the Embassy of Japan Event on "Samurai 150! The First Japanese Diplomatic Mission to the U.S. in 1860," focusing on the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation. Speakers: Akira Iriye, Harvard University Professor of American history; Ronald P. Toby, Professor of East Asian Languages and Culture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and Ichiro Fujisaki, Japanese Ambassador to the US.
WHERE: LOC, Madison Building, 101 Independence Avenue SE, 6th Floor, Mumford Room, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: Audrey Fischer, 202-707-0022, afis@loc.gov; web site: http://www.loc.gov/today NOTE: RSVP to 202-238-6766 or mmiller@embjapan.org

WHEN: 6:30 p.m.
WHAT: World Learning Discussion on "Young Turkey/Young America: A New Partnership for a New Age." Speakers: Idris Kardas of the Federation of East and South-East Industrialists and Business Associations; Hilal Kaplan Ogut of Taraf Daily; and Evren Altinkas of Dokuz Eylul University.
WHERE: World Learning, 1015 15th Street NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC.
CONTACT: 202-408-5420, development@worldlearning.org
NOTE: RSVP with name and affiliation to Vladimir Spencer at vladimir.spencer@worldlearning.org


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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

UK Muslim Media Network News Summary 21st May 2010
The Daily Telegraph

COVER STORY: 'Higher taxes on holidays, marriage and driving'
Coalition government unveiled plans for new taxes yesterday that will affect the middle taxes but protect low wage earners and help reduce Britain's debt. (Link)
'Hollywood film blames Britain for war in Iraq' Fair Game, a new thriller based on the memoirs of a former CIA agent, claims that it was British intelligence that led America to war; the film won a large ovation at Cannes. (Link)

The Guardian
COVER STORY: 'Hague orders inquiry into torture claims'Judge will investigate allegations that UK was complicit in abuse of detainees. (link)
'Mothers of jihad hikers urge Iran to show mercy'
Iran was yesterday urged to make a humanitarian gesture and free three American hikers accused of being spies and held in prison for almost 10 months. (link)
'Pakistan bans YouTube over display of Muhammed images'
Some of the world's most popular websites were blocked in pakistan yesterday as officials sought to restrict access to images depicting the prophet Muhammed. (link)The Times
COVER STORY: 'Rape case defendants to be given anonymity'

Defendants in rape cases are to be granted anonymity in an unexpected move that women’s groups immediately branded an insult. (Link)
'British family killed in Pakistan'

Three members of a British family were shot dead in Pakistan yesterday while visiting the country for a wedding. (link)

'Cartoonist draws a line under contest to picture Prophet' p.32

It took Molly Norris only half an hour to draw the Prophet Muhammad in the likeness of a coffee cup and a box of pasta. Little did the 49-year-old cartoonist suspect that she was about to ignite an international storm about freedom of speech, Islam and the internet. Ms Norris now wants nothing to do with “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day!” and wishes it would all just go away. (link)

'Afghan officials met insurgent representatives in Maldives'

An Afghan Government delegation has met representatives of Afghan insurgent groups in the Maldives, it was claimed yesterday, and is to do so again this weekend. The alleged talks were confirmed by Maldives Government officials. (Link)

'American hikers held in Iran have emotional meeting with mothers'

Three American hikers imprisoned in Iran and accused of spying were reunited yesterday with their mothers for the first time in ten months at an emotional meeting in Tehran. (Link)

'Pakistan blocks YouTube in ‘sacrilege’ row'
Pakistan blocked access to YouTube yesterday, condemning “growing sacrilegious content” on the video-sharing website in the latest twist of an intensifying international debate over Islam and freedom of speech online. (link)
'Analysis: what next for the great firewall of Pakistan?'

Are we seeing the creation of the Great Firewall of Pakistan? In extraordinary moves, the country’s authorities first blocked Facebook, and then YouTube. The two websites stand accused of containing images of the Prophet Muhammad that are deemed blasphemous. (link)
The Independent
COVER STORY: 'After 15 years of trying, a controversial scientist has made an artificial, living cell. The implications for the future of humanity are so huge as to be scarcely imaginable...' Scientists have succeeded in creating artificial life in a test tube, in a development which promises to revolutionise biotechnology. (link)
'I want no one else in Israel ever to be hurt by a landmine'
The Knesset has been moved to begin clearing some of its 260,000 mines by a remarkable 11-year-old. (link)
'US hikers jailed in Iran briefly reunited with their mothers' Three Americans jailed in Iran for 10 months hugged and kissed their mothers in an emotional reunion yesterday after the women arrived on a mission to secure the release of their children. (link)
Al Jazeera
COVER STORY 'Asian stocks slip on economy fears'
Stock markets in Asia have slumped in early trade, amidst ongoing concerns about the economic recovery in the US and the stability of the euro. (Link)
'Ethiopia rejects Egypt Nile claim'
Ethiopia's prime minister has rejected a threat by Egypt to prevent the building of dams and other water projects upstream on the Nile river (Link)
'Mothers ask Iran to free US hikers'
The mothers of three US citizens held in Iran for 10 months amid spy accusations have called for their release as a "humanitarian gesture" following a reunion with their children. (Link)
'Maldives host Afghan peace talks'
Senior Taliban leaders arrived in the Maldives to participate in unofficial talks about resolving the crisis in Afghanistan; President Karzai unhappy about talks. (Link)
'Pakistan blocks access to YouTube'
Pakistan has blocked YouTube indefinitely, claiming it contains sacrilegious material; ban comes after a previous ban on Facebook after a competition to draw the Prophet Mohammed went live yesterday. (Link)
'Turkey 'bombs Kurd targets' in Iraq'
Turkish fighter jets bombed Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq; article quotes that the attacks, happening since 2007, have been occurring with the support of the US military. (Link)
The Evening Standard (20th)
COVER STORY: '15 days of BA strikes back on'
The Court of Appeal lifted a ban on a series of British Airways cabin crew strikes yesterday which will cause thousands of air passengers disruption to scheduled flights. (Link)
'Abbott and Burnham step forward to spice Labour leadership race' p.4Ms Abbott, as the only woman to enter the race, is attracting support from "women and MPs who want to see a more diverse range of candidates". (Link)
'If I am sent back to Iran I will be executed' p.9
Kiana Firouz, a lesbian actress, who plays a lesbian seeking asylum in Britain in a newly released film, could have her asylum appeal rejected and be forced to return to Iran, where it is likely she will be put in danger. (Link)
'Pakistan blocks 'sacrilegious' YouTube' p.24
Pakistan blocked access to YouTube yesterday because of 'sacrilegious' content, signalling a growing internet crackdown against sites deemed offensive to the country's majority Muslim population. Access to Facebook, Wikipedia and Flickr have also been restricted. (Link)The Daily Mail
COVER STORY: 'Artificial life created in lab'
Scientists have created artificial life in a laboratory, which have led to accusations they are tampering 'with the essence of life'. Craig Venter, biologist and entrepreneur has made a synthetic cell from scratch. (Link)
'Hague orders a full probe into 'torture' of terror suspects' p.2
William Hague has announced that the coalition Government will set up a full judicial probe into allegations that Britain was complicit in the torture of terrorist suspects during Labour's time in power. (Link)
'Diane Abbott enters the running to lead Labour' p.24
Diane Abbott announced her candidacy for the Labour leadership yesterday, accusing the existing candidates of all being too similar, "Labour's more diverse than that" she claims. (Link)
'Migrant accused of killing husband in fireball flees to Britain to live on benefits' p.33
A Pakistani woman living on benefits in the UK despite facing a murder charge in her home country is facing demands from MPs to return her there to face trial. (Link)
The Daily Mirror

COVER STORY: 'Ronan Cheating'

'He admits to affair as 12 year marriage ends' (link)

The Sun

COVER STORY: 'Was Ronan Cheating?'

Furious wife accuses him of cheating and throws him out of the family home (link)

'Killer mum in suicide attempt'

Killer mother slashed her wrists in a bid to commit suicide after smothering her kids with a plastic bag (link)


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