U.S. Foreign Policy Newsletter

A New Era of Responsibility.  The 2011 Budget (2010-02-03).  Rather than fight the same tired battles that have dominated Washington for decades, it’s time to try something new. Let’s invest in our people without leaving them a mountain of debt. Let’s meet our responsibility to the citizens who sent us here. Let’s try common sense.

Ambassador Holbrooke answers questions on U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan (2010-02-03).  In the year that just started with a great momentum from the London Conference, we are going to focus on implementing the plans that were laid out last year. 

The American civilian buildup is continuing. When we took office there were only 300 American civilians in the whole country in the U.S. government. Today there are 900 and that number is growing. A tripling of the overall number, a six-fold increase in the field. These issues are not without risk, these deployments, as the tragic loss of three Americans in Pakistan illustrates today.

In Pakistan we faced a decision, we made a decision to increase our support for Pakistan in the economic field while continuing significant support in the military field. We worked closely with Pakistan throughout the year. It was once again, a very challenging year but a very productive one. I believe firmly that in both countries our relations with the government are better today than they were a year ago today and that while difficulties remain, and you all know what they are, and I’m sure you’ll want to focus on them, that we are moving in the right direction.
See also: Holbrooke briefs Foreign Media | our dossier on Afghanistan.

U.S. Statement on Security, Stability in Georgia.  Diplomat repeats U.S. commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty, independence (2010-02-04).  [...]Although the conflict region has stabilized to a great extent, violent incidents persist, and civilians continue to face a precarious humanitarian and human rights situation.

We continue to believe the OSCE and other international actors have a valuable role to play in addressing these problems. We remain convinced that an international presence throughout Georgia is critical and continue to urge the re-establishment of a robust OSCE presence there.[...]

 Iran Urged to Inform U.N. Agency of Position on Nuclear Deal (2010-02-03).  Iran needs to inform the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on whether it has changed its position toward a proposed agreement that would enable it to have its uranium supply enriched for use in a Tehran medical research reactor, according to Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P.J. Crowley.

Crowley spoke to reporters February 3, one day after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reportedly said his government has “no problem” with sending his country’s uranium outside Iran for enrichment. These developments come three months after the IAEA and the so-called P5+1 group of countries (Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States) proposed a deal that would provide Iran with enriched uranium for medical research while also ensuring the uranium would not be enriched to a level that could be used for nuclear weapons.

Crowley said it is “unclear” to what Ahmadinejad was referring February 2.
See also: our dossier on Iran.

 Boosting Biofuels, Clean Coal Promotes U.S. Energy Independence. Biofuels to reduce foreign oil dependence by millions of barrels each year (2020-02-03).  The United States is boosting the contribution of biofuels and clean coal to its strategy for increasing American energy independence and laying the foundation for a new clean-energy economy.

At a February 3 meeting with a bipartisan group of state governors, President Obama announced actions that include a revised renewable fuel standard, financial incentives for farmers who produce biomass crops, a strategy for promoting and commercializing a biofuels industry, and a new interagency task force to advance the technology for capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from coal-burning power plants.

“Now, I happen to believe that we should pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill. It will make clean energy the profitable kind of energy, and the decision by other nations to do this is already giving their businesses a leg up on developing clean-energy jobs and technologies,” Obama told the governors.

“But even if you disagree on the threat posed by climate change,” he added, “investing in clean-energy jobs and businesses is still the right thing to do for our economy. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil is still the right thing to do for our security. We can’t afford to spin our wheels while the rest of the world speeds ahead.” See also: our dossier on Climate Change.

 Former President Clinton to Lead International Haiti Coordination (2010-02-04). United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed former U.S. President Bill Clinton to lead the international coordination for Haiti earthquake relief, with responsibilities ranging from continuing emergency response efforts to focusing on long-term reconstruction needs, as well as coordinating a new U.N. funding appeal.

In agreeing to accept the expanded leadership role, Clinton, who has served as the U.N. special envoy to Haiti since May 2009, will be “coordinating on my behalf,” the secretary-general told reporters in New York February 3.

“In particular, he will provide strategic guidance in our work for Haiti’s early recovery and long-term reconstruction, with a special emphasis on mobilizing international support and donor funding,” Ban said.

Clinton has been asked to launch a revised U.N. flash appeal on February 17 that will raise funds for Haiti’s long-term reconstruction effort. The first funding appeal, launched in January for $575 million, has received 82 percent of its requested funding, according to press reports. Clinton is also being asked to help prepare for a March donor’s conference for Haiti that will be held in New York.

“Needless to say, he has hit the ground running,” Ban said. “He will be in Haiti on Friday.”

In a February 4 statement released by the Clinton Foundation, the former U.S. president said that while relief efforts in Haiti have been increasing to meet the country’s “staggering needs,” “the long road to recovery has just begun.”