INVITATIONAL TRAVEL REQUEST

UNCLAS VATICAN 003970 SIPDIS EUR/ EXEC FOR EXEC DIRECTOR GRETCHEN WELSH E.O. 12958 N/A TAGS: AMGT VT SUBJECT: INVITATIONAL TRAVEL REQUEST ¶1. SUMMARY: Post requests approval of invitational travel for Ambassador Nicholson to speak at a Trafficking in Persons conference in Miami, and then to travel to Washington, DC to receive an award from the North American College. END SUMMARY. ¶2. Ambassador has been invited to speak at a November 12 conference in Miami titled: "Invisible Chains: A Call to Action Against Human Slavery." This conference is a direct result of our June Trafficking in Persons conference in Rome, and is co-hosted by one of the speakers at our conference, Michelle Gillen of CBS News (Miami). Ambassador John Miller, Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking In Persons (G/TIP) has also been invited to speak at this conference and intends to participate. On behalf of the organizers, St Thomas University, CBS WFOR Miami, and the National Italian American Foundation, Michelle Gillen has extended an offer to the Ambassador of coach-class air transportation to and from Rome, and lodging in Miami. The same travel / lodging has been offered to Mrs. Nicholson. ¶3. On November 13, the Ambassador will travel to Washington where the North American College (NAC) is awarding him the "Umilta" Award for his service as Ambassador to the Holy See. The award consists of a framed picture of the "Mother of Humility," the patron saint of the NAC. The additional flight leg to Washington is included in the Miami flight as it was the same cost as the Miami-only ticket. The NAC has offered to provide two nights lodging for the Ambassador and Mrs. Nicholson. All travel / lodging is to be provided in kind. NICHOLSON NNNN