REQUEST FOR WIREC FOLLOW-UP; MR. KESTERIS (HEAD

UNCLAS STATE 149960

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
FOR ECON AND ESTOFF
FOR COPHENHAGEN PLEASE PASS TO REO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV TRGY SOCI KPAO ENRG EUN XG
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR WIREC FOLLOW-UP; MR. KESTERIS (HEAD
OF CABINET, COMMISSIONER FOR ENERGY)

REF: USEU BRUSS 2385


1. THIS IS AN ACTION CABLE, PLEASE SEE PARA 3.


2. SUMMARY: On July 18, 2007, OES P/DAS Reno Harnish met
with the European Commission's Andris Kesteris (Head of
Cabinet, Commissioner for Energy 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 the
European Commission's consideration of providing financial
support
(REFTEL). This letter follows up on those conversations and
requests the European Commission'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. Kesteris.
(NB: The hard copy of the letter has been delivered to the
DCM at their embassy in Washington).


4. BEGIN TEXT

Dear Mr. Kesteris:

Thank you for giving me so much of your time on July 18,
2007 to discuss the Washington International Renewable Energy
Conference (WIREC 2008). I enjoyed meeting you, and look
forward to our continued interaction in the run-up to and at
the event. 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, which will be held
March 4-6, 2008 at the Washington Convention Center, will
also feature a co-located trade show/business conference,
separately managed by the American Council on Renewable
Energy and other partnering organizations from U.S. and
international renewable energy associations.

Since we met, the United States Government hosted a
public outreach event on October 2nd. The launch event drew
over two hundred representatives from the private sector,
civil society and foreign governments. Under Secretary of
State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky and
Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development Thomas
Dorr 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. Based on our projections, 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 you can 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 as I am eager to hear your suggestions and
recommendations. 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