EMBASSY HELSINKI REQUESTS EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HELSINKI 000179 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PASS TO EILEEN KANE, OES/STC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TSPL KSCA SENV EAGR AMGT OTRA APER FI SUBJECT: EMBASSY HELSINKI REQUESTS EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOW ON BIOFUEL DEVELOPMENT REF: A. 07 HELSINKI 0797 ¶B. SECSTATE 28712 ¶1. (U) Embassy Helsinki requests the opportunity to host an Embassy Science Fellow from the U.S. Forest Service, within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),to research emerging wood-based biofuel technology in Finland. The Embassy Science Fellow will collaborate with leading Finnish scientists and companies on biofuel development, including sharing information on U.S. efforts in this area. Finland is a leader in biofuel development, and this visit provides significant opportunities for tangible collaboration between Finland and the U.S. See reftel for background on Finnish biofuel efforts. ¶2. (U) The Embassy Science Fellow will work closely with contacts at Finnish research institutes (Tekes and VTT), various universities, and Finnish biofuel companies to produce a state of the art report on forest biorefinery activities in the U.S. and Finland. The Embassy Science Fellow will identify key research topics that could provide the basis for future joint R&D projects between the Forest Products Laboratory in the U.S. and key Finnish research institutes. The Embassy Science Fellow will also meet with key government contacts developing Finland,s biofuel and renewable energy strategies. ¶3. (U) This request has full Embassy Country Team support. Post agrees to provide housing, office space, computer and Internet access, and reasonable local travel costs (as needed),and other Embassy services as necessary. Post will also arrange for initial orientation to Finland and the Embassy community, as well as arrange the Embassy Science Fellow,s overall schedule, including meetings with key contacts. ¶4. (U) In as much as the Embassy Science Fellow candidate reportedly does not have a security clearance, the Regional Security Officer (RSO) requires that USDA, or another Agency, provide a copy of the candidate,s NACI background check (reference number, date, results, etc.),as well as any employment documentation which validated candidate,s trustworthiness for employment. This information should be sent to post via a cable. Receipt of the requested information is mandatory to make a determination as to whether unescorted access on the compound and into non-CAA spaces will be made available to the candidate. The candidate,s 24/7 access will be limited to the compound grounds and the CMR. Unescorted access into CAA and non-CAA work spaces during after-hours is prohibited. During work hours the candidate must be escorted to obtain access to the Controlled Access Areas (CAA) of the Embassy. Furthermore, access to non-CAA office space, excluding the CMR, will be limited to normal working hours on business days. For security reasons, if candidate intends to bring a laptop to post, prior notification of make, model, and serial number is required to allow the laptop access onto the compound. As an alternative, a post provided laptop can be made available to the candidate. The Embassy can issue the candidate a laptop with access to the Internet (via our Dedicated Internet Network ) DIN) and a printer. Should the candidate choose to bring a laptop, Internet access will still be limited to the Embassy,s DIN. The candidate will be required to attend a comprehensive briefing with the RSO before an ID badge and access to the Embassy compound and the CMR will be granted. Consequently, we strongly recommend the candidate arrive at post on a work day during normal business hours. Before coming to post, the candidate should know that access to the Embassy is being granted due to the special circumstances of the Embassy Science Fellow Program; however, overall security of the Embassy is paramount and trumps all other considerations. Hence, while reasonable accommodations will be made, the candidate must abide by all security guidelines prescribed by Department policies and regulations as administered by the RSO and other Embassy personnel. Implementation of sound security practices may cause some inconvenience, so the candidate is asked to be flexible and patient in working within the Embassy,s strict security policies. ¶5. (U) Working closely with OES, Post has identified Dr. Alan Rudie from the Forest Product Laboratory in Madison, WI as an ideal candidate for this program. Dr. Rudie has shown willingness to come as early as May 2008 for approximately 40 days. Finnish contacts have likewise shown enthusiasm for a visit by Dr. Rudie. As this visit will be less than 60 days, Dr. Rudie would not require a separate medical clearance from MED. ¶6. (U) Post point of contact for the Embassy Science Fellow HELSINKI 00000179 002 OF 002 Program is Economic Officer Glenn Lewis, the Environment, Science and Technology Officer at Post. Mr. Lewis can be reached at: email - lewisgk@state.gov; tel. 358-9-6162-5481; mobile 358-50-322-7925. ¶7. (U) Post would like to thank Eileen Kane, OES/STC, for her assistance in coordinating this opportunity. HYATT