SOUTHERN CONE COM CONFERENCE: OES REPSONSES TO

UNCLAS STATE 054504

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR AMBASSADORS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV KPAO BR CI PA PE UY
SUBJECT: SOUTHERN CONE COM CONFERENCE: OES REPSONSES TO
AMBASSADORS' REQUESTS

REF: SANTIAGO 454

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: This cable contains OES' responses to
Southern Cone Ambassadors' requests in reftel for more
information on OPIC's energy investment fund and the
Latin America Energy Initiative; for more public
diplomacy materials on biofuels, specifically on the time
frame for second generation biofuels; and for a new IV
program on regional environmental law enforcement. The
Bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science (OES) thanks the
Southern Cone Ambassadors for their interest and attention
to our issues. The Ambassadors identified a number of
vitally important issues at the Southern Cone Chiefs of
Mission conference, and we will incorporate their ideas
into our strategic thinking and work with the interagency
to develop approaches to these important regional and
global issues. In the meantime, we are able to provide
some preliminary information and resources in the
paragraphs that follow. End summary

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OPIC ENERGY INVESTMENT FUND AND
LATIN AMERICA ENERGY INITIATIVE
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2. (SBU) OES concurs that the new OPIC Energy funding
is an exciting new opportunity to promote our interests
globally and in the Latin America region. We are eager
to see the initiative move forward. Unfortunately, at
this time OES does not have additional information to
provide as OPIC is still working out the details. We
understand that OPIC is planning a meeting in June with
Private Sector partners to discuss this subject and we
will report on further developments with regards to the
funds when more information becomes available. Should
Ambassadors wish to follow up directly with OPIC, our
POC is Executive Vice President John Simon at
email: John.Simon@opic.gov and phone: 202-336-8407.

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PUBLIC DIPLOMACY MATERIALS ON BIOFUELS
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3. (U) OES agrees that more public diplomacy materials
on the key topic of biofuels would be helpful in the
near term, and we understand from IIP that more such
materials are in the works. We have consulted with IIP
and identified a current article containing relevant
information which can be found on the America.gov
website at: http:// www.america.gov/st/ env-english/
2008/February/ 20080225140244lcnirellep0.837154.html
IIP is planning more stories on biofuels which will be
posted on the America.gov website as they become
available.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR REQUESTING A NEW IV PROGRAM FROM ECA
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4. (U) OES agrees that your proposal for a new Southern
Cone regional IV program on environmental law enforcement
is a good idea, and we have consulted our public affairs
staff on the mechanics of developing new IV programs.
Our public affairs staff advises us that proposals for
new International Visitors Leadership Projects must be
proposed to ECA program offices directly from post PAOs
or CAOs. To suggest a new regional Southern Cone project
on the theme of environmental law enforcement, posts
should coordinate a draft proposal summary highlighting
the compelling need and justification for the proposed
project and submit it directly to ECA/PE/V/G/N Branch
Chief Chris McShane.
RICE