NOMINATION OF LARISSA FILIMONOVA-KRIVTSOVA FOR ESTH COURSE

UNCLAS MOSCOW 000551 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FSI FOR MICHAEL R. KELLER, ROBERT WINCHESTER, SHANA HALLET E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV AFSI KSCA AFSN TSPL ECON RS SUBJECT: NOMINATION OF LARISSA FILIMONOVA-KRIVTSOVA FOR ESTH COURSE Ref: State 15409 ¶1. (U) Post very much appreciates the opportunity to nominate FSN Larissa Filimonova-Krivtsova to attend to the two-week Environment, Science, Technology and Health (ESTH) course (PE 21) for FSNs from April 27-May 8 at NFATC. Post is prepared to fund her airfare, meals, and incidental expenses and local transportation. ¶2. Ms Filimonova-Krivtsova is currently a FSN-9/3 Scientific Affairs Specialist, State Department employee. Her DOB is 22 February 1967, and she is a citizen of the Russian Federation. At present, she does possess a valid passport for travel. She has applied for a new one and is hoping to have received it in time for travel. FSI should be aware, however, that there is a possibility that it might not be issued on time. Her supervisor is EST officer Michael Dunkley (email: DunkleyML@state.gov, tel. 7-495-728-5156). ¶3. Ms Filimonova-Krivtsova has a five-year bachelor's degree in philosophy from Byelorussian State University and a joint master's degree in philosophy from Moscow State University and the Sorbonne. She has been working as an FSN in the Embassy's EST section since 23 January 2007, and was previously employed as an FSN with USAID's human resources for 11 years as a Travel Assistant. Currently, she is one of three FSNs specializing on science and technology and space issues in EST (the other two have already received FSI ESTH training). She serves as the principal advisor to EST Counselor and staff on U.S. Russian science cooperation in space, nanotechnology, and high and innovative technologies. She researches, analyzes and reports on these technical subjects, including on the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) and its interoperability with U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS). She has been actively involved in preparations for an upcoming visit by the Russian State Corporation on Nanotechnologies (Rusnano) to the United States in May to visit with industry leaders and Washington officials. Ms Filimonova-Krivtsova is the primary back-up for basic science and telecommunications and secondary back-up for environment and health issues. ¶4. Post believes that Ms Filimonova-Krivtsova would benefit tremendously from this course, in particular from learning tradecraft skills in note-taking, drafting in English, interviewing and briefing. She is interested in having consultations at the Department to meet the players in OES and EEB involved in these issues. U.S.-Russian cooperation on ESTH issues benefits both our nations and the world. Over the coming months, Embassy Moscow is exploring ways to strengthen and expand our bilateral science cooperation. Ms Filimonova-Krivtsova is an integral part of our science and technology team whose value to the EST section would be greatly enhanced by this training and exposure to the Department's science offices. Ms. Filimonova-Krivtsova has never had any prior FSI or USG training. BEYRLE