FORMER MORGAN STANLEY EXEC. CHARGED WITH WITH FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES VIOLATIONS AND FRAUD

FROM:  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SEC Charges Former Morgan Stanley Executive with FCPA Violations and Investment Adviser Fraud
Washington, D.C., April 25, 2012 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a former executive at Morgan Stanley with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) as well as securities laws for investment advisers by secretly acquiring millions of dollars worth of real estate investments for himself and an influential Chinese official who in turn steered business to Morgan Stanley’s funds.

The SEC alleges that Garth R. Peterson, who was a managing director in Morgan Stanley’s real estate investment and fund advisory business, had a personal friendship and secret business relationship with the former Chairman of Yongye Enterprise (Group) Co. – a Chinese state-owned entity with influence over the success of Morgan Stanley’s real estate business in Shanghai. Peterson secretly arranged to have at least $1.8 million paid to himself and the Chinese official that he disguised as finder’s fees that Morgan Stanley’s funds owed to third parties. Peterson also secretly arranged for him, the Chinese official, and an attorney to acquire a valuable Shanghai real estate interest from a Morgan Stanley fund. Peterson was acquiring an interest from the fund but negotiated both sides of the transaction. In exchange for offers and payments from Peterson, the Chinese official helped Peterson and Morgan Stanley obtain business while personally benefitting from some of these same investments. Peterson’s deception, self-dealing, and misappropriation breached the fiduciary duties he owed to Morgan Stanley’s funds as their representative.

Peterson agreed to a settlement of the SEC’s charges in which he will be permanently barred from the securities industry, pay more than $250,000 in disgorgement, and relinquish his interest in the valuable Shanghai real estate (currently valued at approximately $3.4 million) that he secretly acquired through his misconduct. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a related criminal case against Peterson.

“Peterson crossed the line not once, but twice. He secretly bribed a government official to illegally win business for his employer and enriched himself in violation of his fiduciary duty to Morgan Stanley’s clients,” said Robert Khuzami, Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “This case illustrates the SEC’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for FCPA violations, particularly employees who intentionally circumvent their company's internal controls.”

Kara Novaco Brockmeyer, Chief of the SEC Enforcement Division’s FCPA Unit, added, “As a rogue employee who took advantage of his firm and its investment advisory clients, Peterson orchestrated a scheme to illegally win business while lining his own pockets and those of an influential Chinese official.”

According to the SEC’s complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Peterson’s violations occurred from at least 2004 to 2007. His principal responsibility at Morgan Stanley was to evaluate, negotiate, acquire, manage and sell real estate investments on behalf of Morgan Stanley’s advisers and funds. He was terminated in 2008 due to his FCPA misconduct.

The SEC alleges that Peterson led Morgan Stanley’s effort to build a Chinese real estate investment portfolio for its real estate funds by cultivating a relationship with the Chinese official and taking advantage of his ability to steer opportunities to Morgan Stanley and his influence in helping with needed governmental approvals. Morgan Stanley thus partnered with Yongye on a number of significant Chinese real estate investments. At the same time, Peterson and the Chinese official expanded their personal business dealings both in a real estate interest secretly acquired from Morgan Stanley as well as by investing together in Chinese franchises of well-known U.S. fast food restaurants. Peterson failed to disclose these investments in annual disclosures that Morgan Stanley required him to make as part of his employment.

According to the SEC’s complaint, Peterson openly credited the Chinese official with helping obtain approvals required from other Chinese government entities for a deal to close. He wrote to several Morgan Stanley employees in response to an e-mail discussing the terms of one of Yongye’s purported investments, “Everyone pls keep in mind the big picture here. YY gave us this deal. ... So we owe them a favor relating to this deal. ... This should be very easy and friendly.” In another e-mail a week later, Peterson described “YYI” as “our friends who are coming in because WE OWE THEM A FAVOR.”

The SEC alleges that a Morgan Stanley compliance officer specifically informed Peterson in 2004 that employees of Yongye, a Chinese state-owned entity, were government officials for purposes of the FCPA. Peterson also received at least 35 FCPA compliance reminders from Morgan Stanley, but nonetheless committed the FCPA violations.

The SEC’s complaint charges Peterson with violations of the anti-bribery, books and records and internal control provisions of the FCPA, and with aiding and abetting violations of the anti-fraud provisions of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Peterson consented to a court order requiring him to disgorge $254,589 and relinquish to a court-appointed receiver the interest he secretly acquired from Morgan Stanley’s fund in the Jin Lin Tiandi Serviced Apartments. Peterson’s interest has a current estimated value of approximately $3.4 million. The proposed settlement is subject to court approval. Peterson also has consented to permanent industry bars based on the anticipated entry of the injunctions against him and his criminal conviction.

The SEC acknowledges the assistance of the Fraud Section of DOJ’s Criminal Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Morgan Stanley, which is not charged in the matter, cooperated with the SEC’s inquiry and conducted a thorough internal investigation to determine the scope of the improper payments and other misconduct involved.

INNOVATION USED TO MODERNIZE MISSILE WARNING NETWORK

FROM:  U.S. AIR FORCE
The 6th Space Warning Squadron, located at Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass., operates a Pave PAWS early warning radar. Despite operating a 30-year-old system, Team Six has discovered a number of innovative initiatives to enhance operations and increase the radar’s mission effectiveness. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Innovation in action 
by 1st Lt. Christian Evans
6th Space Warning Squadron
4/25/2012 - CAPE COD AIR FORCE STATION, Mass. -- Early warning radars have been a work-horse of the United States' missile warning network for more than 30 years.

This network, called the Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment network, is comprised of multiple systems which detect and track intercontinental and sea-launched ballistic missiles. These sites also work as collateral sensors in the Space Surveillance Network, tracking earth-orbiting satellites and reporting the information to the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

The Northern Hemisphere is home to six of these U.S. and allied ground-based early warning radar sites, which all contribute to the ITW/AA network. Of the six sites, the two radars located at Clear AFS, Alaska, and Cape Cod AFS, operate the Pave Phased-Array Warning System, initially designed for cold-war era threats and space traffic, while the rest have undergone major system modifications in the past decade.

To compensate for an older system design in the face of modern threats and a congested space environment, the 6th Space Warning Squadron, known as Team Six, at Cape Cod AFS, is continually innovating and executing a number of little-to-no cost initiatives to enhance operations and increase the radar's mission effectiveness.

For example, Team Six site analysts and tacticians have been searching for methods to increase the amount of radar resources devoted to space surveillance mission planning, without degrading missile warning capability. The team identified a default radar setting that might be adjusted and, after conducting a three-day test in November 2011, realized better than expected results. The radar acquired 9 percent more satellites and detected 28 percent more small objects.

The increase in smaller and total objects tracked provides more accurate data to improve space situational awareness, which helps protect both manned and unmanned space platforms and the national investment they entail. Improved space situational awareness is critical to achieving the wing's national security objectives in space.

The results from early initiatives have led to a micro-renaissance of ideas in Team Six and has encouraged personnel at all levels to contribute to innovation. For example, Team Six has moved many internal processes to SharePoint to improve knowledge management and sharing, and to streamline coordination and facilitate feedback from external organizations.
Sometimes, change is an internal idea; at other times, change is driven by pressure from outside or above the organization. Along with other ground-based radar sites and with the support of higher headquarters and functional staff, Team Six has undertaken an Air Force Space Command initiative to reduce the operations crew size from three to two operators.

This initiative is an innovation unto itself, requiring more efficient utilization of crew resources and weapon system interfaces. Operation and tasking of the Pave PAWS radar is more manually intensive than with the upgraded radar systems, so Team Six and the Sentinels of the 13th and 213th Space Warning Squadron at Clear AFS identified software changes to help crews excel in the new environment. Those software changes may take years to implement, and in the mean time, innovation will be the key to employing this system to the edge of its capability.
Some of these innovations are like sudden seismic movements, while others accumulate drop by drop, but promise a sea of change in culture.

Ever Aware is the 6th SWS motto, but with Team Six's taste for innovation, it might as well be Ever Aware, Ever Changing, and that's exactly the culture we need to dominate our high ground.

WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD IN KOSOVO ARE VISITED BY STATE LEADERSHIP

FROM:  WISCONSIN ARMY AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD
NEWS: Kosovo-deployed Guard Soldiers visited by state leadership
Date: April 24, 2012
National Guard troops keeping the peace in Kosovo received praise and gratitude from home as part of a leadership visit, April 19-23.
The governor of Wyoming, along with the top military officers for the states of Wisconsin and Wyoming, witnessed first-hand the efforts National Guard Soldiers have been performing as part of their year-long deployment in support of Operation Joint Guardian, a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

"I'm here to tell you that what you are doing here really matters," said Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar , adjutant general of Wisconsin. "You have brought your combat experience and leadership skills to Kosovo and what you are doing is very important."

Dunbar was accompanied by Wisconsin State Command Sgt. Maj. George Stopper.
Gov. Matt Mead, commander-in-chief of the Wyoming National Guard , was accompanied by Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner , the adjutant general of Wyoming, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jayson Walford.
Soldiers from both states serve alongside more than 700 National Guard Soldiers from 28 other states, as well as seven other nations, as part of a NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Kosovo known as KFOR. Their mission is to promote a safe and secure environment and ensure freedom of movement for citizens throughout Kosovo.

Most of the approximately 200 Wisconsin National Guard troops in country are part of the Multi-National Battle Group East (MNBG E), led by the Milwaukee-based 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade headquarters and includes Soldiers from the 32nd Military Police Company; Company F, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment ; and Detachment 1, Company B, 248th Aviation Battalion. Also part of MNBG E is approximately 20 Soldiers from the Wyoming National Guard's Detachment 2, Company B, 777th Aviation Support Battalion.

"Everyone's job differs," said Staff Sgt. Danielle Miller, a legal assistant from Wisconsin working at KFOR headquarters in Pristina. "This has been a very unique experience working with all the different nationalities. I consider it an opportunity of a lifetime."

MNBG E, along with MNBG West, ensures safety and security for Kosovo residents, performing a wide variety of missions in a supporting role to the Kosovo Police force and European Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). Whether it's airlifting critical supplies like food and water to remote outposts, conducting vehicle checks or sharing best-practice methods with Kosovo law enforcement agencies, Wyoming and Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers have proven their value to their multinational partners.
"They do a really good job," said German Army Maj. Gen. Erhard Drews, KFOR commander. "I appreciate what they are doing," adding that the Soldiers do an excellent job balancing the force protection mission with deterrence.

"The job that these Soldiers are doing here is absolutely critical," said Wyoming's Reiner. "It's an important mission to keep this region of the world safe and secure, and for our Wyoming Guard Soldiers to come over here and participate in this is a big deal and it makes a difference."

"Everyone back home in Wyoming and all the states should be very proud of the work that's being done here," Mead asserted. "I think it's just a great opportunity to visit these guys and see how they're doing."
In addition to performing their missions, many of the Soldiers deployed to Kosovo are completing military education requirements. Approximately 40 soldiers participated and graduated from the Warrior Leader Course for junior noncommissioned officers April 11, and another class is scheduled to graduate April 30. The command hopes to graduate 120 by the end of the group's tour. Officers in the command are also participating in the Intermediate Level-Education course, and a Battle Staff NCO course for intermediate and senior NCOs is expected to start later this summer.

"If we can help them get those requirements done while they are here it's a win-win for all," said MNBG E Command Sgt. Maj. Bradley Shields from Wisconsin. "Not only is it good for the Soldier, the Army and the Guard, but it also benefits the family and employers back home because the Soldier doesn't need to be away from home again to accomplish the training."

NATO has been leading a peace support operation in Kosovo since June 1999 in support of wider international efforts to build peace and stability in the area. Originally fielded by active duty units like the 82nd Airborne Division when NATO was the primary peacekeeping force in the region, the Army National Guard has taken a prominent role in the KFOR mission as Kosovo and European Union institutions assert themselves.
Over time, as the security situation has improved, NATO has been gradually adjusting KFOR's force posture towards a minimal presence - essentially, a smaller force progressively relying more on flexibility and intelligence with fewer static tasks, according to NATO officials.

"The intent is to teach them to take care of and provide for themselves," said Lt. Col. Jon Russell, MNBG E, operations officer from Wisconsin. This includes training and mentoring Kosovo security forces, conducting engineer inspections and educating medical personnel.

According to Kosovo native Ardian Nrecaj, who has been an interpreter for MNBG E since 1999, the Army National Guard forces joined the peace keeping effort in 2003 when the Pennsylvania Army National Guard took over from the active Army.

"National Guard members brought to Kosovo not only their military skills to keep a safe and secure environment, but they brought also their civilian skills, knowing that they are not only Soldiers but teachers, cops and other [types of workers]," he said. "With these extra sets of skills, they helped in training Kosovo institutions to receive more responsibility from KFOR."

The National Guard Soldiers currently assigned to MNBG E are more than halfway through their year-long deployment in Kosovo, and are expected to return in the fall.
"You're halfway there," Reiner said "Stay focused, stay safe, and make sure the second half is just as good as the first half."

ARMY PFC. MANNING WILL GO TO TRIAL IN FALL

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Alleged Document Leaker's Trial Set for September

By Donna Miles

FORT MEADE, Md., April 26, 2012 - Army Pfc. Bradley Manning will go to trial this fall to face charges that he leaked hundreds of thousands of classified documents in what's believed to be the largest intelligence leak in U.S. history.

Army Col. Denise Lind, the judge presiding over three days of motion hearings here, scheduled the trial to begin Sept. 21 and continue through Oct. 12.

The defense will get to decide if the case will be heard by a judge alone, by a jury to consist of all officers, or by a mixed panel that includes one third enlisted members from within Manning's current command, the Army's Military District of Washington.

During the hearings, Lind rejected the defense's argument yesterday that all 22 charges against him Manning should be dismissed.

Today, she also upheld the most serious charge against him, that he aided the enemy by disclosing classified military and diplomatic documents material to the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks, in turn, released thousands of these documents, including classified records about military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, on its website.

Lind specified today that the prosecution must prove that Manning disclosed the data with a clear understanding that the enemy would have access to it.

The decision followed three days of oral arguments, with the discussion centered largely on Manning's intent in disclosing the classified documents and what damage resulted.

The defense, led by civilian counsel David Coombs, argued that Manning never intended to aid the enemy when he provided the information to WikiLeaks.

The government called Manning's intent immaterial and said he should be tried based solely on his actions. "Why he did something isn't relevant," Army Maj. Ashden Fein, the lead prosecutor, told the judge. What is relevant at this point, he said, is what Manning actually did and how he did it.

Aiding the enemy under Article 104 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice is a capital offense; however, the prosecution team has said it won't recommend the death penalty, a legal official said.

The maximum sentence Manning could receive, if found guilty of the charge, is life in prison.

He also could be reduced to E-1, the lowest enlisted grade, face a total forfeiture of all pay and allowances and dishonorable discharge, officials said.

Lind upheld other lesser charges against Manning, rejecting the defense's claim the government imposed "unreasonable multiplication of charges," essentially piling on duplicate charges for the same acts. She said she found no evidence that the prosecution exaggerated Manning's criminality or otherwise "overreached" in compiling charges against him.

The judge did, however, leave the door open for combining charges in the event that Manning is found guilty and the case moves into the sentencing phase.  This could reduce the length of any sentence imposed, a military legal official explained.

The defense team reiterated its call for the government to provide assessments of damages actually caused by the disclosures, calling this information critical to its case. Coombs argued today that the government's failure to provide a full accounting of harm done demonstrates that the disclosures actually had minimal impact.

Fein said the burden of proving actual damages isn't the government's responsibility, and that that information, should it be considered at all, should be reserved until sentencing.

Lind did not say when she will rule on the defense's request for damage assessments. She said she will review these documents personally to determine if the defense team should have access to them.

The judge also has yet to consider a new prosecution request to reconsider her directive that the State Department share its interim damage assessment report findings. 

Lind ruled yesterday that the prosecution does not have to provide the defense team transcripts of federal grand jury testimony regarding the WikiLeaks case. Although the FBI has been involved in the WikiLeaks investigation, the judge said the military has no authority to release the FBI information.

Manning sat emotionless in the courtroom wearing his Army service uniform during the three days of oral arguments. He followed the proceedings closely, periodically jotting notes on a yellow pad or leaning toward Coombs or his new military defense attorney, Army Capt. Joshua Tooman, to whisper a comment or peek at a document.

The 24-year-old military intelligence analyst was arrested at Contingency Operating Base Hammer near Baghdad, Iraq, May 25, 2010. A former 10th Mountain Division soldier, he is accused of installing unauthorized software onto government computers to extract classified information, unlawfully downloading it, improperly storing it, and transmitting the data for public release and use by the enemy.

The specific charges, as outlined on his charge sheet, include aiding the enemy; wrongfully causing intelligence to be published on the Internet knowing that it is accessible to the enemy; theft of public property or records; transmitting defense information; and fraud and related activity in connection with computers. The charges include violation of Army Regulations 25-2 "Information Assurance" and 380-5 "Department of the Army Information Security Program."

Manning has not issued a plea on these charges.

Along with the trial dates, Lind scheduled additional hearings related to the case: June 6 to 8; July 16 to 20; Aug. 27 to 31; and Sept. 19 to 20. The hearings will focus on specific elements related to each charge to ensure a common understanding as both sides prepare their cases, as well as other procedural items.

NASA NASA Podcasts Update

NASA NASA Podcasts Update

MEETING ON ARAB COUNTRIES PARTNERSHIP GOVERNANCE

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
The Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition Chairman's Summary of the Meeting on Governance on April 24, 2012 in Paris, France
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
April 25, 2012
On April 24 in Paris, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Robert Hormats chaired a meeting of the Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition on the subject of governance. This governance meeting was a key part of further developing the Partnership this year, which also includes pillars related to finance and trade, investment and integration. The work of the Partnership this year takes place under the presidency of the United States. The U.S. Chairman of the Paris meeting on April 24 summarizes the results as follows:

The members of the Deauville Partnership recognize the importance of open government, accountability, and a fair regulatory environment to promote inclusive economic growth, rule of law, and job creation as part of a successful democratic transition. On April 24, 2012, representatives of the Partnership countries met in Paris, France.

The participants reached agreement on a number of concrete steps for the G-8, transition countries, regional partner countries, and supporting international institutions. These steps will focus on four core areas for effective governance: open government and anticorruption, asset recovery, the policy environment for small and medium-sized enterprises, and international exchanges. Such steps were conceived based on the shared conviction that institutional and governance reform is essential for inclusive economic growth and prosperity.

The Platform established by the Arab League, OECD, UNDP, Union for the Mediterranean and others to facilitate information sharing, co-operation and operational dialogue within the governance pillar of the Partnership is an important element for its success, and participants recognized the role the OECD has played in facilitating this process. We welcome regular reports on progress by the Platform.

Open Governance and Anti-corruption
The participants agreed on the importance of a series of initiatives to foster rule of law, combat impunity, and enhance citizen confidence in democratic institutions. They agreed on a number of actions to increase transparency in government institutions, promote government-citizen dialogue, combat corruption, and enhance integrity in public procurement. These efforts will attract investment and foster local economic development and job creation. Partnership actions will include:
Recognizing that open and transparent governance is a prerequisite for growth and public confidence, each transition country will consider pursuing membership in the Open Government Partnership and the potential benefits of joining the initiative. As an OGP member, Jordan will start implementing its OGP National Action Plan and seeks support in this regard, and Tunisia will join the OGP in 2013. Libya, Morocco, and Egypt will each work with the OECD to develop country specific reviews and initiate membership efforts for the OGP. The OECD MENA Governance Program plays an important role in this context.

Participants emphasized the importance of capacity building, through their own efforts and by working with non-government organizations. For example, this can be accomplished through recruiting a cadre of international volunteer experts from the public and private sectors to provide on-the-ground, technical assistance to better manage public finances. Participants stressed the importance of programs for capacity building in the sphere of public financial management.

Partnership countries will participate in the MENA Better Governance and Fair Tax Systems conference in Tunis, May 30-31, which will explore how good governance and tax administration can promote citizen engagement, increased public confidence and business success.

Transition countries are called upon to consider the implementation of international standards, informed by relevant assessments, including key preventive measures such as conflict of interest rules, disclosure of assets, and whistleblower protection. All UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) parties will conduct their reviews in a transparent and inclusive manner, and G8 members that have already done so will accede to UNCAC as soon as possible. Transition countries also should consider using OECD tools, such as the Clean GovBiz Initiative, to achieve concrete results.
Transition countries will make use of OECD tools to disseminate information about their progress towards effective implementation of integrity principles of good governance in public procurement, such as the OECD Principles for Enhancing Integrity in Public Procurement, the OECD/DAC Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems, and other international practices, and will consider employing OECD surveys to enhance such progress.

Asset Recovery
Asset recovery is a high priority for the region and the international community. The Partnership will take action to promote cooperation and case assistance, as well as capacity-building efforts. Partnership actions will include:
Each G-8 member will publish a guide that describes specific steps required for assistance and cooperation for tracing, freezing, confiscating, and returning proceeds of corruption.

Each G-8 member and transition country will, to the extent possible, develop or reinforce mechanisms for pursuing and sharing best practices related to cooperation in the recovery of the proceeds of corruption.

G-8 members will support capacity-building activities, to the extent possible.
Transition and regional partner countries will establish and participate in an Arab Forum on Asset Recovery, in cooperation with the G8 and other partners, to provide a platform for policy dialogue, regional training, and developing a regional network of expertise on asset recovery.

Members of the Partnership will support the Stolen Assets Recovery Initiative of the World Bank and the UNDC.

Policy Environments for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
The Partnership will review legal, regulatory, and administrative practices for the growth of small and medium-sized businesses. Governments can improve the business climate for SMEs by advancing rule of law, reducing corruption, improving banking services, including access to microcredit, improving the tax environment and promoting cross-border trade. Improved practices will contribute to higher and more inclusive economic growth, more jobs, and a more vibrant civil society. Partnership actions will include:
G-8 members and international institutions continue to place high priority on offering assistance to transition countries in the field of SME development.
Partnership countries support the swift ratification of amendments to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) Articles of Agreement to open the EBRD’s “Special Fund” to Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Jordan.
The OECD-MENA Women’s Business Forum will support the promotion of women’s economic participation by improving women’s entrepreneurship development.

The UK's Arab Partnership Economic Facility has the capacity to support project work focusing in the development of and enabling environments for SMEs. This can include areas such as investment climate reform, competition policy, enterprise development, business services and extending access to finance.

Partnership countries will support and participate in the conference on “Reviving Private Investment in the Deauville Partnership Countries: Investment Policies for Job Creation” to be held on May 7-8 in Cairo.
The United States and Tunisia will co-host a regional workshop in the early fall to examine best practices for policy and regulatory environment for SMEs.

Russia will host a session for Arab officials and businesses on trade and investment opportunities with an emphasis on SMEs at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum in June.
Japan and Egypt will co-host a preparation meeting in Cairo in May for the Japan Arab Economic Forum.
Regional workshops to strengthen the capacity of SMEs will be organized under the auspices of the Euro-Mediterranean Charter for Enterprise.

Tunisia and Italy are co-chairing an OECD Working Group on SME Policy, Entrepreneurship and Human Capital Development within the framework of the OECD MENA Initiative.

International Exchanges
Partnership countries will support exchanges and training programs, especially for the following constituencies from transition countries: (1) members of legislative bodies and their staffs; (2) judges; (3) regional and municipal leaders; and (4) labor unions. By the end of 2013, G-8 members will identify completed exchanges and programs to support these groups from the transition countries. The goal of these programs is to facilitate strong commitments to effective, accountable, and representative governance practices.

Participants look forward to continuing the critical work of all three pillars of the Deauville Partnership, including the important governance pillar. Progress to this point is a sign of the enduring cooperation between the Partnership countries and support to the transitions in the region.

CFTC CHARGES MAN AND HIS COMPANIES WITH COMMODITY GOLD AND OIL OPTIONS FRAUD

FROM:  CFTC
CFTC Charges Florida Resident Abraham Gutterman and His Companies, Alliance Capital Metals LLC and AR Goldman Wealth Management, LLC with Commodity Gold and Oil Options Fraud and Misappropriation

Defendants allegedly stole more than $480,000 from customers
Federal court enters emergency order freezing defendants’ assets and protecting books and records
Washington, DC – The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) today announced the filing of a federal court action against Abraham Gutterman, Alliance Capital Metals LLC (ACM), and AR Goldman Wealth Management, LLC (ARGWM) (doing business as U.S. Principal Financial Services), all of South Florida, charging them with commodity options fraud and misappropriation.

On March 15, 2012, the same day the complaint was filed, Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, entered an emergency order freezing the defendants’ assets. The order also prohibits the defendants from destroying or altering books and records. The judge set a hearing date for April 11, 2012.

The CFTC complaint alleges that from at least November 2009 to the present, the defendants fraudulently solicited and accepted at least $483,725 from at least 15 customers to trade gold and oil commodity options contracts. Defendants allegedly never disclosed to customers that their funds would be used for any purposes other than trading gold and oil options. Instead, the defendants misappropriated all of the customers’ funds, and spent the money on various personal expenses, including restaurants, gambling, entertainment, and retail purchases, according to the complaint.

The defendants allegedly lured customers using cold-calls, a website, and at least one face-to-face meeting in a bar in Hialeah, Fla. ACM and ARGWM allegedly used high pressure sales tactics, calling customers repeatedly and promising large profits to convince them to invest. Defendants did not provide customers with any documentation of their investments or account activity statements, and when one customer asked how his investment was doing, ACM and ARGWM advised him to watch the price of gold on business news television stations, according to the complaint.

Specifically, ACM and ARGWM, by and through their employees and agents, allegedly made the following misrepresentations and omissions of material fact to persuade customers to invest:
 customers would “make a killing” if they invested in commodity options through ACM and ARGWM;
 customers would make approximately $200,000 to $300,000 in less than three months with a $20,000 investment in gold options;

 the majority of ACM’s and ARGWM’s prior customers bought gold options in 20 contract lots and those customers’ investments had increased significantly;
 customers needed to “get in now” because the price of gold was about to rise from prices of approximately $1,700 to $1,800 per ounce to $2,500 per ounce;
 for every dollar the price per ounce of gold goes up, the customer’s options contracts would increase in value by $500 to $2,000; and
 gold options are a good investment for retirement savings and, after investing with ACM and ARGWM, the customer would have more than enough money to retire within just a few months.

Within a few months of investing, ACM and ARGWM allegedly advised customers that all their funds had been lost trading commodity options and the only way to recoup their investments was to invest additional funds. When customers requested that ACM and ARGWM sell their purported commodity options and return the balance of their funds, ACM and ARGWM allegedly refused and instead pressured customers not to sell their investments. No money was ever returned to the customers, according to the complaint.
In its continuing litigation, the CFTC seeks civil monetary penalties, restitution, rescission, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, trading and registration bans, and preliminary and permanent injunctions against further violations of the federal commodities laws, as charged.

The CFTC appreciates the assistance of the Aventura, Florida, Police Department.
CFTC Division of Enforcement staff responsible for this case are Robert Howell, Joseph Patrick, Susan Gradman, Scott Williamson, Rosemary Hollinger, and Richard Wagner.

CHARLES TAYLOR, FORMER PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA CONVICTED OF WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
The Verdict in the Charles Taylor Trial at the Special Court for Sierra Leone
Press Statement Victoria Nuland
Department Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
April 26, 2012
The United States welcomes the issuance of the judgment by the Special Court for Sierra Leone, convicting Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Today’s judgment was an important step toward delivering justice and accountability for victims, restoring peace and stability in the country and the region, and completing the Special Court for Sierra Leone’s mandate to prosecute those persons who bear the greatest responsibility for the atrocities committed in Sierra Leone. The Taylor prosecution at the Special Court delivers a strong message to all perpetrators of atrocities, including those in the highest positions of power, that they will be held accountable.

The trial of Charles Taylor is of enormous historical and legal significance as it is the first of a powerful head of state to be brought to judgment before an international tribunal on charges of mass atrocities and serious violations of international humanitarian law. Over 90 witnesses testified during the trial, bringing to light the range of crimes committed during the war in Sierra Leone, and affirming the importance of justice for the victims. The United States has been a strong supporter and the leading donor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone since its inception. The successful completion of the Special Court’s work remains a top U.S. Government priority.

NASA SCIENTISTS FIND HISTORY OF ASTEROID IMPACTS IN EARTH ROCKS

WASHINGTON -- Research by NASA and international scientists concludes
giant asteroids, similar or larger than the one believed to have
killed the dinosaurs, hit Earth billions of years ago with more
frequency than previously thought.

To cause the dinosaur extinction, the killer asteroid that impacted
Earth 65 million years ago would have been almost 6 miles (10
kilometers) in diameter. By studying ancient rocks in Australia and
using computer models, researchers estimate that approximately 70
asteroids the same size or larger impacted Earth 1.8 to 3.8 billion
years ago. During the same period, approximately four similarly-sized
objects hit the moon.

"This work demonstrates the power of combining sophisticated computer
models with physical evidence from the past, further opening an
important window to Earth's history," said Yvonne Pendleton, director
of NASA's Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) at NASA's Ames Research
Center at Moffett Field, Calif.

Evidence for these impacts on Earth comes from thin rock layers that
contain debris of nearly spherical, sand-sized droplets called
spherules. These millimeter-scale clues were formerly molten droplets
ejected into space within the huge plumes created by mega-impacts on
Earth. The hardened droplets then fell back to Earth, creating thin
but widespread sedimentary layers known as spherule beds.
The new findings are published today in the journal Nature.

"The beds speak to an intense period of bombardment of Earth," said
William Bottke principal investigator of the impact study team at the
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in Boulder, Colo. "Their source
long has been a mystery."

The team's findings support the theory Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and
Neptune formed in different orbits nearly 4.5 billion years ago,
migrating to their current orbits about 4 billion years ago from the
interplay of gravitational forces in the young solar system. This
event triggered a solar system-wide bombardment of comets and
asteroids called the "Late Heavy Bombardment." In the paper, the team
created a model of the ancient main asteroid belt and tracked what
would have happened when the orbits of the giant planets changed.
They discovered the innermost portion of the belt became destabilized
and could have delivered numerous big impacts to Earth and the moon
over long time periods.

At least 12 mega-impacts produced spherule beds during the so-called
Archean period 2.5 to 3.7 billion years ago, a formative time for
life on Earth. Ancient spherule beds are rare finds, rarer than rocks
of any other age. Most of the beds have been preserved amid mud
deposited on the sea floor below the reach of waves.

The impact believed to have killed the dinosaurs was the only known
collision over the past half-billion years that made a spherule layer
as deep as those of the Archean period. The relative abundance of the
beds supports the hypothesis for many giant asteroid impacts during
Earth's early history.

The frequency of the impacts indicated in the computer models matches
the number of spherule beds found in terrains with ages that are well
understood. The data also hint at the possibility that the last
impacts of the Late Heavy Bombardment on Earth made South Africa's
Vredefort crater and Canada's Sudbury crater, both of which formed
about 2 billion years ago.

"The Archean beds contain enough extraterrestrial material to rule out
alternative sources for the spherules, such as volcanoes," said Bruce
Simonson, a geologist from Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.

The research was funded by NLSI and conducted by members or associates
of NLSI's Center of Lunar Origin and Evolution, based at SwRI.

The impact study team also includes scientists from Purdue University
in West Lafayette, Ind.; Charles University in Prague, Czech
Republic; Observatorie de la Cote d'Azur in Nice, France; and
Academia Sinica in Taipei, Taiwan.

THE MYSTERY OF ENGINE ICE FIRE

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ARMED WITH SCIENCE
An Engine Of Ice and Fire
Written on APRIL 25, 2012 AT 7:06 AM by JTOZER

Polar opposites attract in the puzzling case of ice crystal engine icing, where the frozen crystals can be ingested into the core of a jet engine. (Image credit: NASA/Eric Mindek)
scientists are making progress in their preparations to mount a detailed research campaign aimed at solving a modern-day aviation mystery involving the unlikely combination of fire and ice inside a running jet engine.

NASA scientists are making progress in their preparations to mount a detailed research campaign aimed at solving a modern-day aviation mystery involving the unlikely combination of fire and ice inside a running jet engine.

The investigation deals with the seemingly strange notion that ice crystals associated with warm-weather storms can be ingested into the core of a jet engine, melt and then re-freeze, potentially causing the engine to lose power or shut down altogether. Safety officials have documented more than 150 incidents of this phenomenon since 1988. Most of the incidents have occurred in the tropics.

“It doesn’t seem intuitive that ice can form in the core of a warm engine,” said Ron Colantonio, manager of the Atmospheric Environment Safety Technologies Project at NASA’sGlenn Research Center in Cleveland.

So in order to make sense of the mystery, NASA and its research partners are planning to gather information by flying a specially-outfitted business jet in high-altitude, warm-weather conditions suspected of having a large amount of ice crystals.
Technicians in California are currently modifying a Gulfstream G2 airplane to hold a suite of meteorological instruments, with hopes of having everything ready for initial trial runs of the full setup in Florida this August.

The research team then will take the lessons learned from their trial runs, make appropriate changes and prepare for the primary campaign, which is now targeted between January and March, 2013. These flights will take place over Darwin, Australia, an area known for having the type of storms that include high levels of ice crystals.

Meanwhile, another set of investigators will be preparing the ground segment of the research, which involves simulating the engine icing conditions in an engine test facility at Glenn, as well as refining new computer codes to help predict where and when the engine icing conditions exist.

For now, pilots are being trained to recognize the potential existence of these ice crystals, which are about the same size as baking soda, and advised to avoid the weather conditions as best they can. Although a potential hazard, no accident has been attributed to the phenomenon in the 23 years since it was identified.

A computer rendering of the research aircraft NASA will use in a few months to collect vital atmospheric data about where, when and how high altitude ice crystals occur. (Image credit: NASA/Eric Mindek)

In most of the known cases, pilots have managed to restore engine power and reach their destinations without further problems. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, there have been two forced landings.
For example, in 2005, both engines of a Beechcraft business jet failed at 38,000 feet above Jacksonville, Fla. The pilot safely glided the aircraft to an airport, dodging thunderstorms and ominous clouds on the way down.
It is expected that updated flight safety rules and engine testing standards will be adopted once all the research is compiled and analyzed during the next few years.
By Jim Banke

NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

NASA TESTS GPS MONITORING SYSTEM FOR BIG U.S. EARTHQUAKES

FROM:  NASA
WASHINGTON -- The space-based technology that lets GPS-equipped 
motorists constantly update their precise location will undergo a 
major test of its ability to rapidly pinpoint the location and 
magnitude of strong earthquakes across the western United States. 
Results from the new Real-time Earthquake Analysis for Disaster 
(READI) Mitigation Network soon could be used to assist prompt 
disaster response and more accurate tsunami warnings. 

The new research network builds on decades of technology development 
supported by the National Science Foundation, the Department of 
Defense, NASA, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The network 
uses real-time GPS measurements from nearly 500 stations throughout 
California, Oregon and Washington. When a large earthquake is 
detected, GPS data are used to automatically calculate its vital 
characteristics including location, magnitude and details about the 
fault rupture. 

"With the READI network we are enabling continued development of 
real-time GPS technologies to advance national and international 
early warning disaster systems," said Craig Dobson, natural hazards 
program manager in the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters in 
Washington. "This prototype system is a significant step towards 
realizing the goal of providing Pacific basin-wide natural hazards 
capability around the Pacific 'Ring of Fire.'" 

Accurate and rapid identification of earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 and 
stronger is critical for disaster response and mitigation efforts, 
especially for tsunamis. Calculating the strength of a tsunami 
requires detailed knowledge of the size of the earthquake and 
associated ground movements. Acquiring this type of data for very 
large earthquakes is a challenge for traditional seismological 
instruments that measure ground shaking. 

High-precision, second-by-second measurements of ground displacements 
using GPS have been shown to reduce the time needed to characterize 
large earthquakes and to increase the accuracy of subsequent tsunami 
predictions. After the capabilities of the network have been fully 
demonstrated, it is intended to be used by appropriate natural hazard 
monitoring agencies. USGS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration are responsible for detecting and issuing warnings on 
earthquakes and tsunamis, respectively. 

"By using GPS to measure ground deformation from large earthquakes, we 
can reduce the time needed to locate and characterize the damage from 
large seismic events to several minutes," said Yehuda Bock, director 
of Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Orbit and Permanent Array 
Center in La Jolla, Calif. "We now are poised to fully test the 
prototype system this year." 

The READI network is a collaboration of many institutions including 
Scripps at the University of California in San Diego; Central 
Washington University in Ellensburg; the University of Nevada in 
Reno; California Institute of Technology/Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
(JPL) in Pasadena; UNAVCO in Boulder, Colo.; and the University of 
California at Berkeley. 

NASA, NSF, USGS, and other federal, state, and local partners support 
the GPS stations in the network, including the EarthScope Plate 
Boundary Observatory, the Pacific Northwest Geodetic Array, the Bay 
Area Regional Deformation Array and the California Real-Time Network. 


"The relatively small investments in GPS-based natural hazards systems 
have revolutionized the way we view the Earth and allowed us to 
develop this prototype system with great potential benefits for the 
infrastructure and population in earthquake-prone states in the 
western United States," said Frank Webb, Earth Science Advanced 
Mission Concepts program manager at JPL. 

The READI network is the outgrowth of nearly 25 years of U.S. 
government research efforts to develop the capabilities and 
applications of GPS technology. The GPS satellite system was created 
by the Department of Defense for military and ultimately civil 
positioning needs. NASA leveraged this investment by supporting 
development of a global GPS signal receiving network to improve the 
accuracy and utility of GPS positioning information. Today that 
capability provides real-time, pinpoint positioning and timing for a 
wide variety of uses from agriculture to Earth exploration. 

"Conventional seismic networks have consistently struggled to rapidly 
identify the true size of great earthquakes during the last decade," 
said Timothy Melbourne, director of the Central Washington 
University's Pacific Northwest Geodetic Array. "This GPS system is 
more likely to provide accurate and rapid estimates of the location 
and amount of fault slip to fire, utility, medical and other 
first-response teams." 

The GPS earthquake detection capability was first demonstrated by 
NASA-supported research on a major 2004 Sumatra quake conducted by 
Geoffrey Blewitt and colleagues at the University of Nevada in Reno. 

SEC CHARGES COMPANY WITH MISREPRESENTATIONS ON NRSRO APPLICATION

FROM:  THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C., April 24, 2012 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced charges against Egan-Jones Ratings Company (EJR) and its owner and president Sean Egan for material misrepresentations and omissions in the company’s July 2008 application to register as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO) for issuers of asset-backed securities (ABS) and government securities. EJR and Egan also are charged with material misrepresentations in other submissions furnished to the SEC and violations of record-keeping and conflict-of-interest provisions governing NRSROs.

The Commission issued an order instituting proceedings in which the SEC’s Division of Enforcement alleges that EJR — a credit rating agency based in Haverford, Pa. — submitted an application to register as an NRSRO for issuers of asset-backed and government securities in July 2008. EJR had previously registered with the SEC in 2007 as an NRSRO for financial institutions, insurance companies, and corporate issuers.
The SEC’s Division of Enforcement alleges that in its 2008 application, EJR falsely stated that as of the date of the application it had 150 outstanding ABS issuer ratings and 50 outstanding government issuer ratings. EJR further falsely stated in its 2008 application that it had been issuing credit ratings in the ABS and government categories as a credit rating agency on a continuous basis since 1995. In fact, at the time of its July 2008 application, EJR had not issued — that is, made available on the Internet or through another readily accessible means — any ABS or government issuer ratings, and therefore did not meet the requirements for registration as an NRSRO in these categories. EJR continued to make material misrepresentations regarding its experience rating asset-backed and government securities in subsequent annual certifications furnished to the SEC.

The SEC’s Division of Enforcement also alleges that EJR made other misstatements and omissions in submissions to the SEC by providing inaccurate certifications from clients, failing to disclose that two employees had signed a code of ethics different than the one EJR disclosed, and inaccurately stating that EJR did not know if subscribers were long or short a particular security.

The SEC’s Division of Enforcement further alleges that EJR violated other provisions of Commission rules governing NRSROs. EJR failed to enforce its policies to address conflicts of interest arising from employee ownership of securities, and allowed two analysts to participate in determining credit ratings for issuers whose securities they owned. EJR also failed to make and retain certain required records, including a detailed record of its procedures and methodologies to determine credit ratings and e-mails regarding its determination of credit ratings.

The SEC’s Division of Enforcement alleges that Egan provided inaccurate information that was included in EJR’s applications and annual certifications. He signed the submissions and certified that the information provided in them was “accurate in all significant respects,” when he knew that it was not. Egan also failed to ensure EJR’s compliance with the recordkeeping requirements and conflict-of-interest provisions.
The SEC’s Division of Enforcement alleges that, by the conduct described above, EJR willfully violated Exchange Act Sections 15E(a)(1), 15E(b)(2), 15E(h)(1) and 17(a), and Rules 17g-1(a), 17g-1(b), 17g-1(f), 17g-1(a)(2), 17g-2(a)(6), 17g-2(b)(2), 17g-2(b)(7), and 17g-5(c)(2). The Division of Enforcement further alleges that by the conduct described above, Egan willfully made, or caused EJR to make, material misstatements in its Form NRSRO, and caused or willfully aided, abetted, counseled, commanded, induced or procured EJR’s violations of Sections 15E and 17(a) of the Exchange Act and Rules 17g-1, 17g-2, and 17g-5.

The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Stacy Bogert, Pamela Nolan, Alec Koch, and Yuri Zelinsky. The SEC’s litigation will be led by James Kidney.

VA ARTICLE ON MENTAL HEALTH WAIT TIMES

FROM:  U.S. VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
On VA’s Mental Health Wait Times
April 24, 2012 by Alex Horton
When Brian Chevalier was killed in an explosion during a complex ambush, our platoon didn’t take it as an exception to otherwise professional soldiering, or as a mistake that could be corrected on the spot. Chevy’s death was a failure on our part, despite our training, our weapons, and our vigilance. It didn’t matter that the triggerman was hidden from view, or the massive bomb was concealed under concrete. We let him down, and he’s not here because we didn’t keep him safe.

Just like physical trauma, psychological trauma can occur in a matter of seconds, but the consequences are felt for a lifetime. We arm troops for conflict—we teach them to shoot, move as a team, and patch each other up—but there is no equivalent steeling once they become civilians. Part of that is the complex nature of mental health; you can protect flesh and organs with armor, but what can shield the mind from the horrors of war?

After more than a decade of conflict, the rising demand for mental health services—coupled with the tragedy of Veteran suicides—has shown we must do more. Just like our platoon couldn’t save Chevy, we fail when a Veteran turns to suicide instead of help, or leaves a VA facility because no appointments are available, or when the culture and language of the military creates a divide between clinicians and Veterans.

VA has taken steps to treat all aspects of the problem—from nightmares to short tempers to suicide—by increasing its mental health budget in the last three years by 39 percent. Additionally, the Department announced the hiring of an additional 1,900 mental health staffers across the country—an increase of nearly 10 percent. The boost will bring in what Vets need—over 1,600 nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists, as well as 300 support staff to assist in the heavy lift. This is one boost in an ongoing assessment of all VA mental health operations that has been underway since 2011.

That would go far to ease what a recent VA Inspector General report identified as a major issue: Veterans are not being seen for mental health appointments as quickly as had been reported.

According to the investigation, the Veterans Health Administration met its goal of fully evaluating patients within 14 days only about 49 percent of the time. The remaining 51 percent waited an average of 50 days for full evaluations (though situations considered mental health emergencies are handled differently). For follow-up treatments, the report indicated an appointment is scheduled within 14 days about 88 percent of the time. When seconds and minutes count—as they do in combat—VA did not meet its own standard.
Many Veterans seek basic mental health care each day. That’s why the staff increase isn’t meant to simply prevent suicides before they happen. It’s about providing increased availability of appointments and resources. But more fundamentally, it helps VA build a community of care that includes trained mental health clinicians, peer support specialists, outreach workers, group support and more to promote the wellness of Veterans. It’s that kind of deep community involvement in mental health treatment—much like a military unit—that we hope improves lives.

When a Veteran calls and says he or she needs help, and we say the first available appointment is several weeks away, we have failed that Veteran by our own standard. It’s past time to say we will fix the problem, or that solutions are on the horizon. The best we can do now is to honor the living and the dead by being advocates and taking the failures we accumulate not as statistics, but scars. It should grind us up; eat at us and shock us. It should drive us. We must face the idea that thousands of returned Veterans need assistance every single day. Then we must look forward, anticipate their needs, and do better. Each of us owes that much to the Vet out there, in a dark place, looking to us to help heal the trauma inflicted on our behalf.

Chevy is not coming back. The failure to protect him haunts the men of second platoon, whose men can never say, “We’ll work to prevent this from happening in the future.” Like in war, future responses don’t make up for past failures. There are still men and women coming home healthy on the outside but eventually succumbing to mental wounds sustained in combat. Chevy’s death made us look sharper, shoot straighter, and move quicker. It’s our memory of failure that helped us protect each other’s life.

U.S. GIVES SUPPORT TO ANTI-LRA FORCES

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

U.S. Supports Pushback Against Lord's Resistance Army

By Karen Parrish

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2012 - The United States is part of a successful effort to help counter the Lord's Resistance Army in Central Africa, but a four-pillared approach to neutralizing the terrorist group must continue, senior defense, diplomatic and aid officials told senators here yesterday.

That approach, officials explained, includes increasing protection for civilians in LRA-affected areas, apprehending and removing Joseph Kony and other LRA leaders, disarming, demobilizing and reintegrating remaining LRA fighters, and sustaining humanitarian relief to affected areas.

Amanda J. Dory, deputy assistant Secretary of Defense for African affairs, joined Donald Yamamoto, principal deputy assistant Secretary of State for African affairs, and Earl Gast, U.S. Agency for International Development assistant administrator for Africa, in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's African Affairs Subcommittee yesterday.

The LRA is composed mostly of kidnapped children forced to conduct Kony's terrorist tactics over the past 20 years, administration officials have said. Tens of thousands of people have been murdered and as many as 1.8 million have been displaced by the LRA, they said.

President Barack Obama announced April 23 that a U.S. military advise-and-assist mission to Central Africa, begun in October, will remain in place with periodic review.

"Our advisers will continue their efforts to bring this madman to justice and to save lives," the president said in announcing the mission's extension.

The 100-member U.S. team of trainers is working to help nations affected by the LRA to "help realize a future where no African child is stolen from their family and no girl is raped and no boy is turned into a child soldier," Obama said.

Dory described U.S. contributions to the effort, which include training local forces and assisting in intelligence and logistics coordination.

"The militaries of Uganda, the Central African Republic, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in collaboration with the African Union, continue to pursue the LRA and seek to protect local populations," she said. "They are leading this effort."

U.S. advisors in Uganda synchronize and oversee the department's counter-LRA efforts and coordinate with Ugandan forces, she said, while other U.S. service members work in field locations with forces from Uganda, the Central African Republic and South Sudan.

"U.S. advisors have helped to set up operations fusion centers to enable daily coordination, information sharing and tactical coordination," she said. "[They] are also integrating local civilian leaders into the work of the partner forces to improve the effectiveness of the civil-military relations."

Yamamoto said the State Department's role in the counter-LRA mission largely involves multinational coordination.

"We are coordinating closely with the United Nations peacekeeping missions in the region, especially to promote civilian protection," he said. "We have encouraged the U.N. to scale up its efforts when possible. We are also working very closely with the African Union to increase its efforts to address the LRA."

Gast said USAID has worked in Africa since the late 1980s to help communities build security, to reintegrate children formerly abducted by the LRA, and to strengthen economic development in affected areas.

"As the conflict first began to exact severe economic losses, cause mass displacement and weaken governance in Northern Uganda, USAID focused on providing lifesaving assistance to those affected by the conflict," Gast said. "When the LRA was finally driven out of Northern Uganda, our programs shifted from relief to recovery and then to longer-term development, which is taking place now."

Dory noted the LRA operates in a remote and rugged zone that includes parts of several countries. U.S. forces have effectively only been in the area since December and January, she said, but they have seen results from their efforts.

"We believe the U.S. military advisors have established a good foundation and made initial progress, especially considering the complexity of the operating environment, the number of partners involved and the remoteness of the operational areas," Dory said. "We will continue to monitor the situation closely with our interagency partners to ensure our support is having the intended impact."
 

SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON ON ISRAEL'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

FROM:  U.S STATE DEPARTMENT
Israel's Independence Day
Press Statement Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State Washington, DC
April 25, 2012
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Israel as you celebrate your 64th Independence Day this April 26th. For many around the world, Israel remains a beacon of hope and an inspiring example.

Israel and the United States are united by a deep and unbreakable bond based on mutual interests and respect. Our relationship grows stronger every day as we work to promote regional security, create new economic partnerships, increase two-way trade and broaden our energy cooperation. We are steadfast in our commitment to Israel’s security, which is a cornerstone of our foreign policy in the Middle East.

Over the past year, people throughout the Middle East and North Africa have demanded their universal rights and human dignity. As you celebrate your Independence Day and changes continue to sweep across the region, know that the United States stands with you to embrace new opportunities and address difficult challenges. And we will continue to work with you and your neighbors to achieve the shared goal of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East. Congratulations and best wishes for peace and prosperity in the years to come.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER'S TASK FORCE ON CHILDREN EXPOSED TO VIOLENCE PUBLIC HEARING

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Attorney General Eric Holder’s Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence Holds Final Public Hearing in Detroit New DOJ Study Reveals School Officials More Likely to Learn of Child Victimization than Police or Medical Authorities
At the final hearing of Attorney General Eric Holder’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence in Detroit, officials from the Justice Department and the city of Detroit underscored efforts to keep kids safe and prevent youth violence. The task force is a key part of Attorney General Holder’s Defending Childhood Initiative to prevent and reduce children’s exposure to violence.

At the hearing, Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West announced the release of a new Justice Department research bulletin showing that 46 percent of victimized children were known to school, police or medical authorities. The bulletin, Child and Youth Victimization Known to Police, School, and Medical Authorities draws from the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence sponsored by the Office of Justice Programs’ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“While more children are reporting violence to authorities, many continue to endure the pain of victimization in silence,” said Acting Associate Attorney General West.  “Through the work of the Attorney General’s task force, we hope to find more ways to identify those children in need and make sure they have access to effective prevention and treatment options.”

The task force is co-chaired by Joe Torre, chairman of the board of the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, and Robert Listenbee, Jr., chief of the Juvenile Unit of the Defender Association of Philadelphia.  Co-chair Listenbee, a Detroit-area native, highlighted the urgency and opportunity of the task force’s work.

“I grew up just 20 miles outside of Detroit in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. During my high school years, violence was commonplace,” said Listenbee. “Similar violence still occurs in cities and towns across the country, but today we know so much more about how to address it.   The resounding message this task force has heard is that we can – and must – change the norm of violence in children’s lives.”

During the opening session, Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee discussed the police department’s work with youth.   He was joined by Lawnya Sherrod, a former Detroit gang member turned community organizer, who highlighted her work to get youth out of gangs and to help them graduate from high school and become productive, successful members of the community.

In a panel discussion about successful programs, Wayne County Child and Family Services Director Tadarial Sturdivant described his agency’s efforts to reform the juvenile justice system through a program called First Contact.

“[The program] creates an opportunity to collaborate with the Detroit Police Department and offer services at the street level to support the patrol officer who has first contact with the juvenile,” said Sturdivant. “As an alternative to arrest and detention, [the department] will convey youth to the Juvenile Assessment Center for stabilization, parental contact, brief assessment, transportation home, and referral for voluntary services.”

In a panel about public-private partnerships, Dr. William Bell, President and CEO of Casey Family Programs, discussed the need to meet the “overwhelming circumstances” of violence against children “with deliberate and intentional action.” Bell outlined concrete steps that every city in America could take to build “communities of hope” to reverse these violent trends.

Mary Lee, Deputy Director of PolicyLink, described how place influences many child outcomes. “ Just by knowing his or her zip code, a young person’s health, life expectancy, success in school, adult income¯all of these can be predicted,” noted Lee in her testimony, which described ways to improve the places children live to improve long-term outcomes.

The task force is composed of 13 leading experts, including practitioners, child and family advocates, academic experts and licensed clinicians, who will identify promising practices, programming and community strategies to prevent and respond to children’s exposure to violence.   Their findings will inform their final report to the Attorney General in late 2012, which will present policy recommendations and serve as a blueprint for preventing and reducing the negative effects of such violence across the United States.

U.S. AND DEFENSE LEADERS MET TO FURTHER CEMENT MILITARY PARTNERSHIP

FROM:  U.S DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta holds a joint press conference with Brazilian Minister of Defense Celso Amorim in Brasilia, Brazil, April 24, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley
U.S., Brazil Launch New Defense Cooperative Dialogue
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

BRASILIA, Brazil, April 24, 2012 - Here in the capital of the largest country in South America, U.S. and Brazilian defense leaders met for the first time under a new cooperative agreement that will expand an already close military partnership.
U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim today conducted the first U.S.-Brazil Defense Cooperation Dialogue, an initiative established April 9 in Washington by U.S. President Barack Obama and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

"Brazil is a global power. Brazil is a positive force for stability, not only in the Americas but across the world," said Panetta, here during a weeklong visit to South America, his first as defense secretary.

"For that reason," he added, "it is a privilege for me to come here to Brasilia to conduct the first Defense Cooperation Dialogue with Minister Amorim, a dialogue that both our presidents signed and supported."

"We need to be ready for a broader type of defense," Amorim said of his nation and its 360,000-member armed forces, "and the United States is certainly a very important partner in this process."

Amorim accepted Panetta's invitation to visit Washington, adding that a convenient date must be found to continue his and the secretary's "extremely productive and open" discussion.

After a press briefing with Amorim, Panetta met with retired Gen. Jose Elito Carvalho Sigueira, minister of institutional security and responsible among other duties for Brazil's cyber security.

In April 2010, the two nations signed the U.S.-Brazil Defense Cooperation Agreement, the provisions of which framed the discussion today.

During their meeting, Panetta and Amorim said they intend that defense cooperation between the nations will focus on priority categories of activity during 2012.
These include cyber security; science, innovation and technology transfer; logistics; communications; humanitarian assistance and disaster response; and cooperation in support of Africa nations.

Panetta said exchanging more information on cyber security will be beneficial in "a whole new arena. I think both of our nations are concerned about ... how we can effectively defend against those potential attacks."

About humanitarian assistance and disaster response, the secretary said Brazil has performed an outstanding role in Haiti since that island nation experienced a devastating and deadly earthquake and tsunami in January 2010.

"I commend them on the work they've done there," Panetta added. "They have learned a lot of lessons with regard to humanitarian aid and we look forward to being able to share those lessons and to build even greater cooperation in this area in the future."
Panetta and Amorim also discussed a shared desire to expand the nations' already significant two-way trade in advanced defense technology," he said.
"We think Brazil is a very important partner in that area," the secretary added, "and we continue to look for ways to improve the technology we share with Brazil so hopefully Brazil can provide jobs and opportunities for its people as we provide jobs and opportunities for ours."

The best such example is the United States' entry into the Brazilian Air Force's F-X2 fighter competition, in which it will compete with two other contenders.
"We've made a strong offer to provide the Super Hornet" Panetta said, a marine strike attack aircraft manufactured by an American company.

"It's an advanced aircraft to the Brazilian Air Force, and we think it can help provide Brazil with the kind of fighter technology that it needs for the future," the secretary said.
A key element in the recently unveiled new U.S. defense strategy "is to strengthen our global security partnerships in very innovative ways," he said.

"That's why this Defense Cooperation Dialogue is very important for us," the secretary added, "because it provides a vehicle for Brazil and the United States to build an innovative defense partnership for the 21st Century."

There was a time in the past when the United States discouraged countries in Latin America and Central America from developing military capabilities, Panetta said.
"The fact is, today we think the development of those kinds of capabilities is important," he said, "and that if we can use those capabilities to develop the kind of innovative partnerships that I'm talking about, that will ... advance the security of this region and the security of the countries involved."

The secretary added, "We think this is a real opportunity. The United States, just like other countries, is facing budget constrictions with regard to the future. And what we believe is that the best way to approach the future is to develop partnerships, alliances [and] relationships with other countries, [to] share information, share assistance, share capabilities."

In that way, Panetta said, "we can provide greater security for the future. That's our goal, and I think that's the goal of Brazil as well."

17TH AIR FORCE STANDS DOWN TO PASS AFRICAN MISSION TO USAFE

FROM:  U.S. AIR FORCE
17th Air Force stands down, passes African mission to USAFE
(Left to right) 17th Air Force Command Chief CMSgt Michael Grimm, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Commander Gen. Mark Welsh and 17th AF Commander Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward furl and case the 17th AF flag during an inactivation ceremony here April 20. The unit, which served as the air component for U.S. Africa Command, was also designated as Air Forces Africa. During the ceremony, the Air Forces Africa mission was transferred to USAFE and 3rd Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Basic Brea Miller)
by Master Sgt. Jim Fisher
U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs

4/24/2012 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Seventeenth Air Force stood down in an inactivation ceremony here today and the Air Forces Africa flag and mission were passed to U.S. Air Forces in Europe.

The numbered Air Force, which has also been known as Air Forces Africa, served as the air component for U.S. Africa Command. USAFE now takes up air component responsibilities for the African area of activity.

U.S. Africa Command commander Gen. Carter F. Ham was joined by USAFE commander Gen. Mark A. Welsh III in overseeing the inactivation and transfer, both lauding 17th Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward and her organization.

"Air power is defined by speed, agility, decisive application of combat power, teamwork, and audacity. I think those characteristics perfectly describe the 17th Air Force and they especially describe its commander. I have not known General Maggie Woodward all that long, but what a year it's been," Ham said, adding that the period which included Operation ODYSSEY DAWN and the Libyan conflict might be the defining epoch of this incarnation of 17th Air Force.

Taking note of the importance of 17th's accomplishments, Welsh said that as the Air Force prepared to close the latest chapter of 17th history, it also was prepared to continue executing the Air Forces Africa mission. The responsibilities for planning, engagement and command and control of air operations conducted in support of AFRICOM now transfer to USAFE and 3rd Air Force.

"I think [General Ham] and I understand the significance of this transfer, and we understand the significance of the accomplishments of the men and women who have been serving in this air component," Welsh said. "As we get ready to case the colors and close this chapter of 17th Air Force history I need to remind everyone of one very important thing: the mission is not going away. There are still operations to conduct and partnerships to strengthen. The unstable regions of Africa are not suddenly stable. The commitments made to leaders in Africa must be honored. There is no indication that Africa will be any less busy in the future than it has been in the past."

Woodward said she was confident the mission, vital to U.S. national security, was in good hands.

"Even as we pause to reflect on what we have done, we reaffirm the commitment to what we must do because today we know more than ever that there remains a mission in Africa as critical as any other to the protection of America's freedom and the security of our nation," she said, adding that General Welsh overseeing the transition was especially advantageous. "I know of no Airman with a deeper understanding of what airpower brings to the joint force. Our African partners are indeed fortunate to have you leading our new AFAFRICA command. Thanks to you and all the men and women of USAFE for their dedicated support."

Many of the Airmen formerly assigned to 17th Air Force have joined USAFE and 3rd Air Force and remain focused on the African mission.

She also reserved the highest praise for the men and women of 17th Air Force, taking a final opportunity to say thank you to her troops.

"To the men and women of 17th Air Force, it seems like only yesterday that we started this journey," General Woodward said, noting the accomplishments over the last 22 months of her tenure. "We locked arms, and stood together to form one extraordinary team. We may not have been the largest NAF in the Air Force but in my opinion we were certainly the best."

In the almost four years since 17th was reactivated in October 2008 to coincide with the standup of AFRICOM as a unified command, the unit accomplished more than 200 engagement events with 36 partner nations in Africa. They also took planning and command and control responsibility for air operations in Africa. While intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and contingency response activity was ongoing through its existence, 17th's most momentous accomplishments may have come during the air campaign over Libya.

In Support of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 to protect Libyan civilians from Momar Qaddafi's regime forces, Woodward and 17th Air Force served as the Joint Forces Air Component Command, executing command and control via the 617th and 603rd Air and Space Operations Centers, over the coalition air campaign. Seventeenth Air Force was given the Outstanding Unit Award for its role, and Woodward, the first woman to lead an air campaign, was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People for 2011.

TOP 3 GREEN-POWERED ORGANIZATIONS ACCORDING TO EPA

FROM:  EPA
EPA Releases List of Top 50 Green-Powered Organizations Intel, Kohl’s, Microsoft rank in top three WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an updated list of the Top 50 Green Power Partnership organizations voluntarily using clean, renewable electricity from resources such as solar, wind, and low-impact hydropower. Intel Corporation tops the list as the largest single user of green power, followed by Kohl’s Department Stores and Microsoft Corporation. Combined, the Top 50 partners are using more than 15 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually. Through their use of green power, these top organizations are avoiding carbon pollution equal to that created by the electricity use of more than 1.3 million American homes each year.
EPA’s Green Power Partnership works with more than 1,300 partner organizations, over half of which are small businesses and nonprofit organizations, to voluntarily use green power. Green power resources produce electricity with an environmental profile superior to conventional power technologies, and produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

“We applaud all of our Green Power Partners for their use of clean, renewable energy. For the first time, each of the Top 50 partners is using more than 100 million kilowatt-hours of green power annually,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Their actions help to reduce harmful carbon pollution that threatens the health of our planet and the air we breathe, and mark another step toward a new era of clean, innovative American energy.”

Intel has ranked number one on the list since 2008 and uses more than 2.5 billion kWh annually, or 88 percent of the company’s nationwide electricity use. Microsoft, which holds the number three spot, and McDonald’s USA LLC, which ranks eleventh, are new to the list.

The Green Power Partnership also updated the rankings of the 100 Percent Green Power Users list, which highlights close to 700 partners using green power for their entire electricity load, as well as its Top 20 Retailers and Top 20 Local Governments lists. Kohl’s ranks number one on both the Top 20 Retailers and 100 Percent Green Power Users lists while the City of Houston ranks number one on the Top 20 Local Governments list. 

SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON'S PRES STATEMENT ON MASS ATROCITIES

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Preventing Mass Atrocities
Press Statement Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State Washington, DC
April 23, 2012
In a speech at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, President Obama made clear that the United States is taking concrete steps to prevent mass atrocities, protect civilians, and ensure that we hold the perpetrators of atrocities accountable. Presidential Study Directive-10, released last August, stated that “preventing mass atrocities and genocide is a core national security interest and a core moral responsibility of the United States.” And as the President outlined, that is why this administration has led the international effort to bring pressure to bear on the Qhadafi and Asad regimes, supported diplomacy to end the crisis in Sudan, and is supporting efforts to track down Joseph Kony and senior leaders of the Lord’s Resistance Army in Central Africa. But we are not just working to stop atrocities today. We are taking a number of steps to strengthen the U.S. government’s capacity to prevent them in the future -- including creating an Atrocities Prevention Board, enhancing the collection and analysis of intelligence, and expanding our multilateral diplomatic efforts. And while we pledge to do everything we can, preventing mass atrocities is a responsibility that the United States and all peoples and countries around the world share, and that is why we must all commit to work together to turn our promise of “never again” into a reality.

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