VZCZCXYZ0006
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #9960 3021745
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 291729Z OCT 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
INFO RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN IMMEDIATE 7521

UNCLAS STATE 149960 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
FOR ECON AND ESTOFF 
FOR COPHENHAGEN PLEASE PASS TO REO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV TRGY SOCI KPAO ENRG EUN XG
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR WIREC FOLLOW-UP; MR. KESTERIS (HEAD 
OF CABINET, COMMISSIONER FOR ENERGY) 
 
REF: USEU BRUSS 2385 
 
    ¶1.  THIS IS AN ACTION CABLE, PLEASE SEE PARA 3. 
 
¶2. SUMMARY: On July 18, 2007, OES P/DAS Reno Harnish met 
with the European Commission's Andris Kesteris (Head of 
Cabinet, Commissioner for Energy to discuss the Washington 
International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008).  As 
part of that discussion, Harnish highlighted the need for 
strong developing country participation and requested the 
European Commission's consideration of providing financial 
support 
(REFTEL).  This letter follows up on those conversations and 
requests the European Commission's financial support for 
developing country participants to attend WIREC 2008. END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶3. ACTION:  Post is requested to deliver the letter dated 
October 22, 2007 to Mr. Kesteris. 
(NB:  The hard copy of the letter has been delivered to the 
DCM at their embassy in Washington). 
 
¶4. BEGIN TEXT 
 
Dear Mr. Kesteris: 
 
     Thank you for giving me so much of your time on July 18, 
2007 to discuss the Washington International Renewable Energy 
Conference (WIREC 2008).   I enjoyed meeting you, and look 
forward to our continued interaction in the run-up to and at 
the event.  As the third global ministerial-level event on 
renewable energy, WIREC 2008 is expected to draw 2,000 senior 
level participants from around the world, including leaders 
from national and sub-national governments, the private 
sector, and civil society.  WIREC 2008, which will be held 
March 4-6, 2008 at the Washington Convention Center, will 
also feature a co-located trade show/business conference, 
separately managed by the American Council on Renewable 
Energy and other partnering organizations from U.S. and 
international renewable energy associations. 
 
     Since we met, the United States Government hosted a 
public outreach event on October 2nd.  The launch event drew 
over two hundred representatives from the private sector, 
civil society and foreign governments.  Under Secretary of 
State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky and 
Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development Thomas 
Dorr provided opening remarks and representatives from the 
White House, the Departments of Energy and Commerce and the 
Environmental Protection Agency also participated.  Please 
see www.wirec2008.gov for additional information. 
 
     Robust participation of developing countries from 
government (federal and subnational), the private sector and 
civil society will enhance the success of WIREC 2008.  We 
would like to provide financial support for both official 
delegations as well as key developing country renewable 
energy experts.  Based on our projections, we estimate that 
$5,500 will be needed to cover the travel and per diem costs 
for each developing country participant. During our meeting, 
you indicated the possibility of providing funds to support 
the attendance of developing country delegates.  The purpose 
of my letter is to follow up on our discussion. 
 
      I would be grateful for any assistance you can provide 
to help us achieve our goal.  If you wish to provide support 
for developing country travel, you may provide funds to a 
special account established by the US Energy Association 
(USEA) for this purpose.  USEA is a non-governmental entity, 
which has served a similar coordinating role for previous 
Ministerial-level conferences (and is also serving as our 
contractor for other aspects of WIREC 2008).  USEA will 
coordinate with donor governments to handle the necessary 
travel arrangements and provide donor governments with an 
accounting for the sponsored delegations.  Ms. Marjorie 
Jean-Pierre, Deputy Program Manager, is the USEA point of 
contact.  She can be reached by phone at 1-202-312-1230 or 
via e-mail at mjean-pierre@usea.org. 
 
     Please let me know if you have any questions regarding 
this request as I am eager to hear your suggestions and 
recommendations.  I would also appreciate your providing me 
with a working contact in your ministry for my staff to 
discuss WIREC,s progress in detail.  Sincerely, Reno Harnish 
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary.  End text. 
 
¶5. No hard copy to follow. 
RICE