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INFO RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN PRIORITY 0000

UNCLAS STATE 163714 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
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E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENG KPAO SENV TRGY
SUBJECT: REQUEST TO GOVERNMENT OF THE NETHERLANDS FOR 
WIREC SUPPORT 
 
 
 ¶1. (U) This is an action cable, please see paragraph 3. 
 
2.(SBU) SUMMARY:   The USG will host the Washington 
International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008) on 
March 4-6, 2008 at the Washington Convention Center.  As the 
third global ministerial-level event on renewable energy, 
WIREC is expected to draw up to 2,000 senior level 
participants from around the world from national and 
subnational governments, the private sector and civil 
society.  The robust participation of developing countries 
from all stakeholder groups will enhance the success of WIREC 
¶2008.  The Department is soliciting support from potential 
donor governments (i.e., Canada, the EU, France, Germany, 
Japan, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United 
Kingdom) to provide support  for both official delegations as 
well as key renewable energy experts.  We estimate that 
approximately $5,500 will be needed to cover the travel and 
per diem costs for each developing country participant.  To 
date, we understand that Germany will provide up to 100,000 
Euros.  Please note, for your information only, we anticipate 
needing to raise $1.5 million for developing country 
scholarships.  The attached letters from UnderSecretary 
Dobriansky to Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs Maria van 
der Hoeven  requests that the Government of the Netherlands 
consider providing funds for developing country participants 
to attend WIREC2008.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶3.  (U) ACTION REQUEST: Post is requested to deliver the 
following letter dated November 30 from UnderSecretary 
Dobriansky to Dutch Minister van der Hoeven.  A hard copy of 
the letter has been delivered to the DCM at the Dutch embassy 
in Washington. 
 
¶4. (U)  BEGIN TEXT 
 
Dear Ms. van der Hoeven: 
 
     The United States of America will host the Washington 
International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC 2008) on 
March 4-6, 2008, at the Washington Convention Center. We 
salute the Netherland,s commitment to reducing greenhouse 
gas emissions through an increased use of wind power 
generation, currently among the highest in the EU.  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.  To help us ensure broad-based 
participation across all stakeholder groups, we are working 
with many organizations, including REN21, the Renewable 
Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, etc.  WIREC 2008 
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. 
 
     The United States Government officially launched WIREC 
on October 2 in Washington, DC.   The launch event drew over 
two hundred representatives from the private sector, civil 
society and foreign governments.  Under Secretary of 
Agriculture for Rural Development Thomas Dorr and I provided 
opening remarks and representatives from the White House, the 
Departments of Energy and Commerce; the Environmental 
Protection Agency also participated.  Please see 
www.wirec2008.gov for additional information. 
 
     Robust participation of developing countries from 
government (federal and sub-national), 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 renewable energy experts from 
developing countries.  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. 
 
     I would be grateful for any assistance you can provide 
to help us achieve our participation goal.  If you wish to 
provide support for developing country travel, you may 
provide funds to a special account established by the U.S. 
Energy Association (USEA) for this purpose.  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.  If you would find it helpful, OES Principal 
Deputy Assistant Secretary Ambassador Reno Harnish would 
welcome the chance to discuss WIREC 2008 with you in greater 
detail either when you are next in Washington, or via a video 
or telephone conference call.  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, 
Paula Dobriansky UnderSecretary of State for Democracy and 
Global Affairs. 
 
 End Text 
 
¶6.  No hard copy to follow. 
RICE