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DE RUEHC #2033/01 0082043
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 082041Z JAN 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY 7731
INFO RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEANAT/NASA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 9492
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 2946

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 002033 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS, SECSTATE PASS TO DINT 
FOR CONSULAR AND ESTH SECTIONS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CVIS ENRG SENV TRGY EPET EAID SOCI KSCA KGHG
KPAL, OPDC 
SUBJECT: VISAS FOR WIREC 2008 DELEGATES 
 
REF: A) STATE 563 NOTAL B) STATE 559 NOTAL C) STATE 521 NOTAL 
D) 07 STATE 138428 E) 07 STATE 80334 
 
¶1.  This is an action request.  Please see paragraphs six 
and seven. 
 
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SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶2.  Summary:  The Washington International Renewable 
Energy Conference (WIREC 2008) will be held in 
Washington DC March 4 - 6. (See reftels D and E for background 
on WIREC 2008).  The participation of all relevant 
stakeholders, including government officials, civil 
society delegates, and private sector representatives in 
WIREC 2008 is essential to furthering USG objectives (i.e. 
promoting the uptake of renewable energy as part of the 
President's climate change initiative.)  Post ESTH 
Officers are asked to encourage delegates to apply for 
visas as early as possible.  Post ESTH Officers should 
consider providing visa referrals for participants where 
appropriate and to inform adjudicating consular officers 
through the referral process of US goals for strong st 
akeholder participation.  End summary. 
 
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BACKGROUND 
---------- 
 
¶3.  Background:  The State Department will host the 
Washington International Renewable Energy Conference 
(WIREC 2008) March 4 - 6, 2008 in Washington, DC.  WIREC 
is being implemented in partnership with the American 
Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), the United States 
Energy Association (USEA), multiple USG agencies 
(USDA, DOI, EPA,DOC, etc.)and the 
White House (CEQ, NSC).  WIREC 2008 is the 
third global ministerial-level event on renewable energy 
(Bonn 2004, Beijing 2005).  WIREC 2008 is an opportunity 
to advance the Administration's priority of responding to 
the challenges of sustainable economic growth and climate 
change through renewable energy.  WIREC also serves as a 
global platform for ministers and senior level leaders 
from the private sector, sub-national governments and 
civil society to advance the integration of renewable 
energy in their countries.  A successful WIREC 2008 
requires the active participation of all relevant 
stakeholders, including government officials, civil 
society delegates, and private sector representatives. 
Non-government participants bring to WIREC 2008 technical 
expertise, cultural insights and practical experience that 
are critical for realizing these goals.  They, even more 
than government officials, will be instrumental in 
implementing actions on the ground. 
 
¶4.  We expect approximately 2,000 delegates to participate 
in the Government meetings at the Washington Convention 
Center.  Anticipated breakdown of those 2,000 is: 
 
- 750 international government attendees consisting of 
Ministerial-level delegations of up to 10 per country 
 
- 250 USG attendees, including federal, state, and local 
officials 
 
- 500 international private sector delegates 
 
-       500 U.S. private sector delegates 
 
¶5.  Refs A, B, and C contain formal invitations to 
official delegations from the European Commission and the 
following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Antigua and 
Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, 
Bangladesh, Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, 
Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Cameroon, Cape 
Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, the Comoros, Costa 
Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, 
Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, 
Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, 
Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, 
Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Madagascar, 
 
STATE 00002033  002 OF 002 
 
 
Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, the 
Netherlands, New Guinea, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, 
Norway, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, 
Romania, Russia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the 
Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Solomon 
Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. 
Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, 
Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, 
the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and the Vatican. 
(If these invitations do not produce 750 foreign 
government delegates, additional official delegations may 
be considered at a later date.) 
 
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ACTION REQUESTS 
--------------- 
 
¶6.  The State Department, either directly (refs A and B) 
or via our contractor United States Energy Association 
(USEA), will be inviting to the WIREC 2008 Ministerial 
representatives from developing nations who will require 
visas for travel to the U.S., including official 
government delegations as well as members of civil society 
and private sector organizations.  To facilitate the visa 
application process for those persons who are clearly 
qualified to serve as delegates for their respective 
organizations, we ask that ESTH officers consider writing 
referrals, either A or B, when requested and appropriate, 
as early as possible to assure that all requisite 
processes can be completed in time for travel.  Type A 
referrals are only appropriate when you personally know 
the contacts.  If your contacts are not personally known 
to you, then you should use type B referral forms.  The 
referral is an official communication between ESTH 
officers and the adjudicating consular officer, which will 
be linked to the respective visa application.  NB:  It 
should not be given to the applicant under any 
circumstances.  The referral should indicate to the 
adjudicating consular officer that WIREC 2008 is a 
legitimate meeting, including specific details about the 
meeting such as date, length of time, location, etc., as 
well as information about any special expertise that the 
applicant may have to share at WIREC 
¶2008. 
 
¶7.  If you are aware that any of your non-governmental 
contacts will be attending WIREC 2008, encourage them to 
discuss the visa application process with you prior to 
making an appointment with the Consular Section.  Because 
WIREC 2008 centers on energy issues, many delegates who 
have scientific or technical backgrounds will require 
additional clearances.  Prospective delegates should be 
encouraged to apply as early as possible to allow time for 
processing these clearances.  Referring officers and 
applicants should keep in mind that a visa referral does 
not waive or expedite the required processes.  Delegates 
who receive referrals should be advised to bring both a 
copy of the email inviting them to attend the WIREC 2008 
Ministerial and a letter from their organization to the 
visa interview along with all other required 
documentation.  Emphasize to the applicant that the 
referring officer has no role in the visa process.  Most 
civil society and private sector delegates will be funded 
by their respective organizations, but some will be funded 
by the USG or foreign governments.  OES will provide Post 
ESTH Officers with a list of delegates in their consular 
districts receiving USG or foreign government funding as 
soon as it is available. 
 
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WIREC 2008 
----------------- 
 
¶8.  For additional information about WIREC 2008, please 
consult the official WIREC website at 
www.wirec2008.gov. 
 
¶9.  Minimize considered. 
RICE