“Help for Haiti”

We are assisting earthquake-stricken Haiti

On January 12 a severe earthquake struck in Haiti, devastating the capital city, Port au Prince, as well as surrounding areas. The American Red Cross now estimates that 3 million people are affected by the disaster. While the full measure of human suffering from this earthquake is not yet known, we do know that the survivors need immediate help. The U.S. has mounted what we are calling a “swift, aggressive, and coordinated” response to Haiti’s disaster through the U.S. Department of State, the American Red Cross, the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and other organizations. A 72-member canine search and rescue team arrived in Port au Prince the day after the quake. The USS Carl Vinson was dispatched to Haiti, expected to arrive January 14, and approximately 2,000 U.S. Marines and 3,000 U.S. Army personnel from Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg respectively are on their way to help. At the request of President Obama, former Presidents G.W. Bush and Bill Clinton have also agreed to assist with coordination of relief efforts. Secretary Hillary Clinton returned to Washington from Honolulu, cancelling a ten day trip to Asia so that she could coordinate the U.S. response to the disaster.

Not only is the United States commitment to Haiti growing, but the international commitment is as well. As of January 14, at least 31 countries have provided meaningful assistance that has already reached Haiti or is on its way. U.N. Special Envoy to Haiti, former President Bill Clinton, has said that fast action and close coordination among the United States, United Nations and other actors on the ground will be key to ensuring that Haiti will emerge from this disaster and resume its road to recovery. I received information today that some of my U.S. Embassy colleagues in Haiti have perished in the earthquake or are still missing. Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti and to all of those affected by this disaster.

For more information about earthquake relief efforts, visit: http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha/earthquake/index.htm

“Happy Holidays to you, Malaysia!”

Ambassador and Mrs. Keith

It is nearly a year since President Obama took office, and we are no longer just talking about, but actually realizing the potential of the relationship between Malaysia and the United States.  Looking toward the New Year, it is my hope that we will see more and more opportunities to bring the American and the Malaysian people closer together. 

I want to wish all the Malaysian people a safe and prosperous New Year.  We look forward not only to our own (Western) New Year, but also to Chinese New Year.  Now is a time for us to look to the future with a sense of confidence and optimism.  I have great confidence in the U.S.-Malaysia relationship, and am very pleased to see that President Obama and Prime Minister Najib have established a strong foundation for us to move forward together.

“The U.S. is Already Going Green”

The 15th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with participation from 192 nations, will be held December 7–18 in Copenhagen. Any climate accord reached at the Copenhagen meeting would succeed the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which required 37 industrialized nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions an average of 5 percent by 2012.

President Obama will attend the Copenhagen conference on December 18^th to help move toward a comprehensive and operational Copenhagen accord.  

The President has ordered his Administration to reduce America’s carbon footprint, including by doubling the generating capacity from wind and other renewable resources in three years, and by spending billions to capture carbon pollution from coal plants. 

In addition to working with Congress to produce new comprehensive climate and energy legislation, the President has also described new efficiency standards to increase fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks in the U.S.  In September the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established mandatory reporting for U.S. facilities on greenhouse gas emissions.  Our goal is to achieve significant reductions through conservation.  Just this week, the EPA issued a final ruling that greenhouse gases posed a danger to human health and the environment, which paves the way for regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles, power plants, factories, refineries and other major sources.

Developed countries must do their part.  President Obama’s commitment to travel personally to Copenhagen underlines his determination that the U.S. will fulfill its obligations.  But Chinese President Hu Jintao’s presence at Copenhagen will also be a symbol of the developing world’s obligation.  If we are to succeed globally, major developing nations must also take actions to substantially reduce emissions by 2020 on a relative basis, compared to their so-called “business as usual” path.  In the context of an overall agreement that includes mitigation contributions from all major economies, the United States is prepared to put on the table an emissions reduction target in the range of 17 percent below 2005 levels in 2020, and ultimately consistent with U.S. energy and climate legislation.  In line with the President’s goal to reduce emissions 83 percent by 2050, this pending legislation would put the United States on a pathway toward a 30 percent emissions reduction in 2025 and a 42 percent reduction in 2030.

We know developing countries need help.  President Obama has talked about an emerging consensus that a core element of the Copenhagen accord should be to mobilize $10 billion a year by 2012 to support adaptation and mitigation in developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable and least developed countries that could suffer most from the impacts of climate change.  The United States will pay its fair share of that amount and welcomes statements by other countries that intend to make substantial commitments as well. 

We look forward to working with Malaysia as a valuable partner in the region.  We are proud that among U.S. investors in Malaysia at present there are several companies pioneering in the solar energy field.  But perhaps the most significant role Malaysia could play in addressing global climate change is to produce tradable carbon credits by conserving forest cover particularly in the state of Sarawak.

The United States is committed to achieving the strongest possible outcome from the two week climate change negotiation in Copenhagen.  All of us must face realistically the scope of the problem and understand that developed and developing country contributions are necessary. We are all in this together. 

For more information about the US position on climate change, visit: http://www.america.gov/global/environ.html.

Broadening and Deepening the U.S.-Malaysia Bilateral Relationship

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg talks to reporters in Kuala Lumpur. © AP Images

Just after many of the world’s leaders were in New York at the United Nations General Assembly and in Pittsburg at the G-20 Summit, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg visited Kuala Lumpur for two days this week to meet with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, a Vice Foreign Minister and the Defense Minister.  His visit and meetings are a reflection of the growing broad-based relationship between the United States and Malaysia.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak meets with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg. © Bernama

 His trip reflected  the priority that President Obama and Secretary Clinton have placed on deepening U.S. ties to Southeast Asia and to the countries of ASEAN.Some of the issues of mutual interest that were touched on in this week’s meetings included the state of the global economy and the economy here in Malaysia, non-proliferation and export control, global climate change and the role that we can all play leading up to the Copenhagen Summit, and combating human trafficking.    

The delegation had an interesting discussion with a number of representatives from the various political parties and civil society in Malaysia.  This is an important part of our engagement, to talk not only with senior government officials but also with a broad range of Malaysian citizens involved in key social and political issues.  Our engagement also reflects the pluralist nature of Malaysia, which offers the chance for U.S. officials to compare notes with and learn from Malaysian civil society leaders.

Sharing the Spirit of Ramadan

Greeting guests at a Buka Puasa at our home

It has been a pleasure for my wife Jan and me to host a series of buka puasas at our home during the month of Ramadan. These past weeks we have invited many people from different walks of life in Malaysia to share the breaking of the fast. We are happy that these buka puasas have given us an opportunity to have many lively discussions about the role of Islam in Malaysia, the U.S. and the world. Spending time with old and new friends alike has been enjoyable for us.

Sharing a story with a guest

America has a diverse religious landscape. Immigration continues to transform it even more. Religious freedom in America is a core value. We are a nation founded by people seeking religious liberty. America is a reverent country, but also a tolerant one. People with diverse views can practice their faiths in the U.S. When he hosted an Iftar at the White House on September 1, 2009, President Obama quoted prominent Muslim-American and boxing legend Muhammad Ali: “Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams – they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do – they all contain truths.” We will continue to seek ways of advancing relations between Malaysia and the U.S. on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest.

Right now, people from many religions are living and working side by side in America, just as they are in Malaysia. At these buka puasa dinners, we were able to share our friendship with Malaysians of all faiths.