Transcripts For CSPAN2 Key Capitol Hill Hearings 20240622

That also includes voter rights. It also includes that. So just because you are a dream activist doesnt mean you can be advocating for brothers in mr. Zukin about because we are voting for that. My vote counts five times for four dreamers they can though. We have to build coalitions and everyone is making a difference and talking about that and i think its right that the candidate level. [applause] it is really repetition. There is no magic to this. We have to continue to tell this story ever a single year even if we are not just them saying it and over, we have to make sure it is the great equalizer. That is real. And so, in doing that, my good friend Christine Pelosi said in some of her training if you dont respect me, dont expect me. And for a lot of communities of color or a lot of poorer communities, they dont feel like folks whove been elected to office care about them or their issues. That is the bottom line. In order to get people into the process we have to energize and remind them. If you care about Education Funding come you got to vote. If you live in ohio, youve got to go. If you want your garbage removed, you have to vote. Its for women to have their right to control their own bodies. Whatever the issues are that mattered to people, we have to make sure we remind them to vote. The Congress Needs to take care of that. Its high time, pastime, the foundation of this country. And for me it is really an emotional thing. How do we get people to be emotionally invested in their future. Since most folks wont run for office, that has to be done to the people who run and serve. I dont also a sister perez our brother michael or e. J. , once we get called up with folks with a d. Behind their name, we need to find out if they are already working for us because its not enough to say youre a democrat. Its what you do want to get there to make the lives of people better. Keeping people energized, being authentic. I used to work for a mayor in the city of cleveland and he came into the cabinet one day. You would have thought the mayor said act like your hair is on fire. Our hair should be on fire every single election cycle and we need to make sure we act as though our hair is on fire. We cant tackle those issues unless people feel a part of this Representative Democracy and theyve got to get out there and exercise their right to vote. Repetition over and over again. I see the lines well be really quick. We need to tell democrat Voting Rights is your hair and fire. The states can pass for the congress is not acting and nannies to be expedited. The reason they should not be advanced in education and this is a real issue are we awake democrats not pushing hard enough. The person of color issue and that is why he is working for everybody right now. When we tell of people their liberation and experience in democracy was lost again. We need allies fighting for us, not behind us, not sometimes on a sunday, not in the next session but every day we need to sponsor legislation that opens the ballot up. One of the things i want to at go at me and i was authenticity. I think a lot of firepower, a lot of the ability for a candidate to not feel like not come across like were talking about problems and actually talking about solution, we actually have to be authentic and talk about these things in a way that connects with people. I know its easy to say, but so often in these campaigns we find ourselves in a position where we want to make sure we are just not making a mistake. We want to make sure the campaign is as riskfree as possible. Im running a National Party committee. We want to run the best program possible and we dont want to make mistakes. I see a lot of times for certain republicans than on paper we have a Research Book and they are just a horrific record. Generally unpleasant to be around. Yet Everybody Knows where they stand and they are authentic and they all knew they are and even people who dont agree with them will vote for them because they know who this person and they have the courage to say what they believe. When we look at it sometimes we are liked how can they keep on electing this person question arc we look at these we look at these folks and have a tv movie about these folks. At some level they are running the right districts. They come across as authentic and people are hungry because they have real problems than they want somebody they can talk to her that they come about this in a human place. When you talk about Voter Perception of politicians, voters distrust politicians and when they see a politician whose authentic backend face have been addressed. Thank you for being patient in the line. I will start with you. Hello . Well, my name is bad for me. I want to thank you all. Im actually from minnesota, and which until recently had the trifecta. In the field organizer. Ive directed campaign statewide and local elections. One thing ive seen in minnesota and other states and would consider more traditional red state since the very vast difference between the rural area and the message messaging that its affected their and what people are talking about versus what is happening in metropolitan areas that are more often the economic driver of cities or states. Theres a lot of state that habit and unfortunately the structures that have had the opportunity to work in have oftentimes fail to find a way to get that at the table and went coming up with communication. Im wondering if you agree or disagree with this statement and if you agree what is done in your organization to bridge that gap . I do agree with that statement. We have more and comment and not that you are right when we look at poverty we often see it through an urban lands. The Rural Property is just as gut wrenching as urban poverty. Its starting im at a place based on what we have that you want to make sure your children have a great future, that you live in a Safe Community that you can work and not have a decent life. People get up for good and for gray. The sample to it. One of the things we are doing is recognizing ohio is 88 counties urban, rural, suburban and speaking mac, starting with the issues we have in common. For guns in urban areas, thats a whole different discussion in cleveland, ohio than some of my rural brothers and sisters. Its really starting at those places where we have the commonality about economic fairness, economic justice, pulling folks in. Because of the makeup of ohio, that forces us to do that. The Ohio Democratic party we tried very hard to bring that together a little more and weave that into the narrative about what we have in common and build a strong coalition. With party chairs we have the Rural Leadership that will begin to take the message back. We have the urban leadership and bring in forces together because we are the same in the struggle for good and for great. I just want to add a someone from rural arizona, i could have come to phoenix and what if i wouldve found a nice suburban democratic district where i could walk in a great beard the district i went and had counties including maricopa appeared it was the secondlargest district in this day. My issues are different. I come from a rural perspective. I dont identify with whats in phoenix. Im concerned with Health Care Access for my parents back home and butter issues like e. J. Was talking about. I know my personal mission is not just Ethnic Diversity in our candidates but geographical and weve really got to push that and you want me to push us at the organization to say ive got this great candidate in the rural part. Not even an airport, not a target, not anything that they will change our state and we need that. I feel the legislature there needs to be a rural caucus if you dont have one in your state legislatures so they talk about rural issues but also urban folks that are not just by loadout. Please push us that the folks running organizations working to elect new people and progressives that we need to support rural candidate. Its really inexpensive to help radio ads and things like that. You dont get back here. The push us at the organization level. I am another person from washington here and i learned about Democratic Party when my dad brought home the union paper from a shipyard job and the first party slogan that new news, but democratic, the party for you, not just a few. My dad with a ninth grade education are the people who loved her irregardless of what the republicans are doing to them economically. To organize the right to form a union. You folks have done a wonderful job in terms of pumping up the organization and preaching to the choir. I would like to get your thoughts on how to win back those who have left the church. I think thats a great question. A critical part of it is something we preach in our campaign when they built our programs is we have to build a Campaign Strategy that fits the district and the Campaign Running it. We need to make sure our candidates talk about issues that matter in the communities they are running in. If not, the number one article written in the state capital newspaper, that is okay. We need to talk about the issues that are resonating in those communities. It goes back to a lot of what we talked about before between authenticity and also been in a position where we meet people where they are as well and not just telling them why dont you get it. You should understand why its important to you. We have to help them make a connection that our policies working together will lift everybody up and success is not a zerosum game where some people can be successful in other people cant. We have to stress that again instead of letting the right he able to talk about this economy where you just want to be one of the five people who could win the lottery and everybody else is left behind. If youre not happy with your life, you didnt work hard enough. And the need to have a message inclusive that brings everybody. The other thing that comes to mind as some people dont leave the church. The church gives us. They dont act very blue. People are very much turned off by lip service and not a lot of action. When i say action im talking about revenue, tuition, the real things that are affecting the ability of working class jobs i dont think anybody can challenge have been as bold as they were to dream big and get the legislation through. For every person that feels like they were left behind by the parties, maybe theres also a person who has the other periods. This has to be our last question. Thank you. Im state representative marcia moody and im in my 61st have to agree with senator turner and monica that i owe my success to howard dean and jim dean and dfa. [applause] they taught me to run in the first place. Im on an Election Law Committee so i really do appreciate the struggles we are having with Voter Suppression and i want to go back to a question you asked earlier, what do you think causes the voter apathy in people staying home and not voting. John nichols in his new book has one of the most subtle ways of Voter Suppression is negative advertising. It doesnt convince you to vote for the other guy. And makes you so disgusted with not only the opponent but they pick your candidate has been so bad that you say a pox on both your houses and so you stay home and dont vote. My question is is in it the responsibility of all of us to tell her neighbors you cant say home and not vote because of what you hear on the airwaves and what you read in the newspaper and all this negative advertising. You have to get out there and vote for your candidate. Would you agree . Thank you for running. [applause] i want to thank our excellent panelists are a great discussion on how we fix this. [applause] thank you for joining us. You may want to take conversations. We appreciate it. [inaudible conversations] we take you live to the Heritage Foundation for the u. S. Policy in the arctic. The u. S. Recently became chair of the Arctic Council and the Intergovernmental Forum that consist of eight member countries from the Heritage Foundation hosting a discussion on broader u. S. Interests in the region. Coming up live at 1 30 eastern. Well have live once it starts. In the meantime, part of two days washington journal. You probably recognize Erin Brockovich from the 2000 movie. Environmental activists talks about her concerns in the wake of the toxic rivers spill in colorado earlier this month. Printer looking into that spill, what is the state of the cleanup effort to muster the danger is posed to people down river from not spill . It is a long cleanup effort. It is important to remember this bill didnt just simply happen. This has been a known leaking situation for a time, 20 plus years. It will be a long cleanup, a long monitoring process. You will see governors giving the all clear that is not all clear. All these metals are in the sentiment and riverbed. It will be a very long process. We have been discouraged quick to respond. For me what is most disturbing is the lack of transparency and we have a system that is just failing. Its absolutely not working and for 20 years they have known that this leaking situation and nothing was really done about it. They are so overburdened and underfunded. They really basically been neutered. Theres no power for them. This is one of them. Its very concerning to us that there wasnt other oversight. It is not just going to go away. Its an ongoing problem for numerous states for a long time to come. Epa Administrator Gina Mccarthy spoke about this bill before she headed out to the spill site. The waste in colorado is impacting not just the state of colorado but could impact new mexico, utah, Navajo Nation as well. It is really a tragic and very unfortunate in the name and epa is taking responsibility to ensure the spill is claimed out and the most important matter is the health and safety of the residents and visitors near the river. We are committed to helping people were at the four Corners Region with the drinking water, Irrigation Water recreation and we know how important it is to them. As you may know there are thousands throughout the west and epa routinely works with states to clean up spills. The spill occurred when one of our contracting teams was using heavy equipment to enter the Gold King Mine and its an inactive mine just north of the city of durango and to begin the process of pumping in treating contaminated water and died. In response to the unfortunate in that was developed the full breadth and depth of the agency to respond with other Partner Agencies assisting as well. It takes time to review and analyze data. I understand frustration but we have researchers and scientists working around the clock. Commitment is to get this right and make sure were protecting Public Health. Epa administrator gina e. Last week talking about peoples frustration. Heres the headline from the Washington Times this past week. Apology is enough. Epa must fire people in colorado. Youre talking about the administrators of question or guest well, lets be clear there is very well intelligent content should people with inside the epa and oftentimes the hands are tied. This is a higher level in the administration running offices where you see a problem. If people want to do right, out there finding information and oftentimes their hands are tied. This agency has almost been neutered. Im sure she is very apologetic. She did Say Something i found interesting and oftentimes they dont do and that is the oversight of Public Health and welfare. We have all of these sites and nobody really comes back in to check on the health and welfare of people down the road. That is good to be said. Ive been doing this for 22 plus years. My job is not to sit here and back on the epa. Ive said it repeatedly. Theyre wellintentioned people overburdened and understaffed. They are not given any money. They have little oversight power or enforcement power. We have a Huge National crisis of our water. Tens of thousands of sites theyve never cleanup. Theyve never come back to check on the health and welfare of communities reporting to mean in droves with Serious Health impacts. She had a good point but it is something i have not seen happen in 20 years. It gets passed from the epa down to the agency for toxic substances and Disease Control down to each state agency where they have their own department and services and we are still not getting the jobs done. It is very frustrating for me and people in this country while we are not having a conversation about a National Crisis of whats going wrong with our water in this country from lack of enforcement, oversight, feeling agencies, algae blooms, duke energy where we have to shut and take down as pollution goes by. Do what is happening in colorado currently or youve got five similar situation ready to do the exact same thing. I am frustrated. Im perplexed. I appreciate your statement that im going to continue to say this. The epa is not getting the job done and protecting our water supply, cleaning up the pollution and the health and welfare of citizens and addicts who share to tainted water. Host our phone lines are open if you want to chat with Erin Brockovich. We split up our lines regionally in the eastern or central time zones. 202 7488000. Number pacific 202 7488001. Especially if youve been impacted by the spill on the mms river and down river from the spells while. For stays at this point and perhaps further. Epa has little funding of one of the problems youve had since they havent had the funding to do the job. Who should pay for the cleanup effort from the spill . You mentioned the leak had been happening for years before the epa incident on the fifth. Absolutely. We see this all over. Other Companies Come in and do what they need to do and then they pack up and go away and leave this mac in its wake. Thats got to be like that from the Mining Companies in the state per spec did the permitted them to come in. You could even set a fun beside so when these things happen the money is there for the cleanup to a federal program. It is not just one entity. It has to be a collective effort on numerous parts when you have the spill like this. It is very, very costly the damages are done. The situation you knew with pending that you did nothing about. Host the funding not in place right now that its almost too late to ask these Mining Companies to prepare for these types is built. Guest in the future reset in thats an interesting conversation to have. You know what they are doing another risk and danger especially to our water supply that they need to have a price tag to pay that you may put in a reserved. When this happens, we have Funds Available to cleanup. Just on this claim out about 72 billion cleanup. We are in short supply of money as well. That is something that is a conversation that should be had between the company and state and also have available federal funds for when you have a disaster. Host the Washington Times also had a map of the abandoned mine in colorado alone. You can see the purple on the map. Uranium mines, gold mines, you can see them all throughout the state of colorado. Showing our viewers a map of where the spill happened from the Gold King Mine down the river into new mexico and of course utah and arizona. David is waiting in st. Joseph, missouri. You are on with Erin Brockovich. Caller thank you. I find this just a pile of garbage right now. The epa has been nothing but a bunch of political hacks for the left. They go after people for having water puddles in ditches seem that the National Waterway and take over their land and run their lives and take things from them. They take these bloody spills and its okay, no big deal. Weve got it under control. Its a bunch of garbage. Nothing but a leftist tool to destroy people they dont like and i am sick of it. Host Erin Brockovich. Guest many people share your frustration and i do as well. I never look at the epa for any situation regarding the safety of water and water supply. It shouldnt be a republican issue. It shouldnt be a democrat issue. Its everybodys issue. I agree with you, what im sick of is the bureaucracy and the constant argument about a commodity. More so than gold and oil is going to be water. Somehow we need to come to a place and i will share with you. Im sick of it, too. They are doing on the right and the left and bureaucracy that goes on with our water is to stop and Everybody Needs to get together and this is the most important thing to all of us in this country and i appreciate your frustration and we are going to keep doing what we can to make it better. Host as he talk about politics, do you think epas critics will undermine the efforts and the larger effort, the Climate Change bush they are undertaking right now. I think thats very possible and are disturbing. It is just noise going around but they do look for those moments. It is easy to sit here and again im very frustrated with them across the country. At the same time, to remember their hands are tied in so many instances to do what they need to do. I do not think there is room for the constant political argument. This is a human issue. This is our water supply. It is in peril and we need to stop the deals can find a way to fix it. We are not solution driven at all. We are argumentative about it. Host environmental act this Erin Brockovich is our guest. Edwards and manchester, connecticut for you. Edward, good morning. Caller good morning. Thank you for taking my call. Ive been aware of complaints people have. They are always different, but they are all connected like the food chain. Me myself dealing with problems we have in our lives every day, the one thing that keeps me going in a positive direction is having clean air to breathe and beautiful sights to see, the landscapes and whatnot. So i respect it and i try to work with nature. Why didnt we have a response like bps bill . You know, learn from that problem. Drill through the mountain at the opening of all of these minds we have that could end up with the same problem and seal them off at the entrances that were there. You could protect childrens lives that they end up going in there because the beams are wood and ride it. Plus we dont know how much water is contaminated and witches the next breach. Another thing on the political end of the deal, all of these different problems and the only time some day might get done is that there is enough publicity, enough people standing together because it is a people problem, all of our problem. Water, clean air. These are things that can affect our health and our childrens health. The American Indian perspective the earth and they Work Together. The one that set the rules is the indian sat around the fire and talked about where they were going to migrate, how bad the winter would be and Work Together and the majority of the indian and what they thought they wanted to do that would be best for all of them would remiss have been in the chief would not decide where to go. He would count heads. Host adverted manchester, connecticut. Before you respond. Tune in everyday 7 00 a. M. Eastern. We are now live at the Heritage Foundation in washington for a discussion on u. S. Policy in the arctic, the u. S. Recently became chair of the Arctic Council, an Intergovernmental Forum that consists of eight member countries about to get started life here on cspan2. The untreated good morning, everyone. Welcome to the Heritage Foundation where we are going to look at some arctic issues today. The name of our program is examining arctic opportunities and capabilities. Does the u. S. Have the infrastructure, ships and equipment required. Before we get started, then introduce myself. Check answer, Vice President for institute for Economic Freedom and opportunity. I know on the invitation you were promised James Tara Fonda was probably more qualified than i to do this. Unfortunately, got stuck with travel difficulties so you get me. Now while in the Vice President of our economic shot at the Heritage Foundation is to dabble in National Security related issues which are relevant here at heritage many years ago. So we have that at least. This is a really critical issue. One that got her tara fonda if he were here five years ago he would have been held for the issue is. A lot of us here would have said jim is important, whatever. Since he started that argument, weve been on a clear church or during for it became very clear how important issue was, how important the arctic region was and how important United States of regarding the arctic region is. It is important for three specific reasons, at three. There are real Environmental Issues that either we need to deal with or that as the region gets developed, we have to deal with. There are real economic issues. There are folks out there who want to increase their standard of living, who want to develop where they live, develop their economy and they are Real Security issues here that is the one most people think of first and foremost who arent actually living in the arctic. I would just suggest if united state does not participate in arctic policy, doesnt come up with a coherent rational policy towards the arctic, others will and perhaps we will find we are not as happy with how others engage the region as what we would have. So that is why im so honored and happy today and privileged to introduce our speaker. Our speakers admiral robert pat, special representative for the arctic. Admirals have to became the National Representative for the arctic in july 2014 and will lead the effort to advance the interests in the region with Climate Change, economic environmental and Security Issues in the arctic region of the United States are pairs for the chairmanship of the Arctic Council 2015. Prior to his appointment, admiral papp served at the 24th, not to the u. S. Coast guard and let the largest component of the department of homeland security. As a flag officer, admiral papp served as commander, chief of staff of the coast guard in Commanding Officer of coast guard headquarters. As commander, made coast guard district in reserving training, admiral papp is a career pattern and have inserted pics coast guard cutters and then import them. Red beach, pol pot, forward and the training bark eagle. Hes a 1975 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and originally masters of arts in National Security and strategic eastern united a Naval War College in masters of science in management from the salve regina college. Admiral papp, the microphone is yours. Good afternoon, everybody. It is a delight to see the crowd here today. Believe me as ive spoken about the arctic over the last year and this job, sometimes i speak to a halfdozen people, sometimes a couple hundred. Actually ambassador hardy, how did we havent Arctic Circle and rayovac, 300 from 35 different countries. Ill take every opportunity i can because this is a very important issue for our country because we are sharing the Arctic Council right now. Therell be more and more responsibilities for her country is the art he continues to develop and as i said, part of my job is to raise awareness and some of the challenges we are facing. Id like to start off by telling people how does one become the United States become a special representative for the arctic. It is easy to trap that back because weve only had one so obviously only one in there. First and foremost you have to be careful how you select your assignment in the Coast Guard Academy. In 1975 i was engaged and i thought it would probably select an assignment in boston or new york because my wifes parents lived in between in new london, connecticut. When i got into the actual night we picked their assignments, by chance i walked in there and there was a ship remaining in alaska that was available and on a spur of the moment i said that sounds exciting. That sounds like an adventure. Alaska, the last frontier. It is a coast guard cutter ironwood and a place called adak, alaska. I said i dont know where it is, but its alaska, its got to be a great adventure. I put my card in the slot, went back to my room and broke out in that list. I challenge any of you to do this. Kidnappers of the United States and turned to the alaska page. You will see mainland, alaska. You might in the lower lefthand corner see a little bit of the alaskan independent to a mini couple is at the bottom. The first as the remainder of the alaskan peninsula and maybe two or 300 miles of the Aleutian Islands. The second answer test the remaining portion in adak is two thirds of the way in the second and third which means its a very famous book about world war ii and the Aleutian Islands called the thousand mile war. Payback is 800 miles out in the aleutian chain compass is pretty far out there. When i went to see my fiancee, she said where we going . Boston or new york. I set adak, alaska. That is the response i got from her. It was even worse when i showed her the atlas and im very fortunate she still continued to consent to marry him very fortunate she is in with me for 40 years. What she will tell you its adak and her two years in alaska which is the navy base at the time but also homeport was probably two of the most formative years of our marriage because i was never there. The ship was constantly underway. She learned was williams. She learns selfconfidence. She learned to innovate. She learned human relation skills but it served her for many, many years and made her a wonderful first to give the coast guard during my time is, not because she can identify challenges are young families face. For me, it is more formative because i wanted to be a sailor and i cant think of any more challenging proving ground in the bering sea to learn how to be a sailor. We were on a small ship entering the two years i was barely covered area and seattle, washington up above the art excerpt every inch of coastline in between. The entire Aleutian Islands we sailed to honolulu for trading with the navy and covered a lot of ocean. I can tell you i had an additional 14 years of sea duty during my career and never have i asked parents whether a severe and sustained us in the bering sea. There are storms that they are based on their characteristics and the caribbean you would call them a hurricane in alaska and the bering sea is normal weather and a set of passing over it stays there for sometimes weeks on end and you get battered. It will make you choose not to be a sailor anymore or will convince you that this is what they want to do and fortunately for me it taught me this is what i want to do. I would also say over and about the tyranny of time and distance. The 800 miles with the ship that only goes 12 knots it takes a long time to get places in god. All the way above the Arctic Circle is about 900 miles. From dutch harbor, the largest port in alaska out in the aleutian chain is 900 miles out to her shell is operating right now. The nearest deepwater port is 900 aisles away. For coast guard cutters at the northern the come at the nearest place they can refuel as dutch harbor. The United States is rather limited in terms of infrastructure, deepwater ports, telecommunication challenges and others. I learned about these 40 years ago. We were navigating den. Just making its way in. Many times that we had any stars or son we would have few celestial navigation. Some of the places had charts they were handmade astounding taken over the years by other coast guardsmen in these areas. What we now have gps and better communication theres still challenges as they found with the shallow vessel at dutch harbor that. There is plenty of water and a ninefoot kris to accept the harbor and they found a little rock commentary that was never chartered before and nowadays. You have that throughout alaska. It taught me lessons that stayed with me my entire career up until the point where i became, not in it became obvious that equities for the United States coast guard and United States are increasing as the large arctic ocean area as having reduced pace and more open water for longer in the year and consequently an increase in human dignity. I want to make sure my service was prepared for the future. We developed a coast guard arctics tragedy released after the national arctics tragedies signed by the president into 13. 2013. I went back as commandant in 2010. My First Experience of 1975 to 1977. I was back to refamiliarize myself with the arctic and one significant thing i noticed because the night across the Arctic Circle for the first time we went to the city and i flew in a helicopter and when we landed i could see ice from the shoreline out as far as i can be towards their rising. This is in july 1976. Two years later, 2010 i flew in and a gulfstream this time descending from a couple thousand feet and as they looked at the shore and as far as i could be on the end, my horizon was much further out than 1976. No ice to be seen whatsoever. About 36 years difference and i went and looked at the records of what i saw, all the ice was not an anomaly. It was a normal for that time and are his jury. What i saw in 2010 was not an anomaly either. As the new normal, the lack of eyes to consequently with soft water theres an increase in human act committee and i would contend we need to be ready for it. The Arctic Council gives me now an opportunity first of all to work within the government to make sure we are prepared for a chairmanship of the art to counsel an opportunity to work within the executive Steering Committee created by the president s executive order last january and we make congress on both fronts both internationally and domestically and im here to talk briefly about the Arctic Council and Bobby Joubert but then transition to give you a thought piece as we prepare for the folks that will come on here later. So the slides are off to the side, so i want to make sure that i advanced it too far. The history of the Arctic Council started out in 1991 as the Environmental Protection strategy which was initiated by a thin and peered them them has been a leader in part to cut fares and brought the eight countries of the counsel together and those that are familiar with the countries of the art to it, it is the United States, canada, iceland, denmark, norway, sweden, finland and Russia Committee eight countries and make up the count will. The Arctic Council was created by the auto council ottawa declaration between the United States with a focus on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection. Those have been the tenant ever spent over the last 20 years with very little variation. Everything in the counsel because its an International Forum is done by consent. We dont take issues unless theres at this from all countries. When you propose a rather aggressive Chairmanship Program like the United States it takes a lot of negotiation, listening and that there is within the United States. Our Council Structure i have it in front of me as well. This makes it much easier. As i said the eight countries we have 22 observers including 12 observers gave. We have a number of observers waiting to come onto the counsel of file and perhaps most late one of the major components of what we do is have the six permanent participants from other groups that represent the Indigenous People and while they arent voting, we seek your advice and counsel to take them into the iteration people who live there by some reports that 10,000 years and have their own cultures, their own way of life and how do we come up with programs compatible with that as well. A couple of the Landmark Projects in my estimation was 2004 Climate Impact assessment. The 2009 arctic marine shipping assessment in two of my favorites and 20 above and came up with the maritime search and rescue agreement and in 2013 the Marine Oil Spill preparedness and response agreement. As a person whose an operator who served in the coast guard for 40 years, agreements or find the part of her Chairmanship Program is to start exercising agreements. We will be able to get Lessons Learned to document where our shortcomings are, where we might be able to share resources among countries of the arctic and im excited about the prospect of that. We are having a search and rest you exercise tabletop event in alaska this fall. All eight of the countries under the auspices of the coast guard foreign will come together for that exercise and we are hopeful in our plans call for fullscale operational exercise in the summer 2016. The chairmanship team, secretary kerry is the official chairman of the Arctic Council for a twoyear endeavor. As you might imagine the secretary of state of the United States has a few other things on his plate as well so he brought me on in this capacity to take care of the daytoday dealings with the arctic oil and cord made activities across the bureaus within the state department and also be the nonfor the state department in the interagency process in washington. Fran ulmer, Lieutenant Governor of alaska is one of our special advisers and the chair of the senior arctic officials. The eight senior arctic officials is where most of the business of the arctic will get done. Julie correlate as far as see how on the job for a decade now. Ambassador david altman, chair as well since we have the chairmanship. Ambassador david alden has a breadth of experience in ocean activities in fisheries and we are fortunate to get him in that position. One of the things we tried to do and i spoke about this with the group earlier. We want to have a balanced program. If you focus on any one issue, arctic Security Issues, dealing with the effects of Climate Change and others, unless you have something balanced, musters constituencies to see something for them, youll cut off important groups of a one all groups interested in the program. So we broke down our program into three areas. First is art at goshen Safety Security stewardship including exercising the search and rescue agreement and the marine pollution was once agreement. The second is improving economic and living conditions. Very important particularly after you meet the people of the north. We have half a dozen projects under that as well. Third is addressing the impacts of Climate Change in what i found as ive gone and spoken to groups in alaska, here in washington and visiting each and every one of the countries is first and foremost theyve appreciated the fact that it balanced. The second comment i get the most is its very ambitious, admiral except for one person, secretary john kerry dont ask me if theres anything we can be doing. On balance there as well here is doing q a talk a little bit about that. Suffice to say that innovation and important word and ive been doing a lot of work to make sure we are engaged is waffling and communicate. The third or fourth most common comment is thebased leadership but then the fifth comment is where excited about the u. S. Leadership the concern that the United States and i think work and say what resources are you devoting to this and when we cant get replacement icebreaker bill, we havent been able to develop a deepwater port when their challenges and other things. I think there is better to be told against the executive order and the fact we start to prioritize the challenges we face that they are. So that is a quick overview of our Chairmanship Program. One of the things i am very excited about as we sit here today is where the lover week from something called glacier. Wisher stands for Global Leadership in the arctic innovation engagement cooperation, innovation a really cute phrase that obviously as connection is what we view as. Most importantly isolate the name of one of our United States coast guard icebreakers which is decommissioned and we still try to advocate for icebreakers and hopefully have a little bit of a discussion this afternoon. I want to get into this afternoon something that started coming to me when i attended the art circle event in and was further advanced when i went to the ministerial in april when we send chairman chip. The thought process started because when we went to a callow it like anything else im interested in history and wanted to know a little bit about the place and learned it used to be called frobisher. It was changed to the indian name later on but it still sits on the day. Well, martin frobisher, an english sea captain in the late 1500s, 1576 was exploring the Northwest Passage. 1500 Great Britain was looking for the Northwest Passage to find a more efficient through his inquiries. Even back then, prosperity, economics and coming up with more efficiency root was important for why was it important and why nearly 200 years later i visited an exhibit in anchorage recently. They exhibit about captain james cook. It was discovered back in 1778. I started looking on the reason he was there was because 200 years after frobisher, Great Britain was still giving orders to search for a Northwest Passage except he was looking at it from the other direction. His last cruise out to the pacific, his third cruise took him on orders around the north American Continent into the art at goshen, of course was stopped by ice. He had to turn around and that was unfortunate as well because if he had not been stopped and turned around he would have gone back to hawaii where he was unfortunately killed in this first mate had to take the remainder of the cruise and get the ship back to europe. Why were they searching for it and why were they so persistent and why are we still talking about coming up with those through today . I did a little studying and i became very interested in maritime sea powers and started working my way back from frobisher and great written in the late 1500s. What i ended up with was studying venice. Dennis was the premier maritime power and the known Maritime World in the late 1300s into the mid1500s. They were small. They still are a small vulnerable as the nation from a small population, solid geography but they maintain great geopolitics. They were able to survive in quebec trade between the Ottoman Empire in Christian Europe. They were able to maintain seaports in the black sea and other locations and take land routes across asia to the far east to bring goods back to all its trading partners. It started losing the geopolitical part of that when they join side with Christian Europe is dirt transporting armies for the crusade and lost their support from the Ottoman Empire and they also let Technology Get by them. They relied on galley with with their innovation using free men and the displays to row their galleys. The british were focused on the Northwest Passage. How to get around north america . As we get into the future, those sea routes that were developed in the early days continue to today. With the exception of the suez canal which gave you a more efficient route to get to asia, to the strait of malacca. A panama canal which allows you to go across the atlantic and into the pacific or the pacific back to the atlantic. For centuries these have stayed this thing. Consequently we now have powerhouses in the far east. Most notably and where is are represented in singapore . This is more i Start Talking about singapore. Singapore has become than of one port, the most efficient. Interestingly enough they are a small vulnerable island nation. They maintain great geostrategic relationships. They get along with everybody whether its china, vietnam, United States, you name it. The singaporeans are great part of just about everybody. It has contributed to their prosperity. They are also great innovators. They know how to run ports. They develop great Cargo Handling equipment. They build drilling rigs and other things. They have kept up with technology and to maintain their relationships. So it was while visiting singapore a few years ago i went into distinguished visitors program. I was sitting over dinner and talking to a minister from their government, and at a certain point i said, you are the modernday venice. He looked at me and smiled and did exactly what i was talking about. He said your right. It was obvious he had studied history. He understood the needs. They understood the need for good deal political geostrategic relationships. They became one. They became one of the greatest trading force in the world. A little bit later, during this conference in reykjavik, iceland and Arctic Circle there was this is a slot i got someone the first lecture those those given during the Plenary Session on the first day. It was done by scientists was talking about the potential for see routes through the arctic over the next century. Of course, the red route is the northern sea route which is opening up and theres been an increase in traffic above russia. That greenwood is the Northwest Passage and, of course, that will take longer for it to open up that candidate is making strides in the Northwest Passage not in terms of getting to its mine and carrying cargo with ice strengthened ships. He gave predictions on when that might come open. Of course, the blue is that transported which is the shortest of all. There are scientists that believe by the middle of the next century, by 2050 there will be months of the years wouldve been a ice and you can use it is much shorter route across the pole. Theres an estimate that anywhere from eight to 10 days of transit time that could be saved by using numbered. What called caught my attention, look what those end up on the bottom side of the chart, a small island nation that maintains great relationships with many people. So the next morning after this lecture i started thinking about this, and by chance i was having breakfast with the singapore delegation and i said to the minister, as a minister ive met in singapore, said what are you doing in iceland . He said, well, admiral, we are a small vulnerable island nation. We are word for Climate Change, worried about the rising ocean and a host of other things i want to be here and be engaged. And i said mr. Minister, no, youre not. You are here because you are worried about iceland becoming the next singapore. And he smiled at me with that smile of yes, thats right. And i said so what are you doing about it . He says, well, thats why we are here. We know how to run ports. We know how to build container cranes. Weve been doing this for many decades and we feel that we can be of assistance to the people of iceland as they develop over the coming century. And if we can establish these relationships, we go back to our country and which are looking at how we lead to our industries, look at how we change the curriculum in our schools. We need to be prepared for 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 years from now, and we are focused on that. And i thought therein lies the lesson. Here in washington we generally cant focus more than 12 months in advance, or at the most the next election cycle. Its very hard for us to get involved thinking about whats happening 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years from now. That singapore is doing it. I think theyve got the right mindset. Theyre getting prepared for their future because prosperity is important, and thats why you find them at Arctic Circle and reykjavik, iceland. The other large delegation after singapore was china. China i didnt get a chance to communicate with. I didnt meet with him while i was there but i believe they are thinking some of the same things because you go back to that piece of map i showed singapore, you see shanghai an and hong ko. Those are rather major ports as well, and china has a need for energy resources. If you can bring them from the bering sea across the northern sea route and say for, five to six days of transit time to get Energy Products to china, they will take advantage of the. Thats why they are building icebreakers. Thats why they are exploring, why they are making scientific observations in the arctic. To wrap this up, the next major event i which was an event called arctic frontiers which is held in norway. I got the opportunity, norways foreign minister is a very good friend and is very enthusiastic, and he was very generous with his time with me and get a chance to sit over lunch and then have a private meeting together. And i gave him my third of the white singapore was in reykjavik, iceland. Of course, the same singapore delegation was in norway as well. So the minister looked at me and said admiral, your theory is almost right. I said what you mean by that, mr. Minister . He said, its not going to be reykjavik. Its going to be [inaudible] and sure enough when i spoke to the delegation from singapore thats what they are there as well. I think the trend could learn some lessons. Other countries are preparing for the arctic. The challenge is finding the balance. How do you protect the environment, how do you sustain the environment, but also look 40, as well, economic develop and prosperity to the people of the north deserve the benefits of that prosperity as well. Were hopeful our Arctic Council chairmanship and the Balance Program that we put out there will be helpful. But more importantly need to draw the attention of the American People. The American People are very disconnected which is understandable. As i told a group, where we are today in washington is 3500 miles from barrow alaska and the whole lot of canadian territory in between here and there. We are both physically and culturally disconnected from u. S. Arctic. We need to change that. Hopefully the glacier conference with the participation of secretary kerry and the president , and the chairmanship of the Arctic Council will help to raise the awareness level for the people of the United States and in the longterm help us to get engaged and start developing our infrastructure in the arctic as well. So thank you for your attention. This is the first time ive rolled out in this city this theory about the arctic and singapore and reykjavik and tromsa. So at this point ive got a few minutes that we can devote to q a and i welcome your questions. Good afternoon, admiral. Yesterday it was reported that Hillary Clintons Campaign Came out against drilling in the arctic in the waters off of alaska, something that you vomit administration seems to favor. Im wondering if you could please comment on that . I cant comment on anything goes put out by the campaign because i simply havent seen it. What i can say that it depends on what focus you take. I have been to speak in front of environmental groups where i get into question and answer period, and literally does a person who stood up and said im so disappointed in your president. And i said wait a minute there he is our president first and foremost, but why are you disappointed . He said because the president is opening up the Alaskan Arctic to everybody. I traveled up to alaska about a week after that and i spoke to a group of their, and a gentleman got up at the end of the speech during q a and he said, im so disappointed with your president. Hes closing down the alaska to everybody. So there is a difference of opinion. Clearly the president has signed order to set aside certain areas and protect them. Shell and other companies have gone through a legitimate, Legal Process to buy lisas, and they have passed the requirements for obtaining permits to the department of the interior, and they are proceeding with legal, legitimate business. And i think what this administration has done is tried to find a balance. This administration has been focused on Climate Change, looking for renewable resources, developing renewable resources. But the reality they are also pragmatic they understand we wanted Petroleum Products for the foreseeable future, and companies that are in that this is have a right to be able to explore as long as they live within safety regulations i go to the proper permitting processes and do it in a safe and sustainable manner. So i dont see a disconnect what the administration is doing. Yes, maam. Following up on your also norweigan protesting. No. Following up on that [inaudible] in contradiction to shell they decided not to drill. Also in alaska. Could you elaborate a little bit more about that concern . Certainly its not riskfree what you think is always something Obama Administration has admitted, is not riskfree that its a balance. Could you sell but more about that . And also what role the Arctic Council could and will play given the consensus principle when it comes to commercial activity in vulnerable areas of . Im not familiar with what the thought process wanted to know in terms of my observations and talking to the various Oil Companies over time is that, this is just my opinion, my impression is that theyre willing to let shell take point on this. Shell has had some challenges starting up in the area. There are other companies that own lease is up there but i think because of the downward price in oil, concerns about how much our Companies Spending comics for what they are not certain is there yet, that i think its a waitandsee attitude. Lets see how shell does before we proceed. Thats just my opinion. I can only attribute that to just listening to people and doing assessments myself. As far as shell goes, they then put through a very rigorous process. Day, like i spoke about earlier in my presentation, they have learned exactly what i learned as a young sailor, its a very challenging environment up there. Having said that, the Oil Exploration process is relatively, i would never seek easy, but it is simpler. Is very shallow water. Most geologists ive spoken to say that the oil is under much less pressure and is not that far down. And the reality is, if we had not had the macondo well blowout back in 2010 and the gulf of mexico, we probably would not be scrutinizing this as closely as we are right now. We learned a lot of lessons. In the past we would never have, we probably would not have had a capping stack and an alternate drill rig to drill a relief well. These are all new requirements based upon what we learned in deepwater Horizon Events in the gulf of mexico. Yet at the same time, its a completely different scenario. This is very shallow water. That was very deepwater. High pressure in the gulf, low pressure up there. Its the environment is the probably give us the most concerned. The fact that theres still a nice up there that i found that three years ago when they were up there. But in my previous assignment, after the coast guard and for my continuing interest, i didnt you meet with shell. I look at the plans come at the resources that they are devoting, and theyre getting supervision from the United States coast guard while they are on scene up there as well. So i think they are as prepared as we can be. They think they have the wherewithal to be able to do it, and theyre doing it under the legal prospects that the United States government has place other than of them and they have passed every step so far. So i wish them luck and good fortune, because we dont want to be, having to do with adverse consequences. Yes. [inaudible] and what are some of the additional steps that the u. S. Need to take to protect its interest in the arctic, and also to persuade other countries that the u. S. Is, in fact, committed to that region . I think both from some the things that we document and our coast guard Arctic Strategy, some of the things that are International Arctic strategy and its Implementation Plan, and, and i would say alaskas Arctic Strategy as well. There are certain things that are common to all three things. First and foremost, build icebreakers. I was testifying before the senate not too long ago and they said, admiral, theres one study says we need six heavy icebreakers. Theres another one that says we need for heavy, for medium. I listened and i said, it isnt how many do we need i said im not sure but if we are all those studies, wouldnt you think we could at least build one . Theres some truth to that. I would like to see us building at least one. Having said that, we are in a little bit better situation than we were future, we didnt have the money to support, enough money to support any of our icebreakers. Polar star is back in service and will breaking out into at arctic and healey continues to do well but they would need some back of the im very hopeful we will make progress on the icebreaker. Develop a deep water port. As i said in this deepwater port is dutch harbor. Gnome is close but its very shallow. I think the controlling depth is 20 feet of water and even though theyre going to expand that, according to this as a project except when you get much deeper than about 30. They are other locations closer to the Bering Strait that have good deepwater but its going to take significant effort to be able to do that. Telecommunications at least in the north american arctic, the arno fiber, well, theres one fiber optic cable in alaska because of two of the day. But all the villages, cities along the north slope, none of them, they rely upon terrestrial microwave which is just terrible ensure that trying to support some the things we do with technology nowadays. So we need some improvement there. Not just for our people who live there but with the increase in maritime traffic. We need to be able to share information, circumpolar between the countries that border the arctic ocean for search and rescue activities, maritime response and maritime domain awareness. So those are some off the top of my head. Clearly noaa could use the money for charting your some of the foundings untold i both made invite noaa go back to 1770 when captain cook went up there and are using a piece of lead on the line and doing physically doing soundings along the coast. They are still being used. We need to update the. And then telecommunications, sadly, most of the Telecommunications Satellites are optimally positioned for the middle latitudes. They dont serve as well for the higher latitudes. Gps is pretty good worldwide. We are pretty good there in terms of navigation but theres whole range of activity that is, to alaska. Coast guard Arctic Strategy and the president s national strategy. High, admiral. [inaudible] i said hi to before and they told you before that my people are people of the seal. So we rely on the mammals, Marine Mammals of the bering sea. Its interesting which you brought up, like what would be considered a major hurricane just sometimes tuesday or a whole week in alaska. I wanted to find out how hard and with a Community Like no or any of our communities on the bering sea are up the coast no now that there is attention and the courts have put out, think the Just Announced that they put out the plan to deepen the port to 28 feet. Like the mayor, and there are members of the community who have pursued deep water ports much deeper than the proposed 28 feet. How possible is it for 1011 or any other community to find this or to get this . Thats a corps of engineers project, take it out of 20 feet. They need to extend the breakwater out for the but the challenge that you face and there is you dont go down very far off the coast edge or just into rock. Its very difficult to deepen afford. There are other places closer to the a great natural deepwater harbor but right now does not have reliable roads and their super Something Like that. So its going to require significant investment but as part of what this is all about to draw attention to this and hopefully start moving things with India Administration as we develop the Implementation Plan and set some queries and then get into the congress. Like anything else its top in the city, the federal budget is under a lot of pressure. Most of the things in the arctic our new starts and you start having a tough time. We take advantage of the next two years during the chairmanship to raise the awareness as much as we can. As we can. Thats where they me so much at Arctic Council meetings to alaska, thats why would into glacier conference in anchorage. One other Community Around my region, its actually a giant island off of southwest alaska. They have pursued a board and theyve invited studies by the corps of engineers for years, just to give, trying to spotlight like you said, how can we benefit from improved passage and prosperity . Just to get people an idea about what we pay for in stores in our villages, which are not connected to roads. My region, when i say my region is a delta made by the rivers after the bering sea, about the size of oregon but just imagine oregon without roads. So to purchase items industry that maybe only a Village Corporation to because nobody else will come and build a store. You could spend 50 for like a threepound box of laundry detergent. You could spend 80 for a box of diapers to you could spend 70 for baby formula. We are kind of held hostage by our locale but we are tied to land agriculture and thats where we want to live. But we imagine the benefits as well of improved, improved speed is transportation, infrastructure. I once again is a maritime and private. Last time it was 7. 50 a gallon for gasoline. It was 9 for a half gallon of milk. So yes, its very expensive. I think im starting to eat into other peoples time so ill just wrap it up by saying you reminded me of a little story. I visited last year and i was speaking with an alaskan native who is a subsistence hunter. He hunts still for the food. He told me the story of aco expert from washington who came up to visit and meet with them and give him his expertise on seals. So when i met a trade expert he said so you are a seal expert from washington. How many seals have you beaten . So i sort of categorize people as seal hunters and transit experts and theres a lot of people with passion. But unless you visit, unless you go to the arctic and meet people and learn about them, youre never going to be an expert. So need to get more people to increase their awareness. So thank you for your attention to looking forward to the panel. [applause] well, thank you, admiral papp for the great overview. This panel will try to further give some or different dimensions, different perspectives on whats going on in the arctic to hopefully contribute to admiral papps insight and perspective. Our first guest and im very honored to be seated within is ambassador h. E. Geir haarde, i mean of iceland. And prior to serving as abbas of iceland, ambassador hardy served as Prime Minister of iceland. Next to the ambassador is Isaac Edwards. Sorry, you dont speak in public so much so im a little bit shy. But Isaac Edwards and his chief counsel for senator Lisa Murkowski on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee. And my colleague luke coffey who is a fellow at the heritage. Ambassador haarde . Thank you. Thank you for organizing this event. A special thanks to admiral papp for his enlightening remarks in his great oversight over all these issues patty davis, andy a Historical Perspective that came along with it. I guess since he departed quite a bit from the title that the u. S. Have the infrastructure, ships and equipment required, im also allowed to do the same. And id like to talk a little bit about these issues from the perspective of the country weree i come from, that is to say for my country. Im very happy to you, admiral papp, reference point. For me also to extrapolate a little bit on the things that might be important for us in the context. The picture is no longer there but it was quite illuminating. If the sea routes open to success, we competing with others, you know, might be in a quite unique situation with respect to the different possibilities that will open up. As far as trade and shipping. Of course, this could be 10, 15 years into the future, but one has to start planning. But i would like to make the point, unlike alaska, we actually do have the infrastructure now to deal with most of that. And if we have 10 or 50 years to complete what would be required, that would not be a problem. We have a developed economy, a developed island where the airstrips, we have the International Air runways. We have the ports. And so this would be from our perspective a very Exciting Development if it were to materialize. Of course, that is i guess more or less a little bit of guesswork right now, anybodys guess whether it will go this way, particularly with a route straight across the polar sea. But its exciting, and this is only from the point of view of shaping Transportation Economic Development so when. Of course, the other side of that would be, what would be the Environmental Impact of all this ice disappearing and what will be the other type of effects from those developments. So theres positive and negatives in this picture. But its quite interesting. People who are known to think decades ahead, like the chinese and the singaporeans and others of course have started to look at this. Maybe this explains why the chinese have taken such a great interest in what is happening in iceland, why they have such a big presence there. Its been a very forgot about that is exactly is the reason why that is so. And that is not its just people exploring what their own possibilities might be in a new situation. Now, id write to mention another thing that also came up in admiral papps remarks, advanced search and rescue. We have this agreement from 2011, the nuke agreement on search and rescue. And we i think are ideally placed to be the hub for this. As far as this part of the arctic, of course we would not be able to serve alaska, but ocean liners, crews ships and others that are exploring and doing benching into the arctic region normally would pass by iceland. They are at risk of something happening, and it would be i think a normal positioning for were we have the particular piece, the wherewithal that would be needed. But i guess as they say in the computer business, this will be plugandplay. Anybody wants to, can come and take part and contribute, but people of course have to work and exercise and so on. And it may be given what the situation is like in the geopolitical sense, it might be i think good to start with a limited number of countries. Maybe the u. S. , iceland and denmark on behalf of greenland or in the neighborhood, norway. And take it from there, but we are certainly very interested, the government of iceland and promoting this idea and turn it into a really. I think thats quite feasible and a relatively easy thing to do if everybody had the interest, people do have the interest. One point i would like to make an has been mentioned by anybody, not at the luncheon, not by admiral papp. Of course, its relevant for the arctic context, and that is fishing. Fishing is a very important industry both for iceland and i think many of the arctic countries and it needs to be managed and done in a sustainable way. Thats how we run our fisheries. Thats our Fisheries Management based on scientific sustainable basis. We would like to make the point that we were a bit disappointed when the socalled arctic five countries got together and agreed on an arrangement for polar fishing, or rather nonpolar fishing. And our government has made that point for the other five governance that there was no need to exclude iceland when it comes to this. Think we should have been included and we would still like to be included. Im sure there will be better ways to work around. Im sure that also applies to the other to arctic countries that were not included in this agreement. So let me stop here, james, just maybe as a general point of life is the arctic issues have for a long time been of great interest to the people of iceland, to the Academic Community people in politics in our parliament passed a resolution a few years ago unanimously outlined in arctic policy for the government to and there have been arctic institutions operating in the north for example, offshoots of the Arctic Council located at the university. Really not much difference in arctic institutes and, of course, there was a canadian arctic explorer of arctic origin. Thank you, ambassador. A little bit more about isaac. I am i sick for about 15 years. I used to be a staff at the parking to the Heritage Foundation and my boss had to chairmen that he had to say were his bosses. It was senator Frank Murkowski of alaska and then ted stevens who was chairman of the of the appropriations committee. I got into isaac from those days, and then we kind of were not much intimidation and to the arctic stuff started coming together. Even though im from colorado i think i really appreciate the importance of the arctic and happy to help provide a venue, a discussion where i succumb have senator murkowski can share some perspective from alaska. Isaacs. Thanks for the update to. And good afternoon to gone. Want to start a little follow up on ambassadors, spirit infrastructure that iceland already has, you dont see that infrastructure places like alaska, the canadian arctic, greenland, parts of russia. But you do see it in iceland, norway, finland, sweden. So there really are kind of two different arctic stable in terms of Infrastructure Department and was available for the people to use for economic activity, for search and rescue activity, for environmental stewardship, that type of thing. Theres still quite a bit of ways to go at least from the u. S. Perspective on what we need to do to get to the same level as what some of the other countries already have. And when you look at how you get there, one of the things that weve been working on his institutionalizing arctic policy, whats in the government both within congress and within the administration. So that it glass beyond just the chairmanship but you Arctic Council. And was 2017 comes you will have a new administration. You have new people in charge and we need to make sure they do the arctic has been just as important as its been looked at today. We dont know how long hopefully admiral papp will be with us for a very long time but im sure hes ready to go in to retirement at some point in his life. We will keep them for as long as hes willing to be with us, but you need to have the future leaders invested in this as well. So thats part of the effort that we are looking to make for arctic investment strategy. When you look at the alaska infrastructure is up in the arctic, you we need to start with the basic building blocks, aids to navigation, charts the icebreakers. How do you get that how to get around to that type of thing . One potential way of doing that in these times of difficult budgets, local, state and federal budgets is publicprivate partnerships. How do you let the private industry, how do it International Investors come in and work with you to build sports to help put that infrastructure into place when the government is going to the money to do all that . And that is one thing when the army court was looking at that there is deep draft board and they settled on nome as the first selection there was an amendment within the 2014 Water Resources Development Act that allowed for partnerships between the army corps and public entities at that point in time but the plot from local public entities to partner with the army corps to make that happen. We are looking at how to expand that to allow the private entities to also participate in that. So i which is to the after some discussion. Luke . For me just secretary of state william seward, as he approached the end of his life, was asked what was his greatest a cup of sugar and he responded back that disgrace the congressman was purchase of alaska but its going to take a lease a generation for americans to realize the. I think we can access it to take and probably more than a single generation. We are probably seven or eight generations on from his time when he purchased alaska and made the United States and arctic power in 1867. Id like to focus a lot of my comments shifting a bit on the security aspect. Of course, the Arctic Council doesnt have security under its agreements they cant have a discussion about the arctic and the future the arctic and the challenges without discussing some of the security factors. Nor can have a discussion about arctic security without discussing russia. I have of course no doubt that russian officials at the official level work in the Arctic Council or exchanges among various legislative bodies and vendors arctic countries have good relations. But, unfortunately, russia is really controlled at the top by the kremlin. And i think, and i suspect that the kremlin would use a forum like the Arctic Council to drive an agenda, which is unfortunate because the arctic is one area where the u. S. , the west and russia, should encode and actually still due to a limited extent cooperate. When you travel in europe, and just a commitment by the ministry of Foreign Affairs in some countries you get one story about russia. When you speak to diminishes a defense you get quite under the so thats what i will focus on thbut about russia investigated nimitz in the arctic. With much of the darfur issues that really drive russian policy in the arctic region. First one is this putins vision of russias role in the world, right . Often we hear commentators describe russias the incident has been cold war russia. We hear russia invading ukraine, the soviet style behavior i think thats wrong. I think what we see today with russia is into you behave. This is our imperial russia did during the time of the czarist put this out russia behaved before the 1970 osha that revolution. Basic we have a 21st century russia with 18th and 19th century ambitions. I think that drives a lot of putins policies towards arctic because the arctic, hearken back to the days of peter the great and the Great Northern expedition, the arctic is way to rally the public around the flag, make the country to allow the country to be proud about something, with very low risk and low cost. Because they have half of the worlds arctic territory in Southern National borders but they can get away with doing certain things that might look like saber rattling early at the end of the day they are perfectly allowed to do inside their own borders. The second is the economic factor. We offered there is figures about how undiscovered oil and gas is in the arctic region, and im not going to bore you with a bunch of facts and statistics. Lets agree its probably a lot. And that that probably a lot, about 80 is in russias energy. So they stand a lot to gain there. Already russia plans to invest 3. 8 billion in the arctic region. This is the equivalent of usually a gdp. Public financing of this is going to account for about 70 of it. Again if this goes back to the Great Northern expedition win in 1724, russia spent 16 of its state budget on that mission which is one of the Worlds Largest scientific expeditions in the history. Then you about the northern sea route and i think russia stands to gain quite a bit with it. Simply because the fees are so high these icebreakers, to transit the roots from and to enter i think also this is slightly overblown a bit. To give you an example, in 2013, 71 ships transited the northern sea route about russia. Last year, 23 transited. The suez canal saw 27,000 should transited last year. So we are a bit off i would say from the point where the northern sea route becomes economically viable. In fact, actually you forget how big a place asia actually is. And although cutting a journey from rotterdam in the netherlands to yokohama in japan is 30 shorter. That same journey from robert m. To shanghai in china is only 8 shorter. When you use the suez canal. Considering all the risk and Everything Associated with it, i think its going to be a long time before companies and businesses start doing this as an option. And russias the a lot to militarize the arctic. New arctic command structure, the russian northern fleet, the Largest Naval fleet and the russian navy. The commanders is the best paid and merle in the russian navy. Out of the admiral papp could say he was the best the admiral when he was in the coast guard. The commander of a militant fleet actually earns more than the Russian Defense minister. There are more Training Exercise in the region. They are modernizing, updating or building dozens of new bases along the northern sea route. They are doing a lot in terms of militarization of the arctic. What to do inside the National Borders is their prerogative, their business. But would you compare the progress doing another places, [inaudible] then we start questioning what russia may did and what their true motive really are. A lot of the equipment is still used torture as we dont from previous because of the difficulties and the challenges of the search and rescue in the region. Its worth keeping an eye on what russia thing in terms of the military and the high north. So whats our response . What is natos response . Nato is an alliance, and i would include here, james, nato as an ally this divide on the issue of the arctic. In the 2010 Strategic Concepts which was the last Strategic Concepts published by the alliance which was branded as been the strategic concept of going to prepare data for future challenges such as cyber energy security. The worst arctic is literally not found in the document. Every summer, declaration since 2010 you cannot find the were arctic. Thats because into division inside nato, by candid and norway. Nor would like nato to play more of a role in the arctic security. Candidates is no, keep this at the nationstate level. Until this resolves, until this is resolved, nato that is going to play an active role, which is unfortunate because at the end of the day nato is responsible for this good in defense of a large territory above the Arctic Circle. In the arctic, sovereignty equal security. That means respecting other sovereignties and that means being able to defend their own sovereignty. And i feel the u. S. And some of our partners in europe are far away from the gavel to gavel that requirement. Thank you. Before we go to questions i wonder if ambassador haarde isaac would like to gain reflections on what luke said. I do want you guys to feel like you are bookends by heritage. Well, the question of russia in this context is very complicated. Our view has been in spite of all the differences we may have with russia and the problems that we have as a result of what has happened in crimea, ukraine, our basic view has been lets not mix the drinks. In other words, lets keep arctic issues separate, see if we can cooperate and do some good stuff together they. It seems to me if youre working on arctic issues, completely pointless for arctic country. Russia, it becomes an exercise in futility if they are not included. You can take a pass if you want to. I want to say when it comes to relations with russia i would say the arctic issues is probably buried there has been a reasonable level of cooperation in discourse between at least alaska, alaska and their russian counterparts. It is cleared an area where there is potential for building a relationship back up speed as i look around i have seen look around i have seen people have several indices including different Member States of the Arctic Council, observer states. Com put anybody on the spot but is there any perspectives from other countries that they would be welcome, to the we have microphones going around and ple identify yourself if you have a question. Okay nothing we said was controversial. There we go. [inaudible] thank you for arranging this seminar today. Thank you, admiral papp and also the panel. Just as was said by the islamic ambassador, the Arctic Council consists of eight member countries, and i think from a suitcertain perspective and frol eight perspective i think its crucial that all eight legs of this, eight legged horse movie continues to persist but in the cooperation. The arctic i hear what youre saying. [inaudible] and i think we all agree there should be no tolerance toward regressive behaviors and other parts of the world. As long as we can maintain a good and well balanced cooperation, its really a major interest to all of us. So it would be interesting to hear [inaudible] we all see the signs. Also regarding the awareness within the United States,. [inaudible] we think the priorities are highly relevant and we look forward to the meeting in anchorage and a couple of weeks. In order to maintain an awareness, i know that you work hard within congress as well. Early today, mr. Edwards was talking to the arctic caucus, now can understand, so what would be interesting to your which parts of the u. S. And what you think about the history of the arctic caucus here thank you. Ill address your point. We are lucky that the arctic remains an area of low stability. Are strong stability of low conflict the same way we look towards the future so the economic challenges and possibilities we have to look at the future some of the sake of challenges than ever to best prepare for them. Many of the capabilities we need to operate in those harsh environments can just be purchased off the shelf. There are items that take years to generate and bring into the force, and we have to be prepared for this. The arctic, if theres a Silver Lining to this, the arctic is offer innovative confidence building between the west and russia. We should be with realistic about this but putin has a certain vision of his role in the world, in the arctic is another region where he has another lever to pull. People pulled up when its convenient for him, not when its convenient for us. I think we should be aware of that and be realistic. As long as russia continues doing what its doing in terms of its militarization in the arctic region, inside its National Borders, frankly theres nothing wrong with it. Its just when you examine what you doing in light of the actions outside their borders and other regions of the world. Thats when we should be concerned. Any comments on the arctic caucus . Its a very broad and diverse representative of the senate as opec members from the south, never some of course east coast, west coast, not surprising the alaska delegation is included, but never she would generally think their interests lie in not just being from arctic matters but also energy issues, Environmental Issues and National Security issues as well. So very broad represented along those lines. While i am no longer a Senate Staffer do want to say thats great to get that Kind Movement going on the arctic caucus. One of the challenges we have this since alaska is detached from the rest of the United States most americans dont understand we are in arctic nation. So getting senators from the other, especially what we call the lower 40 to understand and appreciate the arctic is important to underscore the arctic is in the National Interest. As its National Interest like we need to get National Infrastructure out there, and ability to be there, infrastructure even icebreakers. And icebreakers not anymore for any given state because that is in the National Interest for us to be able to get their and do stuff. I applaud isaac for the work on the arctic caucus. Other thoughts, perspectives . Actually another question, a comment to luke coffey. [inaudible] i have been following security last nato summit. I think in norway the mood is very different from what you describe visual mood, your mental state so to speak. Its like to talk privately to people in norway fails to say yes, a russian politics in crimea, in ukraine is totally unacceptable of course but they dont really feel thats an alternative, that russia has expansionist intentions, or the arctic. Its just as much about denying others to give too much control. I think also the th recent experience with agreed with russia in 2010, the continental shelf. We had that agreement. And as well russia abstaining from developing its oil resources, oil and gas resources. It wasnt financially viable. So its not like its maximizing all the time, and i think that the modernization, lots of it can be explained by the fact that they were told they were falling so far behind during the yeltsin years. Its natural thing, you think far less of dnp unmilitary compared to u. S. , for instance. And im just trying to talk them would come in norway at least you wouldnt find many people who feel really that russia is stretching it a part of the world. The other question is the court anywhere russia thinks it has is calling just like ukraine and crimea. Thats a different story. Perhaps you misunderstood if you thought i suggested that norwegians felt under some sort of direct threat by russia a russian any sort of territorial ambitions against norway, or any other arctic power, sovereign power. I dont think i suggested that. If i did i didnt mean it. What im saying is that in norway specifically there is, one of the country to find this divide between speaking to members of the msa and member of the m. O. D. On how to deal with the region and how to deal with russia and the arctic. But no one talks about going to war with russia. But i couldnt talks about the best way to persecuted and sometimes you can cooperate with russia to improve security, and or has a great track of what is happening to share a border with russia. On one of only two countries during the cold war to share land border with the soviet. The agreement on the maritime border was a great example of how problems in the tougher century can be solved the oldfashioned way, by bilateral negotiation, corporations were donated multilateral, intergovernmental institutions to help solve problems. Its a great example. But i was at the summit in 2010 for i saw this debate about the arctic between canada and norway in lisbon, and it was real. Thank you. To try to wrap this up, i know weve got a little overtime. If isaac would have to a last chance for last words and ambassador haarde after. In relation to what you said about the maritime agreement between the soviet, russia and norway. It was an exemplary case, doing things the oldfashioned way even if it takes 60 years or 70 years. They worked it out in a peaceful manner. It was operable. Operable and welcomed by peaceloving nations. I just want to say thanks again, games, to all of you here for organizing this event. See you around. I want to thank luke coffey, ambassador especially admiral papp for being here today, so thank you very much. [applause] [inaudible conversations]