Transcripts For CSPAN2 Capital News Today 20130716

Chairman in his academic persona had developed that is a stitch lee before his arrival. So those to make a strong case and particularly when pursuing and conventional policy. Thinks that were not known to with those used by the fed the things precisely with the hybrid usual 60 of its. And with those additions and with the Monetary Policy more reason to have the chairman speaking more regularly and at more length and a do think it has been very helpful gussied fomc position to have the fed chairman to that if only allows him to elaborate to the committee with the discussions they would have. And then inform those people that would ask and. We appreciate that. Boy back to the nitty gritty of regulatory policy now that you have a nice boston accent we learned you are there beds sox fan that we will forgive you for but give us a bio with your rise through the federal reserve. I will try to make sure. Short. To interpret that how did you get interested in financial regulation, previous times in the government in the antitrust period, trade, Economic Policy in the Clinton White house i which is dealing with national Economic Policy this was the interesting experience what did happen with the reversal of the flow of capital in short order. In dealing with some Asian Countries and then even with the early stages of the lead was not directly involved i saw some of the year the thinking and then went back to you teaching and then rather teach wes National Trade i decided to refocus. So to some degree it is not a prolific with a financial crisis but by chance i got interested in the area frankly of the International Area that spent the better part of nine years to teach reading, writing. And obviously paying much closer attention i said the things that i thought needed to be done. And then trying to realize those things. This is a question on twitter how does the fed either lee by cost and benefit of Equity Capital requirements . What determines the new leverage ratio and how do you get to that number and a costbenefit analysis. We did an awful lot of work on capital ratios at both levels that seem to prescribe it or needed for Financial Stability reid did a lot of that in collaboration with other Basl Committee members with a quite substantial exercise but also did a lot on arrows of reformulated the framework to think of paul sides of the question and that in form to our position on basl three and the surcharges and in both cases we were in favor of higher numbers that would eventually came out but that was based in part upon the analysis we had done. But with a leverage ratio specifically, that gets back to the point i mentioned in passing that the complementarity between the ratio in the risk based measures. Again the object is to have several capital measures to compensate for the shortcomings of anyone capital measure. So to do that to leverage ratio needs to provide a floor not lay down there but closer to where the firms are actually operate inhouse operating. What we try to do to increase beyond the basl iii ratio 02 try to maintain the rough relationship between the of weighted capital and the ratio a part of u. S. Regulation for some time. Fellow poles were too slow before the crisis. But but to raise them to keep them comparable. To see if we got it right but we need to underscore again from our point of view with the of risk weighted ratio plus a ratio plus what the fed is now doing every year with a stress test test, important components of a singular space precatory regime. If you could change one thing about dodd frank, what would it be . The question earlier of the issues that is most with me but i try to indicate in my a academic avatar of one to withhold judgment if that is a good thing were a bad thing but there are days when i say wish we didnt have to courtney with six agencies here or seven this but in the interest of the American People do not coincide with ideally life. [laughter] i went to open the microphone for any questions good morning. Thank you for taking time. We appreciate what the regulators have done to make the system are safe and secure but on the leverage ratio, we just witnessed a several weeks long debate with the derivatives based to harmonize the cross border rules with regulators and legislators making a point in the spirit of cooperation. Similarly with the resolution we know intimately eat were working very hard to set up a global resolution standard to make sure we can Work Together an a cooperative fashion. Given that we are trying to do that how to respond with the u. S. To partying is inconsistent with that spirit of cooperation that we try to strive for . The most important thing is these are minimum capital levels and it is very dangerous but some have tried to characterize those eight agreements as the ceiling and not the floor but basel i, it has a noise about assuring International Active bank set minimum capital levels in order to again provide minimal insurance to all of us around the world with the safety and soundness of Financial Institutions and looking at basel to which i have many concerns about but fell to number two they said there ought to be prior Capital Requirements in appropriate circumstances. In that National Authorities cannot make a judgment that they want more. And in the cave with the debate and action with said Capital Requirements of what the basel levels would be. Those of us charged with the stability of the United States as to what levels of capital will most usher without unduly affecting the flow of credit. There is dawson of the interactive quality. Jimmy their reasoning on this and explain to me more why thatd is inadequate. With the regulators as i said with the basel iii with the leverage ratios significantly that lower that might have been optimal. That people are showing with additional measures. Final thing i would say i think capital is central. Capital is said good area to start to set minimum requirements for you dont need to harmonize capital but you do with margins because the orbit dryish on that that is why working so hard internationally to harmonize what would be applied to the derivatives. I dont think that is necessary in the capital area but also because the position of any firm depends on the Competitive Position position, a Capital Requirements, accounting rules, a tax law, other government policies, a structural limitations so that position is the net effect of all those policies in the year still in a period of flux how much more do we want to do in the u. K. And the continuing debates to see the combination of all measures with one another. Governor, regarding the leveraged leases ratio that came out last week some cities there were engaged in risk taking some of our like the trust and custody banks. What are the views Going Forward with the proposal to apply a the proposal. There was a number of policies even among the eight institutions but although the with the coverage ratio to apply equally the fact depending on the profile of the firm i think my shared a sense going in with the single leverage ratio one of the policies close enough to have the comparable effect it is one of those to be applied so there were some discussions about the idea with the systematic importance of the firm but that seems to us as from that moment to go. Did you see the comet from larry fink that could impact the big ability to buy treasurys in there for the monetary side of the fed policy . I did not see the comet but i would expect that comment on the in the comment process. Are the red sox real . What do you think . This has been the matt after last year budget think was pretty disappointing for anyone, this has been a really good first half of the season but on the other hand, i think we see what everyone said the the beginning it is the Toughest Division in baseball. Thank you for joining us. We had a great discussion. [applause] [inaudible conversations] [applause] [applause] [cheers and applause] good afternoon everybody. Or on behalf of michelle and myself will come to the white house. 23 years ago, president george h. W. Bush began a tradition, he knew across the country every day americans were finding ways to serve each other. Opted with very few resources and very little recognition. They knew their good works were valuable to the people they helped but it was vital to the national character. So there is the daily points of light for americans to serve their neighbors and communities in innovative ways to inspire us all. Nearly every single day president bush gave someone a daily points of light award. After the white house he kept going and going and going. In between skydiving and other activities. [laughter] he kept going which should come as no surprise as we talk about somebody who has served his country in such extraordinary ways. And revenue do a parachute jump at the age of 85, but another one this is somebody who will not slow down anytime soon. Today we are extraordinarily honored to be joined by this family that help to build the points of Light Foundation the Largest Organization dedicated to volunteer service. President bush, mrs. Bush bush, mrs. Bush, we want to welcome you and recognize the ceo of points of light. That is worth some applause. [applause] this says not the first time president bush and i have come together for any event like this. Four years ago i went to texas a m where he was celebrating the 20th anniversary of points of light and i appreciated the warm welcome by which i been the extremely loud howdy i received. [laughter] how the students are involved with Community Service but i was moved by how much they loved president bush now we come together to mark another milestone. As of this minute, 4,999 points of light awards have been presented to individuals and organizations across this country so now i have the honor to join president bush to present number 5,000. [applause] about 10 years ago while getting ready to retire they had been farming for years they had earned a break they planned to sail around the world than there french told them about a special place they should visit along the way, a village in tanzania and volunteer mission was helping to renovate the hiv aids clinic. They thought it was worthwhile. When they arrived there in the third year of a brutal drought and people were starving and dying and having seen this they had to do something about it so there addition was replaced by a new mission to fight global hunger. Today, the nonprofit they created outreach has distributed free meals to hungry children here in the United States and 50 countries worldwide. More than 233 million. They have gone to see many of the kids they met in than to be a grownup. This is the most rewarding thing they say the most rewarding thing they have ever done. We can attest to how important this work is and how it changes lives. This week july 18 people around the world will celebrate the legacy of Nelson Mandela to perform acts of Community Service. As people look for examples of reach provides demonstration. Said if the purpose is to celebrate americans that work for their own good vantage but just to serve i cannot think of anyone more deserving the aunt cathy hamilton and floyd hammer. Before we present this of the beavis for the man who makes it all possible. He hates this but i will do with any way. Much as been said about mr. Bush extraordinary life of service by a masher everyone fully appreciates how he has with our countrys tradition of service in addition he created the First White House office dedicated to volunteerism and championed the national Community Service act in washington standards it was modest law and it was signed by the zero fanfare but looking back it sparked a National Movement by laying the groundwork for the corporation of national Community Service and americorps to give tens of millions of americans meaningful opportunities to serve and thanks to those programs and others like them, and thanks to the passion of leaders of president bush, volunteerism has gone to something some people do some of the time but lots of people do as a regular part of their lives. 1989 the number of americans that volunteer has grown more identified leave the cerebus is across age groups and regions it is now a graduation required in many colleges and high schools and abetted in the culture of businesses. Speaking from my family volunteering has brought joy to a sub for the years in indo that is the case for many of your families as well. This tradition they seem perfectly tradition to Many Americans especially those who have grown up during this period but it reflects tremendous progress into baby can savor country is better and stronger force for good because we are a people that served. For that we have to think president bush and his better half barbara who is just as committed as her husbands service has dedicated her life to it as well to five. [applause] [applause] following president bush had its sense to continue this work both president bush and president clinton come together to people affected by natural disasters urinal been around the world it is not a democratic republic invaluable part of being an american. At the white house today so i created the office of innovation in civic participation for new ways based with partnerships with president george to view bush to works closely with Community Organizations across the country to help americans in need. And with the National Priorities recovering from disasters and led by my team here at the white house this ceo of national Community Service of a commission in florida for governor jeb bush we have the whole family thing. [laughter] with a tough budgets and high problems we know the greatest resource we have is the ingenuity of our citizens to create more opportunities for americans to serve with these examples set by president bush and on a personal note of millions to a been inspired by your passion and commitment, you have helped some americans discover that they too have something to contribute and the power to make a difference. To describe those 1,000 points of light all across the country, given the humility that has defined your life i suspect it is harder to see what is the round do. I have eliminated the path of others of your service has kindled a similar glove of millions around the world and frankly youre such a gentleman a good and kind person i think helps to reinforce that spirit of service. On behalf of all of us, let me say we are sure the a kinder nation because of you and we cannot thank you enoughs. [applause] it is now my great pleasure to join president bush and all of you to present this extraordinary ward to the extraordinary couple we are so grateful to them. Please step up and receive your award. [applause] [applause] to. Fate q. We are humbled and honored to be chosen as the 5,000 in the points of light. Not in our wildest dreams did we ever plan to be here or even imagined to receive this award in fact, after being in business for 34 years floyd was dreaming of relaxing, even in sailing around the world. But in 2003 he was asked to build it a leprosy hospital in tanzania in that changed everything. When we got there we saw children dying of starvation. There was no food and nobody. Three little boys who were scavenging for food a something that was poisonous and they died. We left for home overwhelmed by our need to do something. We knew we had to send feed to food to people in the village. Repacked the first 2,000 meals with volunteers in our little town of union iowa and rediscovered the people must help to give and packed meals we started an Organization Called out reach. Each day we took another step to a bigger operation. One day, one that we had no intention of building but compelled to expand, we had to help and others were eager to help us. Each labor day volunteers all over iowa helped to pack 4 million meals it in the United States in canada tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages and irrationalities have so far helped to pack up a total of 232 million deals so far. [applause] as we have seen time and time again when people give of himself, when they share the burden and they share the task of solving it, they shine. Love grows. All over the world and he and here at home. Thank you so much. [applause] now i think neal will come up. Do we have a microphone . It is not hard to do also i think president obama for his wonderful hospitality a greeted by their hospitality so thank you all very much. [applause]. [laughter] as data is moved to act is not parachuting any more but takes up a new hobby to be a style setter. Did you notice his socks . Your calling in gq. Dad you have said if one wants to pursue a life of meaning and adventure the way to do so is to define dignity of the business of every person to help others in need in become a part of something bigger than ourselves. You and mom have lived in incredible meaningful and debentures life. Thank you for inspiring so many to become points of light. That is the applause line. [applause] on behalf of the first family first things to you mr. President and michelle to invite us to this special place for your outstanding work to promote service as a national priority. You understand House Service is one of the things that truly brings our nation together and transcends politics to address problems that government alone cannot solve. Were so blessed to have to occupants that gertrude points of light in your own ways in rethink you for your leadership in this area. [applause] today we are celebrating the 5,000 points of light who represent the 65 million americans who engage themselves in the lives of others every year. These points of light for my dad calls the souls of america. Years ago negative and asked us to imagine what if all the points of light winners decided to move together in one place in america . Imagine the woman who taught 50 years and used the Retirement Funds to buy a bus of the children could have a computer skills or kathy and floyd who helped to nurture the young people and to mobilizing the forces of good to intervene with troubled youth and teach for america, the corporations, a senior groups, organized volunteers to work carries tudor, a clean, a feat, and mentor, serve at points of light. Regardless of its problems of a Community Like this one where every person, every group every institution gaby been a small part of time and service to others would be truly and of the transformed. That is our mission to turn every place in america into a community of flight to deepen the culture of service. That is the power of the points of light program. Dad, before you left the white house you spoke to all of the Award Winners to say if i could be the ones legacy to this country he brought up the word it would not be in a sign or awards one but a return to the moral compass that must guide america through the next century i am talking about a respect for the goodness that makes this country great. Rekindling of the white lit from within to reveal america as a trivias, a country of billions of points of light. Thinks to all of you in this room i could call you out by name but mom admonish me in church period dad told me to keep the short. [laughter] but thank you to all of you who are points of light and everyone across the country those seven recognized as the daily points of light who have not found recognition butter solving the Biggest Challenges facing a hour nation. To all of them we say thank you. [applause] you are cutting into my time now is my a pleasure as the chair of points of light to service such an outstanding board to introduce the ceo of points of light on a true leader of the National Service movement. [applause] thank you for your optimism and your gracious period. We share the we have nononsense fathers and my mothers only guidance was keep it short. Thank you president and mrs. Bush to bring as year together today were so proud to carry on your legacy and fraud to continue to give out this award you created to showcase the power of people. Points of light is gathered here today as a tribute to your life and your work in thank you to president obama for sustaining a manager radically growing the Daily Service calling americans to put our compassion compassion, ingenuity, perse verance to work to lift up our neighbors and build communities and to serve our nation. When it comes to ensuring people get food and shelter and a helping hand we get together and be get busy. Thedayly point office light award calls the nation back to an essential understanding of who we are asners. It was president bushs genius put a daily spotlight on these individual and actions that embody the very best of our nation. The award is an antidote to the cynicism that too off pervade our news and our discourse. It reese minds us that people care and hope is the true story of america. For 24 years, 5,000 points oflight have shown us we can create a Better Future together. So, i want to introduce you to two daily points of light who represent the next generation of possibilities. Yas gupta. Can you stand . [applause] a few ears using, yas broke his glasses, and while waiting for a new pair, he realized how hard it was to learn anything without being able to see. And he discovered how many kids cannot afford glasses at all. So, he started a project called sight learning, which has collected and distributed more than 350,000 worth of used eye glasses to students in half dozen countries around the world. Thank you, yas. [applause] and darrius world. Can you stand . [applause] darrius, like so many points of light, has transformed personal tragedy into a platform for serving others. Darrius was four years old when his father was murdered. He spent 11 years in foster care without encouragement and advocates. And then in high school, a biology teacher told darrius that he had great potential. That he believed in him. So, one caring adult, who believed, sparked darrius to pursue scholarships scholarships to attend moorehouse college. And then he wrote a book and found his Million Dollar scholar and in one year he help thousands of students get the scholarships they need. So, darrius, congratulations. [applause] id like to invite all of the opinions of light points of light Award Winners today to stand and so we can celebrate your contributions. [applause] [applause] thank you all. You and so many others across the nation are examples of americas greatness you show us we can create, impact at a scale and at a speed that was formerly unimaginable. The future of Citizen Service is brighter than its ever been. Individuals have more power to create change than they ever have, and each new point of light will make that future brighter still. So, its for that reason im thrilled to announce today that disney is making a significant investment to help ensure we were able to lift up the next thousand points of life. So please join me [applause] so president and mrs. Bush, we can hardly imagine the transforming changes these next points of light will bring but i know they will illuminate our path, Carry Forward your spirit, and they will reflect on your legacy of service. And they will show and live out your example and your worths, president bush. They will show us not only what is best in our heritage but what all of us are called to become. Thank you very much. [applause] thank you very much, michelle, for your outstanding work, to all the opinion points of light award recipients. Were proud of you. Congratulations. Keep up the great work. You inspire us and make us want to do that much motion especially when you see young people who are already making such a difference and such an impact. Gives you enormous confidence that america, for all its challenges, will always meet them, because we have got this incredible character, and with that, what i want to do is once again thank president and ms. Bush for their outstanding leadership. Were so grateful to both of you. Want to thank neil for his leadership and i want to make sure that everybody enjoys the reception, and i suspect the food may be pretty good. So thank you very much for all of you for being here. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated in your seats until the president ial party has departed. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] heres what is coming up the foreign minister discusses the growing threats in the region and the recent Peace Agreement signed by the mali government and opposition. Steve mcdonald, director of the Wilson Centers Africa Program gave opening remarks. This is just under 90 minutes. Please be seated. Good morning. Let me welcome you to at the Woodrow Wilson center, on behalf of my president and to this presentation by the foreign minister, djibill bassole. From burkina faso. This should be a very interesting session of the foreign minister is going to speak for about ten minutes or so. We want to have a dialogue. We know theres a great deal of interest in what is happening in the sahel and northern mali and the preparations for the election, and so hell be specking to those subjects. I do want to make special welcome to our ambassadorol corps who is here. Ambassador from niger, ambassador from lets see who else. Am ambassador from senegal. And mali, and then from guinea. Welcome to our ambassadorial corps or oh, im sorry, i missed you on the enthere. Welcome to yaw to you all. Youre at the Woodrow Wilson center. The center was established by congress in 1968 for this very purpose of bringing together the people who are involved in the making of policy, and those who are experts around those policy issues. And in that regard, were extremely happy to have with us, the foreign minister, who im sure you all know, and i wont do a long introduction. He and i had the pleasure of first meeting along ago over a lunch with the professor charles fields and we were talking about the situation in ma d ma marundi, and we know he was the foreign minister and then became special envoy for darfur and then back to the Foreign Ministry and has been very involved in conflict resolution and peace building efforts across the continent. And were happy to have a capable man of this stature who is involved in the critical efforts around the peace settlements were seeking in nye jeer and northern mali. So with no further adieu, let me invite the foreign minister to the podium to speak and then time for dialogueful thank you very much. Thank you very much. Good morning, everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, the friends of mali and sahel. My dear friends, from darfur. First of all i would like to express my gratitude to mr. Steve for giving me the opportunity to address you on the security situation and the president ial election in mali. You will recall that, in this very room, in march, 2012, we shared views on the specific situation in mali, in a context marked at that time by the rebellion launched in july july 17th, 2012, and the military coup detat which followed. Head of state of mali out. We were all worried by the future of mali and we hoped that this brotherly country will recover its stability as soon as possible. From this perspectives. The head of the during their extraordinary meetings on march 2012, appointed his excellence si, president of burkina faso, as mediator for mali, for the following mission. Through dialogue we can can achieve order. Achieve normization of the security situation in northern northern northern mali. I will be presenting points on the Current Situation in mali and finally the way forward with your contribution. First, return to normal Constitutional Order. The coup detat, the activities of armed groups in northern mali, had weakened republican institutions of mali, and had put its territory and security to a severe test, thus we undertook with malian political organizations, and the military junta, actions in order to restore and to stabilize institutions for all the republic. To respect of Constitutional Order. The mediation also secure from captain a declare racing through which he committed to restore Constitutional Order. Consequencely, on april 6, 2012, he signed signed the agreement with the mediation to govern the modalities of return to Constitutional Order piloted by the nation of president touareg. Circling of military, appointment of National Assembly speaker, as interim president in accordance with the government of mali. And the government with the mission to securing a sustainable solution to the security crisis in northern mali and organizing president ial elections on all the national territories. The implementation of the agreement encounters some obstacles, of course. And these include the duration of the transitional period limited to 40 days. Characterized aggression of the interim president by demonstrators on may 21, 2012. Attempted coup detat that threatened by the red berets. Pitted the former president against those involved in the push. Fourth. Resignation of the Prime Minister and so forth. The spirit of dialogue which prevailed amongst stakeholders, as well as support of ecoas and the International Community, made it possible to restore Constitutional Order and to get traditional government to adopt a road map, the implement addition of which should lead, i hope, to organization of approximately president ial elections in july 28th of this year. We will talk about, of course, the role o captain later on. Second, normalization of security situation in northern mali. As for the normalization of the situation in northern mali, ecoas mediation are part of action undertaken, established contact with touareg movement, which claim independence, and promote sharia law application. Taking into account the presence of extremist and terrorist groups, the adopted by ecoas consisted in combining military approach and a diplomatic approach, with a view to establishing dialogue with identity groups. Continuing our efforts of mediation we secure on december 4th a joint statement to which these movements dropped their independence claim, renounced sharia law application by force, committed to respect mali territorial integrity, to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, to promote human dignity, and equality amongst citizens. Unfortunately, the fundamentalist groups, the extremist groups, which did not have an interest in the process of reunification, launch an attack against a town and progress toward the south. With the aim to strengthen their position and to prevent ecoas troops to be deployed. Faced with this danger, and at the request of interim president , the french army launch a military offensive against these extremists and terrorist armed groups. Concomitantly, ecoas accelerated the deployment of its troops in northern mali. The extremist groups having been it appears necessary to establish dialogue between nonterrorrist armed groups and the traditional government, with a view to creating conditions favorable for the organization of the president ial election on all malian territory, occupied by touareg armed groups. Thus, on july 18, we started direct on 8th of july, we started direct talks between the Transitional Government of mali, the coordination of the National Movement of liberation, and the high council of the unity. These direct talks were marked by participation of the representative of the ecoas, mediator. Both African Union, the special represent tv thereof u. N. , a special representative of the european union. Representative of oic and partners and friends, of mali. This dialogue led to the signing of preliminary agreement to the president ial elections and including these talks in mali on june 18th. By Arab Movement and other armed groups, and the coordination of the movement and the forces of resistance to joint statement issue the same day. Only the present agreement to the president ial elections and they included peace talks in mali, the signing parties committed themselves to a dialogue to end the crisis in northern mali in two phases. Before the elections of the president of the republic, and after the elections. Before the president ial election, the parties committed to create the security conditions required for holding the president ial election on all the territory of mali, and particularly in kidel area, and this requires a concession, lays the foundation for measures of implementation, accompaniment and confidence. Ladies and gentlemen, after the president ial election, the agreement provides that 60 days after its installation, the new government of mali, in collaboration with commission for dialogue and reconciliation, with the support of International Community, will engage peace talks with all community in the north, signing parties, as well signatory island groups in order to establish a comprehensive, definitive peace. These peace talks with focus on administrative and Institutional Organization of mali in particular the regions of northern mali, also indicated by some as asawat. They will have one strategy of the local government of mali. The organization of the french and Security Forces as well as program of disarmment, demobilization and special economic reintegration of armed groups in northern mali, improved administrative economic and political governance, return of refugees and displaced persons and their reintegration. Protection and promotion of human rights in mali. Justice and reconciliation. The implementation of the agreement continues on good conditions despite certain fictions which are in this implementation of an agreement of this kind. All the security situation in the northern sahel. The situation in the sahel region remains marked by excess tense existence of a number of factors, including presence of weak government and lack of basic social services in some places, as well as the socioeconomic problems and precariousness. Interference among terrorist groups, all kind of trafficking, insurgence. Presence of terrorist groups, attacks, taking of instability, daily threat of armed terrorist groups in nigeria. These are many facts which show that security still remains a challenge in the sahel. The way forward. Of course, on these i rely on you. On your contribution. One cannot say well find the way forward only within one organization or one process. We have to share ideas. Nevertheless i give some ideas. First, i think we have to help mali to successfully hold the president ial election on july 29th. Of 28th. 28th of 2013. To establish authorities in meet institutions in the country toward a sustainable solution to repeated rebellion in this region. Promote an International Cooperation with technical and Financial Partners for an improved democratic government toward social and economic development. And this not only for mali, also for all the countries in the sahel region. For all these country, we have to promote participative government likely to consolidate unity and National Cohesion and avoid frustrations and exclusions. To involve all the components of communities in social, political, and economic life, to a population, especially the youth, to join extremists and terrorist group. I wish to welcome the involvement of the International Community, which made it possible, the signing of the preliminary agreement in and the return of a sustainable peace. I thank you all for the presence and your kind attention, and i look forward to your contribution, comments and questions, to find together Sustainable Solutions to our concerns thank you. Very much. Thank you very much, your excellency. Well now open the floor for questions and comments. Let me remind you were can be beencast live and this morning we are being televised live on the cspan network. So well take two or three questions at a time. Please wait for the microphone to be delivered to you and give your name and association quickly and make your comments and questions short so we can get through as much as we can. We have about a little over 45 minutes for this session, and the minister has been very kind to invite your input. So, i open the floor. Right here in front, i have the first one. And in the back the second one. Lawrence freeman from executive intelligence review. Thank you very much for your comments. I think in terms of an approach, youre right, we have to think in the entire sahel. Just came back from mali and had the great opportunity to discover the inland mali delta and this is an area of potential Enormous Development for Food Production. Two million hectares to be developed by the group and if we use this as a center point, mali can become a food exporter to the entire sahel. So if we take a regional approach to Food Production with infrastructure, we need water management, we need a lot more energy that obama promised last month. We need rail transportation. And i think we should look at this regional development. Approach to the sahel as a way of providing security, because the military counterterrorism approach has failed in these areas in the desert and the sahel, where people have no opportunity no future no jobs. So i wanted your comments on this kind of a regional effort. Thank you. Thank you. Lets take one right there. Sure. Im with the search for Common Ground. My question for the excellency, how much of the Peace Process is new and how much of it is business as usual in the sahel and mali, for instance . Okay. Do we have one more i see one right down here. Dane smith, american university. Mr. Minister, pleasure to see you again. I wonder if you could tell us a little bit about progress in Security Sector reform and in particular how the reform of the malian military is going. Seems to me thats pretty critical to success in this endeavor. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Mr. Foreign minister, those three questions. The first one on development in a regional sense, the Food Production security. The second one on how much of the process, Peace Process is new, building on old efforts, and then the Security Sector reform with the malian army. Thank you. Of course i do agree that we need original approach, and especially in the sector of Food Production. For the peace to be sustainable, definitely we need to back it by a very strong commitment to develop our region. Not only within mali but within ecoas so it could be integrated development. But most importantly i think that the people of the north of mali should feel themself part of this National Effort for development, and this is what we are all looking for. How to create this feeling of National Cohesion and otherwise, you can produce whatever you want in the south part of the country, which is very, very rich. But if the arab people from the north are not part of it, that will not work. I agree, and this is part of ecoas policy. How to promote this integrated development. On. On the i dont understand the second question. Im not sure i do, either. Would you give him the microphone again and redevelop that question. Sure. So, what i meant is, how much of the new process is actually new in the sense its not what has been happening since the malian civil war. Cooperate addition of the leadership by rebel group. Youre talking about the negotiation aspect. The negotiations. What we reach now is just an interim agreement. Were looking for more comprehensive agreement, but Transitional Government cannot, cannot establish a lasting peace. Thats why we are all insisting now to have the elections at the end of july, so that the new authorities can promote an exclusive dialogue and reach a comprehensive i hope at this time it will be a comprehensive and lasting peace. Of course, it is not new that the people in the north raise arms to fight against the central government. On this, if you allow me, we should find a way to stop this repeated rebellion in the north. This rebellion is the fourth since the independence, and we all have seen what was the consequences. A war against the government of mali, but definitely the terrorist group take over the control of everything. And even at that time has lost control, so we should not allow any groups to start again war, knowing that the consequences of this kind of rebellion will bring terrorist activities and so on. So thats why i think that the International Community and all the partners should focus their efforts so that this negotiations be the last one. And for it to be good enough, of course. Its hard to be serious. And on the issue of security, two aspects. The first is that, in mali, a part of the army, led by the captain, perpetuated the coup detat. And an army in our country should not, should not interfere in the political process. Especially with arms. This is the first thing we have to solve, how to keep army, how to make sure the army will not interfere in the political government. So, the first reform should aim at getting to the military people the best training so they can focus on their task instead of interfering in the political process. The second type of reform is how to make the army operational. So that they can fight efficiently against the new form of threat we know in our region, which is the terrorists. Our armies, not only mali, but all our countries, they should focus their new organization and training on the capacity to stop the terrorist activities. I think that in mali, they started the reform, financed by the european union, and it is going well. I dont know the precise details but i think it is things are improving in mali. May i use the prerogative of the chair and follow up on dean smiths question just with one specific you. Did mention when you were talking about activities to be undertaken after the elections, thats you would be looking at the ddr exercise, the demobileeyeways, deterrent, and reintegration. That could imply that youre looking at the formation of a new national army, bringing in some of the elements from the rebel forces as has been none countries where theres integration of armed forces. Is this a part of the reform that will take place . Im very cautious of talking about integration of former combatants in the national army. It didnt work in mali. We have to be cautious. But definitely when were talking about ddr, the r is for reintegration is the social, economic, reintegration definitely. Of course, in the august ouagadougou agreement, the disarmament should be finalized after the signing of the comprehensive more comprehensive agreement. We will start with we all know that the combatants are not all of them cannot be part of the national army. I know, i know for peace and reconciliation, of course, we have to do something, but in this the malians will discuss, of course, but we trito provide Good Opportunity for them in order to reconcile themself and, of course, to build a new strong army. I agree also, without the participation of the north people, it could be difficult to conjure the terrorist activity. They know more than the south people, the region of the north. But all this issues will be discussed within the comprehensive talks. , okay. Understood. Okay. We have one right in front. And then down here for the next question. And then back up there for the third question. Thank you very much. Honorable one, commend and salute the professionalism in supporting to come back to normalcy, and issues regarding terrorism. Sometimes here we talk and i see people smile when i mention Marshall Plan for the sahel, and i always ask, this has to start with ecoas in particular, but a biggy like nigeria, and all the resources and then from really have our partners support that ideas of the issues you meaningsed you. Cannot have collusion if incollusion if you dont have resources to include people. You really need resources. Secondly, Marshall Plan would also lets give it an african name. I dont know which one but have to think about that somehow. I was wondering how much of that conversation are you having at your level, our partners, the u. S. And others. Thank you very much. And then yes, here. My name is mohammed from the library of congress. My question is a little far from the question, i want ask you you. It was caught up with the implication of the government in crisis. And the goal of the issue is referred to by french newspapers, they said that 25 members of the government have spoke about what we are talking about. So the question is how can we be able to talk about peace in government knowing that with the struggle against corruption and the lack of ultimatums, it is open to many kinds of situations in mind. Thank you. Thank you very much. Okay, the three questions that we will deal with. First of all, the monocle plan. Breaking into their resources of international use. In the second question and a broader question of when they go on the terrorist list. Okay good. I agree. I fully agree with you for them to be good plan, we are talking about the promise. To many people it means nothing. We need first of all to promote, as i have said, the National Cohesion and all of our countries. And second we do agree that we have made the financial and monetary partners happy by showing our appreciation. We also will focus more attention on this issue on the site. The second question concerning this subject, i understand the issue that you want to raise. I agree that this is the link between the movement of some of the terrorist groups. But he was involved in the discussions last year. At certain points it was led by and i dont know where he is, he kind of disappeared, but what i wont want to talk about is the need for these groups. We need those to distance themselves from the terrorist activities. They want to make use with all of the countries. We did not want the Twilight Group to be divided. That is why we have called for talks at this time. Even though we know that it was by its own ideology close to the terrorists and islamic groups. Because they commit themselves to be part of the normal process of normalization. So lets go with them. That is why i am insisting upon taking our people from the terrorist activities and we will have this kind of complicity with the outside groups. So i think that the meaning of this is a lot to do with the combined movement that what we we can discuss this with one entity. The Groups Joined this sort of program. We are now with the nonterrorist group and the third question. I understand your question and thank you very much. This will be part of a national debate. [laughter] thank you. We will handle it, sir. We will take another round of questions in front here. Good morning, i am here at the institute for policy management. Thank you to steve for creating a space for this conversation and thank you to cspan for covering this. I have two questions. The first is probably simpler. If you could give us an update on the situation of the region and a sense of the International Communitys response to the refugee crisis, how it is evolving, the second is on the Security Sector. You mentioned getting the best training for the military and am wondering if there is critique within the region particularly within the u. S. Is focusing on counterterrorism in which many have participated in. Is there a critique region of the strategy. For many of us that is the problem. Thank you. I do not encourage the to question example they set. But that is okay, maam. Thank you, my name is [inaudible name] from washington dc. My question is for Djibril Bassole about creating an effort to support the war in africa wondering if you could comment on that. Okay, thank you very much. I. Hello, without standing to repeat this, it is about Climate Change and all the challenges that remain for decades. We have that all of us have related in historical and economic ways. And it was assisting in those countries so i think that we understand what is going on and what is right. When it comes to terrorism and other issues, every time we have problems, the west and the west take the russian arms. The key issue, unless we address that, we continue to have all of this in the continent. Thank you. Thank you. That is a lot for Djibril Bassole to address. First of all the refugee question the army question is also there. How do you deal with that, and further, we will go on to the last question. I think that when it comes to the situation, we are doing the best we can and i think that some of them understand that we host them and we definitely need to bring them back home and create an environment so even sometimes it will have an impact on getting them back home. Since we have this we can benefit. You know that that was, by the time they entered, we were facing food crisis. That is one of the biggest discrepancies that we have [inaudible] so now on the second question. The group that we want to allow to have this coup detat. [inaudible] [laughter] we have to train our young officers are not. I am not defending certain noble. But some will implement a what he talked about. I am not advocating this, of course. But as far as the mediation is concerned, i have to tell you that there is no obstacle regarding the process the electoral process. This includes the charge of the interior. [inaudible] he is performing in this way. He is the one who is doing everything so that on the 28th of july these elections are possible. So of course we should now avoid any kind of situation between the army and the political leaders. We have to privatize things, everyone should play their own role and that should be related to it. We are talking about the next meeting in france. And i think that we will create the west african army in that general terms, how we can increase the security in the region. Now the creation of the army and how we want to defend our territory. And this is part of chaos. Now we have to talk about what the french did for us. We have reacted promptly and positively. With france and the United States, we are putting in place the discipline and the armies with more intelligence. [inaudible] among the corporations and the international lines. Is there not already a mechanism at least in principle within the African Union in terms of these forces . Yes, they are working on the troop portion of it. This is true. It sounds like the problem is the same. That our country is not having the capacity by force. But we have to think about it and we have to think seriously about how how we can create this kind of idea. I agree. Poverty is not the only cause that is part of the root causes of the security situation when things happen. Having said that, yes, what should we do . Well, i agree also that we should not wait for the western countries to make the development of our for our countries and regions and we should first do something and that is why the african countries sort of macos and north africa should come together with a plan of development. The problems are so complex and the threats are so high. We cannot recall the International Community and we cannot address properly on these issues. I agree. But we need something. We need to do something first before asking others to help. Definitely we need a plan. Definitely we need a plan and lets start by doing something first within our countries and lets create the environment and peace and stability before talking about systematic development. Okay. I think we have time for another round of questions. The second is behind us just to decide. And this young lady as well. Thank you very much. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to express myself when i am around here. I definitely care and i want to come back to the question and the legitimacy and this was involved in the civil war in liberia and of course in the eyes of millions of africans, we dont always have the ability to talk about the same governments and the second thing is i remember in because as millions of africans gather, we are very sincere. New leadership cannot work with this puzzle. Twentysix years of what we are talking about. We see how it works with power. What have you done in those 26 years and that is my question. Okay. Thank you very much. Question right there in the middle . Hello, my question is simple. I dont think we should talk about this situation. Its just that we need to talk about how this is working. And it seems like it is all of those. [inaudible question] so what is the question from our government and how can we prevent it from happening again in the government . How can we work for africa . Thats not such a simple question after all. My questions about voter id distribution. Okay, mr. Foreign minister, let you handle that. And then the question of abdul. Basically the prevention, lessons learned, this is a very important question. What do you think will happen . The first question is not really a question. I took note of what you are saying. Thank you very much for your remarks. In regards to this situation, i think that we are talking about peace and stability in the countries. When it comes to what happened in malley, this is a problem. This is why we are here trying to change that. It is our responsibility to do something. We are talking about this and the activities. These things go handinhand. And these go handinhand with where we are. So we have to sensitize the people and the youth for not using violence to oppose their demands. This is the first thing we need to talk about. This is the fourth in the region of malley. Nigeria did the same, but fortunately i think they managed to solve the problem and to integrate this and i think that today the Prime Minister is involved in this. That they have finally achieved a good integration and we hope that we can go forward. More generally, i believe that our countries should focus efforts on this. We have to preserve the stability and the internal cohesion. Finally, we need to think about prevention and of course we try to solve the problem of the crisis. We managed to bring peace and to reach an agreement in malley and other places as well. But this is the finishing touch. Now we need the strength of this. This is the head of state and we react in the same way. How we can prevent all this from happening again. You are right, i was delaying talking about the election finale for two reasons. First, we are now in the rainy season. For people to go to this in these areas, and second because of the activities and for a country, but clearly this will not be very hard. But now the question is to delay for what . And i think it is better to have these elections on time and to get from them the president and government, the issue of the consolation and technically there is a need to do something, they can delay. But it should be a consensus among other people. Otherwise if the government is going to do this, and this includes the decision to delay this, it will create more difficulties. What i can ask for is International Community support to get this election started on time. We still have two weeks to make it perfect. And it is likely that we go for a second round, i think. But its likely that we will go for a second round. So lets do everything we can answer that is the firstround and the second round will be the stability of the country. Part of this was on the technical preparations as well. Are those going long well enough with the deadline . Yes. Since the government is saying okay. Fair enough. I think we have time for two more questions. The first one a senior. We will give you a chance to take questions. Hello, im from new york city. It is known that the rebellion comes from libya. And they went back over there again. What do you do and what you have planned to avoid those people and come back the very next target, which can happen. Stay with one question, we dont have time for more than a. Okay, wanted asked a question about education that is important. Okay. The second part is how to prevent this kind of psycho. We know the main problem is education. People are not educated. When youre angry you need food. You are available for any kind of problem that you may bring to you. So what you have planned for that in regards to educating african people. Okay, thank you. Thank you for being here. Im i am from the African Development foundation and im curious about the gentleman before me. He spoke about how altered and mauritania have the larger borders and they have slightly different approaches with aviation efforts and im kind of curious about the rule of engagement with that. Thank you, sir, thank you so much. When i answer from the floor, the confirmation is rooted in the question. I just wanted to say that we usually say no one, i dont know how to translate that. But we didnt succeed. I remember when the crisis broke out in our region in the northern part of molly where all the upset occurred. We feel that now the issue of our presence is very important and we are going to address ourselves that crisis. That crisis ended up presenting a difficulty. The president is the head of the government and he has given the best he can. I told myself that if he had succeeded with peace on why we are really upset on nonnot knowing where the solution was coming from, they want to bring peace into the country. So this is going to address the issue to ensure he would be can help the people find peace and stability. Now that this has been given to me, i cannot let it go without mentioning that we are looking for peace and stability and enlightenment. When you are working hard in the region, we are talking about ambassador here and we are very worried about this issue. Most of all we feel that region is concerning. Yes. [inaudible] [inaudible question] we are talking about the occupation and how this issue should be addressed in order to make our region a region of prosperity and i support this and we have stressed the issue and i want to thank you for the presentation that you have made. [applause] at least the first question can be handled together about this, how are you dealing with that, and then the issue that you are talking about. Lets say that the groups coming from this media, of course we all know what happened there and what created this situation. We should help the new authorities to put things in order in their country. It is very formed unequipped, not malicious. The people coming from each area, it is very interesting. Some of them came and had a hard time so that they can have their own country and their own space. Many of them went back home. We were hoping to develop this with the parties. But it is not that easy. Not as easy and we have this original organization and the new corporation and more generally, this is nigeria and niger and we have been involved in the Peace Process. As well as the implementation process. They are part of all of the implementation mechanism created by the agreement. Immediately after the trip here in washington, im planning to go to algiers to talk about the agreement and the next steps so the lets talk about terrorist and criminal groups. You know, the jihad is something that we are promoting. I am not promoting that exactly, but this group should not be called the jihad is through. In this organization, it should be involved in finding the way to solve properly all of these groups are acting on behalf of this. For the muslim people. That is why the Member States now are finding a way to help and i am happy to present this includes the group from the religion of islam. This is the only thing that i wanted to take the opportunity to talk about. The true islam is not terrorist activity. It is beyond all of this. It is promoting peace and this is at. Before we close and we think the foreign minister. I would just remark that this has been an amazing session and we are really pleased by this. Looking at the issues like the fact that you dont get to have a sustainable peace without addressing the causes, youre looking at education and Climate Change and poverty and etc. Prevention starts at home. Also what he has said about this, National Partners in the United States stand ready to be of assistance. But it is so encouraging to see you taking such a strong governance and addressing this core cause. So this has been a pleasure for us to host you and we love the message that you sent and we absolutely agree weve got to learn because this is a problem in the United States as well that terrorism and islam are part of this and this is a lesson that needs to be learned by american citizens as well. Thank you again. [applause] [applause] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] here is what is ahead on cspan2. Next, a hearing on wildfire management. In a discussion on the doctoring financial regulations and later george h. W. Bush honoring the poems of life foundation. Certain to be a topic on washington journal, i guess include Norman Ornstein and a scholar at the American Enterprise institute. Later, Bernie Sanders joins us and he will be followed by jon barrasso. Finally, we will talk about wiki leaks. Like tomorrow and every day at 7 00 a. M. Eastern on cspan. Later in the week ben bernanke. Then he will travel across the capital to testify at a Senate Banking committee hearing. Watch out at 10 30 a. M. Eastern also on cspan3. A Natural Resources subcommittee on wildfires in the south and southwest. Congressional members talked about their states battles with outofcontrol wildfires and the need to pursue methods of prevention rather than the current model of suppression. Members also expressed condolences for the 19 we firefighters who lost their lives in a Central Arizona wildfire last month. This is just over two hours. The gains may actually help us get this hearing rolling along and i hope that they continue with what they are doing. But we welcome all of you who are here. This hearing today is going to explain how we implement something that i consider needs to be appeared on shift of how we handle the issue of wildfires and management of our federal lands. Last years fire season, we saw the third most acreage burned since 1960. The recent tragic event in arizona and the catastrophic fires in colorado, they simply tell us that the status quo is not acceptable. We have to come up with a different way of doing what we are doing. Decades of failed policies, they have left our force in an unnatural and unhealthy state and they have become a threat to those who are forced to be neighbors of our federal lands. So we are adding volumes of material each year and that it easily complicating the problems that we have and will complicate the debate and discussion we have on the issue. The equation is actually very simple. We cannot control the weather. We cannot control the sparks that fly here in our. But we can control the fuel loads who are doubling every three years on public lands and we are going to hear from Witnesses Today about what they are doing right in trying to minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfire and what the federal government should be doing to achieve those same kinds of results. We will be hearing it as tribes and local governments are able to sustain and manage their land and create a healthy forest as well as jobs and that business, that is the business we should be able to get back into, we should return to the policies were the four service had when it was originally established. We need to protect our wildlife habitat, put people back to work and we can do that at the same time that we protect our environment. This is not antienvironment. It is simply a common sense approach that is needed. If we dont do it, Mother Nature will and i think that we found out that she is not always as rational as mankind is. We need to look to the future and in some respects think outside of the box and come up with new ways of handling a problem which is continuing to exacerbate. We have to talk about the solution very quickly. We then go to the chairman for an Opening Statement as well. Thank you, mr. Chairman. We appreciate it. Welcome and thank you for being here. It has been less than two weeks since we lost 19 firefighters in arizona. These brave responders from the Granite Mountain hotshots lost their lives and the tragedies in the minds of their families and friends and the communities in arizona and across the nation. I attended a previous vigil last week for these firefighters in my thoughts and prayers continue to go to their families and friends who are the people most affected by this loss. Wildfire is an issue that this committee has an obligation to address, i would ask a delay of this and we dont want the lost lives of these brave men to become part of a predictable debate. With one that we will have in these assorted topics. In reading some of the testimony, i think we are still going to deal with some of the politicized and polarized issues that i had hoped we would have more time to get to and allow tragedy to settle in. It is a volatile issue even without this tragic loss of life were terrible fire seasons. He gets even more volatile when you combine the state of our force with the state of the congress and we have failed to address this issue and provide the agencys resources and tools that they need and next week i will meet with a delegation to discuss one of the agenda items that we asked to talk about. The lack of federal funding, mitigation, and the main challenges that they face during wildfire season. An expected to complete all the work that needs to be done. It provides a safe balance. Resources are not there, cooperative agreements with communities are done but cant be executed. He also cannot ignore Climate Change and intensifying the fire season. This includes more frequent weather events and adding two months of the fire season in the southwest. Fire prevention would be a top priority and we have yet to move this legislation. This congress identified agencies need to address this. We hope is a consequence of this hearing that those items once again have an opportunity to be fully discussed by the committee and an opportunity to move forward. We might never reach it on broader force management, but certainly we can find Common Ground on these conditions and then move forward. As we sit here today and talk about the work that needs to be done in all of the failures of federal land managers we need to think about what we have failed to do to find a bipartisan answer to move forward. But the Restoration Initiative and federal and state agencies and all of the other local states have found a collaborative way to move forward and this is a model we need to explore and not review and oversight. Im encouraged by the Common Ground that has been found in the hope that we can continue to hold up that progress as we continue this important discussion. With that, i thank you very much, mr. Chairman. And i yield back. Thank you. We are happy to have the chairman with us we turn now to chairman hastings for an Opening Statement and an opening introduction. Thank you very much. Thank you for having this meeting. This is of utmost concern, including those in the district that i have the honor to represent. Each are wildfires in our nations federal forest damage or destroy millions of acres across the United States. Catastrophic wildfire is a growing problem and last year a senior official testified before our committee that we are at a high risk of wildfire. Unfortunately the response has been inadequate. Already we have seen recordbreaking fires in colorado and the tragic deaths of 24 firefighters and hundreds of homes lost. From millions that burned in last years fire season. The total acreage burned in Washington State was 68,000 acres so they got 10 million boards of salvage from 68,000 acres. In contrast to the u. S. Forest service has never conducted salvage one in the of the 300,000 acres 300,000 acres, 300,000 acres have burned in Washington State. Much of this inaction is caused by the fear of lawsuits by environmental groups. The endangered species act and it blocks local and state and fuel reduction to seven projects. Our forest species deserved better than being placed at the continual increase the risk of catastrophic wildfires in this committee and subcommittee will continue to work towards policies for federal land managers to follow their statutory responsibility to improve Forest Health to protect these lindsay of local economies. Mr. Chairman come on the second panel who is here to testify on behalf of my district in the recently released report from the Indian Forest management asset team. It manages one of the few remaining forests in the state of washington and they manage over four to thousand acres of timber on the 1. 3 millionacre reservation and another comparison thats 400,000 acres is twice the amount of acres that the Forest Services harvest nationwide. Added the director the Deputy Director has to overseas Sustainable Management to keep his Forest Health the. Ahead of the panel that will be here he will be coming across the state and the committee looks forward to his testimony. With ad i yield back. I appreciate that in your witness. You may feel like you are alone down there. There are other members we have mr. Lamb board has asked to testify also chairing another reading at this moment so id like him to go first with this testimony then if you have to leave us for a secondary committee you happen to share, a fine. Week understand. Will be back as soon as i can thank you for your indulgence in thank you for calling this important hearing to examine for force management to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires did it is to the National Forest is in the unhealthy and dangerous state poses the extra risk to water supply and wildlife resulting in larger and more intense wildfires. This year marks the second Consecutive Year of my home state of colorado and by Congressional District has the record setting fires as property lost in a single wildfire. Last year the canyon fire destroyed 347 homes in killed to in this year the black forest fire tragically claimed 500 homes and two lives. I could see the smoke from my house and you could tell when there was birding would because it was white smoke you could tell it was a house because it was black smoke. A tragedy. Since the beginning of the year, the committee has come together i think that is one silver lining. There have been more than 25,000 fires across the country. Currently 22 active large fires are burning over 11 states bringing a total of one for 9 million acres. Last years fire season burned a total of 9. 3 million acres the third worst season on record. Colorado and other states cannot continue to soar of the enormous cost of the fires. Most of which jabbered on federal land in areas where the trees are too old a and dents or infected by disease or insects. That has led to destructive wildfires in catastrophic outbreaks. Is widely recognized that management of resources has not kept pace with the ever increasing need for restoration. Decades of failed policy with respect to active force management creates overstocked forest conditioncondition s placing 73 million acres of National Forest leland and 397 million acres nationwide at risk to severe wildfire. The soaring in all federal budget, a federal cost to manage catastrophic wildfires, at the expense of Land Management activity to create jobs. The funding for rule schools currently the Forest Service, an agency that once manage millions of acres the averaging over 1 billion of revenues annually, now spends 2 for every 1 a produces and spends half of the appropriated budget on wild Fire Suppression. A great deal of research including combat conducted by the four service indicates active management to produce valuable timber can help to reduce fire threats while meeting a to a wide variety of frustration goals for corrective force the blood negative force management have multiple long term benefits. Despite these findings one of the declines is the affordable timber harvest access caused by litigation. This is in large part due to preservationist organization using federal statutes like endangered species act as a tool to litigate and prevent timber harvesting. Its own Research Highlights the agency can only access less than 25 percent of the base for management due to regulatory and legal constraints. Nationally approximately 80 million acres of trees are at risk of severe mortality due to diseases and insect. Instead of addressing these problems the administration cut its funding by 37 percent to above 150 million decrease while proposing to increase Land Acquisition funding by 10 percent. Finally the administration requested 27 increase of suppression funding showing that his preference is to continue fighting catastrophic wildfires instead of reducing the risk of fire arm the williams that the already owns. State and local governments and federal agencies and Congress Must do more to better manage our forests to provide resources necessary to fight with wildfires when they happen. Thank you again mr. Chairman for holding this hearing. I yield back. We will excuse you to your committee. For people who are members id like to be part of the first panel i will turn to mr. Tipton. I appreciate you holding this hearing. Prevention, a simple idea of love communities right now is burning thousands of acres in colorado, arizona and other areas throughout the United States the commanders in charge of suppression on 110,000acre fire on the western border in my district since the entire community, told the the behavior is unprecedented because of dry conditions setbacks in a way that is devastating it will continue to impact our communities for years after the fire is out in the most tragic part is that the occurrence could be reduced if not prevented with common sense Forest Management by taking action such as reducing hazardous fuels we would not only be able to allow the forest to surprise but to prevent future loss of life and destruction of property in safeguard water supply species habitat and to promote a Natural Environment overall. Spending a fair amount of his time to reduce Carbon Emissions but the of their week to be able to move forward with the backdoor energy tax that will restrict responsible Energy Development in this country instead job growth of these truly interested to reduce Carbon Emissions did mr. Shinn should take meaningful action to prevent catastrophic wildfires burning in california and arizona. With debt 2012 presentation presentation, from nasa Carbon Dioxide more than doubled up 2. Four times the amount of Carbon Emissions has grown from the average of 8. 8 million tons per year through 84 in 85 if more than 2 million from 96 through 2008. While fires even more carr been a few weeks in all cars do in one year. This is the case in colorado and will likely be the case. In addition to the 2007 study published by nih wildfires are the king to reduce to individual states in idaho wildfires produced one for is six times more co2 than all other fossil fuels was fire emissions also accounted for 47 and 42 of the missions in man to it montana and washington respectively and according to a report from researchers and Auburn University bonfires emissions are expected to increase by 50 percent by 2015 and when trees grow they have sort of the cost the when they die like the deal trees it starts to read these carr been slowly as it decomposes rapidly whenever is the failure to responsible management for the safety of our community simply defies logic. If we proactively manage our forests we can remove dead trees and restore areas of healthy trees that will once again absorb carbon in our environment to a healthy state to protect people and communities. When developing a plan throughout the United States vast expanses of course, it should be common sense to include the of the of those who live in the region to have the bruise on the crown appeal of the urgent challenges facing forced managements were proposed comprehensive all hands on deck approach. This could give states and tribes in counties the ability to designate high risk areas and land jurisdiction as well as the authority to provide for the development of the emergency hazardous fuels reduction project for the entire risk area states can better protect communities than species it habitat and Water Supplies and natural areas of preventive action to control the conditions of the devastating well fires in addition it would provide incredible longterm cost savings by investing in prevention according to a for service the agency spent 296 million on hazardous fuel reduction nationwide while spending 1. 7 billion of paul Fire Suppression at the same time that is why the legislation is important of what it is about to get ahead of this problem by having greater resources to make more proactive approach to restoring force help to the natural state of the intense wildfires that have caused so much to damage for are live for to the testimony. Thank you. I yield back. I appreciate your testimony. You have been sitting here long enough i apologize you will commute to this committee in we would like to give you the time now if you have a comment. The key for having this important hearings today and for your purchase a patient. I want to extend a specialist banks to my colleague the extended day he and to me during the fire that allowed me to attend briefings and fears of the fire site it had a personal impact on my family thank you very much for that. The issues of for selfimage and are important but they carry a special significance right now with a heartbreaking loss of the 19 firefighters. They were briefly battling the fire when they died this tragedy worst loss of responders instead 11 the unfortunately they have a long history of devastating wildfire and it is important we learn from them to create snyder policies that protect our forests, our citizens and firefighters. In my district we have millions of acres of National Forest and state land in rehabed stuff is of a major fires but in 200011 it was started by the abandoned campfire id affected four counties and 6,000 people were evacuated. Epergne to 41 days before was contained in detect 538,000 acres. 840 square miles making it the largest fire recorded in but it was ignited by the abandoned campfire. If it and if forced the evacuation of more than 700 properties. But with. Research found impact would have lessened within to be for the i. R. A. A year and broke out. The a of a of forcing the evacuation of 37 some people in places like those that keep guard. 460,000 and 400 homes were destroyed. It took 20 days that was started by humans. To date occurs during the current welfare seasoned. Fires are raging rainout in arizona and other areas. We need to treat the issue before stealth with the urgency so allow me to share with you one example of something that can work. The Restoration Initiative is a collaboration of many diverse as stakeholders this project took several years ago and has come a long way. He brought together and local communities across. Weve worked with other brands to strengthen middle cost but the overall kolff with the structure in the pattern that with this adapted ecosystem this will reduce ground fuel and aid and plant diversity and it has to support the business sector of plays to some of purves products. It will create over 600 jobs in begin the restoration of of end and when it would reduce the lower the threat of wildfires in to help set chairman figure for the opportunity to discuss the need for real action was still weak yen to assure our clear roost yen to a deeper First Responder safe. Thank you. As with many of our guests if you like to stay as part of the panel you are welcome to come up as well. If you have other business i understand how that happens. Alibi tuesday. Up. The last number that has asked to speak is the other representative from arizona. The previous meeting i actually introduced to a head of time but now i a got the names correct. [laughter] you both look so much alike. But you are recognized. Before i get started of a fight to save my thoughts and prayers continue to go all to those to suffer the terrible tragedy also like to take the time to give my thanks and appreciation to all the men and women who have effective lives and property across the country in my short three years i have represented nearly all of rural arizona as of redistricting. Constituents up multiple wildfires. But now the largest fire in arizona history leaving that church but last year over 900 started been over 50 shows are in arizona alone end of this year are state with those loss of the firefighters who was one to Straight Year earlier. Each fire has a unique circumstance. Some by the act of god, humans, some are difficult to avoid a and contain but it started by average rush before expanding into blanche. It also changed direction uncontrollably but the fates of these can be changed and we cannot facilitate the condition they will start or reduce their size and intensity once they learn. Swathe like to complete the touch will believe they think Congress Must do to face our congress than we earn it to men and women including firefighters to do all they can to reduce frequency and intensity that we send them into year after year it the conditions are Public Safety officials can and will succeed. Funding without a doubt we need to ensure proper Forest Health to make sure they are funded and the houses lead in the flight to put it reductions in while the administration in the Senate Proposed cuts. But we have to be more than just money beduins smarter the federal system continues to prioritize fighting fires although we need to suppress them will let cool way we need to shift to a Practice Management if we dont we will go bankrupt whole federal am local governing and news natural treasures that we hold dear in caused the rule way of life to go ince extinct to would like to submit for the record the Technological Institute but is unsure dick into foods with the investment of 15 million we could have reduced fed, as is the loss of Life Associated with the budget is 10 times more expensive to the press then is to prevent it makes but with their assets sid vicious dollar signs is impossible to look at what the cost of the mexican left in the world. That was 20 or worse tottery quantify the loss of 19 brave firefighters . We can to do that but prevent them with the Commonsense Solutions to those living in them. Congress would give them the tools they need to reduce fuel fires with the ecological balance of the of one of the to the most important breaks in known as a Good Neighbor authority. It is the tool that allows the fed to partner with steve forsters and since 2000 colorado has used this authority projects a and the pilot study has been a success expanded to all states. Deeply relieved. The ntsb is a third rail of Natural Resources. Anytime a member the proposal comes in dead on arrival but nearly every court will tell you you have to cut red tape if you will stuart seriously adjust your health. Visa the things that Congress Must do to make it work. We must do this together. The time is to work now. We must build a consensus with my legislation and that was Fire Prevention and acted . Said to the others with their bills. But it is what we can support reid and have an obligation but no is the unanswered particularly from the environmental communitys where there will be consequences of afford to hearing from the experts today. I appreciate all the members who have taken the time to speak on this first panel for the words you have but then the information to be replaced. Host in a bailiffs presents it to the office or by the close of Business Today also included from kirkpatrick although i would need a name on that without objection and support committee to join us. We have covered that. Felt like to introduce a second panel to ask mayor to take their place is the deputy chief of state and private forestry for the u. S. For service, the acting director of office of wildlife fire and Senior Adviser Public Safety resource protection and the Emergency Services in the u. S. Department of interior. You must have two doors to put those titles on. With the department of Natural Resources has been introduced by chairman he stings and to from the Forest Service at Colorado State university the director of restoring americas forest the north american region and the Vice President and general manager of the lumber company and i understand you were also from man to montana and a constituent so now i will introduce mr. Ready to use the panel. I am. This is a critical issue for my constituents and it is why i am here today. He manages lumber located in the beautiful Flathead Valley anb talk a lot about endangered species but the zero lumber mills in montana or a change of species. We used to have 30 and now were down at eight tim we will talk about what it is the case. When i was visiting in northwest montana he gave me something that is in my office it is a coaster to illustrate what is going on in what you have is a crosssection of two different entries both the same diameter you member you count rings of trays . On one side is 56 years old on the of circuitry that is nine years old. By the difference . But to who manages a forest it is 56 years old to we will hear more about why it is important but trees go faster no . A young man going out to montana and the pride of the Community One of nine children of an older brother was in afghanistan coming home and he was a prize and we express our condolences. Mr. Stoltz has survived the worst recession in history and provides the industry in my state and saw the most devastating wildfires in montana since 1910. It is always the cutting edge of technology as well as storage chip this organization is committed to the land and ill testify to the challenges and in montana it is critical to a way of life not only for our jobs but also for the weekend to show the balance that he has his also served on the board of directors for the Rocky Mountain Health Foundation as a classic example of someone who captures the way most when tenants feel with a great place to take our kids hunting and fishing. Responsible stewardship on forest land by Companies Continue to be held back by a frivolous litigation and we will talk more about that but those who are stopping this and not at who are file their but not elaborate on negative collaborating in this overwhelming evidence shows reforms are needed to protect the health of our forest in the state communities our