Cablegate: New Zealand Request for Ssi U.S. Speaker On U.S.

VZCZCXRO7882
RR RUEHLZ
DE RUEHWL #0125 1001950
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091950Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5177
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 5158
RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 0733
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 0662
RUEHLZ/AMCONSUL LEIPZIG 0001

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000125

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IIP/T/ES (RADAMS); IIP/SDIS - RTRIPP, IIP/S - PBENDA;
IIP/T/SV; EAP/PD - GMCLOUGHLIN; EAP/ANP
EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES FOR PAO

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAONZ

SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND REQUEST FOR SSI U.S. SPEAKER ON U.S.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS - OCTOBER 2008

1. MSP Theme: MSP Goal 08-01 Mutual Understanding.
Description/Purpose: There are close ties between the countries in
this region; at the same time there is also a high level of interest
in U.S. politics, which is reflected daily in the New Zealand media.
New Zealand requests support for a second SSI speaker on the 2008
presidential elections. We seek someone who can discuss the
electoral process, the electoral landscape, the key candidates and
their policies, and the factors that will decide the result. It is
also expected that the speaker will be able to discuss the outcome
the elections may have for USG policies, especially on climate
change, the rise of China, the Middle East situation, trade and
investment issues, and U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq.

2. This visit would also build on the serious interest there is in
New Zealand presently on the U.S. elections and the recent visit of
Professor Roger Davidson.

3. Time-frame and number of days: We propose a minimum of 10 program
days in the region, plus travel that could include visits to
Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and PNG or Asian cities in the region
(Manila, Tokyo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur) from the first week of
October onwards.

4. Specialist required: Please note: Incoming PAO Mark Wenig
(WenigML@state.gov) has been in touch with Terry Michael, who has
confirmed his availability for this program should funds be
available. Post requests this Speaker using FY09 funds.

Note also that Wenig has experience with Mr. Michael, both at his
present post (Leipzig, where he has been both a speaker and a DVC
participant, both times with groups of journalists) and at his
previous post (Bucharest, where he was a traveling speaker). Wenig
gives Michael the highest recommendation for his expert analyses and
his impartiality.

5. Audience: Parliamentarians, government officials, private sector,
NGOs, students, academics, news media, members of the NZ Institute
of International Affairs, and the general public.

6. Terry Michael's contact details:
Director, Washington Center for Politics & Journalism
P.O. Box 15239
Washington, DC 20003
Telephone
Office: (202)296-8455
Cell: (202)210-8455

Email: terrymichael@wcpj.org

See also: His "Libertarian Democrat" blog, www.terrymichael.net

7. Wellington Contact: Post Program Officer is Christine Vivian,
Email: cvivian@actrix.gen.nz and vivianc@state.gov
Tel: (644)462-6112, Fax: (644)499-0490.

8. Funding: SSI funds, FY 2008 if available - otherwise FY09.

9. Please advise program possibilities soonest. Thanks and regards.
McCORMICK

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