speeches
Remarks for the opening of the Barents Institute
February 1, 2006, in Kirkenes
(as prepared for delivery)
INTRODUCTION
It is an honor for me to share this podium with State Secretary Skogrand, Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg and Ambassador Panov. I also would like to recognize Mayor Hatle, County Governor Saxi and President of the Sameting Keskitalo. Chairman Eriksen, Mr. Rafaelsen, it is a privilege to speak at the opening of the Barents Institute. Tusen takk for at dere har invitert meg hit idag. (Thank you for inviting me.) I am here to learn. But, even as a newcomer to Norway, I've quickly come to grasp the importance of the Barents region to the country and to the world. The Barents Institute will be an important player in this region’s sound development in both human and resource terms. I will follow the Institute’s work closely and intend to be a continuing student of "Borderology."
I am very excited to be in the north of Norway. I come from the capital of the State of Minnesota. I know the importance of traveling outside a capital city to really understand the richness and character of a country. My Aunt Sally used to remind me how I must get out of our capital to visit the people of what she called “Greater Minnesota.” So now that I live in Norway, I wanted to get out and visit the people of “Greater Norway.”
And, having arrived in Norway only three weeks ago, I wanted to make sure my first trip was to Norway’s “High North.” This region is a central focus of Norwegian policy and is of great significance to the United States. So, when I learned of your invitation, I knew I had to be here - even in the more challenging time of February. We have a saying in Minnesota - when you visit a place it means you care; when you visit in the winter it means you REALLY care. Well, I’m here in the winter and happily so. This will be the first of many visits to the High North during my time as Ambassador.
MORE THAN ONE DIMENSIONAL RELATIONSHIP
Speaking in Tromsø in November, Foreign Minister Støre called the High North and the Barents region a "sea of opportunity." Opportunities indeed abound in the region and its future (even in the dark of winter) looks very bright. I have already had good initial discussions with the Foreign Minister, State Secretary Skogrand and other senior officials, about the important issues of the High North. The agenda is large: oil and gas development, environmental protection, global energy security, fisheries, and even non-proliferation as it relates to nuclear material on the Kola Peninsula.
Subjects of such global significance demand international cooperation and understanding. The United States and Norway have a rich, multi-dimensional relationship in the High North. Our developing high-level political dialogue and our cooperation from energy development and security to environmental management and cultural exchange show that we share deep interests.
The United States looks forward to engaging Norway directly on the High North, and in multilateral fora like the Arctic Council. As an active member of the Arctic Council since its inception, the US views it as an important forum for addressing common challenges faced by Arctic states. Norway's commitment to the High North will reflect well upon all Arctic nations as it assumes the chair of the Arctic Council during the International Polar Year, 2007-2008.
ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY
Energy is the life’s blood of the world economy and a foundation of our modern standard of living. Increasing Artic energy supplies can generate more affordable energy for consumers and businesses, encouraging economic growth, more jobs, and opportunities for better lives in Norway and across the world. And so energy development in the Barents region is obviously an area of profound mutual interest. Norway and the United States are deepening our energy cooperation as liquefied natural gas grows in importance as an energy source. Natural gas is expected to overtake coal worldwide as the leading fuel by 2025. Natural gas already accounts for 24 percent of the United States' energy consumption and is expected to increase. The development of LNG fields in the High North such as Snoehvit and Shtockman are particularly promising outlets for the U.S. LNG market. Over one half of the LNG from the Snoehvit field is destined to go to the Cove Point Terminal in Baltimore, Maryland. This stable supply of gas from Norway to the United States and the world is of global importance.
Norway is a world leader in cutting-edge technologies for off shore, deep-water petroleum production, while adhering to the highest environmental standards. This technological expertise expands supplies but in a way that protects the people and wildlife of the resource areas. I am very much looking forward to my tour of the Snoehvit facility tomorrow, weather permitting. Norwegian technology will clearly be one of the keys to unlocking the potential of the region and also will play a role in expanding supplies worldwide.
Norway also plays a vital role in the critical area of global energy security. Norway’s transparent and predictable business and governmental practices make it a model of a stable, reliable energy supplier. Norway has properly recognized the real human costs of energy instability. It has the potential to help developing nations become sound suppliers and by this enhance energy security worldwide. United States greatly appreciates Norway's tremendous contribution to the security of global energy markets and look forward to continued cooperation in this area.
RUSSIAN BORDER/SECURITY
No discussion of Arctic and Barents Sea hydrocarbon resources would be complete without including Russia. The Norwegian - Russian border presents an enormous opportunity for cooperation, however; to capitalize on that opportunity Russia needs to offer an attractive climate for commercial investors and Norway stands as an excellent model of a stable and reliable energy supplier. Norway’s and Russia’s maritime border questions require resolution as well. This region will not achieve its full potential without progress in Norwegian - Russian negotiations on their shared maritime border. While the United States has no role in resolving the dispute, we are very encouraged by the resumption of discussions. We hope that both countries will reach a mutually acceptable resolution to this long-standing issue soon.
A good example of Norwegian, Russian and American cooperation in this region is the decommissioning and replacement of radioisotope thermoelectric generators or RITEGS, as they are known. The United States and Norway have worked together to assist Russia with the replacement of over 120 RITEG batteries which pose not only an environmental hazard, but also could be used by terrorists to make a dirty bomb. Assisting Russia in removing these environmentally dangerous generators is an excellent example of Norway and the United States' mutual cooperation to strengthen and improve the security relationship in the High North.
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND RESEARCH
Norwegians care about the natural environment and they have special nature to
protect as I have witnessed in my initial cross country ski journeys near Oslo.
Americans too care deeply about the environment. The fragile environment of the
High North creates another area of important international attention and
cooperation.
I have already referenced the environmentally sound drilling
technology in the Barents and clean up of nuclear waste on the Kola peninsula.
Another essential Artic environment issue is climate change. Contrary to what some may think, the United States takes climate change seriously and is taking substantive actions to address it. Through 2006 America will have spent over $20 billion for climate change programs, more than any other nation in the world. These programs promote technological innovation to reduce green house gasses in the US and across the world by for example, transitioning to a hydrogen based economy and developing cleaner coal. We have committed to cutting our nation's greenhouse gas intensity -- how much we emit per unit of economic activity -- by 18 percent through 2012. We have achieved a 2 percent reduction in intensity in 2003 alone.
We are also dedicated to multilateral partnering with other countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without hindering economic development. Norway has joined a number of our multi-lateral climate change technology initiatives including the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum and the International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy. America has been the global leader in the essential task of engaging the major developing economies like China and India to start addressing climate change in multi-lateral forums.
Another area of focus for US and Norwegian cooperation has been research. We supported the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, an important effort to broaden our scientific and technical understanding of the Arctic, by providing $2 million of the $3 million needed for the project. This produced a valuable contribution to the literature on regional impacts of climate change. Additional research cooperation is occurring in the important Svalbard archipelago. Later in my current trip I will meet in Tromso with a United States Fulbright scholar working on climate research in Svalbard. I also look forward to being briefed on Norway’s research when I meet with the people at the Polar Institute. Norway and the United States share the goal of protecting the Arctic environment.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
While the discussion of resource development is important, we must never forget about human development in the High North. Later today, I will visit our Barents Region American Corner (BRAC) here in Kirkenes. This collection of books, periodicals, and reference materials make an American contribution to the richly multi-cultural Barents community and I hope it can serve as a platform for future collaborative programs. I am proud that my country has created this place of learning and exchange. Knowledge brings us together so I am pleased that we are following up with a similar effort in the Tromso Public Library.
I am really pleased to have the accomplished poet, Kimberly Blaeser attending the opening of the Barents Institute with me today. Kimberly is a fellow Minnesotan and a Native American poet with a unique outlook on traditional American culture. She is sponsored by the Public Affairs Office of the American Embassy in Oslo. She is a positive force in our important cultural exchange.
I also had a wonderful opportunity to meet with some of your Sameting representatives earlier today. The contributions of indigenous peoples to our culture and development cannot be underestimated. I look forward to learning more about the Sami people and their culture as I continue to explore this great region.
In conclusion, the Barents region as a “sea of opportunity” holds huge potential and demands very sensitive handling. In that spirit the Barents Institute will help ensure the region capitalizes on its potential now and into the future. Congratulations and we wish you much success in your work.
The United States’ commitment and interest in Norway’s High North is an extension of Secretary Rice’s vision for American diplomacy – what she calls “Transformational Diplomacy.” America is eager to focus on places, like the High North, of global significance where dynamic communities are seeking a better future. I believe that it is a fundamental element of the American character to want to make a positive difference in the world; that is what drives us, that is what drives our foreign policy – to make the world a better place for our children and grandchildren. I believe we share this value with the people of Norway. I see our engagement with Norwegians in the High North - here in Kirkenes and in cities like Hammerfest, Tromsø and Bodø - as very much a part of Secretary Rice’s vision. We are looking for ways to work together in this historic opportunity. And, I must tell you, frankly, I’m really excited to be a part of what lies ahead. Thank you again for having me and I look forward to getting to know you better during my stay in Norway.