Hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - To Consider fhe Nominations of Maria Otero to be Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs; Philip Verveer for the Rank of Ambassador During His Tenure as Deputy Assistant Secretary .....
Statement
Hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee - To Consider fhe Nominations of Maria Otero to be Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs; Philip Verveer for the Rank of Ambassador During His Tenure as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Communications and Information Policy in the Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs and U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy
Chaired By: Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Witnesses: The Nominees Testify
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SEN. SHAHEEN: Good morning, everyone, and welcome. I'm Jeanne Shaheen, senator from New Hampshire and chair of the European Affairs Subcommittee. I'm delighted to be here with Senator Lugar, who has a long and very admirable history on the Foreign Relations Committee.
And we are delighted to have our two nominees, Maria Otero and Philip Verveer here with us this morning. And I'm going to begin right away with Senator Harkin, who is going to be doing an introduction of Ms. Otero, because I know he has to get back to his negotiations around a health care plan, which we all want to happen, so we don't want him away from those negotiations for too long.
So I'm going to ask you, Senator Harkin, if you would do the introduction even before I do my opening statement. So why don't you begin, please.
SEN. TOM HARKIN (D-IA): Well, Madame Chair, thank you very much. We are in the final negotiations on our health care bill on the Health Committee. And I told Senator Dodd I would be gone for a few minutes because there's some I desperately wanted to be here for.
And so, Madame Chair, thank you very much, and my longtime friend, Senator Lugar, my former chairman of the committee I know chair, Agriculture, and also former chair of this distinguished committee here, and a longtime friend and one of our -- just one of our great senator when it comes to terms of foreign affairs and the status of the United States around the world. And I just want to express my gratitude to Senator Lugar for his great leadership in all these matters.
So, both Madame Chair and Senator Lugar, it's an honor to appear before the committee to introduce my good friend, Maria Otero, President Obama's nominee to serve as undersecretary of Global Affairs at the Department of State.
Now, at the outset I want to make it very clear that this is personal to me as well as professional. I have known Maria, well, since she first met her husband -- well, he wasn't her husband then but, I mean, she met him, and I was present at their wedding 28 years ago. I've watched her life and her family grow, and I can tell you that she is a devoted mother to Justin and David and Ana. Justin is here but David and Ana aren't.
And I'm just so proud -- I am so proud of Maria Otero's life's work -- not that it's over with, by any chance -- by any means, but I mean all that she has done in the past almost 30 years that I have known her. I can't think of anyone more superbly qualified for this important position at our State Department.
As you may know, she is currently president and the CEO of ACCION International, which is a pioneer in the field of microfinance in Africa and Asia, Latin America and the United States. I remember when Maria left -- was it CEDPA? -- CEDPA and went to ACCION. This was back in the '80s.
I'd not really heard of ACCION. It was not that big of en entity at that time, but under her guidance and direction, ACCION's network has expanded its reach more than sevenfold. It now serves more than 3.7 million people, has a combined portfolio of nearly $.36 billion. And Maria has become a leading international voice on sustainable microfinance, poverty alleviation, and empowering women in developing countries.
It would be hard to gauge how many people have financed businesses, have employed people and have gone to work and raised their families better -- it would be hard to gauge how many -- because of the work of Maria Otero in ACCION.
Previously she was an economist for Latin America and USAID's Women in Development Office. And in the year 2000, at my recommendation, President Clinton nominated Ms. Otero to serve on the board of directors of the United States Institute of Peace.
She was confirmed by the Senate, and in 2004, after serving with distinction, was re-nominated to serve on the board by President Bush and was again confirmed by the Senate. She served as vice chair of the board at the United States Institute of Peace until just last fall.
I can assure you that Ms. Otero will bring to the job of Undersecretary of Global Affairs an impressive array of diplomatic and political skills. She is an excellent communicator, a great negotiator, and she is a formidable advocate.
So I just want to say that in Maria Otero the president has chosen a public servant of exceptional intelligence, competence, and experience and compassion. So I urge the committee members to vote Affirmatively on her nomination and to send it to the full Senate as soon as possible so she can get to work and do there what she has done in the private sector all of her life.
And I thank you very much, and, as I said, you just can't have a better person for this position than Maria Otero. Thank you. Congratulations.
Any questions for me?
(Laughter.)
SEN. SHAHEEN: No. Thank you very much, Senator Harkin.
SEN. HARKIN: I'm not an unbiased person here, okay?
SEN. SHAHEEN: And, as you've pointed out, it's well deserved, so thank you --
SEN. HARKIN: Thank you very much, Madame Chair.
SEN. SHAHEEN: -- for that very --
(Cross talk.)
SEN. HARKIN: I'll have to excuse myself.
SEN. SHAHEEN: -- introduction. Please.
Again I want to welcome the nominees and all of the audience members and their families. Before you give your testimony you will have an opportunity to introduce your family and any friends that you would like to here. So, thank you.
Today the Senate Foreign Relations Committee considers the nominations of Maria Otero to be the undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, and Philip Verveer to be the deputy assistant secretary for International Communications and Information Policy, and the U.S. coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy. I tried to make an acronym out of that, Mr. Verveer. I think it may be the longest title in Washington, but I couldn't get it to do that.
Each of these positions will be critical in meeting our responsibilities and protecting American interests across the globe. We welcome you and look forward to hearing from you this morning.
The transformational challenges facing the U.S. today are more complex than ever. Climate change, disease, poverty and the degradation of human rights threaten Americans as much as any single foreign military. These 21st century threats don't respect borders and they can't be met by the United States alone. We'll need to engage in new and constructive ways with partners and competitors across the globe if we're to meet these challenges.
Among the most urgent of our global challenges is the ongoing crisis in Iran. Today we must continue to unquestionably stand united on the side of peace and the protection of human rights for the people of Iran. Though we continue to respect the sovereignty of Iran, we strongly condemn the violence and suppression that we've seen there and we mourn the innocent victims of this tragic episode.
As undersecretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, Ms. Otero will need to continue to help work with President Obama and take his lead in shaping a measured and informed strategy with respect to U.S. policies during this crisis and beyond.
In addition to human rights and democracy, the undersecretary is responsible for a wide array of critical global issues. Climate change, global health, victims of regional conflicts will all be high on her agenda.
Global women's issues must also be a priority. With women in positions of power like Secretary Clinton, Ambassador Rice, and Ambassador Melanne Verveer -- I know you know her very well, Mr. Verveer -- we have a unique opportunity to improve the lives of women around the globe, and I look forward to working with you, Ms. Otero, on this issue.
If confirmed, the challenges before you will be immense, but your unique background and experiences make you supremely qualified to take on this important post. And I will not further go into your very illustrious background and the private sector as Senator Harkin has already done that, but I would point out that I appreciate that Dartmouth and New Hampshire has just given you an honorary degree, so that makes you okay in my book. (Laughter.)
We're also here to consider the nomination of Philip Verveer to be the U.S. coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy. I'm going to shorten that title.
Communications and information technologies have dramatically transformed our world and have become critical components of our nation's foreign policy over the last decade. An efficient global communications system is not only important to spread what we believe here in America but to develop foreign economies, increase innovations, improve education, and broaden U.S. markets and interests across the globe.
And as we've seen in Iran over the past several weeks, the benefits of expanded communications technology can flow both ways as Iranians utilize new technologies to inform the world of the events on the ground during this crisis.
And having practiced communications and anti-trust law for nearly three and a half decades, Mr. Verveer is an expert in communications policy and information services. He has served with distinction in the government and in private law practice, and considering his wife's new responsibilities, I'm certain he will focus on the deployment and expansion of new technologies in support of global women's issues, which I also appreciate.
Mr. Verveer's expertise makes him qualified to sit through the complex and confusing world of international telecommunications policies to protect and advance American national security and business interests abroad.
The challenges before each of you will be daunting and the work will not be easy. I congratulate you on your willingness to take on these new responsibilities and on your nomination. Thank you both for being here.
Let me just introduce Senator Menendez from New Jersey -- we're delighted he's here -- and as the ranking member, Senator Lugar, if he would like to make a statement.
SEN. JIM DEMINT (R-SC): Well, thank you very much, Chairman Shaheen. I will not make a statement. I will simply second your very thoughtful introduction of both of our candidates and the dimensions of their service, and I look forward to their testimony.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you. Senator Menendez, did you want to make a statement?
SEN. ROBERT MENENDEZ (D-NJ): Thank you, Madame Chairman. I don't want to make a statement. I just wanted to come by and just simply say I look forward to the success of both of these candidates, but particularly to Mrs. Otero. She has tremendous background in development, having worked for years in ACCION International for many years, and in the whole issue of democracy, human rights and labor, which is going to be under her jurisdiction, among others. It's an incredibly important field and we have had good discussions about that.
And I am pleased to see that the president and Secretary Clinton have nominated someone that will be the highest-ranking Latina in the State Department. And considering that the State Department's history in terms of Latinos in general has had one of the worst records, it's good to see that we're moving in the right direction. I look forward to your success.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you very much.
Ms. Otero, would you like to make your statement?
MS. OTERO: Thank you. Thank you very much. And let me start by introducing my family and friends, and I will highlight, of course, my mother, Teresa (sp), Otero, who is -- few people can be as proud as I am of her; my husband, Joe Eldridge, and my son Justin Eldridge, who is representing his brother David and sister Ana. I have several of my sisters and other siblings here, and I appreciate them being here, as well as nephews and nieces. In fine Latin fashion, we have come with a lot of family support.
Many of my colleagues from ACCION International are here. I appreciate their presence and I think want to just highlight that they are here. And many other friends that are here, of course from State and from just our other friends as well.
So let me begin by thanking Madame Chairwoman and distinguished members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. It is an honor and a privilege to appear before you today. I am deeply grateful that President Obama has placed his trust and confidence and nominated me to be undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs.
If confirmed, I look forward to working with our superb Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and with the members of the committee, and with all members of Congress in helping to advance our mutual goals of promoting a more peaceful, prosperous, and stable world.
The responsibilities of the undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs are significant and they humbling. Should I be confirmed, I will oversee the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor; the Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Scientific Affairs; the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration; the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; and the Office of the Science and Technology Advisor to the Secretary.
The common thread that unites this vast portfolio is that the people who are most directly affected by these issues are those who are among the world's most vulnerable populations: refugees, trafficking victims, activists who are persecuted for demanding democracy and human rights, people without access to food security or to the education and health care that modern science and technology can deliver. These are all people on the margins of society.
President Obama and Secretary Clinton recognize that it is in our national interest to help governments better protect and assist their excluded populations. Under this administration, we have an opportunity -- an important new opportunity to elevate global issues in the Department of State.
I am deeply impressed by the talent and expertise of our Civil Service and Foreign Service officers serving in the global issues line. They bring critical value-added in shaping foreign policy, and I share Secretary Clinton's view that we must capitalize on their expertise as we craft the new "smart power" tools of diplomacy and development. Tools such as science, health, and humanitarian diplomacy, combined with targeted assistance -- these are powerful agents for change
If confirmed, I will work diligently with my colleagues at the Department of State. I will collaborate actively with USAID and other U.S. government agencies to ensure that the line of global issues is integrated fully into our bilateral relationships and multilateral relationships.
Should I be confirmed, I also bring to the leadership of the global issues line a unique perspective. My expertise in the field of microfinance over several decades and across several continents has demonstrated to me the transformative power of giving people the tools to help themselves.
As President and CEO of ACCION International, I have witnessed thousands of cases where individuals, especially women, were given a chance to realize even their smallest entrepreneurial vision, and with it they were able to contribute to their families, their communities, and their societies.
But perhaps as important, I saw the need to also develop sustainable local institutions with the capacity to provide that opportunity. In 1992, ACCION played a key role in creating the first commercial, regulated, licensed for-profit microfinance bank, Banco Sol in Bolivia, my country of origin.
It was the first bank of its kind to make very small loans to poor people, and its success inspired the creation of many that have followed in its wake. I bring that bringing this importance of institution-building to my nomination as undersecretary is an important part of my work.
Let me be clear, however, that while the line of global issues can benefit from a development perspective, this would in no way lessen our focus on supporting democracy and human rights. This focus on democracy and human rights means supporting democracies that are already operating, and it also means holding governments accountable to their responsibilities to protect the freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to ensure equal access to justice, and to respect the will of people in determining who will lead them.
Democracy and human rights are at the core of our foreign policy goals, and to the values we hold as a nation. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that they remain central to our decision-making.
In closing, I want to acknowledge the key role that this committee has played in effectively addressing and resourcing the important issues that will fall under my responsibility, should I be confirmed.
I value your commitment to these issues. I value your thoughtful advice. As Secretary Clinton has said, "Our smart power approach will rely on partnerships, and that begins with our own government." If confirmed, I look forward to building a fruitful partnership with this committee and Congress.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to your questions.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you very much.
Mr. Verveer.
MR. VERVEER: Thank you, Madame Chairwoman, Senator Lugar, Senator Menendez. It is an honor to appear before you as the president's nominee as U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy.
I would like to begin by thanking President Obama and Secretary Clinton for the nomination and for the privilege inherent in the opportunity to serve as a representative of the United States.
I also would like to thank my family. My debt to them is incalculable. I am very fortunate that my son Michael and my daughters Alexa and Elaina all have engaged in public service in one form or another. I am also very pleased that Alexa, my son-in-law Dominic Bianchi, and my granddaughters Leigh and Evan Bianchi are here today behind me. My other children and my 93-year-old mother are not able to attend today's hearing, but they will be watching it on the committee's website.
Most especially, I want to thank my wife Melanne. She is not able to be here today because she is in Afghanistan on State Department business. Madame Chairwoman, as you have observed, the Senate recently confirmed her as ambassador-at-large for Global Women's Issues. It is a great and, if I may say, well-deserved honor that has been the source of enormous gratification to our entire family.
I have spent the last 35 years in government service and private law practice addressing the law and policy affecting communications and information services. If I am confirmed, I will join a very capable group of Civil Service and Foreign Service Officers who have attended to our nation's interests in these policies very successfully over the years. I hope that the experiences of my professional lifetime will contribute to their continued success.
Cooperation among nations and among private actors is essential to international communications. Issues of inter-operating and technical standards, for example, are critical. These traditional supply-side issues increasingly have been joined in the international arena by demand-side issues related to consumption. For example, the International Telecommunications Union pursues a development agenda in addition to its more traditional concerns.
Information and communications technology has had a transformative effect on the world's economies and will continue to do so. The United States and our friends around the world have a large and legitimate stake in the ways in which the technology is deployed.
As an economic matter, an efficient global telecommunications structure creates a healthy environment for U.S. companies doing business in all sectors. More importantly, it ultimately improves the standard of living at home and abroad.
In the context of the present global economic difficulties, we have a special interest in avoiding and removing barriers to deployments for the uses of technologies that offer opportunities for economic revival.
In addition, historically, the Department of State has sought to empower people by giving them fuller access to educational opportunities, information resources, and forums for exchange of ideas. This access is more critical now than ever.
President Obama recently said that, "We've known for a long time that the revolutions in communications and technology that took place in the 20th century would hold out enormous promise for the 21st century."
The revolutions of which the president spoke are forcing changes in the public and private institutions that govern the production and consumption of communications and information -- very large issues. Cyber security and the future of the Internet, for example, are implicated. This circumstance makes consultation with all the interested parties, and especially with this committee, an imperative that I pledge to observe.
As you are aware, the position of U.S. coordinator is unusual in that, as a result of your determination, the official assigned the responsibility carries the rank of ambassador. It is a great honor to be considered for the position. If I am confirmed, I will make every effort to meet the important responsibilities that have been assigned to the position and to vindicate the confidence that the president, the secretary, and this committee have shown in me. Thank you.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you very much.
Ms. Otero, as undersecretary, you would be responsible for overseeing democracy assistance programs throughout the world.
In the past, Congress has appropriated funds for such programs in Iran, but a number of critics, including some high-profile Iranian dissidents, rejected the effectiveness of this type of aid and argued that accepting U.S. money would be politically difficult and would give the regime a reason for persecuting its opponents.
So what is your view on democracy assistance programs in Iran? And then, more broadly, how do you see those programs working around the world? And what would be your approach to democracy assistance programs?
MS. OTERO: Thank you, Senator. I think this is one of the most important areas that will come under my responsibilities. I think, to begin, it's important to say that President Obama has provided us with a framework, not only in his Cairo speech but in other occasions, of how it is that we would look at democracy as a whole as we begin to implement it as part of foreign policy.
Democracy is -- and Secretary Clinton has laid this out -- is more than just free and fair elections. It means being able to support not only elections but also what comes before them and what comes after them. It also means being able to support governments that are trying to strengthen their own institutions, that these are more transparent, they are more responsive, and they are more accountable to the needs of people.
And it is also a third component is helping build vibrant civil societies, where there is free access to information, where NGOs can operate, where there's a broad array of participation.
Clearly, some of the tools for carrying out this framework, which will underlie the work that I will be carrying out if I am confirmed as undersecretary, are some of the tools that we have. And one of those very important tools, in addition, of course, to the human rights reports, are the assistance, the grants that are made available. It is important that the grants be made for those that are targeting their assistance precisely to these areas that I have just outlined.
Not-for-profit organizations, many of which receive grants through the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, are doing precisely the kind of work to provide the training, the capacity, reinforce those elements in the civil society and in the institutions of government, to improve their capacity to do this work.
That is our goal. And our goal is to be able to make sure that societies and people themselves are able to express themselves more freely in their own societies. And I would say that grants are a very important way to be able to do that around the world. And I would look to the assistance of this committee to help us as we move that forward.
SEN. SHAHEEN: So do you think we can do a better job than we have been doing in Iran? Do you think that we should defer to what we're hearing on the ground there from organizations that we might be interested in assisting?
MS. OTERO: Senator, I think it's very important to be able to assist institutions that are doing this work and that are themselves defining the objectives that they carry out. If I'm confirmed and I come in as undersecretary, I will certainly look very closely at the grant provision and grant management process across the board, including Iran.
The area of grants is an area that I've worked a great deal in. And it is of particular interest to me.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you.
Mr. Verveer, I want to continue with Iran, obviously where the focus of world attention has been in recent weeks.
We had a briefing yesterday from some mostly Iranian Americans, talking about the situation there. And one of the things that one of them pointed out was that Siemens and Nokia, two leaders in communications and information technology, have been I don't want to use the word "complicit," but they have worked with the Iranian regime to help crack down on the dissidents.
So my question is, are there ways in which the United States can encourage private businesses, like Siemens and Nokia, from engaging with repressive regimes in opening up communications as opposed to cracking down on technology that's available to their citizens?
MR. VERVEER: Senator, there are, broadly speaking, I think two ways that one can approach this. First, the State Department has been committed, continues to be committed to the principle of the free flow of information, the free flow of ideas. And that is something that the department takes up in both multilateral and bilateral environments on a constant basis. And that's something that we'll continue.
Secondly, the department and the U.S. government are assisting in terms of the creation of technologies that permit avoidance of the kinds of blockages, the kinds of interference with the free flow of information that we've seen occur in some instances in Iran and elsewhere around the world. And that also is something that we'll continue.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you.
Senator --
SEN. RICHARD LUGAR (R-IN): Thank you very much, Ms. Chairman.
Mr. Verveer, I'd like to discuss for a moment the fact that we understand that PC makers in China have been advised that they need to load Internet-filtering software on all machines that are to be sold in the Chinese market. That already had raised some question. But a news report this morning indicates that Google has been blocked, as the Chinese dispute continues.
If you will, discuss how you will plan to proceed with China or with other countries who have designs upon blocking, filtering or even, at some point, banning the use of specific company's instruments in their country.
MR. VERVEER: Senator Lugar, the State Department traditionally has promoted the notion of open access to markets. And this is something with a very long history and certainly will continue in terms of trying to avoid the banning of any U.S. products into foreign markets, obviously in conjunction with the U.S. Trade Representative and Department of Commerce and others.
With respect to the Green Dam software, the U.S. Trade Representative and the secretary of Commerce have sent letters to their counterparts in China, indicating a series of objections that we have to this practice, to this policy of the Chinese, indicating, among other things, that we think this could be a violation of World Trade Organization obligations and could become an issue in the future at the WTO.
With respect to the news accounts that you have (alluded ?) to, I've seen those news accounts as well. That is really all I know at the moment about the issue of potential blocking of Google. It is something I'm quite happy to try to look into further and report back to you about.
SEN. LUGAR: Well, I would appreciate that to be entered in the record. Obviously, you are not behind the desk now, able to handle those negotiations, but it is a serious event and follows already discussions with the Chinese that have not gone particularly well. And this is the area in which you are to be trust by virtue of your nomination and confirmation.
Let me ask a question about the domain name system. This is an area in which other countries, as an agreement, comes with conclusion on September 30th of this year. I believe that this should be internationalized, the United States ought not to be able to mandate this particular system. Where do you see that going? And what will be our view about that as a country?
MR. VERVEER: Senator, this is something presently before the Department of Commerce. And it has taken public comments on the issue and will be developing an overall perspective with respect to whether or not there should be some extension of the so-called joint project agreement.
The issue of so-called control or governance of the Internet has been one that has had a at least symbolic importance in some parts of the world. I think it has generally been our view, and I believe is likely to continue to be our view, that there are practical obstacles to imposing alternative approaches, at least any that so far have been suggested, to an overall governance of the Internet.
And so in general, the efforts that have been made by our government, and I think I would be inclined to try to continue, have as much to do with the future of the Internet with respect to a whole series of very important functional and practical issues more than with respect to the question of whether or not the United States has, in some sense, a privileged position vis-a-vis the domain name system.
SEN. LUGAR: Well, I thank you for that response. Obviously, this has been a lifetime career for you.
And we're fortunate that you bring this expertise because these are daunting issues and the international response has not always been helpful. But given the timeframe of these negotiations you will be thrust once again into a very important issue.
Ms. Otero, your responsibilities obviously are very broad and this is asked in that respect. For the moment the H1N1 flu sometimes known as swine flu situation seems to be under control, although from time to time there were reports of flare-ups, cases, and once again the world wonders has this passed by us, or come the fall or the winter are we about to have a further infliction? We through avian flu situations earlier on.
How well prepared is the State Department to deal with this as well as to deal with other countries in an international scope so that there is reassurance to citizens of our country but likewise to the rest of the world?
MS. OTERO: Senator, this is clearly a very important question as it affects directly the population of the United States. As undersecretary I will make sure that the pandemic threats that can come in the direction not only of the United States but across the world receive the level of attention and the level of expertise and resources that are necessary. And I will coordinate and help take the lead to ensure that all the other agencies that are responding to this issue across the United States government are also providing the level of resources that are needed.
This is one area under the bureau of Oceans, Environment and Science that constitutes also a broadly speaking part of the global health initiative that President Obama has put before us. And under that framework, it becomes one of the most important objectives that we will undertake.
SEN. LUGAR: Well I thank you for that response. Let me say that many of us on the committee have had an opportunity to be with persons who are involved in microfinance around the world, including individual women in various countries who have, in an entrepreneurial way, have established businesses, supported their families. So I congratulate you on your achievements already and I suspect that many more are still to come.
MS. OTERO: Thank you Senator.
SEN. LUGAR: Thank you very much, Mrs. Chairman.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you Senator Lugar.
Ms. Otero, I had the opportunity to visit Pakistan not quite a month ago now, but it was shortly after the military went into the Swat Valley. And one of the things that we heard which we were encouraged by was the support from Pakistan's leadership and people for that military action.
What was a very big concern to the people that we talked to and I think we shared was the internally displaced people as the result of that and what was going to happen to them and the potential that almost 3 million refugees might have for effecting the security of families in Pakistan and I think the fragile democracy that is there. And I wonder if you can speak to what more the United States could do to assist Pakistan with those refugees.
MS. OTERO: Thank you, Senator. This is also a very troubling situation and having displaced, as you said, nearly 3 million people is a situation that is still happening as well. We still see that internally displaced will continue.
The United States through its work with and through the Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration provides considerable humanitarian assistance through the major humanitarian agencies that are carrying out this work -- the UN High Commissioner on Refugees, the Red Cross and others -- and we will continue carrying out this role through these agencies that are on the ground and doing this work on a day-to- day basis.
We will also look to other donors and reach out to them to make sure that they come in and they're able to provide additional resources as they are needed. And we would work closely with the Pakistani government also to help them equip themselves in order to be able to address the issues that are facing this growing population of displaced.
And there's no question that within that, the issue of women also remains one that one has to be particularly concerned about because they are the most vulnerable and they are the ones that require special kinds of assistance in order to be able to be addressed.
So I would envision that we would be monitoring this situation very closely and we will be providing these resources as I am mentioning. Secretary Clinton has already stated that we would be bringing in another $100 million, and if more resources are needed, Senator, I think it's very important to consider that as well.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you. I think that is -- it's critical for us to continue to monitor that situation very carefully and closely and do as much as we can to help. And I would point out that the good news is that the Senate yesterday passed the Pakistan Assistance Bill that Senator Lugar and Senator Kerry were so critical in developing. And hopefully that will send a signal to the Pakistanis of U.S. support for what they are doing.
MS. OTERO: Absolutely.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Mr. Verveer, you mentioned in your testimony that one of your responsibilities will be to provide and expand opportunities for U.S. companies to participate in global communications. Could you talk a little bit about how you would pursue that? What kinds of efforts to you envision undertaking to help U.S. companies in the global markets?
MR. VERVEER: Yes. Senator, this occurs on several different tracks. The standardization issues that have occurred before the international telecommunications union is one very important way to try to see to it that there are international standards that are not in any way biased against particular technologies that are deployed by U.S. companies or others.
Secondly, with respect to bilateral relationships with other countries, the department has historically urged open markets, open opportunities independent regulatory arrangements that try to eliminate biased with respect to procurement. This in times past has also involved urging that state-owned monopolies be privatized so that they can conduct their affairs in a kind of normal commercial sense.
These are probably the principal ways in which we try to be sure that markets are open to U.S. companies and to others so that their products can compete on the basis of their inherent merits.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you.
I have no further questions. Senator Lugar?
SEN. LUGAR: I have just one more question, Madame Chairman. Let me ask Ms. Otero, given your oversight of the Office of Science Advisor, I'm curious as to whether you're aware of a proposal that some of us have made and that I believe that Secretary Clinton supports for a science envoy. We felt that that would be an important part of our diplomacy. And I'm not certain whether you're acquainted with the legislation and the proposal, but I ask for your comment if you are.
MS. OTERO: Thank you, Senator. I would have to look more closely at the legislation and certainly be able to respond to your question with more detail after I have an opportunity to do that.
But I should say that there is no question that science and science diplomacy per se, if I am confirmed, would play an important role in addressing foreign relationship issues. Science diplomacy is -- science is a common language, it's a language that breaks through barriers of culture or language, it's a way to approximate other governments and to be able to bring people together in partnerships and learning efforts in a way that you can't really do otherwise.
And you would see that President Obama yesterday expressed his intention to nominate Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones to be the assistant secretary for Oceans Environment and Science, and her long experience in science diplomacy itself will make her I think very powerful in this area. So I welcome the question and I will work very closely with you and with the committee members in addressing this issue and in reviewing the legislation.
SEN. LUGAR: I appreciate the response.
MS. OTERO: Thank you.
SEN. LUGAR: Thank you very much. Thank you.
SEN. SHAHEEN: Thank you. We -- since there are no further questions, again we thank you both. We will leave the record open until noon tomorrow in case we get any written questions from any members. But again thank you both very much for your willingness to be considered and take on these responsibilities. I look forward to a very swift confirmation so that you can get on the job right away, and the committee I know looks forward in working with you in the future. So thank you all very much.
MS. OTERO: Thank you very much.
MR. VERVEER: Thank you.
SEN. SHAHEEN: The hearing is adjourned. (Sounds gavel.)
END.
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