Senator Dianne Feinstein on PA's move to Join International Criminal Court.

Dear Mr. Patterson: Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about recent actions taken by the Palestinian Authority to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).  I appreciate the time you took to write, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.  On January 6, 2015, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon formally approved recent documents submitted by the Palestinian Authority to accede to the Rome Statute and become a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC).   As you may know, the United States has publicly stated opposition to Palestinian efforts to join the ICC.  I believe that unilateral actions by either Israel or the Palestinians, including the Palestinians' move to join the ICC, make achieving a two-state solution more difficult.  Please know that I am strongly committed to Israel's continued survival as a safe, secure, and democratic country.  As Vice Chairman of the of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the strength of the American-Israeli relationship, one based on shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.  The recent violence in the region reaffirms the need to resume peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians in order to create a viable two-state solution.  As the United States has done in the past, I believe we must always stand ready to be an active partner in this process.   Please know that I have made careful note of your thoughts on this issue, and I will be sure to keep your concerns in mind as I continue to monitor the situation.  Once again, thank you for writing.  I hope that you will continue to keep me informed about issues of importance to you.  Should you have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 224-3841 or visit my website at www.feinstein.senate.gov.  Best regards. Sincerely yours,   Dianne Feinstein          United States Senator Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the nation are available at my website, feinstein.senate.gov. And please visit my YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for more ways to communicate with me.

China's Innovative Approach

China's long and slow march to the 21st century is worthy reading in the popular and academic press. CEO Jack Ma is taking considerable risk but likely with Beijing's blessing as long as AliBaba is profitable and can be managed in such a way Beijing's dinosaurs do not feel threatened.

China faces many obstacles to quick economic growth. Clear, future will show economic growth at a rate Beijing finds acceptable. With growth goes information, which investors will need to fund the growth.

To date, Japan and Germany seem to be addressing economic growth effectively. Still, much work needs to be done.

Tim Cook announced Monday Apple operations in China are expanding. Chinese want more technology to gain an edge over other economies. Maybe in the long run this is the way to manage. Though Cook's first concern should be how easily China can copy his technology and disrupt his market and unsettle his stockholders. Therein lies the big question for China. Will it continue to be s society that values intellectual property theft or will the mainline blossom for entrepreneurs.      

Evidence exists China maybe slowly embracing values that breed modern-style entrepreneurship. According to UCLA words, like "innovation," used in more than 270,000 Chinese-language books published between 1970 and 2008. Traditionally, Chinese come to the US West Coast for education and business training in"innovation" and "innovative" thinking in technology. Ditto for Koreans. Anyone been to Korea lately? It is a thriving economy in overdrive.

Innovation in an economy seen as desperately out of step with Korea, Japan, and other economically thriving Asians countries, pressures Beijing socially and culturally. Thus, Xi Jinping attempt to weaken sophisticated Western values among his citizenry. Internet freedom and the freedom of speech that goes with it are attracted among Chinese willing to learn evermore about Western values, innovation, and the World Wide Web. Does this spell an end to Communism? Perhaps it becomes a Westernized market economy lite form of Communism. 

Whatever economic path the Chinese are taking, it will be vastly different than past economic planning and maybe more profitable for all involved, provided Xi Jinping can control his military.  

"You can be brilliant here," a Chinese researcher told the Financial Times. But you can be more brilliant in the US. As the world’s largest and most populous economy, China needs to be a leader in innovation. 

The most brilliant Chinese students consider an education in California to he an (investment) their government owes them. For the country to approach its economic potential, Western values like freedom, should be encouraged in China. 

Dear Mr. Patterson:

Thank you for your letter regarding the recent cyber attack on Sony Picture Entertainment. I appreciate the time you took to write, and I look forward to the opportunity to share my views on the subject.

In November 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment stated that it had been a victim of a destructive cyber attack that caused widespread damage and stole significant amounts of data from its corporate servers.  A group called the "Guardians of Peace" claimed responsibility for the attack.  However, on December 19, 2014, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that it had "enough information to conclude that the North Korean government is responsible" for the cyber attacks against Sony Pictures.

The attack on Sony is notable both because of its scale and the fact that the attack was conducted with the intent to physically destroy systems and not simply to steal data.  This new objective of attack suggests that cyber intrusions may have entered a new and more destructive phase.  As the global trend of cyber attacks continues to tick upward, I believe that legislation must be enacted to strengthen the cyber defense of both our government and those of private industry.

To that end, Senator Saxby Chambliss and I introduced the "Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act" (S. 2588) in the 113th Congress.  This bill would have required the federal government to share information about cyber threats with private sector companies and would have allowed, but not required, companies to share threat information with the government under appropriate privacy protections.  The Senate Intelligence Committee approved the bill on July 8, 2014 by a bipartisan vote of 12-3, but it did not receive Senate action prior to the Senate's adjournment in December 2014.  I am currently working with Senator Richard Burr to introduce the bill again in the current Congress.

Again, thank you for your letter.  I will keep your concerns in mind as Congress continues to consider methods for combatting cyber attacks.  If you should have any additional questions or concerns about legislation to combat cyber threats, I invite you to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841.

Sincerely yours,


  Dianne Feinstein
         United States Senator

Jim Patterson on the Philippine Case for Rights in South China Sea.

Two Press Releases from Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia, a Wharton graduate.

Note: The first was titled Relations between he two countries better than ever. The second, International Law: The Great Equalizer about the dispute with China over the South China Sea.

President Obama's meetings with the Chinese failed to provide The Philippines and surrounding nations with relief from China's claim of sovereignty over the sea.

PRESS RELEASE
WDC-001-2015
8 January 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Manila’s relations with Washington are at their highest based on how the two allies worked together during the past year, according to the Philippine ambassador to the United States.

“Our relations with the United States have never been better,” Ambassador Cuisia said in his remarks during a reception he hosted on Wednesday night for Washington-based journalists led by National Press Club President Myron Belkind.

Ambassador Cuisia said the main highlight of a stronger Philippine-US alliance was the visit to Manila in April of President Barack Obama and the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

The other highlights of Philippine-US relations in 2014 were the restoration of the country’s Category I aviation safety rating; its removal from the Special 301 Watch List of countries with intellectual property rights issues; and the favorable outcome of the review on trade benefits under the General Scheme of Preferences.

“As a result of the FAA aviation safety upgrade, Philippine Airlines will now be flying from Manila to New York starting in March,” Ambassador Cuisia said. “This positive development benefits both our countries as it creates more opportunities for trade and tourism.”

Ambassador Cuisia also cited the proposed regulations that would expand allowable sources of Philippine mangoes for importation into the US as well as Washington’s support for Manila’s request for a continued rice waiver at the World Trade Organization.

In terms of economic cooperation and development assistance, Ambassador Cuisia mentioned the estimated $139 million that the US committed under the Partnership for Growth program and $434 million under the Philippine Compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

The continued positive momentum being experienced by the Philippine economy was among the top achievements of the Philippines in 2014 that Ambassador Cuisia also shared with Washington journalists.

“We are the sick man of Asia no more,” Ambassador Cuisia said, as he pointed to the expected 6 percent expansion in the country’s gross domestic product in 2014 as well as its growing competitiveness.

He said the country’s competitiveness is evidenced by improvements in its standings in the 2014 Ease of Doing Business Assessment; the Index of Economic Freedom; and the World Economic Forum Competitiveness index. In its 2014 Asia Business Outlook Survey, the American Chamber of Commerce said the Philippines has one of the most improved business climates, ahead of many Asian peers.

He added that for the first time in its history, the Philippines achieved investment grade status from all three credit ratings agencies—Standard & Poor, Moody’s and Fitch.

“This speaks a lot about the depth of institutionalization of good governance and overall political stability of the Philippines under the leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III,” Ambassador Cuisia said. ###

PRESS RELEASE
WDC-002-2015
8 January 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Philippines said its move to seek arbitration before an international tribunal underscores its desire to define its maritime entitlements in the South China Sea in a peaceful manner.

“We have always been asked why we have resorted to arbitration. Our answer is simple. International law is the great equalizer,” Ambassador Cuisia said in his remarks during a reception he hosted on Wednesday night for Washington-based journalists led by National Press Club President Myron Belkind.

“By taking the legal route, we are showing the world that States have other viable options to resolving disputes other than in an asymmetrical negotiation where the big and militarily strong nation will dominate the smaller nation in the negotiating table,” Ambassador Cuisia said.

He said Manila sees the arbitration case as a model for other smaller States in a similar situation to consider the dispute settlement mechanisms under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) or the United Nations Charter as a way of resolving disputes in a peaceful manner.

It could be recalled that the Philippines filed an arbitration case in 2013 as part of its efforts to clarify its maritime entitlements in the South China Sea and formally submitted its memorial to the Arbitral Tribunal at The Hague on 30 March 2014.

China, which had laid claim to practically the entire South China Sea, had indicated that it will not participate in the proceedings but it nonetheless published on December 7 its position paper on the arbitration case and submitted the same to the tribunal.

Ambassador Cuisia said Washington presented its own study on China’s maritime claims that supports the Philippines position on the need for peaceful clarification of maritime entitlements in the South China Sea.

“Studies such as the one produced by the US contribute to the substantive international literature that supports the primacy and utility of UNCLOS in the determination of maritime entitlements and the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes,” he said.

Ambassador Cuisia added that the recent statement issued by Vietnam on the arbitration case is helpful in terms of promoting the rule of law and in finding peaceful and nonviolent solutions to the South China Sea claims based on international law. ###

Comment: 

I agree with Ambassador Cuisia this case will be a model. Whether it will be a successful model remains to be seen.

Jim Patterson, Editor

Jim Patterson and President Obama on China

December 22, 2014

Dear James: Thank you for writing.  I have heard from many Americans about United States-China relations, and I appreciate your perspective. I believe there is much to be gained from a closer working relationship with China.  Indeed there are very few global challenges, if any, we can address effectively without China’s active cooperation.  They are a global economic power, and engagement with China’s government is an important step in stemming the financial crisis that has devastated economies around the world.  Both of our nations seek to lay a foundation for sustainable growth and lasting prosperity.   My Administration is also working with China on a number of security issues, including stopping North Korea’s nuclear program, rolling back the advance of extremists in Pakistan, and ending the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.  The United States and China share common interests on a host of issues—including energy security and climate change, food safety and public health, and nuclear non-proliferation and counter-terrorism.  We want to work with them to address these issues in the years ahead. Improved relations with China will require candor and open discussion about those issues on which we may disagree.  We must address human rights, democracy, and free speech.  We must also work to ensure that our nations play by the rules in open and transparent economic competition.  These important matters will be essential elements of our ongoing dialogue with China.  Thank you, again, for writing.  For more information on my foreign policy agenda, I encourage you to visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/Issues/Foreign-Policy. Sincerely, Barack Obama

What's wrong with the President's letter? 

Third paragraph: "stopping North Korea's  nuclear and cyber programs"

No mention whatsoever of China's cyber attacks on US government and private sectors. Obama just does not know how to effectively bring this issue to the Chinese. 

President Obama does not understand China's cyber capabilities and attacks are a national security threat. Corporate executives tell me they  are spending millions to defend against cyber attacks (Iran, North Korea, China, Vietnam, Russia and others). These attacks are hourly and daily. They are non-stop. All corporations including communications, finance, retail, utilities, and transportation. I talked with a man in Tennessee who said the town's farmers market was hit by cyber attack, 

The US is so vulnerable and no one is doing anything policy-wise or diplomatically to bring this under control. This is a serious problem and Obama is vacationing and trying to solve racial issues. It's not that he doesn't need a rest  and it's not that the US doesn't have race problems, but in my view they pale in comparison to the never ending cyber war against the US.

This North Korean cyber attack on Sony over a movie mocking leader Kim was serious. Sony backed down but they are now releasing the damn movie. 

President Obama compared this cyber attack as cyber vandalism. This reminds me when Senator John F. Kerry was running against President George W. Bush and the Massachusetts Senator called 9/11 "a nuisance" in the New York Times Sunday Magazine.

I'll try again to get a letter from Obama explaining our national cyber policy and how corporations are being secured against attack in such ways that prices don't increase and dividends aren't affected. Wish me luck! 

Jim Patterson, Diplomat

Diplomat Jim Patterson: What is US Cuba Policy?

In June 1963, the New York Daily News ran an editorial "What is our Cuba Policy?" In view of recent Obama administration announcements on Cuba, I summarize the editorial here.

Some five weeks ago at New York University's  conference center in Ardsley-on-Hudson, Freedom House assembled 25 serious thinkers on Latin America, cold war problems, etc., and asked them to discuss Western Russia - meaning Khrushchev-Castro Cuba.

Among those present were Leo Cherne, Roscoe Drummond, Christopher Emmet, Brig Gen. S.L.A. Marshall (Ret.), Edgar Ansel Mowyer, and Vice Adm,. Charles Wellborn Jr. (Ret.). The report of the three-day discussions is released today, and is very interesting.

The distinguished guests--most of them generally friendly to the Kennedy Administration--could not figure out just what U.S. policy toward Western Russia is.

But they agreed that it should be (1) to boot Soviet military and political power out of Cuba, (2) to stop Red subversion and troublemaking all over Latin America, and (3) to free the Cuban-people from Castro's brutal police state.

The panel was unimpressed by the fears of various Kennedy advisers that strong measures short of war would "escalate" (current fashionable term) into general nuclear war. Foolish risks, they felt, should not be run; but neither should foolish fears be given too much weight.

These panelists are solid citizens and patriots. They are not hysterical, not war hawks. Their report merits respect and serious consideration--both of which we earnestly hope it may get in the White House.

In this general connection --

Paul Nitze

--a highly touted Assistant Defense Secretary, warns that Soviet Russia is probably about to get tough again toward the free world, as a concession to the tough talking Chinese Reds.

What does the White House do in that case? Does it stand up to the Red Hitler and tell him to go to hell (the only language he understands); or does it wobble and weasel, as it has long done toward Cuba, and thereby contribute some more aid to the Communist plan for enslaving the human race?

We'll see what we'll see.


Comment:

Does Obama's plan expand freedom into Cuba? Dictator Raul Castro says the country will stay socialist. Will the Castro brothers visit the White House and State Department?

This quick action on Cuba by the administration, while Ukraine, Israel, Hong Kong and other nations are in crisis states and the US reels from cyber threats from a dozen nations, threaten freedom in the US and the world, seems intended to make Obama look like a leader on the foreign front. Meantime the US could be on the verge of a race war in major cities, New York, St, Louis, and anywhere in California, and more Americans could be beheaded abroad.

Obama's legacy will not be possible success in Cuba. It will be global as well as domestic tensions.

Jim Patterson, Diplomat and Editor

Diplomat Jim Patterson and the Duchy of Grand Fenwick

The New Year brings the 60th anniversary of one of my favorite books, a Cold War satire. The Mouse that Roared (Four Walls Eight Windows, 152 pages, $10) by Irishman Leonard Wibberley was serialized in the Saturday Evening Post December 1954 and January 1955.

The book, which I read at 10, was my introduction to satire, geopolitics and diplomacy. It was great preparation for the Foreign Service.

Wibberley treats us to the imaginary European Duchy of Grand Fenwick, "five miles long and three miles wide," that is desperately in need to money. Since 1370 the Duchy has had a roaring economy due to sales of an internationally prized wine, Pinot Grand Fenwick. When the grape crop fails, disaster must be averted.

Grand Fenwick's population has grown to 6,000 and Duchess Gloriana must act to quickly to finance the Duchy and keep people content. What to do?

The Duchy's two political parties, the Dilutionists and the Anti-Dilutionists, named for their position on watering down the prized wine to increase sales, suggest asking the U.S. for aid to save the Duchy from Communism.  One problem: Russia does not know the Duchy exists.

Gloriana, a beautiful 22 year old, has a better plan. The Duchess rides her bicycle to a meeting with forest ranger Tully Bascomb, something of a country wise-man. He tells her there is only one honorable way to get money from the U.S. "We could declare war."

Gloriana sees the wisdom of this even though Grand Fenwick has only a small army of longbow men who wear traditional 14th century suits of armor. She concludes, "There are few more profitable undertakings for a country in need of money than to declare war on the United States."

The plan is simple: "We declare war on Monday, are vanquished Tuesday and rehabilitated beyond our wildest dreams by Friday night." In 1950s lingo, "rehabilitation" meant unlimited billions in foreign aid money.

How to start the war? Gloriana proves a California winery is pirating Pinot Grand Fenwick. An angry Grand Fenwick sends a Declaration of War to the U.S. Department of State. A Foreign Service Officer looks at it and considers it a joke and uses it to absorb water under the potted plant in his office.

After weeks of U.S. silence, Grand Fenwick pulls together an expeditionary force to land in New York, declare war to someone and immediately surrender before anyone could get hurt. Tully Bascomb and 22 other armored soldiers take a bus to Marseilles and a brig, called Endeavor, to New York.

Unknown to the Fenwickians, an eccentric New York City scientist has developed a Q bomb for Washington.  The powerful bomb will "incinerate two million square miles" when detonated. News of the bomb panics New York City and everyone takes safety in underground fallout shelters.

When Bascomb and troops arrive in New York they find city streets deserted. They find no one to surrender to.

The Fenwickians eventually come upon scientists wearing protective suits to guard them from any Q bomb fallout. The troops panic and shoot arrows at them. The scientists rip off their suits and alert their superiors New York has been invaded by men from Mars.

Bascomb finds a newspaper in the street and learns of the Q bomb. With his troops, they march to the scientist's lab, address conveniently printed in the paper, and capture the scientist and the bomb. They return to Grand Fenwick victorious over the United States!

Instead of declaring defeat to the most powerful nation in the world, they declare victory. The tiniest country in the world has become the most powerful country in the world.

With the news out, Russia rushes to "protect" Grand Fenwick. U.S. officials are in a state of shock at having lost an unknown "war" to the Duchy.

The U.S. president and European Heads of State travel to Grand Fenwick pleading for world peace. But the Fenwickians have their own ideas about peace and "weapons of mass destruction,"  like the Q bomb.

Irishman Wibberley (1915-1983) was a prolific author and journalist who lived most of his life in California. He dedicated The Mouse That Roared, his most famous work, "To all the little nations who over the centuries have done what they could to attain and preserve their freedom. It is from one of them I am spring."

Wibberley's masterful comic construction works beautifully from start to finish. The Mouse That Roared is a classic fable of mice and men and war and peace. Its message is as sharp today as when it came upon the American scene 60 years ago.

Jim Patterson, Diplomat