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APP Email 10.19.05
Hurricane Katrina caused changes to the travel plans of key US officials, delaying the first meeting of the Asia Pacific Partnership on climate change from this month to next year. The meeting of ministers from the six countries in the pact - Australia, the US, China, India, Japan and South Korea - will now take place in the first quarter of next year, as US President George Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice cannot attend in 2005 due to scheduling changes after Katrina. Meanwhile, President Bush has nominated a new ambassador to Australia who is awaiting confirmation and expected to take the role early next year, as the position has been vacant since February 2005.
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APP Email 10.19.05
- 1. From: Barnett, Megan HI. To: Connaughton, Jam -s: Hanne2an, Bryan J.; St. Martin, Michele M.; Peel, Kenneth L., CC: Subject: Sydney Morning Herald: Katrina"s fury delays climate change forum Date: Wednesday, Octo: er 19, 2005 2:48:09 PM Attachments: Katrina's fury delays climate cange forum October 20, 2005 Sydney Morning Herald By: Cynthia Banham The first meeting of the US-led Asia Pacific Partnership on climate change, which was to be held in Adelaide next mon h, will now take place next year because the Americans and Chinese could not attc nd this year. Ministers of the six countries to sign up to the pact billed as an alternative to Kyoto - Australia, the US, China, Ind a, Japan and South Korea - will meet in the first quarter of next year, government sources said. The sources said Hurricane Katrina h d caused the US President, George Bush, to change his travel plans for the latter part of this year, and those of his Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, who was originally due to visit Australia next month for the climate change meeting. It is understood that the US Defence ecretary, Donald Rumsfeld, has confinned he will attend this year's meetings of ustralian and US forei~n and defence ministers, but it is unlikely Ms Rice will. Meanwhile, President Bush is believ d to have chosen a new ambassador to Australia, who is being vetted and is ikely to start early next year. There has not been a US ambassador to Australia since Tom Schieffer departed in February. The candidate originally ct osen to replace Mr Schieffer dropped out
- 2. because of socialsecurity issues over he hiring of an illegal immigrant worker.