USA Today after she gave a fabulous presentation on the upcoming 2012
London Olympics."
.JPG)
Ralph Winnie Jr. with the Mongolian President
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Ralph E. Winnie, Jr. and Christine Brennan of USA Today
"On July 8th, 2012 Ralph E. Winnie, Jr. met with Christine Brennan of
USA Today after she gave a fabulous presentation on the upcoming 2012
London Olympics."
.JPG)
USA Today after she gave a fabulous presentation on the upcoming 2012
London Olympics."
Friday, July 6, 2012
Ralph Winnie Jr., Contributing Editor's Article on Hu Jintao's Last Speech
http://www.divshare.com/download/18587695-40e
In his recent—and final address while visiting Washington—to American business leaders and members of the U.S.-China Business Council, Chinese President Hu Jintao focused on how to take U.S.-China relations into the next century by emphasizing a collaborative international partnership between the two countries. This partnership would be based on mutual respect and trust in an effort to promote “world peace and stability and reforming the international system.”
Hu’s speech encouraged China and the United States to work in close alignment on many global issues including climate change, energy efficiency, and trade. A key component of Hu’s remarks focused on the relationship between the American and Chinese people. Since China and the United States are two different cultures with divergent historical perspectives, Hu believes that there will be disagreements from time to time. However, Hu stressed that “we should view and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long term perspective and with a sense of responsibility to history and to the future. We should prevent our relations from being affected or held back by any individual incident at any particular time.”
President Hu further addressed the notion that while the chaos and uncertainty engendered by the international financial crisis has gradually subsided and the world economy is starting to improve, there still exist many problematic areas and challenges to long term economic growth. Hu stressed that it is imperative to “adopt a more holistic approach to development and attach greater importance to ensuring and improving people’s well-being and promoting social equity and justice.” Hu further indicated that China has taken the lead in promoting various policy objectives to ensure long term “economic and social development in the coming five years”. A key component of Hu’s remarks focused on the relationship between the Chinese and the American people. Hu urged that concerted efforts need to be made to further cultural exchanges between Chinese and American youth since he believes that young people are the key to the future of U.S.-China relations.
Hu also addressed the need to improve U.S.-China relations through the use of increased military cooperation, emphasizing that China stands for “peaceful settlement of international disputes on hot spot issues and follows a national defense policy that is defensive in nature” Hu also believes that there should be more co-operation in the areas of space exploration and agriculture.
The end result of Hu’s visit to the United States was that President Obama and Hu both highlighted the growing potential for cooperation and mutual economic benefit resulting from a close bilateral relationship between the United States and China. While President Hu got a “high-profile welcome”, which was well-received back in China, the United States received a commitment in return from Hu regarding roughly 45 billion in Chinese trade and investment.
China also agreed to stronger enforcement of intellectual property rights and indicated that it would relax its indigenous innovation policies. These policies have been a source of strong friction between the two countries since it has been alleged that these policies hurt U.S. companies that are competing for Chinese government contracts.
There were encouraging signs of progress on U.S. - China relations as China has promised to cooperate on issues such as climate change, energy and the environment. Hu also addressed the issue of North Korea and China’s concerns over its nuclear enrichment facility and the potential for instability in the region. However, there appeared to be no consensus on the issue of revaluing China’s currency, which it has been argued harms American business.
Finally, the summit created an opportunity to help establish a close personal relationship between Obama and Hu. The key now is how Hu’s promises and commitments will be carried out as language is always subject to interpretation on both sides. There is strong belief among many business leaders that the U.S.-China relationship is based on issues that need to be worked through on a daily basis. The perception is that this relationship is no longer only between two governments, but domestic politics in China and the United States may eventually shape the future of U.S.-China relations on issues such as currency and climate change, rather than on presidential photo ops and summits.
[DIPLOMATIC COURIER]
The Eurasia Brief: The New Chinese Capitalist Economic Model vis-a-vis Iran: So Near Yet So Far by Ambassador Donald K. Bandler and Ralph Winnie, Jr.
http://www.divshare.com/download/18575548-5fb
The recent demonstrators in Iran opposed to Mahmud Ahmadinejad's
electoral "victory" were supporters of the defeated candidate Mir-Hossein
Mousavi, pro-democracy activists, and Iranian expatriates in Western
Europe and the United States. This should provide a clear warning to
Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Mullahs, who are responsible for maintaining
his authority, that the Iranian government must address the social and
economic concerns of its well-educated populace if it wants to stay in
power.
Tehran is actively resisting efforts by its middle class, which is struggling
towards a form of Western style capitalism and liberalization that
incorporates elements of Iran's history and culture. Over time, this could
help Iran to gain greater access to the markets that Western and Eastern
technology affords.
Mousavi, who remains opposed to Ahmadinejad’s approach, sees
reconstruction of the Iranian economy as Tehran’s first priority. While
suspicious of the United States, Israel and Western democracies, Mousavi
could point to the People's Republic of China's successful economic model
and encourage the government and business sectors to embrace it as a
vehicle to achieve economic prosperity and security within a controlled,
orderly society. The PRC has enacted a stimulus package that allows
money to be directly allocated to research and infrastructure projects --
notably nuclear power plants, high speed rail lines, freeways and
secondary transportation grids.
By implementing a modified version of Chinese capitalism, the
Iranian government could capitalize on the growing
disillusionment among its citizens. After the recent bout of dissent
and rioting in Tehran, the leadership recognized that their
government could only maintain power and control
with the active support of the middle class. Mousavi and other political
leaders are aware that some elements of Western business offer
opportunities for the Iranian people -- in contrast with the Iranian
Mullahs who fail to acknowledge anything of value from the West.
At the same time, however, the Iranian Mullahs have
been actively using Iran's oil revenues to fund terrorism, religious battles
as well as large purchases of military hardware and nuclear technologies.
Unlike Iran, the People's Republic of China has become a major economic
player in the world community because, among other things, it does not
have a regressive religious element that influences all aspects of society.
While the Chinese and Iranian governments have traditionally been
suspicious of the West, Chinese religions such as Confucianism and
Daoism encourage active planning, pragmatism and self-reliance.
China’s leadership views Iran as a country that may well wield significant
economic and military power in Southwest Asia over the next few decades.
In July 2009, Iran invited Chinese companies to participate in a $47.8 billion
project to build seven oil refineries and a 1019 mile trans-Iranian pipeline.
In August 2009, Tehran and Beijing struck a deal for $3 billion to help pave
the way for China to expand two or more oil refineries.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) shakes hands with the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Mohamed ElBaradei in
Tehran.
Consequently, with the recent $5 billion deal brokered by Chinese National
Petroleum to develop the South Pars natural gas field in Iran, Beijing is
estimated to have committed $120 billion for Iranian gas and oil projects to
offset its own shortages in that arena.
In Iran, by contrast, theology is often the initial and predominant focus, and
is frequently measured by whether a given policy is in conflict with Islamic
religious teachings. Every new idea, concept and technology must be
filtered through that religious prism. This has resulted in a stagnating
economy with high unemployment and underemployment, which has in
turn precipitated a cauldron of unrest among Iranian students, intellectuals
and its middle class. Mousavi recognized this, and has and has
encouraged a modest form of liberalization that could bolster economic
and political stability. However, the strong opposition to his program by
Iranian Mullahs -- based in theology and fear -- has raised concerns that the
tenets of Islamic law would be compromised.
At one point, Mahmud Ahmadinejad seemed to be lending support to an
IAEA proposal to ship 2560 pounds of uranium abroad to France and
Russia by the end of the year to be refined for civilian purposes as part a
medical reactor in Tehran. Subsequently, Ahmadinejad treated this
proposal as a victory for Iran. He claimed that the West had changed its
policy from “confrontation to cooperation as a result of Iran’s resistance to
the United States and its allies.” That said, as soon as the proposal was
reviewed by Iran’s Mullahs, it was decided that Ahmadinejad would reject
the deal to ship uranium out of the country. This was confirmed by Saeed
Jalili, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, in a phone conversation with Javier
Solana -- Secretary General of both the Council of the European Union (EU)
and the Western European Union (WEU). Unfortunately, Iran’s leaders
rejected holding a meeting in Vienna to restart those negotiations.
The Mullahs would have viewed any attempt by the West to stop Iran’s
nuclear program as a violation of the basic tenets of Islamic law. They
believe it is an inalienable right of an Islamic state to pursue its own course
of affairs without any interference from non-Islamic countries. Moreover,
Iran’s leadership does not believe that their country would be treated as an
equal partner because the Western countries do not respect Iran’s political,
economic and security interests.
Moreover, the Mullahs believe that the tenets of Islam dictate that Iran must
neither compromise nor cooperate with the United States, Europe or Israel
-- all of whom refuse to adopt Islam as the official religion and submit to
Sharia law. Countries that adopt Judeo-Christian ideas, values and beliefs
are deemed to be hostile and subversive.
Many Iranians assume or believe that former strongman Akbar Hashemi
Rafsanjani was the first to recognize the efficacy of the Chinese economic
model. While not highly publicized, Rafsanjani’s initiation of trade
agreements and technical exchanges had a positive economic impact.
This was evidenced by the construction of Tehran’s major subway, which
was built by China International Trust and Investment Company (CITIC) -- a
major engineering and investment firm. After CITIC won the bid and built
the subway, Iran now successfully transports 700,000 passengers a day.
Tehran saw that the Chinese economic system of modified capitalism
could provide similar high tech and advanced infrastructure development
projects. This stands in marked contrast to the efforts of other socialist
governments that have attempted to do business in and with Iran.
Iran’s oil and natural resources would lead to tremendous wealth and
prosperity for the Iranian people under a Chinese system of modified
capitalism. Mousavi and Rafsanjani believe that China would provide a
security buffer against Russia, which has always coveted Iran’s valuable
natural resources. They appear to have now joined forces against Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad in opposition to
the belief that Islamic theocracy is the final arbiter of economic and global
policies.
By allowing hard-line conservative theology to dominate the political
process, the Mullahs have retarded the development of Iran’s economy and
self-sufficiency. Moreover, it has damaged Iran’s opportunity to follow
China’s successful experiment with capitalism.
Moreover, President Ahmadinejad has deeply alienated both reformist and
conservative political leaders since his disputed re-election. He has tried to
consolidate power and marginalize his rivals. That said, neither faction is
willing to see him take credit for brokering a potential nuclear deal with the
West.
How will Ahmadinejad and his government manage their relationships with
Asia (notably China), Europe and the United States? Will increased
dissent, rallies in Iran sponsored by the growing pro-democracy
movement, and pressure from the western countries establish, encourage
and maintain more democratic practices? And how will the Chinese
government and the western countries look upon Iran -- as a growing
partner, a key player in the energy and technology arenas, or as a potential
pariah state?
Ironically, it is worth noting that if Mr. Mousavi had been allowed to
maintain his position and influence in Iran’s government, his
understanding of Chinese style capitalism -- combined with Iran's natural
resources and strategic geo-political location -- might have already begun
to make Iran a more formidable economic and strategic power.
Contributed By:
Ambassador Donald K. Bandler, Former US Ambassador to Cyprus
Ralph Winnie, Jr., VP, Director of the China Program, EC/Eurasian Business Coalition
The recent demonstrators in Iran opposed to Mahmud Ahmadinejad's
electoral "victory" were supporters of the defeated candidate Mir-Hossein
Mousavi, pro-democracy activists, and Iranian expatriates in Western
Europe and the United States. This should provide a clear warning to
Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Mullahs, who are responsible for maintaining
his authority, that the Iranian government must address the social and
economic concerns of its well-educated populace if it wants to stay in
power.
Tehran is actively resisting efforts by its middle class, which is struggling
towards a form of Western style capitalism and liberalization that
incorporates elements of Iran's history and culture. Over time, this could
help Iran to gain greater access to the markets that Western and Eastern
technology affords.
Mousavi, who remains opposed to Ahmadinejad’s approach, sees
reconstruction of the Iranian economy as Tehran’s first priority. While
suspicious of the United States, Israel and Western democracies, Mousavi
could point to the People's Republic of China's successful economic model
and encourage the government and business sectors to embrace it as a
vehicle to achieve economic prosperity and security within a controlled,
orderly society. The PRC has enacted a stimulus package that allows
money to be directly allocated to research and infrastructure projects --
notably nuclear power plants, high speed rail lines, freeways and
secondary transportation grids.
By implementing a modified version of Chinese capitalism, the
Iranian government could capitalize on the growing
disillusionment among its citizens. After the recent bout of dissent
and rioting in Tehran, the leadership recognized that their
government could only maintain power and control
with the active support of the middle class. Mousavi and other political
leaders are aware that some elements of Western business offer
opportunities for the Iranian people -- in contrast with the Iranian
Mullahs who fail to acknowledge anything of value from the West.
At the same time, however, the Iranian Mullahs have
been actively using Iran's oil revenues to fund terrorism, religious battles
as well as large purchases of military hardware and nuclear technologies.
Unlike Iran, the People's Republic of China has become a major economic
player in the world community because, among other things, it does not
have a regressive religious element that influences all aspects of society.
While the Chinese and Iranian governments have traditionally been
suspicious of the West, Chinese religions such as Confucianism and
Daoism encourage active planning, pragmatism and self-reliance.
China’s leadership views Iran as a country that may well wield significant
economic and military power in Southwest Asia over the next few decades.
In July 2009, Iran invited Chinese companies to participate in a $47.8 billion
project to build seven oil refineries and a 1019 mile trans-Iranian pipeline.
In August 2009, Tehran and Beijing struck a deal for $3 billion to help pave
the way for China to expand two or more oil refineries.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) shakes hands with the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief, Mohamed ElBaradei in
Tehran.
Consequently, with the recent $5 billion deal brokered by Chinese National
Petroleum to develop the South Pars natural gas field in Iran, Beijing is
estimated to have committed $120 billion for Iranian gas and oil projects to
offset its own shortages in that arena.
In Iran, by contrast, theology is often the initial and predominant focus, and
is frequently measured by whether a given policy is in conflict with Islamic
religious teachings. Every new idea, concept and technology must be
filtered through that religious prism. This has resulted in a stagnating
economy with high unemployment and underemployment, which has in
turn precipitated a cauldron of unrest among Iranian students, intellectuals
and its middle class. Mousavi recognized this, and has and has
encouraged a modest form of liberalization that could bolster economic
and political stability. However, the strong opposition to his program by
Iranian Mullahs -- based in theology and fear -- has raised concerns that the
tenets of Islamic law would be compromised.
At one point, Mahmud Ahmadinejad seemed to be lending support to an
IAEA proposal to ship 2560 pounds of uranium abroad to France and
Russia by the end of the year to be refined for civilian purposes as part a
medical reactor in Tehran. Subsequently, Ahmadinejad treated this
proposal as a victory for Iran. He claimed that the West had changed its
policy from “confrontation to cooperation as a result of Iran’s resistance to
the United States and its allies.” That said, as soon as the proposal was
reviewed by Iran’s Mullahs, it was decided that Ahmadinejad would reject
the deal to ship uranium out of the country. This was confirmed by Saeed
Jalili, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, in a phone conversation with Javier
Solana -- Secretary General of both the Council of the European Union (EU)
and the Western European Union (WEU). Unfortunately, Iran’s leaders
rejected holding a meeting in Vienna to restart those negotiations.
The Mullahs would have viewed any attempt by the West to stop Iran’s
nuclear program as a violation of the basic tenets of Islamic law. They
believe it is an inalienable right of an Islamic state to pursue its own course
of affairs without any interference from non-Islamic countries. Moreover,
Iran’s leadership does not believe that their country would be treated as an
equal partner because the Western countries do not respect Iran’s political,
economic and security interests.
Moreover, the Mullahs believe that the tenets of Islam dictate that Iran must
neither compromise nor cooperate with the United States, Europe or Israel
-- all of whom refuse to adopt Islam as the official religion and submit to
Sharia law. Countries that adopt Judeo-Christian ideas, values and beliefs
are deemed to be hostile and subversive.
Many Iranians assume or believe that former strongman Akbar Hashemi
Rafsanjani was the first to recognize the efficacy of the Chinese economic
model. While not highly publicized, Rafsanjani’s initiation of trade
agreements and technical exchanges had a positive economic impact.
This was evidenced by the construction of Tehran’s major subway, which
was built by China International Trust and Investment Company (CITIC) -- a
major engineering and investment firm. After CITIC won the bid and built
the subway, Iran now successfully transports 700,000 passengers a day.
Tehran saw that the Chinese economic system of modified capitalism
could provide similar high tech and advanced infrastructure development
projects. This stands in marked contrast to the efforts of other socialist
governments that have attempted to do business in and with Iran.
Iran’s oil and natural resources would lead to tremendous wealth and
prosperity for the Iranian people under a Chinese system of modified
capitalism. Mousavi and Rafsanjani believe that China would provide a
security buffer against Russia, which has always coveted Iran’s valuable
natural resources. They appear to have now joined forces against Supreme
Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ahmadinejad in opposition to
the belief that Islamic theocracy is the final arbiter of economic and global
policies.
By allowing hard-line conservative theology to dominate the political
process, the Mullahs have retarded the development of Iran’s economy and
self-sufficiency. Moreover, it has damaged Iran’s opportunity to follow
China’s successful experiment with capitalism.
Moreover, President Ahmadinejad has deeply alienated both reformist and
conservative political leaders since his disputed re-election. He has tried to
consolidate power and marginalize his rivals. That said, neither faction is
willing to see him take credit for brokering a potential nuclear deal with the
West.
How will Ahmadinejad and his government manage their relationships with
Asia (notably China), Europe and the United States? Will increased
dissent, rallies in Iran sponsored by the growing pro-democracy
movement, and pressure from the western countries establish, encourage
and maintain more democratic practices? And how will the Chinese
government and the western countries look upon Iran -- as a growing
partner, a key player in the energy and technology arenas, or as a potential
pariah state?
Ironically, it is worth noting that if Mr. Mousavi had been allowed to
maintain his position and influence in Iran’s government, his
understanding of Chinese style capitalism -- combined with Iran's natural
resources and strategic geo-political location -- might have already begun
to make Iran a more formidable economic and strategic power.
Contributed By:
Ambassador Donald K. Bandler, Former US Ambassador to Cyprus
Ralph Winnie, Jr., VP, Director of the China Program, EC/Eurasian Business Coalition
Monday, July 2, 2012
Ralph Winnie Jr. is a Delegate to the 2012 Republican National Convention
Ralph E. Winnie, Jr, was selected to represent Governor Mitt Romney as
an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention in Tampa,
Florida held August 25th-30th 2012.
Aloha,
Congratulations! We are pleased to let you know that you have been
selected to be a Alternate Delegate to the Republican National
Convention in Tampa, Florida.
Mahalo for your continued commitment to Mitt Romney and for taking the
time to fill out the Delegate Selection Form. The selection process
took some time and the Selection Committee had some tough decisions to
make because so many applicants had worked hard to secure Governor
Romney’s victory in the Hawaii Republican Presidential Caucus.
We will be working with national and state party officials to get
further guidance and begin finalizing plans in preparation for the
Convention.
Again, congratulations on your selection and thank you for believing
in America.
an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention in Tampa,
Florida held August 25th-30th 2012.
Aloha,
Congratulations! We are pleased to let you know that you have been
selected to be a Alternate Delegate to the Republican National
Convention in Tampa, Florida.
Mahalo for your continued commitment to Mitt Romney and for taking the
time to fill out the Delegate Selection Form. The selection process
took some time and the Selection Committee had some tough decisions to
make because so many applicants had worked hard to secure Governor
Romney’s victory in the Hawaii Republican Presidential Caucus.
We will be working with national and state party officials to get
further guidance and begin finalizing plans in preparation for the
Convention.
Again, congratulations on your selection and thank you for believing
in America.
Information on the First Congress Society
Announcing the launch of the First Congress Society!
Dear Friends,
The inaugural members of our organization are pleased to
announce the official launch of the First Congress Society! Our website, www.firstcongress.org, is now live,
and we are forging ahead with our mission.
This non-partisan organization, formed in fall 2010 by
individuals with experience in all aspects of American government, the private
sector, and international policy, will work to create positive change in our
country’s current political environment: an environment based on negativity,
demagoguery, and the eternal desire to have a twenty-second sound bite reach
the populous through the use of a twenty-four hour news cycle. We wish to restore
politics back to a time when the Speaker of the House and the President could
(and would frequently) join each other at the local tavern for political
discussion. We long for a time when bi-partisanship helped enhance an
effective Congress and the governance of our nation.
Our goal is to begin the discussion: without a grassroots
effort to “bring civility back to politics”, we cannot succeed. We have
recently presented and led discussion sessions at universities and civic groups
in the Washington , DC
To ensure you stay up to date on all First Congress news, please
visit www.firstcongress.org and
sign up for our mailing list, follow us on Twitter, and “like” our page on
Facebook! Also, make sure to join us each Tuesday from 4-6PM for “Backroom
Politics”, our weekly political round table discussion radio show, which you
may stream live from our website.
We look forward to the future, and hope that you will join
us as we work to restore civility in American political discourse. Thanks for
your support!
Sincerely,
Perry Blatstein
Executive Director
Ralph Winnie Jr's. Meeting with Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN)
Vice-President of Global Business Development for the Eurasian
Business Coalition, Ralph E. Winnie, Jr. (LL.M 01) had the privilege
of speaking with Senator Richard Lugar at the annual breakast
sponsored by Republicans Abroad in Washington, D.C. As an
international lawyer with an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown
University Law Center, Mr. Winnie, Jr. asked Senator Lugar to discuss
the benefits and rationale of taxing Americans living and working
abroad under the Worldwide System of Taxation, as opposed to the
Territorial Method of Taxation used by the majority of countries to
tax their citizens, in order to effectively promote business
development, tax and trade between the United States and foreign
countries.
Business Coalition, Ralph E. Winnie, Jr. (LL.M 01) had the privilege
of speaking with Senator Richard Lugar at the annual breakast
sponsored by Republicans Abroad in Washington, D.C. As an
international lawyer with an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown
University Law Center, Mr. Winnie, Jr. asked Senator Lugar to discuss
the benefits and rationale of taxing Americans living and working
abroad under the Worldwide System of Taxation, as opposed to the
Territorial Method of Taxation used by the majority of countries to
tax their citizens, in order to effectively promote business
development, tax and trade between the United States and foreign
countries.
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