Putin Is Full of 'Crazy Ideas,' Says Latvia's Prime Minister

In Depth:US-Pakistan Relations,part 2

On Wednesday,October 23,President Barack Obama and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held detailed discussions on the situation in Pakistan and where the two sides will go from here.President Obama commended the resolve of the government and people of Pakistan,armed forces and law enforcement agencies to defeat terrorists and praised Pakistan for its military campaign,the White House said.The two Leaders emphasized that no country's territory should be used to destabilize its neighbors.President Obama reiterated his confidence in Pakistan's commitment and dedication to nuclear security and recognized that Pakistan is fully engaged with the international community on nuclear safety and security issues.
Prime Minister Sharif expressed appreciation for the development and rehabilitation by the U.S. government of roads in Pakistan's border areas.Both sides emphasized the need to maintain and enhance the GLOC's infrastructure.
They welcomed the ongoing security transition in Afghanistan and Afghan-led preparations for next April's presidential elections.Prime Minister Sharif also underlined that the support of the international community in the repatriation of Afghan refugees and their reintegration in Afghanistan was of critical importance to Pakistan.Both Leaders called on the Taliban to join in the political process and enter into dialogue with the Afghan government.
The two Leaders stressed that the improvement in Pakistan-India bilateral relations would greatly enhance prospects for regional peace,stability and prosperity,as it would significantly benefit the lives of citizens on both sides of the border,the White House added.

In Depth:US-Pakistan Relations,part 1

Last Wednesday,President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan had a wide-ranging discussion on matters of mutual interest to the two countries.They acknowledged the substantial progress in the bilateral relationship over the past year and noted its resiliency,the White House said.President Obama conveyed appreciation for Pakistan's internal and regional security challenges and affirmed that a peaceful,prosperous and democratic Pakistan was an essential partner for the United States in the advancement of shared goals of peace,security and socioeconomic development in South Asia.
Both Leaders welcomed the resumption of the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue and reaffirmed its importance as the suitable framework for guiding the bilateral relationship.Secretary Kerry will host the forthcoming Ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue by March 2014.They also decided the strategic priorities for the working groups,including:1.Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism 2.Economics and Finance 3.Energy 4.Security,Strategic Stability,and Non-Proliferation;and 5.the Defense Consultation Group.
Taking note of the robust bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries-including recent miltary engagements,exercises and consultations on regional security-President Obama and Prime Minister Sharif expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum achieved in defense realtions and reaffirmed that this partnership should continue to grow and endure.
The two Leaders noted with satisfaction that the Ground Lines of Communication(GLOCs) are facilitating the movement of US and ISAF cargo through Pakistan.The US plans to continue providing assistance and support,including training and equipment to Pakistan's military and security services.The two Leaders decided to strengthen their cooperation,including in regional maritime security.President Obama noted Pakistan's positive efforts to counter IED's and both leaders resolved to continue working together to disrupt the threat posed by these devices.

Asia This Day:Pakistan-US Relations;Indian Grand Prix

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif concluded several days of dialogue in Washington when he met with President Barack Obama on Wednesday.Mr.Sharif,63,had begun his unprecedented third term as Prime Minister on June 5,2013 following a smooth democratic process.A noted businessman,he owns the industrial conglomerate Ittefaq Group.
Speaking at the White House,the two Leaders assessed their talks for the news media in a serious yet relaxed atmosphere.To see a peaceful transition was an enormous milestone for Pakistan and a testament to the Pakistani people's desire for democracy,the President said.The United States considers Pakistan to be an important strategic partner.
We discussed how the United States could potentially be helpful on energy projects and infrastructure projects.The Prime Minister emphasized how trade can be a powerful engine for growth as well.
We talked about security.We agreed we need to find constructive ways to partner together,in ways that respect both countries.Both the Pakistani people and the American people have suffered from terrorism in the past.It can be a source of strength for our two countries to work together in this way.I pledged to fully brief the Prime Minister and his government as we make progress not only for the Afghan elections,but to long term progress in the region.
The resources India and Pakistan are spending on arms would be better spent on social programs,for the good of the world.We want want to be fully supportive of continued progress in Pakistan.As a young man,I had the opportunity to visit Pakistan,the President recalled warmly.
Despite occasional misunderstanding and tensions,the fundamental good will between the American and Pakistani people will be reflected in our governmental relations,President Obama said.*
I have just had a most cordial exchange of views with the President,Prime Minister Sharif said.Over the past 65 years,our two nations have traveled together.I advised him of our domestic and foreign policy priorities:the economy;education;and combating extremism.We both agreed focusing on these areas is indispensable.
Pakistan and the United States have a strong ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.I raised the issue of drones and the need to end these strikes.Let there be no doubt about our commitment for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.I told President Obama about my sincere commitment to build a peaceful relationship with India.I also assured the President as a responsible nuclear state,Pakistan would continue to act with restraint.
I look forward to welcoming you and Mrs.Obama to Pakistan,Mr.Sharif concluded.*
In sport,Red Bull Racing scored their fourth straight double victory at the Formula One Indian Grand Prix in New Delhi Sunday,taking both the constructor's title and the world driving championship with Sebastian Vettel,who seemed to be quite the fan favourite in India.It was Vettel's tenth win of the season,and his sixth straight,as he enters the upper echelon of drivers in the history of the sport.
Vettel,26,was beside himself with joy,ignoring his instructions to follow the staid post-race protocol of F1.Instead,he made several donuts with his car to the delight of the fans,then got out of the car and made prostrations to the crowd.Their were no boos such as he faced in Europe as he mounted the podium;only chants of approval from his legion of Indian followers.
For me to join people like Prost,Fangio and Michael(Shumacher) is unbelievable,Vettel said.So many people I have to thank that have been teaching me a lot.I don't feel old.Maybe in 10 years' time I'm a little bit better at understanding what we have done this far,the German driver reflected.At his age,the great Alain Prost had yet to achieve his first Grand Prix win.*
In golf,the CIMB Classic at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club,Malaysia,the historic first ever PGA Tour event in Asia,was won by American Ryan Moore,30,in a playoff with his compatriot Gary Woodland.It was Moore's third career victory and his second in twelve months.He has played on the PGA Tour for nine years.
Next weekend,the PGA Tour moves on to Shanghai for its second and final Asian stop of the 2013-14 season.It is generally recognised as being the pre-eminent tour in professional golf.*

Violent America:Second Washington Incident Reinforces Image

The second high profile violent incident in less than a month in Washington,DC reinforces America's image of being a deeply troubled and violent country divided against itself,rocked by both external and internal forces.The rough seas continued in the DC Metropolitan area on Thursday afternoon as Miriam Carey,34,of Stamford,Connecticut went on a high speed,crazy ride with her baby daughter down Pennsylvania Avenue,careening into other vehicles,running red lights and injuring a Secret Service and US Capitol Police officer in the process,and ultimately resulting in her own death when she was fired on by police.Both injured officers are recovering well,and her year-old daughter,Erica,is in good condition in protective custody.*
The suspect's mother said she had been hospitalised with post partum depression,an affliction that bedevils some women after childbirth,a few months after Erica's birth in August 2012.Miriam Carey was a dental hygenist who was described by her employer,Dr.Steven Oken,as being a non-political type who was always happy.I am floored it would be her,Dr.Oken said.A neighbour at her condo complex affirmed that Carey was mentally ill,however,and said that Carey's tyres had recently been slashed in Connecticut.Police obtained a search warrant and combed Carey's condo for evidence Thursday,where she reportedly lived with the child's father.*
The incident began at the outer security perimeter of the White House at 2:12 pm,where Carey struck a temporary black security fence at a checkpoint and refused to obey uniformed Secret Service officers,later striking a Secret Service vehicle and injuring an officer as she fled down Pennsylvania Avenue.No shots were fired at the White House itself,said DC Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier.There were several crime scenes and shots fired along the route,Lanier added,although Carey was not herself armed.A lot of things happened that were not on videos the media were showing,Lanier said.The incident showed that the security perimeters worked and did exactly what they were supposed to do.*
At one point during the high speed chase,police had managed to stop Carey's car,but she backed up and sped off again,oblivious to a hail of gunfire.
The incident came to its fatal conclusion as Carey crashed into a second checkpoint in the 100 block of Maryland Avenue near the Capitol,where she was shot dead by police,who discovered the child then and removed her from the car for medical evaluation.
Soon after the crime,correspondent Chuck Todd of NBC News remarked that he began getting the same old highly partisan emails from politicians again,although they were more politely worded this time.

Industrial Management:A New CFO for General Motors

Chris Liddell,the widely respected chief financial officer of General Motors,has announced his resignation.Company treasurer Dan Ammann has been chosen to succeed Mr.Liddell.
Harry Wilson,a former member of the White House auto task force,said Mr.Ammann knows the company quite well.I would expect him to be long term.
The speculation was that Mr.Liddell was looking beyond the CFO position.That was reasonable given his age and accomplishments.He certainly did a good job in his 14 months at the company.
GM's was the biggest cultural change of any organization in U.S. corporate history.It went from mediocrity to success,which was played out on the world's biggest stage.
Mr.Liddell was the only outsider there.The others were holdovers.
The challenges GM and Mr.Ammann will face are:
1.Maintaining its high level of profitability
2.Continuing to revamp its product line
3.Stabilizing its executive ranks.
General Motors(GM)

Special Access:White House Jobs Summit

Christina Romer,Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors,related what she noted at the White House Jobs Summit last week.It was energetic and creative,she said.I heard some very positive things.Export creation came up,and a lot of interest in green initiatives like cash for clunkers.The one I heard a lot is credit.I heard a fair amount about tax incentives;a hiring credit;an R&D tax credit.The President wants to bring the private sector back in from the sidelines.There are gonna be fundamentally targeted measures,trying to get the private sector involved,Ms.Romer added.
For his part,President Barack Obama,speaking at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building across from the White House,said he heard some exciting ideas and proposals.There was agreement we have enormous infrastructure investments to make.We have to do this more effectively,with more coordination among federal,state and local governments.We also heard in the clean energy session how weatherization and clean energy have immediate benefits,the prospect they will pay for themselves by energy savings.There was consensus that if we can focus on the business opportunities of clean energy,America will be able to compete in the next round of global growth.
This is just the start,Mr.Obama said.The input from business leaders is gonna be continuous,the President promised.Ron Saxton,Executive Vice-President of Jeld-Wen,said energy efficient doors and windows could put people back to work immediately.Even a modest effort would create 10,000 jobs.An aggressive effort would create 100,000 jobs,Mr.Saxton believes.

Some Striking Facts

Trevor Fetter,President and CEO of Tenet Health Care,stated that two problems stand out:1.length of stay,and 2.utilization of high cost equipment and pharmaceuticals.We should focus on incentives overcoming vested interests of doctors in certain pharmaceuticals and long stays.We are finding increasingly in our hospitals that people are taking on insurance risks that they don't understand.Twenty-five percent of their costs go unpaid.It's trending up more rapidly than the uninsured crisis,Mr.Fetter told the White House Forum on the U.S. Health Care System.All of the business leaders seemed determined to resolve the issues facing U.S. health care today.

The CalPERS Wish List

Ann Stausboll,CEO of the California Personnel Retirement System,or CalPERS,said they purchase health insurance for about 1.5 million members.The status quo is clearly not a sustainable model.We support the greater use of generic drugs-including biologics;the development of health information technology;disease prevention and management;insurance coverage for all Americans;and evidence-based care.We stand ready to assist the President.The financial crisis has made the situation much worse,Ms.Stausboll indicated to the White House forum.

Home Care Called For

Mal Mixon,Chairman and CEO of Invacare,remarked that the greatest words a patient wants to hear are "I'm going home." Clearly now we can create a hospital room in the home.The caregiver is usually a family member.It's the trifecta of health care.It's clearly lower cost.There's a lot of evidence the infection rates are lower.We need to get these emergency rooms unclogged.They need to see a primary care physician;get an outpatient procedure;and go home.A lot of the incentives today don't cause to happen what should happen,Mr.Mixon informed the White House forum.

Digital Issues

Glen Tullman,CEO of Allscripts,said we don't have reliable information in health care today.We haven't equipped medical staff with the kind of information every other industry has to make important decisions with.It's not just digitizing patient records;we have to connect it all.The seamless transfer of information is the heart of it.Imagine if physicians and nurses could exchange information.What we need is the leadership to force interoperability.The time for action is now.The technology exists,Mr.Tullman pointed out to the White House forum.

Business on Board:A White House Forum

A number of business leaders recently participated in a White House forum on health care reform.The forum was moderated by Nancy-Ann DeParle,Director of the White House Office of Health Reform and a former Clinton administration official.Richard Braken of the Hospital Corporation of America noted that his firm provides about 5.5 million emergency room visits each year.One in five of these patients cannot pay.It's escalated dramatically in the past year.Expanding coverage has to be the centerpiece of reform.It isn't just good medicine;it's good economics.Sixty or seventy percent of HCA's cost is either labor or supplies.We have to take on variation in our administrative and clinical processes,Mr.Braken said.We have to get physicians into the redesign.We believe that minimizing variation holds great promise,but it will be difficult.If there were easy answers,they'd be in place right now.The proposed reforms seem good now,but it's the test of the marketplace that will drive reform,Mr.Braken observed.

Shop Talk Update

It now looks as though Congress will adjourn without reaching agreement on an auto industry rescue.It will be up to the White House to provide aid through the Treasury Department's Troubled Asset Recovery Program,the 700 billion dollars already appropriated for the financial industry.If need be,Congress will reconvene before January 20 to deal with emergencies.Have an informative weekend.

Shop Talk Early Edition

Please note that,because of an appointment,I may not be in on Friday,so I have decided to post today.Congress would like to adjourn for the year,but they have yet to complete a rescue for the automakers.The Democrats have reached agreement with the White House,but the Republicans aren't there to this point.It has been said that they gave plenty of money to the financial industry,so why won't they give a bit to manufacturing?That says something about the standing of manufacturing in America today.The nation was built on factories,but the service sector is predominant in our day.Nonetheless,we should not dismiss the factory workers.Ultimately,we still need the things they make.A little support for manufacturing is in order if we don't want to vaporize into the cybernetic realm.And we don't want a hole in the heartland where the factories are still a daily concern.