Crafting talking points
Preparing principals for meetings
The Briefing Package
• Country brief: internal/external issues
• Bio
• Talking points
• Annexes for background
Approaches to drafting talking
points
• Short paragraphs
• Telegraphic text
• Key words
Short Paragraphs:
Meeting Between the President
and Indian Prime Minister Singh,
New Delhi, 11 November 2010
•
I am honoured by the invitation of the government of India and particularly of Prime Minister Singh. I am
pleased to recognize India as a growing power on the world scene. The breadth and strength of IndoAmerican relations are growing in importance and cooperation is indeed mutually beneficial.
•
The United States is committed to expanding the economic partnership with India. We are prepared to
loosen export and foreign direct investment controls in order to expand the market to Indian buyers. We hope
that there will be an Indian quid pro quo.
•
We look forward to concluding the agreement on the purchase of ten Boeing C-17s. We see this agreement
as making a major contribution to advancing Indian defence technology.
•
The United States sees India as an emerging great power and favours it becoming a permanent member of
the Security Council. {This may take years to materialise in view of the disagreements over UN reform.}
•
We are building on our recognition of India as a nuclear state. We support new Indian membership into the
Nuclear Suppliers Group, but will continue to push for the signature of Non-Proliferation Treaty. I would also
like to reiterate the importance of transparency of the civilian nuclear programs to the IAEA and also stress
the importance of agreeing upon a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty. We are willing to continue to build nuclear
reactors and provide nuclear fuel for civilian energy programs.
•
We are committed to fighting Pakistan-based terrorism; however, we also recognise that Pakistan is making
efforts to fight terrorism within its own borders and also internationally. US-Pakistan cooperation is vital for
regional security as is that between India and the US.
Meeting between Prime Minister SINGH
and US President Barack OBAMA ,
New Delhi , 11 November 2010
Welcome to India: On behalf of the government and people of India, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome b you back to India.
We are truly gratified by your visit. Our nation possesses a rich heritage, vibrant culture, and a proud tradition of hospitality, which is
exemplified by the ancient Sanksrit saying, “Athithi Devo Bhava”, meaning “guests are like Gods”.
Historical links, Future Goals: The United States and India share a rich set of historical links as the world’s oldest democracy and world’s
largest democracy. We appreciate the help and technical assistance you have provided us with in the past. We need to work together to
promote democratic ideals in the region. We support the continued international efforts at democratisation and stabilisation in
Afghanistan as a key step towards this objective.
Terrorism, Afghanistan, Pakistan: The November 2008 attacks in Mumbai only served to highlight the latest phase of global terrorism,
We look forward to working together with the U.S. to end cross-border terrorism in South Asia, particularly since this has adversely
affected the India-Pakistan peace process. We also look forward to an increased collaboration with the US in the field of intelligence, so
that the perpetrators of terrorism such as Ajmal Kasab and David Coleman Headley can be brought to justice. In addition, we believe that a
strong, stable Afghanistan is in the interests of the entire region, and hence we would like to re-affirm our commitment to the civilian
reconstruction effort in that country.
Economic and Trade Relations: We are working to keep our growth at an annual 9%. We appreciate the President’s strong commitment
to free trade, even in the midst of the current global economic situation. {The U.S. is now India’s biggest trading partner, with a booming
exchanges in the sectors of textiles, consumer goods, IT, chemicals, metals and minerals. Indian Multinationals such as Tata, Mahindra,
and Infosys are continuing to make inroads in the global market, especially in the U.S.}
Nuclear Deal: The recent nuclear deal takes our partnership with the U.S. to a new level. We appreciate the role of the U.S. government in
ending India’s nuclear isolation. Looking ahead, we hope we can build a stronger civilian partnership in this area. We hope we can count
on the US administration to push through the necessary legislation.
{MIDTERM ELECTIONS: Don’t mention. Wait for Obama to bring up topic. If brought up, reaffirm support for current policy line.}
{CLIMATE CHANGE: If pressed, respond with statement on responsibility of the developed world.}
Biography
Manmohan Singh
•Born: 1932
•Family. wife: Mrs. Gursharan Kaur; 3 daughters, - one
is a professor, one is a lawyer at ACLU, one is an author
• Career:
•elected PM in May 2004. First Sikh in job Member of
the Indian National Congress (INC) party.
•as PM
•
has held high-level visits with Pakistan to
ease tensions over Kashmir;
• bolstered relationship with Afghanistan and
is now the largest regional donor to
Afghanistan;
• has expanded ties with Israel as a potential
defence partner;
• has brought the Indian economy to 8-9%
annual growth rate.
•before PM,
• served as the Finance Minister from 1991 to
1996
• began economic reforms to open the Indian
economy to international trade/investment;
• served as Leader of the Opposition in India’s
Upper House of Parliament from 1998 to
2004.
•
•
•
•
•
•Education: Honours degree in Economics from
Cambridge University
•
Barack Obama
Born.1961 in Honolulu
Family: married to: Michelle Robinson; 2 daughters,
Malia and Sasha
Education: Harvard Law School J.D. – Magna cum laude
Career:
– Community Organiser
– Lawyer
– Academia
• University of Chicago Law School
– Politics
• State Senator, Illinois: 1997-2004
• U.S. Senator : 2005-2008
Presidency
– Expansion of Healthcare
– Action on climate change
– Close to $800 Billion stimulus package
– Foreign Policy
• Visit to India in his first term itself
• “New beginning” in ties with the Arab world
• “Reset” in relations with Russia
• Pull-out of Iraq
• Troop surge in Afghanistan
Telegraphic Style:
Meeting of Secretary General Solana
with the Canadian Minister of Defence, the honourable Douglas Young,
DND Headquarters, Ottawa , 5 May 1995
•
Congratulations on appointment. Look forward to working with you.
•
Continuing Canadian commitment to Europe of vital importance (impact on Europe-US). Will
stress this in public appearances.
•
NATO involvement in FRY post-Dayton essential. Can we count on Ottawa for IFOR?
•
Concerned about developments on enlargement front.
– Russia is key but not exclusive problem. Offer to Russia is as far as we can go without giving
Moscow droit de regard but issue driven by uncertainty surrounding Yeltsin.
– If not possible to proceed, need robust back up plan {see background }
•
Views on Summit in 1997. Preferences to timing? Agenda?
•
{Fish War.} If raised, stress need to be neutral but also hope b for quick resolution.
•
{Somalia Scandal.} If raised, reassure that you plan to be very cautious in public in view of legal
ramifications.
Telegraphic Style:
Meeting between the US President
and Indian Prime Minister Singh,
New Delhi, 11 November 2010
•
Opening. Honoured to meet you again; salute strength and growth of US-India relations
•
Economy. Aiming to loosen export and foreign investment controls to expand US market to Indian buyers. Also
working to reduce barriers on commercial companies that have military applications for India.
•
Defence Cooperation . Progress on defence agreement for C-17s: important technology advantages for India. Can US
expect quid pro quo?
•
UN Seat. See India as emerging great power Strong US support for India’s candidacy as permanent Security Council
member. { If pressed on veto power, years for this to materialise through UNSC reform}
•
India’s Nuclear Status. India’s responsible stewardship of nuclear power crucial. US wants India in Nuclear Suppliers
Group. and is working hard to make this happen. But without transparency of civilian nuclear programmes, no
prospects of this happening.. Indian support in agreeing Fissile Material Cut off Treaty will help greatly.
.
Pakistan. US Pursuing campaign to neutralise Pakistan-based terrorism . US needs strong anti-terrorism effort of
Islamabad both in Afghanistan and at home. US polices to Pakistan and India are complementary, not opposed.
•
Telegraphic Style: Meeting between US President Barack OBAMA
and Prime Minister SINGH (Republic of India)
New Delhi, 10 November 2010
Welcome to India
•Welcome President to our country.
•India gratified by visit.
•Allude to Obama previous visit in 1981 as student.
•Rich heritage. Vibrant culture. Traditions of hospitality.
Historical links; Future Goals
•World’s oldest democracy and world’s largest democracy.
•Past: Technical collaboration after independence.
•Future: Shared vision. Democratic values. Regional stability.
•Democratisation in Afghanistan – important in regional stabilisation
Terrorism, Afghanistan, Pakistan
•Mention 26/11 attacks.
•Looking for US support in ending cross-border terrorism in South Asia.
•Effect on peace process with Pakistan.
• India revving up support for civilian reconstruction in Afghanistan.
Economic and Trade Relations
•US = one of the biggest FDI contributors to Indian economy.
•Also India’s biggest trading partner.
•Indian economy growth rate.
•Indian multinationals growing in US.
•Praise Obama’s commitment to free trade.
Nuclear Deal
-Taking our partnership to a new level.
-Pay tribute to USA’s role in ending India’s nuclear isolation.
-Looking forward to civilian partnership in this field.
[MIDTERM ELECTIONS: Don’t mention. Wait for Obama to bring up topic. If brought up, reaffirm support for current policy line.]
[CLIMATE CHANGE: If pressed, respond with statement on responsibility of the developed world.]
Key words:
Meeting of Secretary General Solana
with the Canadian Minister of Defence, the honourable Douglas Young,
DND Headquarters, Ottawa , 5 May 1995
•
Congratulations
•
Canadian commitment
•
IFOR
•
Enlargement
•
Summit
•
{Fish War}
•
{Somalia Scandal}
Meeting Between the President
and Indian Prime Minister Singh
New Delhi, 11 November 2010
Meeting between US President Barack
Obama and Prime Minister Singh
New Delhi, 11 November 2010
•
Welcome to India
•
Historical links between the two nations; Shared
future vision
UN Seat
•
Economic and Trade Relations
•
Counterterrorism/Borders
•
Terrorism, Afghanistan, Pakistan
•
Nuclear Non-Proliferation
•
Nuclear Deal
•
Defence Purchases
•
India as a Rising Power
•
Pakistan
•
[MIDTERM ELECTIONS: Don’t mention. Wait for
Obama to bring up topic. If brought up, reaffirm
support for current policy line.]
•
[CLIMATE CHANGE: If pressed, respond with
statement on responsibility of the developed
world.]
•
Opening
•
Economy
•
Exercise
• Identify interlocutor of your chairperson
• Do short bio (interview staffer: 3 interesting
points)
• Prepare telegraphic talking points:5 maximum
• Indicate on which issues background would be
necessary
• Load talking points onto ppt, both on one page
Committee Chair Meetings
• Romania – US (lower chamber intelligence
oversight)
• Bulgaria- Kosovo
• Serbia-Montenegro
• Romania – Moldova
Questions for plenum
• Whether the right approach has been taken?
• Whether the right tone has been struck?
• Whether there are things that have been left
out?
• Whether there are things that have been
proposed but should not be mentioned?
Whether the two principals are slated to be more
or less on the same page?