I posted this press release mid-week, but I think these plans are literally up in the air. Right now, it is the air traffic in the U.K. and mainland Europe from France to Romania that is completely disrupted. CNN and Accuweather are predicting a shift in the jetstream around mid-week that will bring the ash cloud farther north over Scandinavia. That will severely affect air travel in the region, so I am guessing that this NATO ministerial will probably have to be postponed.
At the moment, the government of Poland is still planning the state funeral for President Kaczynki and the First Lady tomorrow. The White House is announcing that President Obama is still planning to travel to Warsaw today. The president of Norway, who had been in D.C. for the Nuclear Security Summit had to take a strangely circuitous route home and might still be traveling with four or five other Norwegians by car. Deciding whether any of the planned events and related travel should move forward will be dicey, but given the circumstances, it may be better to postpone. That said , CNN reports that the last time this volcano erupted was 190 years ago and that it spouted ash for two years. Yikes!
I honestly do not know who makes the decisions, but there has been speculation that aboard the ill-fated Polish plane it may have been the President himself who ordered the plane down. Insisting on forging ahead despite risks is not always the wisest choice. Of course I am the born worry-wart, but especially in the case of our beautiful, brilliant Secretary of State I am hoping and praying for prudence in the decision making process.
Secretary Clinton to Travel to Finland and Estonia
Philip J. Crowley
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public AffairsWashington, DCApril 14, 2010
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Finland and Estonia from April 21 to 23, 2010.
In Finland, Secretary Clinton will meet with senior Finnish officials to discuss European security issues, as well as Afghanistan and Iran, as a part of our ongoing bilateral consultations. In the year of the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, she will also give a speech outlining the global human security agenda for the 21st century.
The Secretary will continue to Estonia to attend the NATO Informal Foreign Ministerial. On April 22 and 23, the Secretary will participate in meetings with NATO Allies to discuss a range of issues before the Alliance, including European security and Afghanistan. She will also meet with senior Estonian officials to discuss our bilateral relationship, and will have a media event with Estonian citizens.
