RECORD TYPE: PRESIDENTIAL  (NOTES MAIL)

CREATOR: Kathleen A. McGinty ( CN=Kathleen A. McGinty/OU=CEQ/O=EOP [ CEQ ] )

CREATION DATE/TIME:30-OCT-1998 18:42:37.00

SUBJECT:  secy richardson and climate

TO: Albert Gore ( CN=Albert Gore/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN ] )
READ:UNKNOWN

CC: Ron Klain ( CN=Ron Klain/O=OVP @ OVP [ UNKNOWN ] )
READ:UNKNOWN

david sandalow ( david sandalow [ CEQ ] )
READ:UNKNOWN

frampton_g ( frampton_g [ UNKNOWN ] ) (CEQ)
READ:UNKNOWN

wesley warren ( wesley warren [ CEQ ] )
READ:UNKNOWN

TEXT:
Some time ago, as part of a memo for a lunch you were having with the 
President, I called to your attention a memo Richardson had written to the 
Pres asking to be blessed by him to launch an intensive effort to convince 
a few key developing countries to participate in the climate treaty.  I 
strongly supported Richardson's idea and recommended that you encourage 
the President to respond positively to the idea.  To my knowledge, the 
President has not moved forward on that memo -- Richardson today told me 
that no one has been in touch with him about that or about any other 
specific assignment he might be given on climate, even tho he has asked to 
be given some special charge to run with.

I wanted to raise this again because I do feel strongly that, if anyone 
could actually pull off some significant feats with the developing 
countries, Richardson could.  He is really burning to do it, and as you 
know, he has a knack for these kinds of things.

Now, this ain't 100% easy to pull off -- there will be turf concerns among 
other agencies.  But, those could be worked.  And, I'm urging that we do 
find a way to work them because I really am convinced that, if left to 
normal (and quite stale, uncreative, stodgy) diplomatic channels, we will 
only continue to get the same old stale responses from most countries.  
Richardson, I think, can break thru some of that, and, he will take less 
travelled routes -- going to the business sectors in various countries for 
example and not just the ministries.

So, since it is critical that we get traction from developing countries in 
order to advance the climate cause, I think you should consider talking to 
Richardson personally about this.  Maybe have him in and hear what some of 
his ideas might be.  And, if you think he has the ability to help move 
this, you could then charge Todd with working the interagency diplomacy 
and get a blessing from the President to Richardson cleared.

I just couldn't leave without one more word on climate.....

But seriously, I think this is very important and that Richardson could be 
very helpful.  Bye.