okay. that calls for speculation. no. i understand the importance of the ground line of communication issue. the secretary did not have a formal meeting with the president but that i had did have a brief exchange in chicago. it was a friendly exchange. secretary panetta knows the importance of resolving the issue in the near future. >> were there any discussions with general dempsey? >> i'm not aware of any discussions between general dempsey and his pakistani counterparts. >> what is going on? >> we're obviously were interested in re-opening the ground lines of communication. they are important to supply routes and to and at of afghanistan. the discussions with our pakistani counterparts continue. we hope to get to a resolution

very soon. >> yes. >> is the south china sea going to be on agenda and how will this before addressed? do you have any plans or strategies for law of the sea to be passed in the senate? >> the secretary's a strong supporter of ratification of the law of the sea convention. and he hopes that the senate ratifies it as soon as possible and accepts the provisions of the convection. with respect to the south china sea we're aware of concerns over that important area of the pacific. i wouldn't -- i'm sure it would come up while in asia. but i wouldn't want to get out ahead of what may be discussed in singapore. >> to pakistan for a minute. are the discussions with the pakistanis focused solely on

reopening the ground lines of communications into afghanistan? is there also discussion about moving stuff out as u.s. troops withdrawal over the next couple of years. >> i see your question, craig. the ground lines of communication are important for both. so that set of discussions involves both the supplies into and out of afghanistan. >> is the out of part a sticking point or the into part that's the whoeld up? >> i think it's the closure that's the issue. it's not the direction one way or the other. >> with regard to the memo from this morning. does the pentagon believe that the service members at that air base are potentially in danger from the chemicals or the

particlate matter? i am aware of this concern and the issues that were raised in this memo. we obviously take a very seriously the safety of our service members whenever they by in including afghanistan. it's my understanding that we do not have specific evidence that ties as the kinds of disposal facilities to health issues, but we are aware of respiratory elements that have been identified by service members themselves. we're going to continue to look at this problem. >> mark. >> is it money, the supply lines

or both that's the sticking point? >> a good question. i wouldn't get into the particulars of private discussions going on with the pakistanis. there is a delta between the two sides on charges that may be assign ds to the re-opening of the supply routes. and that's something we have to work through. >> is it primarily a financial matter? >> i think the financial side of the equation is one of the issues. we think we can get past it. the goal here is to move beyond this issue. it's one that we want to get beyond. it's one that we have emphasized to the pakistanis that we want to get beyond. and it's critical i think that we move past this. it's in the interest of both countries. we are in a phase now where we're trying to reset the relationship with pakistan and that's where we want to go.

tom. >> i'm wondering why this accelerated rate. the secretary of the chairman spoke a few weeks ago. why suddenly after years of this being quiet is everybody working so hard? >> there are a number of reasons for it. first, the united states congress wanted to hold a hearing on this issue. and the secretary and the chairman and other u.s. officials believe that it's very important to share with congress our perspective on the law of the convection. it's important to the establishment of regular international regimes governing maritime activities by nations to include militaries around the world and every time we have the

opportunity to signal or support for this convection, we will. >> has congress signalled to you that maybe there's movement there and you might get something through now? >> i grew up in this town so i've long since offered predictions on what congress may or may not do. i don't have any particular signals about what they may do with respect to this convection. we hope that it is eventually adopted by the united states. >> the armed services committee yesterday released its report on counterfeit electronic parts that have made their way into the defense procurement line, supply line. most of the criticisms seem pointed at china, they saved some of it for this department saying the defense department lacks knowledge of the scope and impact on the parts on critical defense systems and later they said each of the three committees that the committee

invested in death, the d.o.d. was unaware that counterfeit parts were installed until the committee's investigation. i was wondering if you had any reaction to the report in general and to criticism to this department specifically. >> we take seriously the report. we take seriously this very important issue. this is something that we've addressed for a number of years. the problem of counterfeit parts entering the d.o.d. supply chain. i would note that we have stepped up over time our aggressive actions to address this problem. we've stepped it up on many fronts. for example, in march of this year acting under secretary kendall issued a memorandum that was designed to take initial steps to stand up in aggressive and comprehensive anti-counterfeiting program to detect electronic counterfeit parts and other critical safety parts. we're unaware to date inform any

loss of life or catastrophic mission failure that has occurred because of counterfeit parts. that doesn't mean we should stop addressing the issue. we will not stop until we strengthen more efforts to identify, prevent and detect these pieces of equipment from entering our supply chain. i would note, too, that we worked closely with the white house intellectual property coordinator to try to strengthen reporting requirements through the the establishment of contracting guidelines for suppliers of goods and services to the u.s. government. not just to the department of defense. those recommendations are in coordination right now with the office of management and budget. finally when counterfeiting problems are identified we worked closely with law enforcement to have those issues

investigated and where appropriate, we debar companies and support the prosecution of counterfeiters. we work closely with industry to try to taerk this problem and we'll continue to do so. so we are working very hard to try to sort this issue out and to take steps that will further strengthen our supply chain and ensure that this kind of problem does not occur in the future. >> has the secretary been asked for his input for a review that we're told is underway by the white house that could change the way decisions are made to launch strikes from drones on terrorist targets? >> i'm aware of at least one media report on this issue. i wouldn't comment specifically on any counterterrorism operations. let me say very clearly that this department retains its prerogatives. we're very comfortable with the process by which the oversight

and management of american counterterrorism operations is conducted. and we work closely with our agency partners and the white house to work within the parameters of american law and policy to conduct counterterrorism operations. this is truly a joint effort across our government. and d.o.d. is a big part of that effort, obviously. it is a goal of this department. and of this government to pursue terrorists wherever they may be. we are satisfied that we have our authorities in place. and that we have the means to effectively do our part to pursue terrorists around the world again within the confines of american law.

>> but the provetting process has changed. >> you would have to talk to the white house about the vetting process in reports on that process. i can assure you that this department plays a very important role in the plirnment and prosecution of our counterterrorism operations. and we're very comfortable with the process. >> is the department still behind the deal for the sale of the mi-17s the rux helicopters to the gaffe began -- the afghans. >> i think i addressed this with you last week. there's been no change. we believe this is an important capability for the afghan air force. they need this helicopter.

it is very important to them. it complements its rotary ring. >> the air force recently announced some disciplinary actions taken against officials for retailuating against people at dover. is the secretary satisfied with the way the air force has handled this matter. >> thank you for the question. the issue that dover is issues that the secretary of defense and the entire department we never want them to see them again. our fallen heroes deserve the highest honor and respects. and we are committed to taking steps to ensure that lapses do not occur in the future. i would note that the osc issued a zamt for rendering its

decisions on disciplinary actions. the air force has undertaken the very thorough and extensive process to review not just the lapses at dover, but also the disciplinary actions that were levied. the secretary is satisfied with that process. >> do you believe any disciplinary actions are appropriate? >> he's satisfied that the air force took appropriate steps to investigate the problems at dover port mortuary. he's satisfied that they took a long hard look at the disciplinary actions. again, he has faith in the process that the air force undertook. absolutely. >> whether he thinks the disciplinary actions are appropriate. >> the answer is he has confidence that the air force took the appropriate steps here. yes. >> this morning the senate appropriations committee proved

a military construction appropriations bill. within this they decide to cut ab entire construction bill saying the department of defense doesn't have a clear defense strategy. do you have any guidance on that? >> that we don't have a clear defense strategy? >> on the asia pacific region. >> on the asia pacific region. well, i think we've made it clear for the past several months that this department has a robust asia pacific strategy that is contained in the new u.s. tra teenagic guidance. the secretary was he was last in asia previewed much of that strategy. he talked about the united states being a pacific nation and a pacific power. he reiterated that several times in several locations in the region and on the continent. the asla pacific region is vital to u.s. national security interest and will be so in the future. and we are absolutely turning

toward the asia pacific as a place where our strategic interests are increasingly of importance, our partnerships with partners in the region are critical. and we're going to continue to invest in those relationships. we have a very sound asia pacific proef. i would take issue with any suggestion that we have not put appropriate emphasis on the asia pacific region as important to the united states military and our future. >> do tomorrow's nuclear talks in baghdad represent a last chance for iran diplomatically? >> i wouldn't characterize where we are in the process. i do think it's very important that we are talking. the process is critical. and it is one way of conveying to the iranians that they need

to take the appropriate steps not to picture sue a nuclear weapons program. we hope that process yields results. we need to work with our community to try to affect that outcome. >> do you see that talks can continue after baghdad or is it truly the last in this short series? >> this would really call for speculation. i would refer uh-huh yo to the state department for comment on the process going forward. we believe it's an important process. and we believe there is a great deal of agreement around the world as to what the outcome of this process should be and that is that iran should not be able to develop a nuclear weapon. >> from 1971 to 1973 president richard nixon secretly recorded his phone confers and meetings. this weekend on c-span radio

hear more of the nixon tapes saturday at 6:00 p.m. eastern with conversations between the president and cia director richard helms. and fbi director j. edgar hoover. >> some people think that this court is active that i ought to make a statement about the freedom of the press and that we aren't trying to sensor them. my inly nation is not to say so. >> i think you're right. >> i kind of think i should stay out. what's your public judgment on it. >> the that you should remain silent about it. >> you would? >> i would. >> in washington, d.c. listen at 90.1 fm. nationwide on channel xm 119 and streaming at vrk spanradio.org. this the c-span3 with politics and public affairs programming throughout the week and every weekend 48 hours of people and events telling the american story on american history tv. get our schedules and see past

programs at our websites. and you can join in the conversation on social media sites. up next, the senate subcommittee on the federal workforce looks at the shortage of foreign language speakers in government. the state department's human resources director and the heads of the american counsel for international education and the institute for international education are among those testifying. hawaii senator chairs this two-hour ten minute hearing. >> thank you for being here. i call this hearing on the subcommittee on oversight of government management, federal workforce in district of columbia to order. i want to welcome our witnesses.

aloha and thank you for being here. as chairman of the subcommittee, i have held seven -- seven oversight hearings that emphasize the need to build a federal government's foreign language skills. from developing a foreign language strategy to improving u.s. diplomatic readiness. this is my final hearing on this topic. today we will review the importance of foreign languages to our national security. and our economy as well. we'll also examine the state of the federal government's foreign language capabilities and consider ways to improve our

nation's language capacity. last year we marked the tenth anniversary of the september 11th terrorist attacks. this tragic event exposed our nations language concerns about the shortage of personnel who needed middle eastern language skills at both the fbi and cia which hindered our understanding of the threat. these agencies as well as the departments of state, homeland security, and defense continue to experience shortages of people skilled in hard-to-learn languages due to a limited pool of americans to recruit from. because of these shortages, agencies are forced to fill language designated positions

with employees that do not have those skills. agencies then have to spend extra time and funds training employees in these languages. as u.s. businesses of all sizes look to expand, they need employees with the foreign language skills and cultural knowledge to access overseas markets. our national and economic security's closely linked to howell our schools prepare students to succeed in a global environment. experts indicate that learning languages starting at k-12 levels develop higher language proficiency than those starting

in college. the federal government must partner with schools, colleges, and the private sector to address this ongoing challenge as its root cause. our nation's failure to adequately invest in language education starting at early ages. even in a difficult budget environment we must fund important international education and foreign language study programs to build the pipeline to a 21st century work

force including the foreign language assistance program. we must make sure that budget cuts are not at the expense of strategic national security interests. shortsighted cuts to programs like title 6 could severely undermine the progress we have made in this area. today we'll hear about agencies' progress on their language capacities, however, i believe agencies can do more to coordinate and share best practices in recruiting, retaining, and training personnel. furthermore, i strongly believe that a coordinated national effort among all levels of government, industry, and academia is needed to tackle the problem before us. if we work together, we can improve our nation's language

capacity and effectively confront the challenges to our nation's security and economic prosperity. i look forward to hearing from our witnesses today and continuing the discussion on how we can address our nation's language needs. former senator david boren from oklahoma who has been a long-time advocate on this issue was a friend while he was here was kind enough to provide a statement for this hearing.

he continues to urge that we invest in comprehensive language training and to address this language crisis. i'd like to submit this, and i will submit his statement for the record. i look forward to hearing from our first panel of witnesses and welcome, again, you here today. the honorable eduardo ochoa, who is assistant secretary of the post office -- office of post secondary education at the department of education. the honorable linda thomas-greenfield, the director general of foreign service and director of human resources at the department of state. dr. laura junor, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for readiness at the department of defense. ms. tracey north, who is the deputy assistant director of the intelligence operations branch for the federal bureau of investigation at the department of justice. and mr. glen nordin, the

principle foreign language and area advisor for the office of the undersecretary of defense intelligence at the department of defense. he is representing the director of national intelligence. as you know, it is the custom of this subcommittee to swear in all witnesses. i would ask all of you to please stand and raise your right

hands. do you swear that the testimony you are about to give this subcommittee is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you god? >> i do. >> thank you. let it be noted for the record that the witnesses answered in the affirmative. before we start i want you to know that your full written statements will be made a part of the record, and i'd also like

to remind you to please limit all remarks to five minutes. mr. ochoa, will you please proceed with your statement. >> thank you. good afternoon, chairman akaka. thank you for the opportunity to appear before the subcommittee today. my name is eduardo ochoa, i'm the assistant secretary for post secondary education. i am pleased to provide testimony for this hearing on national security and federal foreign language capabilities. i particularly appreciate your focus on this issue as i have direct experience having been born in buenos aires argentina where i attended bilingual schools until my family moved to the united states during the junior year of high school. i personally understand the importance of foreign language programs as they not only provide students with a better understanding of other cultures, but they provided me with a unique insight of my own culture and language. before providing an overview of our programs, let me express the department's appreciation of your strong, long standing support for the advancement of foreign language learning in this country. we believe it is imperative we

improve our capabilities. in keeping this belief the department adopted a strategy to get two goals. we want to advance our nation's international priorities. a key objective of our plan, which is particularly relevant to the topic of today's hearing, is to increase the global competencies of all u.s. students. the need for these competencies which we think of as 21st century skills apply to the world is clear. both for u.s. civil society and for our nation's work force and for our national security. right now just 30% of u.s. secondary students and 8% of post secondary students are enrolled in a foreign language course. a long way from the multi-lingual societies of so many of our economic competitors. 2/3 of americans aged 18 to 24 cannot find iraq on the map of the middle east. african-americans and latinos continue to be underrepresented amongst those who study abroad. the development of these skills must start early in elementary and secondary education. u.s. colleges and universities have a responsibility to help