the office stated one of the goals for 2011 is substantial progress on the tpp. it is a u.s.-backed multilateral free trade agreement for the region. >>> negotiations are underway between the united states, australia and seven other countries. japan will decide whether to participate with them by june. the agency is likely to push ahead with the negotiations. t before they meet in hawaii in november. >>> let's look at the latest market figures. >>> new zealand's government says it will end rescue operations in the earthquake hit city of christchurch. the country's ministry of civil defense and emergency management informed reporters of this on thursday. it said that hopes of rescuing anyone else alive from the rubble are gone and the focus is now on recovery. authorities say they have so far recovered the bodies of 161 people. they say the final death toll could reach 240. >>> forces loyal to libyan leader moammar gadhafi have launched a counterattack against anti-government forces in the countries northeastern region. this has raised concerns of increased fighting. gadhafi's

with respect to the tpp, the state department does not have the lead on this. it is the united states trade representative. we work closely with them. it is essential that we work with our friends and allies in countries like australia and new zealand to make sure they understand the implications of their internal, domestic legislative changes. we are doing so. i share your concern. we have the biggest stake in the world in improving the protection for intellectual property. we do not want to see close friends and allies remove those protections. china remains the largest violator. we've tried to push them to recognize that as they develop, they will also want the protection for their own intellectual property and need to be part of an international regime. we are aware of this and working on it. i will keep you informed of how the negotiations proceed. >> thank you. i yield back my time. >> wowee. thank you, man of the year. the ranking member of on terrorism, non-proliferation, and trade. >> i join with him in amazement at your energy that is exceeded only by