Ministers Arrive: Some Surprises

        Well, it was planned as a small gathering.   A few of the regulars, a couple of friends.  And then, it wasn't so small.   The Minister of Latin American Affairs showed up enroute to DC from Mexico City.  It was an unplanned stop but he felt he needed to update the Mayor on the situation in Mexico.  The latest conference was organized by PEMEX, the state oil giant.  They requested assistance from the OAS to help state and private energy companies and energy suppliers confront hackers that may attack their grid and other distribution systems.   The conference was well attended and all participants deemed it a grand success.
      This comes at a time that Mexico is stepping up border controls along its southern borders with Central American countries: namely, Honduras, Guatamala, and El Salvador.   President Obama of US will meet with the presidents of all 3 countries this week to discuss humanitarian conditions among recent immigrants.   Plans for returning those families who cross the Rio Grande River in Texas and seek a green card  will be spelt out.   Mexico has itsown issues along its southern border.
     The Minister of Aviation and Manufacturing arrived a little later.  He brought the latest info on the Farnborough Show in the UK.   Boeing was expected to book some large orders.  Airbus was there, too.   He briefed the Mayor on latest developments.   He also mentioned a new program developed by Otto F.  Eligible employees can enroll in graduate school and complete courses on their on time and have full funding from the company.  Very generous, indeed.
      The Minister of East Asian Philosophy appeared at the meeting and gave a progress report on the recent campus activity at her training facility.   Recent contacts in Japan relayed status reports on training in Kyoto and Kobe, Japan.   Tea training was also a current topic.
     And then, the manager of sports and athletics arrived, unannounced.   He had heard of the arrival of the Latin American Minister and did not want to miss out.  He reported on post World Cup actions by FIFA.
     Our  representative in Shanghai showed up with her fiance' and the upcoming wedding was discussed, and all members appreciated the candid delivery.   Her fiance', a med student at Berkeley, expressed his desire to see the ceremony go down in fine traditional Chinese culture.(September).
     Our minister of Automotive Engineering engaged all with his good insights and questions.   He regaled attendees with stories from his lengthy history in the industry.