HONDURAN FOREIGN MINISTERS (CURRENT AND FORMER)

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002558 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR WHA, WHA/CEN, AND S/ES-CR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OPDC PGOV HO SUBJECT: HONDURAN FOREIGN MINISTERS (CURRENT AND FORMER) SEND LETTERS TO SECRETARY POWELL Ref: State 268055 Tegucigalpa 1863 ¶1. Honduran Foreign Minister Leonidas Rosa Bautista, under cover letter to the Ambassador, sent the Embassy on October 20 two letters to Secretary Powell - one from himself in response to a September 18 letter from the Secretary (ref A) and one from former Foreign Minister Guillermo Perez-Cadalso Arias officially announcing his July 23 resignation (ref B). Post is unsure why the Foreign Ministry did not send the Perez-Cadalso letter earlier. Post faxed originals to WHA/CEN. Unofficial Embassy translation of the two letters follows. ¶2. Secretary of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Honduras SIPDIS Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. September 26, 2003 Dear Mr. Secretary: I have the pleasure to confirm receipt of your kind letter on the 18th of this month, by means of which you congratulate me for my recent appointment, which I am thankful. Indeed, the relationship between Honduras and the United States has been excellent and is characterized by solidarity and mutual respect. You can be sure that I share your wish to still fortify it, through the cooperation in subjects of particular interest for both countries, such as the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and corruption, as well as obtaining a successful negotiation in the Free Trade Agreement between Central America and the United States. I take advantage of this first opportunity to express my highest and distinguished consideration. /s/ Leonidas Rosa-Bautista Secretary of Foreign Relations SIPDIS Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. 22 of July of 2003 Excellency: I have honor to acknowledge to your Excellency that in this date, I interposed my resignation for the position of Secretary of State in the Office of Foreign Affairs, to Mr. SIPDIS Ricardo Maduro, President of the Republic of Honduras, effective as of July 23. Upon saying goodbye to your Excellency, I wish to express my special recognition for the attentions received during the exercise of my position, as well as the warm demonstrations of friendship toward me. I will keep the most pleasing memories. Upon formulating my best wishes for your personal fortune, Excellency, I take this opportunity to renew the testimony of my highest and distinguished consideration. /s/ Guillermo Perez-Cadalso Arias ¶3. End unofficial Embassy translation. Palmer