Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MAPUTO197
2004-02-13 08:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maputo
Cable title:  

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT CHISSANO

Tags:  OPDC PREL SL IV LI MZ ECOWAS 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS MAPUTO 000197

SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR S/ES-CR,S/ES-O,AF/S AND AF/RSA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PREL SL IV LI MZ ECOWAS
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM PRESIDENT CHISSANO

On February 12, post received the following letter
from the Office of the Presidency for President Bush.
We will forward the hard copy to AF/S via pouch.
Text of President Chissano's letter:
Dear Mr. President,
I wish to thank you for your assistance to ECOWAS and
Africa in general in the operations for the
restoration of peace in Liberia. I also wish, on
behalf of Africa, to thank your Government and the
people of the United States of America. Without your
support, the suffering of the Liberian people would
have lasted longer.
West African soldiers and policemen have contributed
immensely to the maintenance of peace and security in
that sub-region and are right now committed to the
implementation of the Linas-Marcoussis Agreement in
Cote d'Ivoire.
The UN Secretary General recently issued a report
that, among other things, recommended the UN Security
Council approval for additional troops to boost the
current ECOWAS forces in Cote d'Ivoire up to a total
number of 6,240.
I kindly request your personal support to this
proposal in order to help the UN Secretary General
Report go through the UN Security Council. The
conflict in Cote d'Ivoire, as you know, is likely to
have a spill over effect to neighbouring Liberia and
Sierra Leone. The bloodletting in Liberia has been
controlled, and all the parties are presently going
through the process of disarmament, demobilization and
reinsertion. No efforts, therefore, shall be spared
to ensure that total peace is restored in Cote
d'Ivoire. Otherwise, Liberia could be exposed to
possible resumption of hostilities among the warring
parties, who could easily move across the permeable
borders at will.
Please help Africa to elicit support from the
leadership of the US Congress for this very important
regional and sub-regional peace initiative.
Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my
highest consideration and esteem.
Joaquim Alberto Chissano
President of the Republic of Mozambique
And Chairman of the African Union
La Lime