GOC THANKS USG FOR SUPPORTING MORENO

UNCLAS BOGOTA 007401 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ODIP CO SUBJECT: GOC THANKS USG FOR SUPPORTING MORENO Post received on August 3 a letter (VRE No. 40444 dated July 27) from FM Barco to Secretary Rice (faxed to WHA/AND). Begin informal translation of letter: Excellency: I have the pleasure of addressing Your Excellency to express, in the name of the government and people of Colombia, our most sincere appreciation for the support given by your enlightened government to the election of Ambassador Luis Alberto Moreno as the new President of the Inter-American Development Bank. Colombia wishes to reiterate to your country its historic commitment to the Bank and to continue supporting the policies and instruments that preserve the fiscal soundness of the institution and help it to assist our peoples, with the intention that it continue to be the principal source of multilateral financing for economic development, social and institutional, commercial, and regional integration projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. I should like to guarantee to Your Excellency that Ambassador Moreno embodies the virtues and personal and professional qualities appropriate to the high position he will occupy. He is a person who clearly understands financial and development issues on the current international agenda. His efforts and management will thus contribute forcefully to the elimination of poverty, the promotion of development, and the growth of our countries. I take this opportunity to reiterate to Your Excellency assurances of my highest consideration. Carolina Barco Minister of Foreign Relations End translation. DRUCKER