RECEIPT OF LETTER UNHCR HIGH COMMISSIONER ANTONIO

UNCLAS GENEVA 001577

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PRM/MCE, SS EXEC OFFICE,

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF UNHCR
SUBJECT: RECEIPT OF LETTER UNHCR HIGH COMMISSIONER ANTONIO
GUTERRES ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEZZA RICE

REF: SS98884


1. (U) Mission has received the following letter addressed
to the Secretary of State Condolezza Rice.

Begin Text.

Madam,

Please accept my sincere thanks for your kind letter of
congratulations on my appointment as United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees.

I am truly honoured by the trust that the Secretary-General
and the member States have placed in me. With the Office
come tremendous responsibilities, as you note, and I pledge
to engage myself with humility and to the full to help
protect and care for refugees and other persons of concern to
UNHCR. I am convinced UNHCR has a critical role to play at
this challenging time for the international and humanitarian
communities alike.

I greatly appreciate the inestimable support your Government
continues to give to the Office, both in financial and
political terms. The success of an effective UNHCR depends
on partnerships and I too attach great importance to our
collaboration. I look forward to learning more about our
cooperation and how we might further strengthen it.

I took up my official functions on 15 June 2005 and am
finalizing plans for a visit to Washington at the end of this
month. Again, thank you for your kind wishes.

Please accept, Madam, the assurances of my highest
consideration.

(handwritten) With my warmest regards, Sincerely yours

Antonio Guterres



2. (U) Mission will pouch the original letter under registry
number 6131638.
Moley