SECRETARY RICE'S LETTER TO MINISTERS OF FOREIGN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 002923

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

DEPT FOR NP/NE/AKRASS, AF/S
ENERGY FOR NE-2.4, NNSA/NA-243/MMANNING, NA-241,
NA-21/ABIENIAWSKI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP ENRG TRGY OPDC
SUBJECT: SECRETARY RICE'S LETTER TO MINISTERS OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS AND MINERALS AND ENERGY

REF: A. SECSTATE 92684


B. PRETORIA 1974


1. (SBU) Embassy is in receipt of a letter from Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad, on behalf of Minister
of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, replying to
Secretary Rice's letter of May 19 (refs A and B). Pahad's

SIPDIS
letter is dated July 11, but was not delivered to us until
recently. We have not yet received a signed original. The
letter reads as follows.

Begin text.

Dear Dr. Rice

CREATION OF A JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON NUCLEAR ENRERGY
CO-OPERATION

I would like to express appreciation for your letter
proposing the creation of a Joint Standing Committee on
Nuclear Energy Co-operation (JSCNEC),as well as the support
for the furtherance of the proposed nuclear research and
development agreements.

I furthermore wish to convey my Department's high regard and
value placed on our existing co-operation in areas of mutual
interest.

The content of your letter has been shared with the Minister
of Minerals and Energy, Ms. Hendricks and we shall be in
contact with you once the matter is finalised.

With kind regards,

signed / A Pahad /
(Mr. AGH Pahad: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs)

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State

SIPDIS
C/o Jendayi Frazer
Ambassador
Embassy of the United States of America
Pretoria 0001

End text.


2. (SBU) Embassy is also in possession of a copy of the
letter from Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad, on
behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,
to Minister of Minerals and Energy Lindiwe Hendricks
referring to Secretary Rice's letter of May 19, That letter
reads as follows:

Begin text.

Dear Colleague

CREATION OF A JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON NUCLEAR ENRERGY
CO-OPERATION

I would like to refer to a letter you received from my
counterpart, the United States of America Secretary of State,
Condoleezza Rice, on 23 May 2005, regarding the proposed
creation of a Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy
Co-operation (JSCNEC) and the furtherance of the pending
research and development co-operation agreements provided by
the United States and submitted through a Diplomatic Note.

Your Department indicated that the former Minister of
Minerals and Energy had requested a letter to this effect
from the United States Energy Secretary, to facilitate the
establishment of such a committtee. As is customary under
diplomatic protocol in the United States, the letter was sent
by the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, and a similar
letter copied to me.

I am keenly awaiting your guidance with regard to your
interest in the establishment of a Joint Committeee and the
conclusion of the two proposed agreements, as well as your
direction pertaining to the manner in which my Department can
be of assistance.

With kind regards

signed / A Pahad /

Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

Ms. BL Hendricks
Minister of Minerals and Energy
Private Bag X646
Pretoria 0001

End text.


3. (SBU) Embassy has contacted the Department of Minerals and
Energy regarding Minister Hendricks' response, but has
nothing to report at this time.
HARTLEY