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