LETTER FROM EX-PRESIDENT MIGUEL ANGEL RODRIGUEZ

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 001748

SIPDIS

WHA/CEN FOR MKOPOLOW

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CS ETRD PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM EX-PRESIDENT MIGUEL ANGEL RODRIGUEZ
FOR PRESIDENT BUSH


On August 3, post received two letters from former president
Miguel Angel Rodriguez, addressed to President Bush and USTR
Portman. The letters, both written in English, contain Mr.
Rodriguez's congratulations on U.S. Congressional approval of
the U.S.-Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Mr. Rodriguez, who is currently under
house arrest pending charges of corruption, was a proponent
of a free trade agreement with the United States during his
tenure as president from 1998-2002. Calling Mr. Bush a "very
good friend of Central America," Mr. Rodriguez states that,
"Your decisive and courageous leadership and commitment to
free trade, along with (Ambassadors Portman and Zoellick)
will have a significant effect on growth and development
throughout the world." Originals of the letters have been
forwarded to WHA/CEN.
KAPLAN