NEW HONDURAN FOREIGN MINISTER SENDS LETTER TO

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001513

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR WHA, WHA/CEN, AND S/ES-CR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OPDC PGOV HO
SUBJECT: NEW HONDURAN FOREIGN MINISTER SENDS LETTER TO
SECRETARY RICE; SECRETARY'S JULY 12 LETTER DELIVERED


SIPDIS

Ref: State 129020


1. Honduran Foreign Minister Mario Fortin, under cover of a
July 11 diplomatic note, sent the Embassy a letter dated
July 6 to Secretary Rice. The letter was sent by the MFA
prior to the July 14 delivery of the July 12 letter from the
Secretary (reftel) under cover letter from the Ambassador.

SIPDIS
Post is faxing original of FM Fortin's letter to the
Secretary to WHA/CEN. Unofficial Embassy translation of the

SIPDIS
letter follows.


2. Begin unofficial Embassy translation:

SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SIPDIS
REPUBLIC OF HONDURAS

Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. July 6, 2005

Madam Secretary:

I have the honor of greeting Your Excellency on the occasion
of expressing my best wishes on your appointment as
Secretary of State of the United States of America.

SIPDIS

My wish is to strengthen the ties that exist between our two
nations, working towards harmony and the further development
of democratic institutions, as well for the preservation of
peace.

In the hope that I may be able to greet you personally in
the future, I avail myself of this opportunity to extend to
Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

/s/

SEAL

Mario Alberto Fortin Midence
Secretary of State

SIPDIS


Her Excellency
Condolezza Rice
Secretary of State of the United States of America

SIPDIS


3. End unofficial Embassy translation.

TUEBNER