MARCH 24 LETTER TO SECRETARY RICE FROM TURKISH

UNCLAS ANKARA 001614

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL TU
SUBJECT: MARCH 24 LETTER TO SECRETARY RICE FROM TURKISH
FOREIGN MINISTER GUL



1. On March 24, Deputy Chief of Mission Nancy McEldowney
received from MFA Deputy Under Secretary Apakan a copy of a
letter dated March 22 from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul addressed to Secretary Rice.


2. The text of the letter is as follows:

MESSAGE FROM H.E. MR. ABDULLAH GUL, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY TO H.E.
MS. CONDOLEEZZA RICE, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA

Ankara, March 22, 2006

Dear Madam Secretary of State,

Thank you for your kind message wishing me a quick recovery.
I regret that my visit, envisaged for the dates of 25-31
March 2006 had to be cancelled due to a surgery that I had to
undergo, which apparently will not permit me to travel by air
for some time.

If I could have realized the visit, it would have been a
distinct pleasure for me to meet you and discuss matters of
mutual concern.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to welcoming you in
Turkey at a mutually convenient date so that we can take up
current issues in detail.

I avail myself of this opportunity, Madame Secretary, to
extend you my best regards.

Sincerely,

/s/

Abdullah Gul
Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Republic of Turkey.

End text.

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MCELDOWNEY