ATPDEA LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM ANDEAN

UNCLAS LIMA 004325 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR DTOMLINSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR PHUM VE CO BL PE SUBJECT: ATPDEA LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM ANDEAN COMMUNITY PRESIDENTS ¶1. Post received the following letter thanking President Bush for his efforts to extend the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) from Bolivian President Evo Morales, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Ecuadorian President Alfredo Palacio and Peruvian Foreign Minister Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde on 11/6. It was conveyed to Embassy by Secretary General of the Andean Community Alfredo Fuentes. SIPDIS Post has pouched the original to WHA/AND Peru Desk. Text follows: THE ANDEAN COMMUNITY November 3, 2006 His Excellency George W. Bush President of the United States of America 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC. 20500 Dear Mr. President: We want to extend our thanks for your effort in the extension of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA). As beneficiary countries of ATPDEA trade preferences, we recognize its importance as a fundamental tool for the promotion of economic development and the strengthening of commercial relations between the United States and our respective countries. At the same time, we believe that the ATPDEA expresses our shared responsibility in the fight against narcotics trafficking. With ATPDEA's assistance, the Andean Region has increased its exports and strengthened its common objectives. Key industries in our economies have benefited substantially from this legislation, which, at the same time, has generated positive and tangible results to our societies in the form of higher employment. This system of commercial preferences for the Andean region has been fundamental to promoting commercial development in our region. We want to reiterate that the extension of ATPDEA will contribute to the stability of the region, a key factor to the advancement of our democracies. We reiterate our thanks for your efforts to fight for ATPDEA extension in the hope that this agreement continues to generate the benefits that it has achieved to date. We take this opportunity to express to you our highest consideration. Evo Morales Ayma Constitutional President of Bolivia Alvaro Uribe Velez President of the Republic of Colombia Alfredo Palacio Gonzalez Constitutional President of the Republic of Ecuador Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde (Secretary) Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru End Text. STRUBLE