INVITATION TO THE SECRETARY FOR IBERO-AMERICAN

UNCLAS MADRID 000958 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SMIG SP SUBJECT: INVITATION TO THE SECRETARY FOR IBERO-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ON IMMIGRATION ¶1. (U) Post received the following letter to the Secretary from Enrique Iglesias, Ibero-American Secretary General, on April 17. This letter, along with enclosed Concept Document, have also been sent as e-mail attachments to the Spain desk. Begin text. Madrid, April 6th 2006 Dr. Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State SIPDIS United States of America Dear Madam Rice: The Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) has the honor to warmly invite you to the Ibero-American Conference on Migration that will take place in Madrid, Spain, on July 18th and 19th, 2006. This meeting has been organized by SEGIB, with the support of the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC),through its Latin America and the Caribbean Demographic Center (CELADE),the International Organization for Migration (OIM) and the Carolina Foundation from Spain, following a mandate from the XV Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government that took place in Salamanca, Spain, in October ¶2005. Government officials, executive heads from international organizations, recognized experts, and civil society representatives will participate in this Meeting, as you will read in the Concept Document attached to this letter. The main purpose of this Meeting is to create, inside the Ibero-American Community, a cooperation framework for the treatment of international migration, among countries of origin, transit and destination of migratory flows. There will be an examination of the best practices in Migration and Development, Human Rights and Migration and Good Governance in Migration Policy in order to review and articulate these best practices in the benefit of the countries of the Ibero-American community and the migrants themselves. I would really appreciate thereof that Your Excellency and the Minister in charge of Migration Affairs would honour us by representing your country in this Conference in order to discuss such matters at high political and technical level. You will be receiving very soon additional information on the working agenda and other organizational matters. Hoping that you will kindly agree to participate in this event, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem. Sincerely yours, Enrique V. Iglesias Ibero-American Secretary General End text. ¶2. (U) COMMENT. As the Department considers its participation in this event, Post notes that Ambassador Aguirre, by virtue of his recent service as Director of Citizenship and Immigration Services for DHS and his expertise in Latin America issues, could be an appropriate and effective representative on the Department's behalf. END COMMENT AGUIRRE