ARAB MAGHREB UNION: LETTERS TO SECRETARY RICE AND

UNCLAS RABAT 000403

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/MAG

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MO
SUBJECT: ARAB MAGHREB UNION: LETTERS TO SECRETARY RICE AND
NEA FROM SECRETARY GENERAL BEN YAHYA



1. (U) Post received on March 3 the following letters to
Secretary Rice and NEA A/S Welch from Secretary General of

SIPDIS
the Arab Maghreb Union Habib Ben Yahya. The originals have
been pouched to NEA/MAG.


2. (SBU) Begin letter (as received) to Secretary Rice:

Dear Madam,

On the occasion of my appointment as Secretary General of the
Arab Maghreb Union, I have the honor to stress the great
efforts you're making as Secretary of State, to strengthen
the intente cordiale and partnership between the Maghrebian
countries and the United States of America, thanks to your
great knowledge of the many challenges confronting the
region, and to your outstanding talents.

I would also take this opportunity to assure Your Excellency,
during my tenure of office, to continue working together to
strengthen the ties existing between the Maghreb and USA,
relations that actually experience great achievements, and
are expected to be strengthened.

I will surely be counting on the United States of America's
support, and on Your Excellency's help too, in carrying out
my mission aiming essentially at reactivating the process of
the Maghreb integration, consolidating its structures and
making out of it a region of development, peace and security
in North Africa.

Considering the initiatives of the American administration
launched in favor of the institution of a Maghrebian sub
regional and integrated entity, able to cooperate with other
groups in its immediate neighborhood, and also with its great
traditional partners, including the United States of America,
I would like to reaffirm the Arab Maghreb Union's commitment
to fully support initiatives that can bolster the AMU,
contribute to promote the development in the Maghreb, and
further foster the friendly ties among its people.

Looking forward to meeting your Excellency, and discussing
cooperation perspectives between the Arab Maghreb Union and
the United States of America,

I remain Sincerely Yours.

Habib BEN YAHIA
Secretary General

SIPDIS


3. (SBU) Begin letter (as received) to NEA A/S Welch:

Dear Mr. Secretary (David),

I would like to acknowledge with thanks your letter
congratulating me on my appointment as Secretary General of
the Arab Maghreb Union.

I would like also to seize this opportunity to thank you for
your supporting efforts to strengthen the Arab Maghreb Union,
which is committed since its creation in 1989 to making the
Maghreb a region of peace, stability and development.

During my tenure of office, I can assure you that I will be
doing my best to reactivate the AMU institutions in order to
really strive for more regional integration. I will surely
be counting on your supporting efforts in looking for
positive regional initiatives that can bolster the AMU's
genuine endeavors to strengthen the regional integration
process and to contribute to overcome the many challenges
confronting the AMU's drive to achieve its development
objectives.

Sincerely yours.

Habib BEN YAHIA
Secretary General

SIPDIS
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Riley