SECRETARY RUMSFELD LETTER TO MINISTER VOSANIBOLA

UNCLAS SUVA 000392 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR PREL FJ SUBJECT: SECRETARY RUMSFELD LETTER TO MINISTER VOSANIBOLA REF: SECDEF 201339Z SEP 06 ¶1. (U) The Ambassador passed reftel letter to Minister of Home Affairs Vosanibola September 22. The Minister said he deeply appreciated the condolences expressed by Secretary Rumsfeld for the loss of Fiji's USCentcom Deputy Senior Representative, Warrant Officer Nete Naiduka, as well as for the recent deaths of Private Akesa Draiva in Afghanistan and Gunner Samuela Vanua in Iraq. ¶2. (U) The text of the letter was reprinted in the Fiji Times on September 23 under the headline, "U.S. says 'thank you' to Fiji." The article said the letter showed the U.S. government's "appreciation of the role Fiji's men and women played in the fight against terrorism." Minister Vosanibola told the Times that the Secretary's message was confirmation of "Fiji's status as a global power in peacekeeping." Vosanibola went on to say the high regard the international community has for Fiji's peacekeeping capabilities is reflected in the deployment of Fiji soldiers in the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). ¶3. (U) Vosanibola left Fiji September 23 for a visit to New York, the Sinai, Sudan and Iraq. In New York, he and RFMF Commander Bainimarama will be meeting with UN officials to discuss UNAMI and other issues. The Minister will be reviewing Fiji peacekeeping operations in his visits to the Sinai, Sudan and Iraq. DINGER