Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SUVA392
2006-09-24 22:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Suva
Cable title:  

SECRETARY RUMSFELD LETTER TO MINISTER VOSANIBOLA

Tags:  MARR PREL FJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSV #0392 2672210
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 242210Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3308
INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0043
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
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

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