LETTER TO WHA ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHANNON FROM

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001552

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA A/S THOMAS SHANNON

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM SMIG KCRM SNAR GT
SUBJECT: LETTER TO WHA ASSISTANT SECRETARY SHANNON FROM
VICE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

REF: A. GUATEMALA 1521


B. GUATEMALA 1451


1. Embassy received a diplomatic note from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MFA) regarding the Central American
Integration System (SICA) Vice Ministerial on regional
security held in Guatemala July 17-18 (ref A). The MFA
expressed appreciation for the participation of the U.S.
delegation, in particular that of WHA Assistant Secretary
Thomas Shannon and requested that the letter below from Vice
Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Fernando Andrade Falla be
sent to the Assistant Secretary.


2. BEGIN TEXT (non-translated)

Guatemala City, July 24, 2007

Dear Mr. Shannon,

I wanted to thank you for the valuable participation that
your team and specially your kind self, added to the "SICA
Dialogue on Regional Security," which took place on the 17th
and 18th of this month, to which, as you know, we were also
accompanied by a Mexican delegation.

I truly believe that the outcome of this meeting represents a
first solid and positive step in the right direction towards
greater cooperation and better coordination in regional
security matters. Without a doubt, there will be challenges
ahead, that I am sure will be overcome with the marked
goodwill made public by all those involved.

I would like to express to you the assurances of my high
esteem and personal appreciation.

Luis Fernando Andrade Falla
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

END TEXT
Derham