RESPONSE TO FM MORATINOS' INVITATION FOR THE SECRETARY'S ATTENDANCE AT THE ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS

UNCLAS STATE 171224 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UN OPDC AOIC SCUL SP TU SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO FM MORATINOS' INVITATION FOR THE SECRETARY'S ATTENDANCE AT THE ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS SIPDIS FORUM IN MADRID, JANUARY 15-16, 2008 ¶1. Please deliver the following message from Assistant Secretary Fried to the Foreign Minister of Spain, SIPDIS Miguel Moratinos, at the earliest opportunity. The Department does not intend to release this letter but has no objections if the Government of Spain wishes to do so. There will be no signed original. ¶2. Begin text: Dear Mr. Minister: I am replying on behalf of Secretary Rice to thank you for your invitation to the first Alliance of Civilizations Forum to be held in Madrid, January 15-16, 2008. I regret that Secretary Rice has other commitments that prevent her from SIPDIS attending the Forum, but the U.S. Ambassador to Spain, Eduardo Aguirre, will be pleased to represent the United States. The United States applauds your efforts to build bridges between cultures and nations and your commitment to the Alliance of Civilizations initiative. We look forward to continued close cooperation with you as we address the many challenges facing us. I extend my best wishes for a successful meeting and look forward to hearing about the results. Sincerely, Daniel Fried RICE