INVITATION TO ATTEND LUGO INAUGURATION CEREMONY,

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000376 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/BSC KBEAMER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV OVIP PA SUBJECT: INVITATION TO ATTEND LUGO INAUGURATION CEREMONY, AUGUST 14-15 ¶1. (U) Post received official invitation 456/08 from Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano addressed to Secretary Rice inviting President Bush to attend the inauguration of president-elect Fernando Lugo August 14-15. ¶2. (U) Post's English translation of the original Spanish invitation is as follows: Begin text: Asuncion, May 30, 2008 The Honorable Secretary of State: I have the honor to address Your Excellency in order to inform your illustrious government of the election of Mr. Fernando Lugo Mendez as President of the Republic of Paraguay for the constitutional term 2008-2013. In this regard, I am pleased to extend for your intermediacy, the official invitation to His Excellency, President of the United States of America George W. Bush, to participate in the inauguration ceremonies August 14-15, 2008, in Asuncion. With the assurance that this occasion will contribute to the strengthening of the already cordial relations between our countries, I ask sincerely that the response to this invitation be sent to the fax number (595-21) 460-044, to Protocol Affairs. I renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration. /s/ Ambassador Ruben Ramirez Lezcano To Your Excellency Condoleezza Rice Secretary of State Washington, DC, United States of America End text. ¶3. (U) The original invitation in Spanish will be sent to Katharine Beamer in WHA/BSC via diplomatic pouch. ¶4. (U) Please advise. Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion Cason