Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GABORONE821
2008-09-12 15:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Gaborone
Cable title:
TRANSMISSION OF LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM
how-toO 121527Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5263 WHITE HOUSE NSC WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS GABORONE 000821
DEPT FOR S/ES AND AF/S
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PGOV BC
SUBJECT: TRANSMISSION OF LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM
BOTSWANA'S PRESIDENT KHAMA.
UNCLAS GABORONE 000821
DEPT FOR S/ES AND AF/S
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PGOV BC
SUBJECT: TRANSMISSION OF LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM
BOTSWANA'S PRESIDENT KHAMA.
1. Embassy Gaborone received a diplomatic note (Note NO/2008
EA 6/16 (s) XXVIII (77) C1) from the Government of Botswana
conveying a letter to President Bush from President Khama.
The transcription of the diplomatic note follows:
2. "Republic of Botswana
NOTE NO: 40/2008 EA 6/16 (s) xxviii (77) C1
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
of the Republic of Botswana presents its compliments to the
Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to
forward a letter from His Excellency Lieutenant General
Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of
Botswana to His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush, President of
the United States of America on the assistance extended to
Botswana.
The Ministry will be obliged if the letter was conveyed to
its highest destination.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
of the Republic of Botswana avails itself of this opportunity
to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the
assurances of its highest consideration.
29 August 2008
Gaborone
Embassy of the United States of America
Gaborone"
3. The transcription of the letter to President Bush from
President Khama follows:
4. "Republic of Botswana (seal)
The State President
PPO 8/12 VI (75)
Gaborone
21 August, 2008
Your Excellency,
The United States of America and Botswana enjoy excelent
bilateral relations. These friendly relations manifest
themselves in many fields of practical co-operation. The
consistent support and assistance extended to Botswana has
had such a positive impact in the wellbeing of Botswana that
I deem it important and appropriate to reiterate our deep
gratitude.
Since the 1990s the US Government provided assistance to
Botswana in combating TB, HIV and AIDS epidemics. The US
Center for Disease Control and Prevention was a key partner
in the establishment of our national comprehensive Prevention
of Mother to Child Transmission programme. Under the
Botswana/United States of America (BOTUSA) partnership, we
pioneered in the establishment of voluntary counseling and
testing centres. All these programmes have been crucial to
our response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Your Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),has since 2005
to date, allocated Botswana US264 million to cover our
efforts in the prevention, treatment, care and support of
HIV/AIDS. Preliminary indications from the local PEPFAR
Office here in Botswana, are that we are likely to receive an
additional US$90,6 million for the next Country Operational
Plan allocation starting October 1st 2008.
All this assistance has made a huge difference, and will
continue to do so in the future, in securing the health and
lives of Batswana.
We also salute the American people for their spirit of
caring, giving and kindness. The American Peace Corps are in
Botswana as volunteers to help us in the implementation of
programmes such as Orphan Care, Prevention of Mother to Child
Transmission and Community Home Based Care.
The United States Private sector, foundations and academic
institutions have continued to be of great assistance to
Botswana. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Merck
Company Foundation, the Harvard School of Public Health and
the Harvard AIDS Institute, the Baylor College of Medicine
(Children's Centre of Excellence),the University of
Pennsylvania and Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation are some of
the key dependable partners in our efforts to respond to the
HIV/AIDS epidemic.
I have no doubt that all these private companies, foundations
and institutions have come to our assistance because of your
leadership. We thank you and commend you for all your
support. I am also writing directly to them to say how
grateful we are as a country and people for the wonderful
work they are doing to help Batswana.
It is against this background that I consider it important to
thank you. The assistance we receive has made it possible
for Botswana to effectively respond to the epidemic. We have
made progress in reducing new infections, prevention of the
transmission of the virus from mother to child and in our
care, treatment and support programmes. This has given our
people hope that they can overcome the epidemic. In this
respect I wish to assure you that we will intensify our
efforts in the response to the epidemic as you have certainly
made it possible for us to help ourselves.
Please accept, Mr. President, the renewed assurances of my
highest consideration,
Yours Sincerely
/signed/
Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush,
President of the United States of America
The White House
Washington, D.C.
United States of America"
5. End of transcription. Regards.
DROUIN
DEPT FOR S/ES AND AF/S
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PGOV BC
SUBJECT: TRANSMISSION OF LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM
BOTSWANA'S PRESIDENT KHAMA.
1. Embassy Gaborone received a diplomatic note (Note NO/2008
EA 6/16 (s) XXVIII (77) C1) from the Government of Botswana
conveying a letter to President Bush from President Khama.
The transcription of the diplomatic note follows:
2. "Republic of Botswana
NOTE NO: 40/2008 EA 6/16 (s) xxviii (77) C1
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
of the Republic of Botswana presents its compliments to the
Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to
forward a letter from His Excellency Lieutenant General
Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of
Botswana to His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush, President of
the United States of America on the assistance extended to
Botswana.
The Ministry will be obliged if the letter was conveyed to
its highest destination.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
of the Republic of Botswana avails itself of this opportunity
to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the
assurances of its highest consideration.
29 August 2008
Gaborone
Embassy of the United States of America
Gaborone"
3. The transcription of the letter to President Bush from
President Khama follows:
4. "Republic of Botswana (seal)
The State President
PPO 8/12 VI (75)
Gaborone
21 August, 2008
Your Excellency,
The United States of America and Botswana enjoy excelent
bilateral relations. These friendly relations manifest
themselves in many fields of practical co-operation. The
consistent support and assistance extended to Botswana has
had such a positive impact in the wellbeing of Botswana that
I deem it important and appropriate to reiterate our deep
gratitude.
Since the 1990s the US Government provided assistance to
Botswana in combating TB, HIV and AIDS epidemics. The US
Center for Disease Control and Prevention was a key partner
in the establishment of our national comprehensive Prevention
of Mother to Child Transmission programme. Under the
Botswana/United States of America (BOTUSA) partnership, we
pioneered in the establishment of voluntary counseling and
testing centres. All these programmes have been crucial to
our response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Your Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),has since 2005
to date, allocated Botswana US264 million to cover our
efforts in the prevention, treatment, care and support of
HIV/AIDS. Preliminary indications from the local PEPFAR
Office here in Botswana, are that we are likely to receive an
additional US$90,6 million for the next Country Operational
Plan allocation starting October 1st 2008.
All this assistance has made a huge difference, and will
continue to do so in the future, in securing the health and
lives of Batswana.
We also salute the American people for their spirit of
caring, giving and kindness. The American Peace Corps are in
Botswana as volunteers to help us in the implementation of
programmes such as Orphan Care, Prevention of Mother to Child
Transmission and Community Home Based Care.
The United States Private sector, foundations and academic
institutions have continued to be of great assistance to
Botswana. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Merck
Company Foundation, the Harvard School of Public Health and
the Harvard AIDS Institute, the Baylor College of Medicine
(Children's Centre of Excellence),the University of
Pennsylvania and Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation are some of
the key dependable partners in our efforts to respond to the
HIV/AIDS epidemic.
I have no doubt that all these private companies, foundations
and institutions have come to our assistance because of your
leadership. We thank you and commend you for all your
support. I am also writing directly to them to say how
grateful we are as a country and people for the wonderful
work they are doing to help Batswana.
It is against this background that I consider it important to
thank you. The assistance we receive has made it possible
for Botswana to effectively respond to the epidemic. We have
made progress in reducing new infections, prevention of the
transmission of the virus from mother to child and in our
care, treatment and support programmes. This has given our
people hope that they can overcome the epidemic. In this
respect I wish to assure you that we will intensify our
efforts in the response to the epidemic as you have certainly
made it possible for us to help ourselves.
Please accept, Mr. President, the renewed assurances of my
highest consideration,
Yours Sincerely
/signed/
Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush,
President of the United States of America
The White House
Washington, D.C.
United States of America"
5. End of transcription. Regards.
DROUIN