BOSNIA- LETTER FROM MINISTER OF DEFENSE CIKOTIC TO

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000120 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS BAGHDAD FOR MNF-I COMMANDER GENERAL PETRAEUS STATE FOR EUR (DICARLO),EUR/SCE (HOH, SILBERSTEIN, FOOKS, STINCHCOMB),EUR/RPM, NEA DEFENSE FOR FATA, CAGAN. BEIN NSC FOR BRAUN USNIC FOR WIGHTMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR IZ BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA- LETTER FROM MINISTER OF DEFENSE CIKOTIC TO MNF-I COMMANDER GENERAL PETRAEUS ¶1. (SBU) Minister of Defense Cikotic requested Post deliver the following letter from the Minister to General Petraeus, Commander of MNF-I Iraq. Begin Text of Letter: Bosnia-Herzegovina Ministry of Defense Sarajevo January 18, 2008 General David Howell Petraeus Commanding General Multi-National Force- Iraq (MNF-I) Dear Sir: It is my pleasure to respond to the letter from MNF-I dated 30 September 2007. In this letter, MNF-I requested that Bosnia-Herzegovina deploy an infantry company or platoon plus for fixed-site security duties in Iraq. I am pleased to inform you that on January 17 the Bosnian Presidency has given preliminary approval for this deployment. This important decision indicates our strong commitment to meet your request and our participation in MNF-I. Before issuing final approval for the deployment, the Presidency has requested further information as to the size of the unit requested for this deployment and potential locations for its deployment in Iraq. I have been authorized to engage with MNF-I commanders in Iraq on these issues during our visit scheduled for January 28-30. Upon my return, I will brief the Presidency on the information provided and seek final approval to undertake this deployment. Again, it is my pleasure to inform you of these developments in meeting your request. I look forward to speaking with you or one of your colleagues in Iraq. Sincerely, Selmo Cikotic Minister (signature) End Text of Message. ENGLISH