ALGERIA GRATEFUL FOR U.S. SUPPORT ON 2009

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000553 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ISN/MNSA WMENHOLD E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2019 TAGS: PARM PREL PGOV AG SUBJECT: ALGERIA GRATEFUL FOR U.S. SUPPORT ON 2009 DISARMAMENT CONFERENCE REF: ALGIERS 386 (NOTAL) Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST; see para 3. ¶2. (C) The Algerian MFA transmitted a note verbale on June 2 thanking the USG for its support of Algeria's position during the May 29 Conference on Disarmament (CD) vote and providing a copy of the CD's draft decision in English. The MFA's gesture is noteworthy as Algeria generally does not acknowledge work accomplished in international bodies, and rarely sends official letters of gratitude to the Embassy. We would like to maintain this spirit of goodwill and use it to further our bilateral cooperation (reftel). In this regard, the Ambassador was quoted in the local press on June 3 highlighting Algeria's leadership in breaking the 12-year deadlock on this issue, and noted that we hope to work more often with the Algerians on regional and multilateral issues. ¶3. (U) ACTION REQUEST: We recommend the Department send a letter from an appropriate level to Algerian Ambassador Baali in Washington offering our congratulations on Algeria's success at the CD, and expressing our willingness to continue working on this and other issues important to the international community. ¶4. (U) Embassy's informal translation of the note verbale received in French follows: BEGIN TEXT: PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate General of International Political Affairs and Security No. 685 DGAPSI/DAD/SDD/2009 02 JUNE 2009 Mr. Ambassador, As you know, the Conference on Disarmament adopted on 29 May 2009 decision 1863, regarding the establishment of the Conference's working program for the year 2009. This felicitous outcome of the proposal initiated by Algeria, which puts an end to 12 years of this organization's blockage, would not have been possible without the active support that was granted by your country. There is no doubt that the Conference on Disarmament, during the coming weeks, will have to address institutional issues in order for the implementation of this decision, which foresees new perspectives for a responsible treatment of disarmament and non-proliferation issues, to meet the aspirations of all the international community for a world that favors peace and security at the service of development. I seize this opportunity to express to you personally, Mr. Ambassador, as well as to your Government, the sincerest gratitude of Algeria for the understanding and the support that were shown to the Algerian initiative. Yours faithfully, Boudjemaa DELMI Director General International Political Affairs and Security END TEXT. DAUGHTON