INVITATION TO SECRETARY CLINTON TO SPEAK AT

UNCLAS ASUNCION 000242 SIPDIS STATE FOR S/ES-CR, WHA/BSC MDASCHBACH, S/GWI AMBASSADOR MELANNE VERVEER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OVIP OPDC PREL KWMN PHUM SCUL PA SUBJECT: INVITATION TO SECRETARY CLINTON TO SPEAK AT MERCOSUR WOMEN'S CONFERENCE ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 3. ¶2. (U) Gloria Rubin, Paraguay's Minister for Women's Affairs, requested that the Embassy forward an invitation to Secretary Clinton inviting her to participate as a keynote speaker during the opening act of the "XXI Specialized Meeting of the Women of MERCOSUR." This event will take place May 28-29, 2009, in Asuncion. Paraguay will host this event in conjunction with President Fernando Lugo's term as MERCOSUR president pro tempore. The purpose of this event is to exchange experiences on women's issues and strengthen the institutions responsible for protecting women's rights. Representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia have been invited to attend this event. ¶3. (U) If the Secretary is unable to attend, post requests that the Department consider sending an alternate representative. Please advise. POC for this request is Embassy Asuncion Political Officer Michael Edwards, telephone: 011-595-21-213-715, e-mail: edwardsmg@state.gov. Please visit us at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/asuncion AYALDE