Argentina: Message from Argentine Foreign Minister to

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000022 FOR S/ES-CR AND S/ES-O SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OVIP OPDC AR SUBJECT: Argentina: Message from Argentine Foreign Minister to Senator Hillary Clinton REF: 08 STATE 128098 ¶1. Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge E. Taiana sent a message of congratulations to the Secretary of State-designate. Embassy is pouching the signed original to the desk and e-mailing a scanned copy. Embassy's informal translation of the letter follows in para ¶2. -------------- Wishes for closer dialogue -------------- ¶2. The text of the December 5 letter from Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana (on office letterhead) translates as follows: Dear Senator: I am pleased to congratulate you on your recent appointment as Secretary of State of the United States of America. Your vast experience in the American political arena and at the international level will be a fundamental asset for the performance of the administration of President-elect Barack Obama, particularly taking into account the complex challenges we must face in these times. Argentina and the United States have developed intense bilateral bonds and share common values and goals in various areas. I believe we should take advantage of this new current situation, and I invite you to work together to develop a more fluid, broad, and dynamic agenda between our two countries in the bilateral, regional, and multilateral arenas. I am looking forward to greeting you personally once you have taken office and to analyzing with you the best ways to strengthen the relation between Argentina and the United States. I take this opportunity to greet you with the assurances of my highest consideration and to wish you the best success in your new position. Sincerely, Jorge E. Taiana Minister of Foreign Relations, International Trade and Worship WAYNE