Argentina: Buenos Aires City Mayor Mauricio Macri

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000747 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OPDC KPAO PTER PBTS XF AR SUBJECT: Argentina: Buenos Aires City Mayor Mauricio Macri congratulates President Obama on Middle East Initiatives ¶1. Post received a June 22 letter from Buenos Aires City Mayor Mauricio Macri to President Obama applauding the President's efforts to promote the Middle East Peace process and pledging to do his part to promote peace between Argentina's large Jewish and Muslim communities. Macri, a businessman who made his political debut in 2003 and became the Mayor of Buenos Aires in December 2007, is a rising star in Argentine politics and a potential presidential candidate in the 2011 elections. His party, Republican Proposal (PRO),is allied with several center-right parties at the national and provincial levels, and is leading the polls in Buenos Aires City for the June 28 midterm elections. Post is forwarding to WHA/BSC the signed original of the letter, which was written in English and reads as follows: ¶2. BEGIN TEXT: Mr. Barack Obama President of the United States of America Dear Mr. President: I have the honor to write to you in order to express my deep appreciation for the words and actions you have performed during your recent trip to the Middle East and Europe, where you have shown full commitment to tackle one of the most intractable political problems of our time. In Argentina we are blessed with large Jewish and Arabic communities, particularly in Buenos Aires, which coexist in perfect harmony. Our city is home to the world's largest Jewish population per capita, and to the largest mosque in the Americas. Both Jews and Arabs are active participants in our civil and political life. Yet unfortunately, we have experienced on our own soil the hatred you seek to eradicate. In 1992, a bomb destroyed the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, and in 1994 another attack targeted the Jewish Mutual Association. We truly hope you succeed in promoting peace and, as the process moves forward, we wish to offer you all the means at our disposal to support you in this major task you have undertaken. Peace in the Middle East is a global concern, and for that reason, my party and I will do our best to ensure that Argentina is ready to play its role. Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration. Mauricio Macri Mayor Buenos Aires City. END TEXT KELLY