SAG NOTES TO SECSTATE REQUESTING SUPPORT FOR MINTY

UNCLAS PRETORIA 001072 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV SF SUBJECT: SAG NOTES TO SECSTATE REQUESTING SUPPORT FOR MINTY AT IAEA ¶1. On May 26, Post received two official letters from the former and the current Ministers of the Department of Foreign Affairs (newly renamed "Department of International Relations and Cooperation"),urging Secretary Clinton to support the candidacy of Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty for the position of Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The texts of these letters are below. ¶2. The letter from Foreign Minister Dlamini Zuma under the previous Motlanthe administration follows here. "5 May 2009 Your Excellency I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the decision by the South African Government to re-nominate Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty for the position of Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It is my firm belief that Ambassador Minty will continue to promote the critical role the agency must play in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and that he will continue to strengthen the capacity of the IAEA to implement its statutory mandate. Ambassador Minty is highly respected for his integrity and even-handedness in promoting multilateralism. We are confident that he has the necessary knowledge and experience to guide the IAEA, through a consensual approach, in finding creative solutions to deal with the challenges arising from the dynamic environment in which the Agency operates. The South African Government would highly appreciate the support of the Government of the United States of America for the candidature of Ambassador Minty during the upcoming selection process for the position of Director-General of the IAEA. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma" ¶3. The letter from the present Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite E. Nkoana-Mashabane, is below. "14 May 2009 Your Excellency My predecessor, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma wrote to you on 5 May 2009 to inform you of the decision by the South African Government to re-nominate Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty for the position of Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the importance we attach to this position and our conviction that Ambassador Minty has the necessary skills and experience to manage and guide the IAEA in fulfilling the obligations set out in the Agency's statute. I look forward to building a working relationship with you and to continue expanding the relations between our two countries. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Ms. Maite E. Nkoana-Mashabane" LA LIME