Letter from Ecuador's President Correa Regarding the U.S. -

UNCLAS QUITO 001206 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL EC SUBJECT: Letter from Ecuador's President Correa Regarding the U.S. - Colombia Defense Cooperation Agreement REF: STATE 121858 ¶1. The Embassy received under cover of a diplomatic note a letter from President Rafael Correa, responding to the Secretary's letter dated November 25, 2009, regarding the U.S. - Colombia Defense Cooperation Agreement. The text of the letter follows, and the original will be sent by pouch to WHA/AND. (Begin text) Quito, December 4, 2009 Mrs. Hillary Clinton Secretary of State of the United States of America Mrs. Secretary, I am thankful for the contents of your November 25 letter regarding the Cooperation Agreement on Defense between the United States of America and Colombia, and the reassurances that it will be implemented in accordance with international law and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries. In this regard, I am sending you the text of the Resolution approved on November 27 by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and the Ministers of Defense of the Union of South American Nations - UNASUR- about Trust and Security Actions. At that time, the decision of the UNASUR Chief of States and Government to strengthen South America as a peace zone was ratified. Additionally, by confirming that UNASUR is the appropriate forum, we extend an invitation to the Government of the United States of America to maintain a dialogue with the purpose of addressing topics of vital importance to the region, on a date and in a place to be agreed upon via diplomatic channels, through the Pro Tempore Presidency exercised by Ecuador. Sincerely, (Signed) Rafael Correa Delgado President of the Republic of Ecuador Pro Tempore President of the Union of South American Nations (End text) HODGES