BOSNIA - LETTER FOR THE SECRETARY FROM FOREIGN

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000365 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR(JONES),EUR/SCE(FOOKS/MCGUIRE); NSC FOR HELGERSON/WILSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA - LETTER FOR THE SECRETARY FROM FOREIGN MINISTER ALKALAJ ¶1. (U) On March 23, the Bosnian Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered to the Embassy a latter from Foreign Minister Alkalaj to the Secretary. Alkalaj's letter is a reply to the Secre tary's March 18 correspondence, and the text is contained in paragraph two below. A scan of the signed letter was sent to EUR/SCE(Fooks). ¶2. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT: Dear Madame Secretary, I have a pleasure (sic) to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 18 March 2009, and to thank you for affirming, amongst other (sic),that the United States remains committed to seeing Bosnia and Herzegovina achieve a future with Europe and the transatlantic community. I have transmitted (sic) to the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, I personally shared your message with His Excellency Dr. Haris Silajdzic, Member of the Presidency of Bosnia, as well as you position on the constitutional amendment on the Brcko District as expressed in the letter, and I am pleased to convey that we will do our best to see that this issue is finalized in our parliament. I wish to thank you for expressing the desire to work with those in Bosnia and Herzegovina who are prepared to work across ethnic lines to reach constructive compromise in order to accelerate Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress on its path to full European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Indeed, the reform processes, ultimately leading to Bosnia and Herzegovina's full-fledged NATO and EU membership, are of a crucial importance for stability and prosperity of both Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the region. I would like to assure you that we are eager to invest all our efforts, joining them with those of the United States, in order to see these reforms through as we stand ready for an in-depth dialogue in this regard. Allow me to express hope that the United States and you personally will remain equally engaged in processes of resolving remaining issues that are of priority for Bosnian and Herzegovina's progress on its path towards the Euro-Atlantic integrations thus strengthening the state compentences (sic) and capacities, enabling it to become an active member of the European and Euro-Atlantic community. Therefore, I am deeply convinced that with such a resolve we will make Bosnia and Herzegovina success (sic) story of the international community and complete the job started in 1995 in Dayton, Ohio, USA. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Sven Alkalaj END TEXT ENGLISH