Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE69129
2009-07-02 20:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Secretary of State
how-toVZCZCXYZ0030 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHC #9129 1832027 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 022004Z JUL 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS IMMEDIATE 7369
UNCLAS STATE 069129
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FROM AA/S FELTMAN TO CDA CONNELLY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: APER AMGT SY
SUBJECT: THANK YOU AND FAREWELL
Maura,
As you prepare to leave Damascus, I want to take this
opportunity to thank you and the entire Mission for the
outstanding work you have done - and will continue to do - as
the U.S. continues to engage Syria with the goal of advancing
peace and ensuring stability.
From coordinating complex, multi-faceted visits to reporting
cables that set the standard for analysis, insight, and
policy prescription, Embassy Damascus continues to represent
the best of NEA and the Department. Under your leadership
Embassy Damascus superbly handled a week of visits that
included FPOTUS Carter, an eight-member CENTCOM-led
delegation, and Special Envoy Mitchell - the most senior
Executive Branch official to meet President Asad since
January 2005. I would like to specifically acknowledge the
Management and RSO teams for their tremendous efforts during
these visits. I would also like to offer my personal
appreciation for the assistance your Public Diplomacy section
provided as we prepared our public messages. This is just
another example of how Post has ensured we in Washington
recognize the importance of calibrating our statements and
messages to the Syrian public and calling attention to the
issues which generate press coverage and interest.
As you prepare to depart, I want to note the tremendous work
you and the entire Mission have done on two critical issues:
advancing the new embassy compound project and addressing
lingering issues related to the closure of the Damascus
Community School. I know you, the Management section, and
others on your team have spent countless hours on these two
critical issues. Thank you from all of us in Washington.
Finally, I just want to reiterate the value I personally and
policy-makers throughout the interagency place on Post's
reporting. Your cables are timely, relevant, and inform most
of Washington's policy discussions on Syria. I especially
appreciate that you continue to add to the "Re-engaging
Syria" series; "The SARG chooses hardball," "what is the U.S.
waiting for?" and "Patience, persistence and focus will get
us success" were especially well-written and widely read.
You have also used reporting to raise awareness about issues
that are slightly off Washington's radar, specifically Post's
recent cable on conditions at the al-Tanf refugee camp,
drought conditions in Syria and the UN's hope that the U.S.
will contribute to their appeal, and possible problems with
how democracy programming in Syria correlates with our
current policy. You and the entire team at Embassy Damascus
have done an outstanding job. We know the quality of this
reporting will continue even after you depart.
As much as I value what you have done in Damascus, I am
looking forward to welcoming you to the NEA Front Office
family. We know Embassy Damascus will continue its great
work to promote and advance U.S. interests vis--vis Syria.
Best,
Jeff
CLINTON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FROM AA/S FELTMAN TO CDA CONNELLY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: APER AMGT SY
SUBJECT: THANK YOU AND FAREWELL
Maura,
As you prepare to leave Damascus, I want to take this
opportunity to thank you and the entire Mission for the
outstanding work you have done - and will continue to do - as
the U.S. continues to engage Syria with the goal of advancing
peace and ensuring stability.
From coordinating complex, multi-faceted visits to reporting
cables that set the standard for analysis, insight, and
policy prescription, Embassy Damascus continues to represent
the best of NEA and the Department. Under your leadership
Embassy Damascus superbly handled a week of visits that
included FPOTUS Carter, an eight-member CENTCOM-led
delegation, and Special Envoy Mitchell - the most senior
Executive Branch official to meet President Asad since
January 2005. I would like to specifically acknowledge the
Management and RSO teams for their tremendous efforts during
these visits. I would also like to offer my personal
appreciation for the assistance your Public Diplomacy section
provided as we prepared our public messages. This is just
another example of how Post has ensured we in Washington
recognize the importance of calibrating our statements and
messages to the Syrian public and calling attention to the
issues which generate press coverage and interest.
As you prepare to depart, I want to note the tremendous work
you and the entire Mission have done on two critical issues:
advancing the new embassy compound project and addressing
lingering issues related to the closure of the Damascus
Community School. I know you, the Management section, and
others on your team have spent countless hours on these two
critical issues. Thank you from all of us in Washington.
Finally, I just want to reiterate the value I personally and
policy-makers throughout the interagency place on Post's
reporting. Your cables are timely, relevant, and inform most
of Washington's policy discussions on Syria. I especially
appreciate that you continue to add to the "Re-engaging
Syria" series; "The SARG chooses hardball," "what is the U.S.
waiting for?" and "Patience, persistence and focus will get
us success" were especially well-written and widely read.
You have also used reporting to raise awareness about issues
that are slightly off Washington's radar, specifically Post's
recent cable on conditions at the al-Tanf refugee camp,
drought conditions in Syria and the UN's hope that the U.S.
will contribute to their appeal, and possible problems with
how democracy programming in Syria correlates with our
current policy. You and the entire team at Embassy Damascus
have done an outstanding job. We know the quality of this
reporting will continue even after you depart.
As much as I value what you have done in Damascus, I am
looking forward to welcoming you to the NEA Front Office
family. We know Embassy Damascus will continue its great
work to promote and advance U.S. interests vis--vis Syria.
Best,
Jeff
CLINTON