AU SUMMIT: THANKS FOR OUTSTANDING VISIT SUPPORT

UNCLAS STATE 016772 SIPDIS USAU FOR AMBASSADOR BATTLE ADDIS ABABA FOR AMBASSADOR YATES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT APER XA SUBJECT: AU SUMMIT: THANKS FOR OUTSTANDING VISIT SUPPORT Dear Ambassadors Battle and Yates, Thank you for the outstanding support that you and your teams provided to the U.S. delegation during the African Union summit from Janurary 29-February 2. In our short time in Addis Ababa, we accomplished a lot - more than 20 meetings with African leaders. Besides the number of meetings, however, I know that we made progress on some of Africa's biggest challenges. Addis Ababa is unique in the Bureau of African Affairs, because it is our only capital with two co-equal ambassadors and diplomatic missions. I was proud to see both of your missions work so closely together in furtherance of our foreign policy goals in Africa. The size and rank of our delegation was a challenge, given that it numbered almost a half dozen senior U.S. Government officials. However, I believe that you met the challenge with gusto. I know that the summit required the support of dozens of people from your missions - control officers, notetakers, control room staff, drivers, expeditors, and others. Please make sure that they all receive my personal thanks. I look forward to returning to Addis Ababa next January for another very successful summit. Sincerely, Johnnie Carson Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs CLINTON