Wikileaks - DXXXVII

86768 11/22/2006 15:19 06BUCHAREST1768 Embassy Bucharest UNCLASSIFIED 06BUCHAREST1619 VZCZCXYZ0031 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBM #1768/01 3261519 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 221519Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5611 RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE UNCLAS BUCHAREST 001768

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SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/NCE AARON JENSEN; PLEASE PASS TO NSC STERLING

E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: NATO, MARR, PREL, PGOV, RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA'S INTEREST IN HOSTING 2008 NATO SUMMIT

REF: BUCHAREST 1619

1. (U) Embassy received note verbale from the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Romania's interest in hosting the 2008 NATO Summit. Below, please see the text of the note and the letter addressed to President Bush.

2. (U) Begin text of note verbale:

Nr. C1-1/1803

Bucharest, November 10, 2006

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Bucharest and has the honor to enclose hereinafter a copy of the letter addressed by H.E. Traian Basescu, President of Romania, to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, in order to convey Romania's interest in hosting the 2008 NATO Summit.

The original letter will be sent through the Embassy of Romania in Washington.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of American in Bucharest the assurances of its highest consideration.

End text of note verbale.

3. (U) Begin text of the letter:

The Honorable George W. Bush President of the United States of America The White House

Bucharest, October 2006

Dear Mr. President:

I have the great pleasure and privilege to write to you in order to reconfirm Romania's interest in hosting the 2008 NATO Summit.

We are grateful for the constant advice and support we have received from the United States since the beginning of our close consultations on this matter. I would like to recall the open and inspiring dialogue I had with you during my visit to Washington in July 2006.

I strongly believe that, as a neighbor to the Western Balkans and a strong supporter of this region's Euro-Atlantic integration, Romania would be the most suitable location, from a political and symbolic perspective, for a possible enlargement Summit with countries from this area.

At the same time, as a country bordering Eastern Europe, Romania would be a proper venue to highlight NATO's interest in cooperating with Ukraine, Georgia and the other countries in the Southern Caucasus, as well as in strengthening cooperation with Russia. Having a NATO Summit in Bucharest, following the one in Riga, would highlight the progress in advancing freedom, democracy and security "from the Baltic to the Black Sea," a goal both Romania and the United States share.

My country would also attach special attention to bringing NATO's Partnership reform to a new stage in 2008, including enhanced strategic dialogue with security providers and with the countries in the Middle East. Romania's new profile of an EU and NATO member in 2008 would also provide a meaningful context for enhancing the visibility of the NATO ) EU strategic partnership on the 2008 Summit agenda.

We remain committed to preserving Romania's status of significant contributor to NATO's operations in Afghanistan and in the Balkans, as well as to bringing a constructive contribution to the debates on NATO's transformation. We will continue to act as an Ally keen on building consensus on the advancement of the Alliance's reform and operational agenda.

It is my sincere hope that the US Administration will further endorse our endeavor to host the 2008 NATO Summit and I count on your personal support to reach this goal. I would like to assure you that Romania has the logistical capabilities and the experience needed for organizing events of such magnitude. Looking forward to continuing our dialogue in the future, I convey to you my distinguished consideration and warmest regards.

Yours Sincerely

Traian Basescu /s/ President of Romania TAUBMAN