Cablegate: Andean Community Secgen Appreciates Atpdea Extension

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPE #4232 3031918
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301918Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2846
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 4039
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 0766
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ OCT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS LIMA 004232

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR P, WHA/AND, WHA/EPSC, EB/TPP
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
USTR FOR BHARMAN AND MCARRILLO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD PREL OPDC PE
SUBJECT: ANDEAN COMMUNITY SECGEN APPRECIATES ATPDEA EXTENSION
EFFORTS

Andean Community Secretary-General Alfredo Fuentes (acting) sent a
letter to the Ambassador on October 27, asking him to relay to the
USG the Andean Community's thanks for President Bush's decision to
request that the U.S. Congress extend the Andean Trade Promotion and
Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA). A press release announcing this
letter is available on the Andean Community's website at http:
//www.comunidadandina.org/prensa/notas/np27-1 0-06.htm. An informal
translation of the letter follows:

Begin informal translation of letter.

"Andean Community
General Secretariat

SG-C/1.13.13/2174/2006

Lima, October 27, 2006

Excellency, Mr. Ambassador:

I have the honor to address Your Excellency to express through you
to the Government of the United States the Andean Community's great
satisfaction and gratitude for President George W. Bush's decision
to request that the U.S. Congress extend the tariff preferences
granted to the Andean countries under the ATPDEA, as announced by
Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns in
Bogota on October 24.

This decision to request a temporary extension of the preferences
contributes to strengthen the ties of cooperation and friendship
between the United States and the Member States of the Andean
Community. We hope that the Congress accepts this initiative for
the benefit of the Andean workers and businessmen involved in
exporting with preferential access.

(Complementary close).

(Signed)
Alfredo Fuentes Hernandez
Secretary General (Acting)"

SIPDIS

End text of letter.

STRUBLE

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