VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSV #0392 2672210
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 242210Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY SUVA
TO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3308
INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0043
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI

UNCLAS SUVA 000392 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR PREL FJ
SUBJECT: SECRETARY RUMSFELD LETTER TO MINISTER VOSANIBOLA 
 
REF: SECDEF 201339Z SEP 06 
 
¶1.  (U)  The Ambassador passed reftel letter to Minister of 
Home Affairs Vosanibola September 22.  The Minister said he 
deeply appreciated the condolences expressed by Secretary 
Rumsfeld for the loss of Fiji's USCentcom Deputy Senior 
Representative, Warrant Officer Nete Naiduka, as well as for 
the recent deaths of Private Akesa Draiva in Afghanistan and 
Gunner Samuela Vanua in Iraq. 
 
¶2.  (U)  The text of the letter was reprinted in the Fiji 
Times on September 23 under the headline, "U.S. says 'thank 
you' to Fiji."  The article said the letter showed the U.S. 
government's "appreciation of the role Fiji's men and women 
played in the fight against terrorism."  Minister Vosanibola 
told the Times that the Secretary's message was confirmation 
of "Fiji's status as a global power in peacekeeping." 
Vosanibola went on to say the high regard the international 
community has for Fiji's peacekeeping capabilities is 
reflected in the deployment of Fiji soldiers in the UN 
Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). 
 
¶3.  (U)  Vosanibola left Fiji September 23 for a visit to New 
York, the Sinai, Sudan and Iraq.  In New York, he and RFMF 
Commander Bainimarama will be meeting with UN officials to 
discuss UNAMI and other issues.  The Minister will be 
reviewing Fiji peacekeeping operations in his visits to the 
Sinai, Sudan and Iraq. 
DINGER