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 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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