VZCZCXYZ0462
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRL #0270 0641226
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 041226Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0601
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS BERLIN 000270 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR S/ES-CR, G, EUR, AND OES 
STATE PLEASE PASS CEQ - CONNAUGHTON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG SENV TRGY PREL GM
SUBJECT: WIREC - GERMAN ENVIRONMENT MINISTER SENDS HIS 
REGRETS TO SECRETARY RICE 
 
REF: BERLIN 218 
 
 ¶1. (SBU) The Foreign Ministry transmitted a letter dated 
February 25th to Embassy Berlin from German Environment 
Minister Sigmar Gabriel addressed to Secretary Rice.  The 
original has been pouched to EUR/AGS for appropriate 
dissemination within the Department. An MFA-prepared courtesy 
translation of the letter follows below. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Begin text of courtesy translation: 
 
Dear Madam Secretary, 
 
Thank you very much for your invitation to participate in the 
Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) 
from 4 to 6 March, and for the opportunity to give an opening 
address. 
 
I would have liked to take up your invitation, but I just 
learned that I will be obliged to attend a meeting of the 
German Bundestag. I know that this is very unfortunate and 
apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Regrettably, 
such rescheduling at short notice cannot always be avoided. 
 
Parliamentary State Secretary Michael Mueller will take part 
on my behalf. 
 
I wish the conference every success. 
 
Yours Sincerely, 
Sigmar Gabriel 
 
End text. 
KOENIG