VZCZCXRO4480
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHOR #1130 3590957
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240957Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE
TO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5457

UNCLAS GABORONE 001130 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL OPDC AF BC
SUBJECT: KHAMA RESPONDS TO SECRETARY'S THANK YOU ON ZIMBABWE 
 
REF: STATE 132215 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY: President Khama has sent a response to Secretary 
Rice's letter of thanks regarding the GOB's leadership 
concerning the Zimbabwe crisis. 
 
¶2.    On December 24, Embassy Gaborone received a letter 
under cover of GOB Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 
International Cooperation Diplomatic Note for Secretary Rice 
from Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, President of 
the Republic of Botswana.  The letter was in response to 
Secretary Rice's December 17 letter of thanks to President 
Khama regarding the work Botswana is doing in relation to the 
Zimbabwe crisis (reftel). 
 
¶3. Begin text of Diplomatic note: 
 
Note No: 65/2008 EA 6/16 XXX (123) C2 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 
of the Republic of Botswana presents its compliments to the 
Embassy of the United States of America and has the honor to 
forward herewith a letter dated 23rd December 2008 from His 
Excellency Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, 
President of the Republic of Botswana addressed to Her 
Excellency Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, U.S. 
State Department. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 
of the Republic of Botswana avails itself of this opportunity 
to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the 
assurances of its highest consideration. 
 
End Text of Diplomatic Note 
 
¶4.    Begin Text of Letter to Secretary Rice: 
 
PPO 8/12 VI (78) 
 
23rd December 2008 
 
H.E. Dr Condoleezza Rice 
Secretary of State 
U.S. State Department 
 
Dear Madame Secretary, 
 
I acknowledge with appreciation, receipt of your letter, 
regarding the political and humanitarian crises in Zimbabwe 
and Botswana's support for the rights of the Zimbabwe people. 
 
The political and humanitarian crises in Zimbabwe is a 
serious threat, not only to the Republic of Botswana, but 
also to the stability of the entire Southern Africa region. 
Botswana remains committed to working with SADC, the 
international community and the United States in particular, 
to finding a lasting solution to the crises in Zimbabwe. 
 
It is important that the United States continue to play a 
constructive role in an overall effort to bring about the 
restoration of peace and stability to the Republic of 
Zimbabwe. 
 
Please accept, Madame Secretary, the assurances of my highest 
consideration. 
 
Yours sincerely, 
 
Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama 
President of the Republic of Botswana 
 
End Text of Letter 
 
¶5.    The Embassy has sent the original letter, via 
Diplomatic Pouch to Elizabeth Pelletreau, AF/S Botswana Desk 
Officer. 
NOLAN