US embassy cable - 05PRETORIA2923

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 002923 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED 
 
DEPT FOR NP/NE/AKRASS, AF/S 
ENERGY FOR NE-2.4, NNSA/NA-243/MMANNING, NA-241, 
NA-21/ABIENIAWSKI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KNNP, ENRG, TRGY, OPDC 
SUBJECT: SECRETARY RICE'S LETTER TO MINISTERS OF FOREIGN 
AFFAIRS AND MINERALS AND ENERGY 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 92684 
 
     B. PRETORIA 1974 
 
1. (SBU) Embassy is in receipt of a letter from Deputy 
Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad, on behalf of Minister 
of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, replying to 
Secretary Rice's letter of May 19 (refs A and B).  Pahad's 
 
SIPDIS 
letter is dated July 11, but was not delivered to us until 
recently.  We have not yet received a signed original.  The 
letter reads as follows. 
 
Begin text. 
 
Dear Dr. Rice 
 
CREATION OF A JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON NUCLEAR ENRERGY 
CO-OPERATION 
 
I would like to express appreciation for your letter 
proposing the creation of a Joint Standing Committee on 
Nuclear Energy Co-operation (JSCNEC), as well as the support 
for the furtherance of the proposed nuclear research and 
development agreements. 
 
I furthermore wish to convey my Department's high regard and 
value placed on our existing co-operation in areas of mutual 
interest. 
 
The content of your letter has been shared with the Minister 
of Minerals and Energy, Ms. Hendricks and we shall be in 
contact with you once the matter is finalised. 
 
With kind regards, 
 
signed  / A Pahad / 
(Mr. AGH Pahad: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs) 
 
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma 
 
Dr. Condoleezza Rice 
Secretary of State 
 
SIPDIS 
C/o Jendayi Frazer 
Ambassador 
Embassy of the United States of America 
Pretoria 0001 
 
End text. 
 
2. (SBU) Embassy is also in possession of a copy of the 
letter from Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad, on 
behalf of Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, 
to Minister of Minerals and Energy Lindiwe Hendricks 
referring to Secretary Rice's letter of May 19, That letter 
reads as follows: 
 
Begin text. 
 
Dear Colleague 
 
CREATION OF A JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON NUCLEAR ENRERGY 
CO-OPERATION 
 
I would like to refer to a letter you received from my 
counterpart, the United States of America Secretary of State, 
Condoleezza Rice, on 23 May 2005, regarding the proposed 
creation of a Joint Standing Committee on Nuclear Energy 
Co-operation (JSCNEC) and the furtherance of the pending 
research and development co-operation agreements provided by 
the United States and submitted through a Diplomatic Note. 
 
Your Department indicated that the former Minister of 
Minerals and Energy had requested a letter to this effect 
from the United States Energy Secretary, to facilitate the 
establishment of such a committtee.  As is customary under 
diplomatic protocol in the United States, the letter was sent 
by the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, and a similar 
letter copied to me. 
 
I am keenly awaiting your guidance with regard to your 
interest in the establishment of a Joint Committeee and the 
conclusion of the two proposed agreements, as well as your 
direction pertaining to the manner in which my Department can 
be of assistance. 
 
With kind regards 
 
signed / A Pahad / 
 
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma 
 
Ms. BL Hendricks 
Minister of Minerals and Energy 
Private Bag X646 
Pretoria 0001 
 
End text. 
 
3. (SBU) Embassy has contacted the Department of Minerals and 
Energy regarding Minister Hendricks' response, but has 
nothing to report at this time. 
HARTLEY