Cablegate: Letter From Secretary Powell to Fm Palacio

O 122314Z MAR 04
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY MADRID IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS STATE 056273

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PREL SP
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM SECRETARY POWELL TO FM PALACIO

1. PLEASE DELIVER FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY POWELL
TO FM PALACIO. THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT PLAN TO RELEASE
TEXT OF MESSAGE BUT HAS NO OBJECTION IF THE GOVERNMENT OF
SPAIN WISHES TO DO SO. NO SIGNED ORIGINAL WILL FOLLOW.

2. BEGIN TEXT:

DEAR ANA:

I WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE TRAGIC BOMBINGS IN
MADRID THAT KILLED MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE. ON BEHALF OF
MY COLLEAGUES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, I WISH TO EXPRESS
OUR CONDOLENCES AND HEARTFELT SYMPATHIES TO THE PEOPLE OF
SPAIN AND ESPECIALLY TO THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO LOST LOVED
ONES. WE SHARE YOUR GRIEF.

THESE DEPLORABLE, BARBARIC TERRORIST ACTS PROVE ONCE AGAIN
THAT TERRORISM MUST BE FOUGHT IN ALL ITS FORMS, WHEREVER IT

OCCURS. AS IN THE PAST, THE UNITED STATES TODAY STANDS
WITH SPAIN IN ALL ITS EFFORTS TO COMBAT TERRORISM.
TOGETHER WE WILL PERSEVERE AND MAKE THE WORLD SAFER FOR ALL
OUR CITIZENS.

I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT A TIME THIS MUST BE FOR YOU AND ALL
THE MEMBERS OF THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT. YOU HAVE A HEAVY
RESPONSIBILITY IN LEADING THE NATION IN THIS HOUR OF LOSS,
MOURNING, AND RESOLVE. PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN MY
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

SINCERELY,

COLIN L. POWELL

END TEXT.

POWELL

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