UNCLAS GABORONE 003103

DEPT FOR AF/S - PLEASE PASS TO WHITE HOUSE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PREL BC
SUBJECT: CONDOLENCE MESSAGE FROM BOTSWANA PRESIDENT
MOGAE

THE EMBASSY RECEIVED VIA DIPLOMATIC NOTE NUMBER 53/01
DATED 12 SEPTEMBER 2001 THE FOLLOWING TEXT OF A
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT FESTUS G. MOGAE TO PRESIDENT
GEORGE W. BUSH.


QUOTE:

YOUR EXCELLENCY,

IT WAS WITH GREAT SHOCK AND SADNESS THAT I LEARNED OF
THE HORRIFIC TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE TWIN WORLD
TRADE CENTER TOWERS AND THE PENTAGON ON TUESDAY 11TH
SEPTEMBER 2001, RESULTING IN THE TRAGIC DEMISE OF
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND UNWARRANTED DESTRUCTION OF
PROPERTY.

ACTS OF TERRORISM SUCH AS THESE UNDERMINE THE
TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF MODERN STATE SYSTEMS. IT IS
THEREFORE NECESSARY THAT THE WORLD COMMUNITY STAND
TOGETHER IN TIMES LIKE THESE TO FIGHT THIS TERRIBLE
SCOURGE.

ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF BOTSWANA,
AND INDEED ON MY OWN BEHALF, I WOULD LIKE TO CONVEY
TO YOU AND THROUGH YOU TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MY SYMPATHY AND
HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES IN THESE TRYING TIMES.

MAY THE SOULS OF THE DECEASED REST IN PEACE.

ACCEPT, YOUR EXCELLENCY, THE ASSURANCES OF MY HIGHEST
CONSIDERATION AND ESTEEM.

UNQUOTE.

LANGE