O 121129Z SEP 01
FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7088
INFO SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
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.