NIGERIA: PRESIDENT OBASANJO OFFERS

UNCLAS ABUJA 000266 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AFW, NSC FOR J. FRAZER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: PRESIDENT OBASANJO OFFERS CONDOLENCES OVER LOSS OF SHUTTLE COLUMBIA ¶1. The Embassy has received from President Olusegun Obasanjo a letter of condolence to President Bush over the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia. ¶2. The text of the letter of condolence follows: PRES/15 1st February 2003. His Excellency, Mr. George W. Bush, President of the United States of America White House Washington D.C., USA Dear President, CONDOLENCE MESSAGE The people and Government of Nigeria share your deep feeling of loss and sadness at the tragedy of the Columbia Shuttle. The five men and two women astronauts represent not just for America, but for the entire world, the unrelenting efforts to serve mankind through the conquest of visible and invisible frontiers. They gave, so that the world can continue to gain. Please convey to their families the deep sorrow felt by Nigerians at this tragedy which I am sure will be unraveled, and which will not stop the progress of the American Space Programme. Nigerians are with you at this hour and the Good Lord will console you and the families of the departed astronauts. Yours sorrowfully, (Signed) O Obasanjo OLUSEGUN OBASANJO ¶3. Embassy will pouch President Obasanjo's letter to AF/W for transmission to the White House. JETER