TURKISH PRESIDENT, PM CONGRATULATE POTUS, VP ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006276 SIPDIS FOR EUR/SE FOR DAVID MCCORMICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SUBJECT: TURKISH PRESIDENT, PM CONGRATULATE POTUS, VP ON ELECTION VICTORY REF: A. 11/04/2004 MCFARLAND/MCCORMICK FAX ¶B. 11/04/2004 MCFARLAND/MCCORMICK E-MAIL ¶C. 11/05/2004 MCFARLAND/MCCORMICK FAX ¶1. (U) The Turkish MFA faxed us the following letters of congratulations dated November 4, 2004 from Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed to President Bush and a letter of congratulations dated November 4, 2004 from Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Vice President Cheney. ¶2. (U) Begin unofficial translation of text of Sezer letter to President Bush: His Excellency George W. Bush President of the USA Dear Mr. President, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on your re-election as the President of the United States of America. As two staunch allies, Turkey and the US have acted in close cooperation and solidarity for over half a century in protecting the common values of the community of free nations. I am fully confident that this partnership, which is significant not only in bilateral relations but also in the strengthening of the peace and security in the greater geography encompassing the Balkans, Caucuses, Middle East and Central Asia, will continue in your second term as the President of the USA, having gained new dimensions and strength. In this regard, I would like to renew our determination in the further enhancement of our bilateral relations in various fields, foremost in the fight against terrorism and the promotion of our common values and peace in the our region and the world. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to express my best wishes for your health, happiness and success, as well as the well-being and prosperity of our friends, the people of the United States of America. Sincerely, Ahmet Necdet Sezer President of the Republic of Turkey END TEXT. ¶3. (U) Begin unofficial translation of text of Erdogan letter to President Bush: His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush United States of America Mr. President, I congratulate Your Excellency on the occasion of Your (sic) reelection as the President of the United States of America. On this occasion I would like to emphasize the importance that we attach to the relations between our two countries that have a deep rooted history and common values. We always have the desire and the will to further our relations with the United States which is a friend, ally and the main partner of Turkey in regional and world affairs. Besides our bilateral relations, the fight against terrorism, transatlantic cooperation, regional stability and transformation, establishing harmony among civilizations, combating the proliferation of WMD's, the expansion of the EU and NATO and the strengthening of international institutions are issues for which we will exercise mutual effort with the USA and in which we have a common vision. I am confident that in your second term as the President of the USA, the cooperation between our two countries will continue to grow. In this regard, the close dialogue and cooperation that we are going to maintain will contribute to the enhancement of our mutual interests as well as to the global peace, stability and the dynamism of transatlantic relations. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to renew my best wishes for your personal health and happiness as well as for the continuation of the success of Your administration. Sincerely yours, Recep Tayyip Erdogan Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey END TEXT. ¶4. (U) Begin unofficial translation of text of Erdogan letter to Vice President Cheney: H.E. Dick Cheney Vice President of the USA Mr. Vice President, I would like to extend to You (sic) my sincere congratulations on the occasion of your election as the Vice President of the United States of America for a second term. In this regard, I would like to reiterate my conviction that the Turkish-American relations based on deep-rooted friendship, will develop to the benefit of our two countries and will continue to contribute to the peace and stability of our region. Turkey and the USA are two close allies sharing a common vision in the international arena. The steps that we have taken for the cooperation, will continue to contribute significantly to the development of peace, security and prosperity in Eurasia, Middle East, Balkans, Caucasus and Europe as well as the development of the transatlantic relations. I am confident that during your tenure for a second term as the Vice President, our relations with the US will develop on bilateral, regional and international matters on the basis of mutual benefit, as it did in the past. Mr. Vice President, I would like to take this opportunity to renew my best wishes for your personal health and happiness and the continued success of the Administration. Sincerely, Recep Tayyip Erdogan Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey END TEXT. EDELMAN