1. (U) The following message was faxed to U.S. Embassy on
January 2 from President Ismail Omar Guelleh to President
Bush. The original letter will be pouched to the Desk upon
receipt.



2. Begin text:

Excellency, as the year approaches, I extend on behalf of the
Government and People of Djibouti, and indeed on my own
behalf, sincere best wishes of peace, progress and prosperity
to your Excellency and the people of your great nation.

It is my fervent hope that the year 2005 will witness further
strengthening of the existing cordial and mutually beneficial
relations between our two countries in a spirit of
cooperation, goodwill and friendship.

Please accept, your Excellency, the renewed assurances of my
highest consideration and fraternal esteem.

(signed) Ismail Omar Guelleh
President of the Republic of Djibouti
End text.
RAGSDALE