MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM KING HAMAD BIN ISA

UNCLAS MANAMA 001663 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL BA SUBJECT: MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM KING HAMAD BIN ISA BIN SALMAN AL KHALIFA REF: WHITE HOUSE 040051Z NOV 05 ¶1. Please pass the following message from His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa to President Bush at the earliest opportunity. Signed original to follow. ¶2. Begin text. Dear Mr. Bush: Thank you for your letter of 4 November, 2005 and for your decision to delegate Secretary of State Rice as your envoy to discuss issues relating to the combating of terrorism and extremism, both in the Middle East and worldwide. Our discussions with Secretary Rice, on the sidelines of the Forum for the Future meeting in Bahrain, were extremely productive and informative, and undoubtedly have helped to develop further the cooperation and understanding between our two countries on this vital issue. Bahrain looks forward to building upon its historic ties of friendship and trust with the United States, in order to agree common strategies to overcome the urgent global challenges of extremism and terrorism. In this regard, we greatly welcome your continued close personal involvement in the Middle East, and your efforts to achieve peace and promote freedom, understanding, and comprehensive development throughout the region. We will continue to work with the United States to promote and achieve these goals, which will benefit the countries and peoples of the region, as well as the international community as whole. In thanking you once again for your letter, and in renewing the appreciation for our meeting with, Secretary Rice, may I also extend my personal best wishes to you, Mr. President, to your family, and for further progress and prosperity to the friendly American people. Hamad Bin Isa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa King of Bahrain His Excellency The Hon George W. Bush President of the United States of America Washington, DC End of text. MONROE