JULY 4 MESSAGE FROM VICE PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN

UNCLAS PANAMA 001446

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR S/CPR AND WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ODIP OPDC PM POL SPECIALIST
SUBJECT: JULY 4 MESSAGE FROM VICE PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN
MINISTER TO SECRETARY RICE



1. ON MONDAY, JULY 4, EMBASSY PANAMA RECEIVED ORIGINAL NOTE
DGPCE NO. 795/2005 TRANSMITTING A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
FROM VICE PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER SAMUEL LEWIS
NAVARRO TO SECRETARY CONDOLEEZZA RICE ON A NEW CELEBRATION
OF THE U.S. INDEPENDENCE DAY.

EMBASSY TRANSLATION OF TEXT FOLLOWS:

BEGIN TEXT.

ON THE HAPPY OCCASION OF CELEBRATING TODAY THE CCXXIX
ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA, I AM PLEASED TO SEND TO YOUR EXCELLENCY MY MOST
CORDIAL AND SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS ON BEHALF OF THIS
MINISTRY AND MYSELF, WISHING FOR YOUR HEALTH AND THE
CONTINUOUS PROSPERITY AND WELFARE OF THE STRONG PEOPLE OF
THE UNITED STATES.

I TAKE THIS OCCASION TO SINCERELY THANK YOU FOR YOUR
KINDNESS DURING OUR LAST VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA, AND ALSO, TO EXPRESS THE INTEREST THAT MOTIVATES ME
TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOUR EXCELLENCY TO CONSOLIDATE EVEN
MORE, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, THE TIES OF EXCELLENT RELATIONS,
ENVIABLE FRIENDSHIP AND OF GOOD NEIGHBORS THAT HAVE
HISTORICALLY EXISTED BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES AND THAT WILL
SOON CULMINATE WITH A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT FOR THE BENEFIT
OF BOTH NATIONS.

I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REITERATE TO YOUR EXCELLENCY THE
ASSURANCES OF MY HIGHEST CONSIDERATION.

SAMUEL LEWIS NAVARRO
VICE PRESIDENT AND FOREIGN MINISTER
OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

END TEXT.


2. EMBASSY WILL POUCH SIGNED ORIGINAL.

WATT