LETTER FROM ITALIAN PRESIDENT CIAMPI TO PRESIDENT

UNCLAS ROME 000819

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PREL IT US IRAQI FREEDOM
SUBJECT: LETTER FROM ITALIAN PRESIDENT CIAMPI TO PRESIDENT
BUSH


1. Please deliver following message from President Ciampi to
President Bush.


2. Begin Text.

Mr. President, Dear George,

I appreciate the sincerity of the words of solidarity you
have addressed to me after the tragic accident in Iraq which
caused the death of Nicola Calipari and the wounding of
Giuliana Sgrena and the other Italian official accompanying
them.

I also took note of you assurances that the U.S. will conduct
a complete joint investigation between our two Countries so
that the facts concerning this tragedy can be clearly
ascertained. This need for transparency and rapidity, of
which you are a sensitive and authoritative interpreter, is
deeply felt by the Italian people.

Your letter is of great comfort to me also because I am
certain that the friendship between our two Countries is
solid and that it will remain essential to face the complex
challenges that Americans and Europeans have to face with
shared goals.

With cordial regards,

Carlo Azeglio Ciampi

End text.

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2005ROME00819 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED