LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM FORMER PRIME

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000226 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OFDP TH SUBJECT: LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM FORMER PRIME MINISTER THAKSIN SHINAWATRA ¶1. Post received the following letter from former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on January 10, 2007. Post does not intent to forward the signed original. ¶2. TEXT OF LETTER: December 22, 2006 President George W. Bush The White House Washington, DC Mr. President, I am writing you in the spirit of friendship and solidarity. As I look back on my tenure in government, I have many wonderful memories of the warm and friendly cooperation you extended to me when I had the honor to serve as the Prime Minister of Thailand. Accordingly, I want to express my deep gratitude for the support you gave me during my tenure. I also want to underscore my strong admiration for your contribution to he international community and for your efforts to strengthen relations between the United States of America and Thailand. I feel your work made a significant contribution to he security and future prosperity of both our countries. Together we have made huge strides in growing the economies of our nations, providing employment for our peoples, safeguarding regional security, fostering openness, and establishing the atmosphere in which the democratic process in Asia will more readily mature. Although my tenure as the prime minister has come to an end, I personally continue to believe that democracy is the best system of government, because it demands the leadership of the country to be sensitive to the people aspiration. Looking ahead, I hope you will continue the friendly and cooperative ties to Thailand that you have extended to me during my government service. I deeply believe that sustaining and enhancing the cooperation between Thailand and the United States of America continues to serve the greater good of all of our peoples and the world at large. With my best regards, //Signed// Thaksin Shinawatra, Ph.D. 472 Charansanitwong 69 Bang Plat, Bangkok 10700 Thailand END TEXT. BOYCE