MESSAGE FROM TURKMEN PRESIDENT TO PRESIDENT BUSH

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001482 DEPARTMENT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O, AND SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL TX SUBJECT: MESSAGE FROM TURKMEN PRESIDENT TO PRESIDENT BUSH ¶1. (U) Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov has sent a letter to President Bush. Post will forward the original via diplomatic pouch and fax. An informal translation in English is provided in paragraph 2 below. ¶2. (U) BEGIN TEXT Ashgabat, November 10, 2008 His Excellency President of the United States of America Mr. George W. Bush Your Excellency, Dear Mr. President, Thank you for your letter, where high appraisal is given of the level of development of bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and the United States of America is given. I recall warmly our meetings during the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly in New-York and the NATO Summit in Bucharest and your sincere interest in strengthening friendship ties and cooperation between our two states and nations. Fully supporting your ideas and wishes, I would like to highlight that Turkmenistan highly appreciates its relations with the United States in the sphere of politics, trade and economics, social and cultural, humanitarian issues and in other areas. We intend to continue efforts for their strengthening, and welcome the activation of the dialogue with the United States of America. Characteristically, Turkmen-American meetings at different levels are constructive and show a high level of understanding, trust and openness, which demonstrate the determination of Turkmenistan and the United States to further rapprochement of mutual interests. We appreciate your high appraisal of Turkmenistan's efforts in promotion of stability and economic prosperity in Afghanistan, provision of humanitarian assistance and electricity and the transit of humanitarian cargoes on their way to Afghanistan. Taking this opportunity, I would like to underline once again that the USA is an important partner of Turkmenistan, which is proved by the developing interaction between two states in different spheres. It is my hope that fruitful cooperation between Turkmenistan and the United States of America would successfully continue for the sake of the ideals of democracy, peace, freedom and justice which are the basis for security, stable development and the prosperity of humanity. I wish you, dear President, good health and success in your work, and to the people of the United States of America prosperity and well-being. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov President of Turkmenistan Ashgabat, Presidential palace November 8, 2008 END TEXT CURRAN