GREECE: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT

UNCLAS ATHENS 001526 SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O, AND EUR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ODPC PREL OVIP GR SUBJECT: GREECE: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT PAPOULIAS TO PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA REF: STATE 118942 ¶1. Greek President Karolos Papoulias has sent a congratulatory letter to President-elect Obama. We understand that the original is being delivered through the Greek Embassy in Washington. However, the President's office has provided us with a courtesy copy of the English translation, which is provided in paragraph 2 below. ¶2. BEGIN TEXT His Excellency Senator Barak Obama President-elect of the United States of America I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on your overwhelming and historic victory which brought a breath of fresh air. You are assuming the leadership of the United States at a highly critical time. International relations are replete with new tensions and challenges carrying serious risks. Global economy is going through a profound crisis as a result of mistakes made, while the need for a new environmental policy has become imperative. Our large Greek-American community in the United States appreciates your views as regards issues of Greek concern and I am confident that relations between the two countries will further strengthen and flourish during your term of office. Looking forward to meeting you, I wish you strength and every success. Karolos Papoulias END TEXT SPECKHARD