TRANSMITTAL OF INDEPENDENCE DAY LETTER FROM PRIME

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002044 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SUBJECT: TRANSMITTAL OF INDEPENDENCE DAY LETTER FROM PRIME MINISTER AL-MALIKI TO PRESIDENT BUSH ¶1. (U) Post received a letter addressed to the President from Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (PM) dated July 1, ¶2008. Scanned copies of the original document and the translation to English have been emailed to the NSC and NEA/I. The following is Post's translation of the Arabic text into English. ¶2. (U) Begin text: Republic of Iraq Nouri Kamil al Maliki Prime Minister To: His Excellency President George W. Bush President of the United States of America Mr. President, Warmest Greetings, It is my great pleasure to send to you and to our friends, the American people, our most sincere congratulations on the occasion of Independence Day, July 4th, 2008. I take this opportunity to express again our deepest appreciation for the very distinguished role that you have assumed to support the people and the Government of Iraq to achieve security and stability and to establish strong pillars of Democracy and Freedom in the new Iraq. We would like to also wholeheartedly emphasize at the same time our great determination to continue our joint constructive cooperation in all areas and in a manner that serves the interest of our two friendship-bound countries. Our sincere wishes to you and to your family for good health and well-being and to the American people for continued progress and prosperity. Please accept my most sincere expressions of respect. Nouri Kamil Al Maliki Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq End Text CROCKER