MALDIVES: EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY FOR U.S. TORNADO

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000479 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MV SUBJECT: MALDIVES: EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY FOR U.S. TORNADO DAMAGE ¶1. Post received a fax of the following message dated May 12, 2008, addressed to His Excellency Mr. George W. Bush, President of the United States, via Diplomatic Note (D2)EA-US/B-2008/17 dated May 13, 2008. The original text will be forwarded to S/ES-CR when received. ¶2. BEGIN TEXT: Your Excellency, The Government and the people of the Maldives and I are deeply grieved to learn about the loss of lives and extensive damage to homes and property caused by tornadoes and severe storms across central parts of the United States of America. At this time of national distress, the Government and the people of the Maldives and I express our profound sympathy to you, the Government, the people of the United States of America, and to those who are being directly affected by the tornadoes and storms. Please also convey our sincere condolences to the members of the bereaved families. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom President of the Republic of Maldives END TEXT BLAKE