CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000886 DEPARTMENT FOR S/ES-CR, AND S/ES O E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL OVIP CY SUBJECT: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA FROM REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS PRESIDENT DEMETRIS CHRISTOFIAS REF: STATE 118192 ¶1. ROC President Demetris Christofias on November 7 issued a congratulatory message to U.S.President-elect Barack Obama, the text of which appears in Paragraph 2. ¶2. "On behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, I would like to express my most heartfelt congratulations on your historic election as President of the United States of America. The people of Cyprus, and the world as a whole, have followed with great interest the US election campaign. Your landmark victory comes at a time of many challenges that the international community is called upon to face and act on. Whether it be the financial crisis, poverty, social injustice, securing international peace and security, combating international terrorism, the environment and the energy crisis, all of these require international dialogue, engagement and cooperation. Your election and your clarion call for change have created great expectations not only to the people of America, but to the whole humanity. It is for that reason that humanity expects the US to be a key partner in its collective effort to face the challenges that lie before us by upholding the principles of international law and respecting the Charter of the United Nations. Our two countries and people share common values and principles -- values that you have consistently echoed: Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, the rule of law. It is these values and principles that the people of Cyprus yearn to enjoy through a reunified island without occupation forces, and it is this goal and objective that I am committed to achieve. I am appreciative and encouraged by the principled position that both you and Vice President-elect Joseph Biden have taken in support of a just and lasting solution of the Cyprus Problem, based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation and the withdrawal of the occupation forces, and the clear recognition that a solution will not only end the division of the island and its people, but will pave the way for peace and prosperity throughout the region. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the relations between our two countries, both bilaterally as well as within the transatlantic partnership and on issues of wider international concern. Please accept my sincere congratulations and best wishes for every success as you prepare to assume the higher office of President of the United States of America." Urbancic