PM HARPER CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA

UNCLAS OTTAWA 001414 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV CA SUBJECT: PM HARPER CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA ¶1. (U) In a statement on November 4, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama and all incoming Members of Congress and Governors. He pledged to continue to cooperate to "strengthen the special bond" between our two nations. (Full text in para 3.) ¶2. (SBU) Comment: The bilateral relationship with the U.S. remains of paramount importance to Canada, and PM Harper and members of his Cabinet will be keen quickly to establish productive working relationships with the Obama administration. Many Canadians also strongly hope that, given the importance of these ties, Canada will be the first destination of the new President in 2009, or that Prime Minister Harper will receive one of the first invitations to meet the next President. End Comment. ¶3. (U) Begin text Statement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America 4 November 2008 Ottawa, Ontario On behalf of the Government and the people of Canada, I want to congratulate Senator Barack Obama for his victory in tonight's United States Presidential Election. I look forward to meeting with the President-elect so that we can continue to strengthen the special bond that exists between Canada and the United States. In the weeks and months ahead Canadian officials and diplomats will be working closely with members of President-elect Obama's transition team. Ministers in our government look forward to building a strong working relationship with their counterparts in a new Obama cabinet. I would also like to congratulate all incoming Members of Congress and Governors. Given the challenges facing the world economy, it is vital that Canadian and American legislators continue to work together on the important issues facing families on both sides of the border. End Text Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada WILKINS