LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS FROM PRESIDENT COMPAORE TO

UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 001005 DEPT FOR S/ES-CR NATALIE CHAGON; S/ES-O; and AF/W SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL OVIP UV SUBJECT: LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS FROM PRESIDENT COMPAORE TO PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA REF: STATE 118192 ¶1. On November 5th, Post received a copy of the letter from Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore congratulating President-elect Barack Obama on his election. The Presidency sent the original letter to the Burkina Faso Embassy in Washington, D.C. prior to Post's receipt of reftel cable. Post sent a scanned copy of the letter to AF/W on November 5th. ¶2. Informal translation of the letter follows: His Excellency Mr. Barack Obama President-Elect of United States of AMERICA Washington D.C. Dear Mr. President, Your brilliant election to the White House as the 44th President of United States of AMERICA gives me the opportunity to address to you, on behalf of the Burkinabe Government and myself, my very sincere and warm congratulations. The messages of change that you expressed to the American people throughout the electoral campaign and the day after your election go beyond the borders of your country. They also touch those who aspire to a better, fairer, and more prosperous world. Burkina Faso, which has a great love of peace, justice, and liberty, has always worked in favor of such change, and sees in your accession to the supreme office of United States of AMERICA the hope of a new world. I would like to assure you of my availability to work closely with you to reinforce the ties of friendship that unite our two countries and to find sustainable solutions to the multiple crises that face the world. I wish you, Excellency, success in your new position, and extend my highest consideration. Very sincerely, Blaise Compaore President of Burkina Faso JACKSON