KOSOVO: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES TO PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000563 DEPT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O, EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KV SUBJECT: KOSOVO: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES TO PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA FROM DR. FATMIR SEJDIU, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO AND MR. HASHIM THACI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO REF: STATE 118192 ¶1. (U) On November 5, 2008, U.S. Embassy Pristina received the following congratulatory letters from President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci to President-elect Obama. ¶2. (U) Letter from President Fatmir Sejdiu to President-elect Obama dated November 5, 2008. //BEGIN LETTER TEXT// The Honorable Barack Obama The President-elect Washington Dear Senator Obama: On behalf of the people and the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, I congratulate you and the people of the United States of America on your electoral victory and selection as the 44th President of the United States of America. The citizens of the newest country in the world, the Republic of Kosovo, join Your Excellency with great respect and admiration in celebrating this momentous victory. For the people of the Republic of Kosovo, your victory represents yet another sign that the United States is a leader of the free world and a symbol of democracy. The United States of America has always led the global efforts for freedom, peace, and stability, including the establishment of peace in the Balkans. Now with Your Excellency at its helm, we are confident that the United States of America will continue to stay at the forefront of the struggle for protection of those values. The birth of our own country was a result of the long struggle of the people of Kosovo for freedom and independence and the unprecedented support of the United States of America. Indeed, your country's contribution has changed the fate of our nation by extracting its people from certain extermination and giving them hope for a bright future. Appreciating the priceless contribution the United States has made for the people of the Republic of Kosovo, we look forward to strengthening the special bond between our two countries in the future. Further, we are confident that under your administration, the United States of America will continue its strong support for the Republic of Kosovo's development and achievement of our goal of Euro-Atlantic integration. Please accept, Your Excellency, my heartfelt congratulations for your victory and the assurances of my highest esteem and consideration. Sincerely, Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu President of the Republic of Kosovo // END LETTER TEXT // ¶3. (U) Letter from Prime Minister Hashim Thaci to President-elect Obama dated November 5, 2008. //BEGIN LETTER TEXT// The Honorable Barack Obama The President-elect Washington Dear Senator Obama: On behalf of the Government of Kosovo, I am honored to offer my sincerest congratulations on your election as the next President of the United States of America. History is being made as America has elected its 44th President and leader of the democratic and free world. The electoral campaign was a noble effort and it represented the best of American democracy and active citizenry. We greatly appreciate Kosovo's mention and our place in the campaign, and are privileged at the willingness of further support for our new country. The Republic of Kosovo is a great friend and ally of the United States of America. We appreciate and value the strong support that the United States has given the people of Kosovo on their path towards an independent and democratic state. February 17, 2008 represented change for Kosovo as it was the end of our long struggle for liberty and freedom. Kosovo is developing politically, economically, and socially towards our overarching goal, Euro-Atlantic integration. Kosovo's place is in Europe, as a member of the European Union and as well, a member of NATO. The United States of America has done a great deal for the peace and democracy in Kosovo and the region. In turn, Kosovo realizes this U.S. commitment and realizes its own commitment towards the sustainable future for a democratic state and a multi-ethnic society, with a modern constitution guaranteeing liberty and equality for all of its citizens. Mr. President-elect, as you work for the good of America and the world, Kosovo should always be looked at as an ally in realizing the goals of peace and democracy for all. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, let me once again express our commitment and support towards your future endeavors as President of the United States of America. Respectfully, Hashim Thaci Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo // END LETTER TEXT // ¶4. (U) As instructed in reftel, original copies of the letters will be sent to the Department via diplomatic pouch. KAIDANOW