CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK

UNCLAS SOFIA 000732 SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O AND EUR/CE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL OVIP BU SUBJECT: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA FROM DR. SOLOMON PASSY, MEMBER OF BULGARIAN PARLIAMENT REF: STATE 118192 ¶1. Dr. Solomon Passy, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bulgarian Parliament, sent a congratulatory letter to President-elect Barack Obama. The signed original will be sent via diplomatic pouch. ¶2. Begin text: Dear Mr. President-elect: Please accept my warmest congratulations on the occasion of your impressive election as the 44th President of the USA. During this campaign you accumulated enormous domestic, international and financial support. This is clear proof that new and brave solutions are expected in the world affairs -- for a stronger America, with a stronger Europe in a much stronger trans-Atlantic community, leading the world to better (sic). In this process of expected global reforms, I am sure, our part of the world - the Balkans and the Black Sea / Caucasus region may offer a valuable input and Bulgaria is prepared to do so. I hope that you will continue the tradition set up by your predecessors to visit Bulgaria, as a sign of strong friendship as well as mutual military, economic and political support with both, Bulgaria and the EU. Therefore we look forward to welcome you in Bulgaria at some early stage of your first Presidential mandate. I wish you every success in your future noble endeavours, for the prosperity of your country and the world. Sincerely yours, Dr. Solomon Passy MP Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee of Bulgarian Parliament Chairman, US Caucus in Bulgarian Parliament Honorary President, The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001-2005) End text. McEldowney