THANK YOU MESSAGES FROM ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH

UNCLAS STATE 134463 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL LE SUBJECT: THANK YOU MESSAGES FROM ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH ¶1. (U) Please deliver the following messages from Assistant Secretary Welch to the specified Lebanese officials as soon as possible. The Department of State does not plan to release the text of these messages, but has no objection if the addressed officials wish to do so. There will no signed originals. ¶2. (U) Text of message to Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh: Dear Mr. Minister: After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. Thank you for your partnership in the bilateral initiatives we have tackled together. Lebanon has accomplished a great deal since 2005 and I am proud of the strides we have made in strengthening the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, especially with regard to the Lebanese Armed Forces. I hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in an effort to achieve our shared vision of a better world. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶3. (U) Text of message to Defense Minister Michel Murr: Dear Mr. Minister: After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. Thank you for your partnership and friendship. Lebanon has accomplished a great deal since 2005 and I am proud of the strides we have made in strengthening the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, especially with regard to the Lebanese Armed Forces. I hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in an effort to achieve our shared vision of a better world. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶4. (U) Text of message to Information Minister Tarek Mitri: Dear Mr. Minister: After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. I hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in an effort to achieve our shared vision of a better world. You have been a good friend and a proud Lebanese patriot. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶5. (U) Text of message to Finance Minister Mohammad Chatah: Dear Mr. Minister: As you know, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. Thank you for your partnership in the issues we have tackled together over the years. Lebanon has made many important strides since 2005 and I look forward to its continued progress and success in the years to come. I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in an effort to achieve our shared vision of a better world. You and I have worked together on very delicate issues. I consider you a strong and proud advocate of a free Lebanon. You will always have a friend in me. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶6. (U) Text of message to Prime Minister Fuad Siniora: Dear Mr. Prime Minister: After 31 years of diplomatic service, it is time for me to retire from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. Thank you for your leadership. Lebanon is stronger today because of you, and because of all Lebanese patriots. Lebanon has made many important strides since 2005 and I look forward to its continued progress and success in the years to come. I commend your leadership and dedication in the face of many challenges and am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in an effort to achieve our shared vision of a better world. Most of all, I will always be a friend to you and your country. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶7. (U) Text of message to President Michel Sleiman: Dear Mr. President: After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country pursuing our most pressing regional and global issues, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. Lebanon has made many important strides since 2005. I look forward to its continued progress and success in the years to come. I applaud your strong leadership and am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in an effort to achieve our shared vision of a better world. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶8. (U) Text of message to MP Walid Jumblatt: Dear Mr. Jumblatt: As you know, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. Thank you for your partnership and dedication over the years in the many issues we have tackled together. Lebanon has made many important strides since 2005 and I look forward to its continued progress and success as a sovereign, stable, democratic and independent nation. I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in the years to come. We have known each other for many years, a friendship I am certain will continue. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶9. (U) Text of message to MP Marwan Hamadeh: Dear Mr. Hamadeh: My dear friend, it has come time for me to move on. After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country and great success in pursuing our most pressing regional and global issues, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. Thank you for your partnership and dedication over the years in the many issues we have tackled together. Lebanon has made many important strides since 2005 and I look forward to its continued progress and success as a sovereign, stable, democratic and independent nation. I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in the years to come. Best wishes for every future success. I will always be your friend, and a friend to Lebanon. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶10. (U) Text of message to MP Saad Hariri: Dear Mr. Hariri: I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. Thank you for your partnership and leadership in the cause of building a strong, sovereign, democratic, and independent Lebanon. Lebanon has undergone a remarkable series of changes since the tragic events of February 14, 2005 and I am hopeful about Lebanon's future. You are a proud symbol of all Lebanon's strengths, hopes, and dreams. I look forward to watching your continued progress and success. I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in the years to come. Together we can realize your father's goals. I will always be your friend, and a friend to Lebanon. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶11. (U) Text of message to Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri: Dear Mr. Speaker: I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. I hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in an effort to achieve our shared vision of a better world. At vital times, you have put Lebanon's interests above all else. I would like to thank you for all the time we spent together, during difficult circumstances, trying to find solutions. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶12. (U) Text of message to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea: Dear Dr. Geagea: After 31 years of diplomatic service, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. Thank you for your partnership and leadership in the cause of building a strong, sovereign, democratic, and independent Lebanon. Lebanon has undergone a remarkable series of changes since 2005 and I am hopeful about Lebanon's future. I look forward to watching your continued progress and success. I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in the years to come. I will always be a friend to a free Lebanon; I will always be your friend. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶13. (U) Text of message to former President Amine Gemayel: Dear Mr. President: Long ago, I worked with you as a new President. Now, after 31 years of diplomatic service to my country, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. Thank you for your partnership and leadership in the cause of building a strong, sovereign, democratic, and independent Lebanon. You and your family have been leaders for a free Lebanon. Sadly, you have paid a price no one should have to bear. Lebanon has undergone a remarkable series of changes since 2005 and I am hopeful about Lebanon's future. I look forward to watching your continued progress and success. I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in the years to come. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch ¶14. (U) Text of message to MP Nayla Mouawad: Dear Mrs. Mouawad: After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change course and pursue other interests. Thank you for your partnership and leadership in the cause of building a strong, sovereign, democratic, and independent Lebanon. Lebanon has undergone a remarkable series of changes since 2005 and I am hopeful about Lebanon's future. I look forward to watching your continued progress and success. I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in the years to come. Best wishes for every future success. Sincerely, ¶C. David Welch RICE