PRESIDENT SARGSIAN THANKS PRESIDENT BUSH FOR

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001022 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC AM SUBJECT: PRESIDENT SARGSIAN THANKS PRESIDENT BUSH FOR EARTHQUAKE ASSISTANCE ¶1. At the December 17 annual MFA holiday reception, featured guest President Sargsian handed the Ambassador a letter addressed to President Bush thanking the United States for its assistance to Armenia in the aftermath of the 1988 Gyumri-Spitak earthquake. What follows is the unofficial translation of the letter. We will pouch the original to the desk. ¶2. BEGIN TEXT: Yerevan 8th of December, 2008 His Excellency George W. Bush President of the United States of America Your Excellency, These days Armenia is marking the 20th anniversary of Spitak's devastating earthquake on December 7, 1988. From the first hours of the earthquake, the world turned its attention to Armenia,s tragedy, proving once more that the pain is never someone else's. We recall with gratitude all those who shared our sorrow at that dire time and stood by us. On behalf of the people of Armenia and on my own behalf I would like to express, through you deep gratitude to the people and the government of the Unites States of America for the assistance rendered to Armenia following the earthquake. We are confident that humanitarian deeds are always remembered and they multiply kindness and light of the world. With deepest regards, Serzh Sargsyan END TEXT. YOVANOVITCH