OFFICIAL CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER SANADER

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000779 DEPT FOR S/ES-CR and S/ES-O; EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL OVIP SUBJECT: OFFICIAL CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER SANADER TO THE PRESIDENT-ELECT REFTEL: STATE 118192 Embassy Zagreb received the following congratulatory message by fax from the Government of the Republic of Croatia, Prime Minister's office dated November 5, 2008, addressed to The Honorable Barack Obama, President-Elect of the United States of America. Per reftel, the hard copy will be forwarded via diplomatic pouch. BEGIN TEXT OF LETTER Zagreb, November 5, 2008 Dear President Elect, On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and myself personally, please accept our heartfelt congratulations on your overwhelming victory as the next President of the United States of America. The sincere and dedicated manner in which you led your campaign and the enthusiasm that you bring to this most important duty, provides tremendous hope for the future of not only the American people, but the community of nations to which we all belong and in which opportunities to improve liberty, democracy and international cooperation around the world will no doubt be enhanced. Croatia stands ready to continue working closely with the United States to strenghthen our common values of liberty and democracy around the globe in order to make the world a more peaceful and more secure place. The strong Croatian-American friendship and political partnership is deeply rooted not only in our shared values, but also in the millions of Croatian Americans who have for generations contributed to the development of their two cherished countries, the United States of America and Croatia. I look forward to solidifying our partnership as Croatia joins NATO in the spring 2009 as I am convinced that our day to day cooperation within the Alliance will further enhance our friendship. Mr. President Elect, congratulations once again on your hard fought victory. On the behalf of the people of Croatia I wish you and the United States of America much success in the years to come. Yours sincerely, Dr. Ivo Sanader END TEXT OF LETTER BRADTKE