MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT GBAGBO TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

UNCLAS ABIDJAN 000059 STATE FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O, AND AF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL OVIP IV SUBJECT: MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT GBAGBO TO PRESIDENT OBAMA ¶1. Embassy Abidjan received a message by fax to President Obama from President Laurent Gbagbo of Cote d'Ivoire. ¶2. Embassy translation of the French language message follows: Begin Text. Mister President: Your inauguration as 44th President of the United States of America offers me the pleasant opportunity to extend to you, on behalf of the people and the Government of Cote d'Ivoire, and on my own behalf, my heartfelt and warmest congratulations. I express my warm wishes for your success as the leader of the United States of America which has just given the world a real lesson of democracy in action without consideration for race. Your country thus proves that the struggle for a true cause is never in vain even if, like President Abraham Lincoln or Reverend Martin Luther King, he who leads it does not see its success. May God render the great hope which your election has arisen in the American people, but also among millions of people worldwide, fulfilled in serving the goals of international peace, justice and solidarity. In this respect, I would like to assure you of my complete willingness to work with you toward the success of these ideals as well as the strengthening of the excellent ties of friendship and cooperation that so fortunately exist between Cote d'Ivoire and the United States of America. With my highest consideration. Laurent Gbagbo President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire End text. NESBITT