CONGRATULATIONS MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT GUELLEH TO PRESIDENT

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000879 SIPDIS DEPT FOR S/ES-CR S/ES-O AF/EX E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL KPAO DJ SUBJECT: CONGRATULATIONS MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT GUELLEH TO PRESIDENT OBAMA REF: STATE 60290 ¶1. Djibouti's state-run French-language newspaper, "La Nation," featured a congratulatory message from President Ismail Omar Guelleh to President Obama on the front page of its July 6, 2009, edition. ¶2. BEGIN EMBASSY TRANSLATION La Nation, No. 105. Monday, July 6, 2009, page 1. Independence Day Message of congratulations from President Guelleh to the American President The Head of State, Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh, has sent last Saturday a message of congratulations to the U.S. President, Mr. Barack Obama, on the occasion of the Independence Day of his country. "While your country is celebrating the anniversary of its National Day, I have the honor and pleasure to convey my wishes of good health and happiness to you, as well as further development and prosperity to the friendly citizens of the United States of America," writes President Guelleh. Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh said "I take this opportunity to share with you my feelings: since you took over the leadership of the United States, your country is progressively restoring the image of the model of democracy and justice that it has always reflected in the eyes of people around the world." In this message, the Head of State congratulated Mr. Barack Obama for the greater fairness he plans "to imprint upon the American mediation relating to settling the Middle East issue." This initiative was "welcomed by all those who love justice" since it "is a source of detente and rapprochement in the relations between different cultural and religious communities throughout the world." Mr. Guelleh added that "as far as the people of Djibouti, Djibouti's government, and myself are concerned, we strongly welcome the new methodology initiated by American diplomacy." "The ties of friendship and exchanges between our countries are special; we will spare no effort to reinforce and develop them," he said. Finally, the Head of State reiterated his wishes of good health and happiness for President Obama, and "more peace and prosperity for the friendly people of the United States." END EMBASSY TRANSLATION. ¶3. The Embassy has not yet received this message in written form from the Government of Djibouti. ¶4. The July 1 edition of "La Nation" featured, as its lead article, the message sent by President Obama to President Guelleh on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of Djibouti's independence (June 27). SWAN