Letter from Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba to U.S.

UNCLAS LIBREVILLE 000492 DEPT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O AND AF/C FOR THE DESK OFFICER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL OVIP GB SUBJECT: Letter from Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba to U.S. President Barack Obama ¶1. The following message is an English translation of a letter received from Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba addressed to President Barack Obama, dated October 30, 2009. This letter is in response to President Obama's congratulatory letter on President Bongo's recent investiture. ¶2. [Begin Text]: Mr. President: You have kindly sent me a congratulatory letter on the occasion of my investiture as President of the Gabonese Republic. In this particularly solemn circumstance, I would like to express in my own name and on behalf of my country's people and Government, my sincere gratitude for this expression of friendship and respect. The demonstration of confidence the Gabonese people kindly gave me is in light of the numerous challenges we will have to overcome and for which concrete responses are expected. This is the reason why I can assure you that I will not spare any effort to work for the durability of our system of institutions to strengthen rule of law and good governance in Gabon. I am also aware of the many expectations of the Gabonese people for better economic and social well being, peace, prosperity and political stability. It is in this perspective that I know I can count on the support and cooperation of your great country to assist Gabon in realizing this important work in progress to which I attach much value. Lastly, be reassured by my firm will to strengthen the cooperative relations that happily exist between our two countries in order to raise them to a higher level. Sincerely, Signed: Ali Bongo Ondimba [End Text] ¶3. The original letter will be forwarded to the department, attention: S/ES-CR, for appropriate delivery. REDDICK