BHUTANESE KING AND PM CONGRATULATE VICE PRESIDENT

UNCLAS NEW DELHI 000162 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR S/ES-CR AND S/ES-O E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL OVIP KDEM PGOV PHUM BT IN SUBJECT: BHUTANESE KING AND PM CONGRATULATE VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN ¶1. (U) Summary. Post received letters of congratulations to Vice President Biden from Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley and His Majesty the Fifth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The letter from the Prime Minister is the signed original and we will forward the original via pouch and fax a copy to SCA/INS. The letter from His Majesty is a copy, which we will fax. We will forward the original when post receives it. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Below is the text of the letter from the Prime Minister. Begin text: 20 January, 2009. Your Excellency, On behalf of the government and people of Bhutan and on my own behalf, it is my pleasure to extend our warm felicitations on Your Excellency's assumption of office as the Vice-President of the United States of America. Your Excellency's appointment to this high office is reflective of your long record of distinguished service to your country and people. I take the opportunity to salute you and to wish you every success in your noble efforts to further promote peace, progress and stability in the United States and the world at large. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration. //signed// Jigmi Y. Thinley Prime Minister of Bhutan H.E. Mr. Joseph R. Biden, Vice-President of the United States of America, Washington, D.C. End Text. ¶3. (U) Below is the text of the letter from His Majesty. Begin text: 20 January, 2009. Your Excellency, The people of Bhutan join me in extending our warmest felicitation to Your Excellency on your assumption of the high office as the Vice President of the United States of America. We are confident that with your experience and proven abilities, you will succeed in meeting the immense challenges that lie ahead. I take this opportunity to extend by best wishes for your personal well-being and happiness. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration. //signed// Jigme Khesar King of Bhutan H.E. Mr. Joseph R. Biden Vice-President of the United States of America, Washington, D.C. End Text. MULFORD