LETTER OF CONDOLENCES FROM PRESIDENT TANDJA

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000631 DEPT FOR AF/W SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV NG SUBJECT: LETTER OF CONDOLENCES FROM PRESIDENT TANDJA ¶1. Following is the text of a condolences letter from Government of Niger President Mamadou Tandja. The letter was received at Embassy Niamey on September 1, 2009. We will forward the original French-language letter together with English translation to the White House via diplomatic pouch. ¶2. Begin text. President of the Republic of Niger Niamey, August 31, 2009 Letter No. 000058/PRN Mr. President: It is with consternation that we learned on August 25, 2009, of the death of Massachusetts' Senator Ted Kennedy, a keen activist for the civil rights and continued improvement of the Americans' well-being. On that painful occasion, I would like to present to you Mr. President, to the family of the renowned deceased, and to the American people as a whole, my sincere condolences and those of the Nigerien people, as well as our compassion and solidarity. Besides the remarkable personality of the deceased Senator, the name KENNEDY itself is engraved in the Nigeriens' memory, as it is associated with the Niger-American friendship and cooperation, illustrated by the construction of the very first bridge on the Niger River in Niamey. As I renew to you my compassion, please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my high consideration. / /s/ MAMADOU TANDJA President His Excellency Mr. BARACK OBAMA President of the United States of America, WASHINGTON, D.C. End text. Allen