PANAMA: PRESIDENT OBAMA INVITED TO ATTEND

UNCLAS PANAMA 000406 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OVIP OPDC OTRA PGOV PM SUBJECT: PANAMA: PRESIDENT OBAMA INVITED TO ATTEND INAUGURATION OF NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT RICARDO MARTINELLI ¶1. (U) Ambassador Stephenson received a letter addressed to President Obama from current President of Panama Martin Torrijos. The letter invited President Obama to attend the inauguration ceremonies for newly elected President of Panama Ricardo Martinelli, to be held on June 30 and July 1, 2009. ¶2. (U) Begin unofficial translation: Republic of Panama Presidency 7 May 2009 DS-N-045-09 Mr. President: It is my pleasure to bring to Your Excellency's attention my fraternal greetings and to express to you my complete satisfaction for the ties of friendship that exist between our two countries. This last May 3 the Panamanian people voted for the highest authorities to lead their destiny for the period of 2009-2014. As a result of these elections, Mr. Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal was elected as President of the Republic of Panama who will assume the First Magistrateship of the Nation on July 1, 2009. With this in mind, I am honored to extend to Your Excellency the most cordial invitation to participate in the Acts of Transmission of Presidential Authority that will be held on June 30 and July 1 of the current year. Hoping to count on Your Excellency's presence, I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to you the assurances of my highest esteem and distinguished consideration. Martin Torrijos Espino President of the Republic To His Excellency Mr. Barack Obama President of the United States of America Washington STEPHENSON