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