CONGRATULATORY LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT FROM STRASBOURG

UNCLAS STRASBOURG 000025 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/WE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL FR US SUBJECT: CONGRATULATORY LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT FROM STRASBOURG MAYOR REF: CARVER-LORENZ EMAIL OCT 9 2009 Post received a letter October 9 from Strasbourg Mayor (and national senator) Roland Ries to President Obama regarding the Nobel Peace Prize. Post will pouch original to EUR/WE; informal consulate translation follows: Strasbourg, October 9, 2009 Mr. President, I have just learned with great pleasure that the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to you today. Obviously, the whole population of Strasbourg remembers very well your remarks in our city April 3 during your town hall meeting with young French and German students. You mentioned the challenges of peace and insisted on the necessary commitment of everyone to achieve peace all over the world. Your Strasbourg speech is a real benchmark. It is often mentioned during international meetings held since then in Strasbourg. In a personal capacity, and as Mayor of Strasbourg, I often have the opportunity to quote you, as for example when I greeted President Michael (sic) Gorbachev in our City Hall last week. I am confident that this Nobel Peace Prize will give you even more strength to contribute to addressing important international issues in a positive way, from the Middle East to Afghanistan, from the Persian Gulf region to the furthermost borders of Asia. Strasbourg is always available for any meeting you might consider useful, and I take this opportunity to renew the permanent invitation I extended to you when you were here last April. With my highest consideration and warmest greetings, Yours, (handwritten) / s / Roland Ries Mr. Barack OBAMA President of the United States CARVER