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Cablegate: Iceland: Prime Minister Congratulates President-Elect

Published: Wed 5 Nov 2008 03:03 PM
R 051556Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3874
INFO EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
CIA WASHDC
DIA WASHDC
UNCLAS REYKJAVIK 000258
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/NB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL IC
SUBJECT: ICELAND: PRIME MINISTER CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT
OBAMA
REF: STATE 118192
1. (U) Icelandic Prime Minister Geir Haarde has sent U.S.
President-elect Barack Obama a letter of congratulations, according
to a November 5 press release from the PM's Office. In the release,
Haarde further noted that he looks forward to meeting the new
President at the next NATO Summit in 2009 and that Obama's election
will strengthen tQimage of the U.S. as one of the world's leading
democracies. Text of release follows para. 2.
2. (U) Text of Press Release (unofficial embassy translation):
The Prime Minister's Congratulations to Barack Obama
11/05/2008
"I wish Barack Obama congratulations on his historic victory in the
U.S. Presidential Election. Voter turnout in the elections is
indicative of the high level of public interest and the call for
change," says Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde.
"Obama has won this impressive victory based on his personal virtues
and the issues he has emphasized. I look forward to meeting him in
areas of common national interest, such as at the next NATO Summit,
and expect that the good relations between Iceland and the United
States will only improve as he comes into the White House. It is
evident that the image of the United States as one of the world's
leading democratic nations will only be strengthened with his
election," says Geir Haarde.
The Prime Minister has sent the following congratulatory letter:
[Letter in English]
Dear President-Elect Obama,
I have the pleasure of conveying to you the warm congratulations of
the Government of Iceland on your election as President of the
United States of America. Your abilities and experience will benefit
this great office and the American people and inspire democracies
around the world.
I look forward to working with you in strengthening the
long-standing friendship and cooperation between Iceland and the
United States, as well as in meeting international challenges of
common concern.
Sincerely,
Geir H. Haarde,
Prime Minister.
Reykjavk 5. nsvember 2008
End text of press release.
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