VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #4463 3591925
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 241911Z DEC 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY BEIRUT IMMEDIATE 0000
UNCLAS STATE 134463
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PREL LE
SUBJECT: THANK YOU MESSAGES FROM ASSISTANT SECRETARY WELCH
1. (U) Please deliver the following messages from Assistant
Secretary Welch to the specified Lebanese officials as soon
as possible. The Department of State does not plan to
release the text of these messages, but has no objection if
the addressed officials wish to do so. There will no signed
originals.
2. (U) Text of message to Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh:
Dear Mr. Minister:
After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country, I
am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have
decided to change course and pursue other interests.
Thank you for your partnership in the bilateral
initiatives we have tackled together. Lebanon has
accomplished a great deal since 2005 and I am proud of the
strides we have made in strengthening the cooperation between
the United States and Lebanon, especially with regard to the
Lebanese Armed Forces. I hope our countries continue to
broaden and deepen relations in an effort to achieve our
shared vision of a better world.
Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
3. (U) Text of message to Defense Minister Michel Murr:
Dear Mr. Minister:
After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country, I
am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have
decided to change course and pursue other interests.
Thank you for your partnership and friendship. Lebanon
has accomplished a great deal since 2005 and I am proud of
the strides we have made in strengthening the cooperation
between the United States and Lebanon, especially with regard
to the Lebanese Armed Forces. I hope our countries continue
to broaden and deepen relations in an effort to achieve our
shared vision of a better world.
Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
4. (U) Text of message to Information Minister Tarek Mitri:
Dear Mr. Minister:
After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country, I
am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have
decided to change course and pursue other interests.
I hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen
relations in an effort to achieve our shared vision of a
better world. You have been a good friend and a proud
Lebanese patriot.
Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
5. (U) Text of message to Finance Minister Mohammad Chatah:
Dear Mr. Minister:
As you know, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of
State. I have decided to change course and pursue other
interests.
Thank you for your partnership in the issues we have
tackled together over the years. Lebanon has made many
important strides since 2005 and I look forward to its
continued progress and success in the years to come. I am
proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the
cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope
our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in an
effort to achieve our shared vision of a better world. You
and I have worked together on very delicate issues. I
consider you a strong and proud advocate of a free Lebanon.
You will always have a friend in me.
Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
6. (U) Text of message to Prime Minister Fuad Siniora:
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
After 31 years of diplomatic service, it is time for me
to retire from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided
to change course and pursue other interests.
Thank you for your leadership. Lebanon is stronger
today because of you, and because of all Lebanese patriots.
Lebanon has made many important strides since 2005 and I look
forward to its continued progress and success in the years to
come.
I commend your leadership and dedication in the face of
many challenges and am proud of the steps we have taken to
strengthen the cooperation between the United States and
Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to broaden and
deepen relations in an effort to achieve our shared vision of
a better world.
Most of all, I will always be a friend to you and your
country. Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
7. (U) Text of message to President Michel Sleiman:
Dear Mr. President:
After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country
pursuing our most pressing regional and global issues, I am
retiring from the U.S. Department of State.
Lebanon has made many important strides since 2005. I
look forward to its continued progress and success in the
years to come.
I applaud your strong leadership and am proud of the
steps we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the
United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to
broaden and deepen relations in an effort to achieve our
shared vision of a better world.
Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
8. (U) Text of message to MP Walid Jumblatt:
Dear Mr. Jumblatt:
As you know, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of
State. I have decided to change course and pursue other
interests.
Thank you for your partnership and dedication over the
years in the many issues we have tackled together. Lebanon
has made many important strides since 2005 and I look forward
to its continued progress and success as a sovereign, stable,
democratic and independent nation. I am proud of the steps
we have taken to strengthen the cooperation between the
United States and Lebanon, and hope our countries continue to
broaden and deepen relations in the years to come.
We have known each other for many years, a friendship I
am certain will continue. Best wishes for every future
success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
9. (U) Text of message to MP Marwan Hamadeh:
Dear Mr. Hamadeh:
My dear friend, it has come time for me to move on.
After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country and great
success in pursuing our most pressing regional and global
issues, I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I
have decided to change course and pursue other interests.
Thank you for your partnership and dedication over the
years in the many issues we have tackled together. Lebanon
has made many important strides since 2005 and I look forward
to its continued progress and success as a sovereign, stable,
democratic and independent nation.
I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the
cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope
our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in the
years to come.
Best wishes for every future success. I will always be
your friend, and a friend to Lebanon.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
10. (U) Text of message to MP Saad Hariri:
Dear Mr. Hariri:
I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I
have decided to change course and pursue other interests.
Thank you for your partnership and leadership in the
cause of building a strong, sovereign, democratic, and
independent Lebanon. Lebanon has undergone a remarkable
series of changes since the tragic events of February 14,
2005 and I am hopeful about Lebanon's future.
You are a proud symbol of all Lebanon's strengths,
hopes, and dreams. I look forward to watching your continued
progress and success.
I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the
cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope
our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in the
years to come. Together we can realize your father's goals.
I will always be your friend, and a friend to Lebanon.
Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
11. (U) Text of message to Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri:
Dear Mr. Speaker:
I am retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I
have decided to change course and pursue other interests.
I hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen
relations in an effort to achieve our shared vision of a
better world. At vital times, you have put Lebanon's
interests above all else.
I would like to thank you for all the time we spent
together, during difficult circumstances, trying to find
solutions. Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
12. (U) Text of message to Lebanese Forces leader Samir
Geagea:
Dear Dr. Geagea:
After 31 years of diplomatic service, I am retiring
from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided to change
course and pursue other interests.
Thank you for your partnership and leadership in the
cause of building a strong, sovereign, democratic, and
independent Lebanon. Lebanon has undergone a remarkable
series of changes since 2005 and I am hopeful about Lebanon's
future.
I look forward to watching your continued progress and
success. I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen
the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and
hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations
in the years to come.
I will always be a friend to a free Lebanon; I will
always be your friend. Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
13. (U) Text of message to former President Amine Gemayel:
Dear Mr. President:
Long ago, I worked with you as a new President. Now,
after 31 years of diplomatic service to my country, I am
retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided
to change course and pursue other interests.
Thank you for your partnership and leadership in the
cause of building a strong, sovereign, democratic, and
independent Lebanon.
You and your family have been leaders for a free
Lebanon. Sadly, you have paid a price no one should have to
bear.
Lebanon has undergone a remarkable series of changes
since 2005 and I am hopeful about Lebanon's future. I look
forward to watching your continued progress and success. I
am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen the
cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and hope
our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations in the
years to come.
Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
14. (U) Text of message to MP Nayla Mouawad:
Dear Mrs. Mouawad:
After 31 years of diplomatic service to my country, I am
retiring from the U.S. Department of State. I have decided
to change course and pursue other interests.
Thank you for your partnership and leadership in the cause of
building a strong, sovereign, democratic, and independent
Lebanon. Lebanon has undergone a remarkable series of
changes since 2005 and I am hopeful about Lebanon's future.
I look forward to watching your continued progress and
success. I am proud of the steps we have taken to strengthen
the cooperation between the United States and Lebanon, and
hope our countries continue to broaden and deepen relations
in the years to come.
Best wishes for every future success.
Sincerely,
C. David Welch
RICE