Cablegate: Letter of Condolence - African Union Commission

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UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 002118

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/ES-CR AND S/ES-O
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/EX, AND AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC ECON PREL AU
SUBJECT: LETTER OF CONDOLENCE - AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION
(AU)CHAIRPERSON JEAN PING'S LETTER TO POTUS

1. (U) The United Mission to the African Union (USAU) has received
the following letter addressed from the AU Commission Chairperson
Jean Ping to President Obama on August 27. We will send hard copies
via diplomatic pouch. We request that the letter and its contents
be brought to the President's attention.

2. (U) BEGIN QUOTED TEXT OF DIPLOMATIC NOTE:

The Commission of the African Union presents its compliments to the
United States Mission to the African Union in Addis Ababa, and has
the honor to forward herewith, for urgent transmission, a letter
addressed to H.E. Mr. Barack Obama, President of the United States
of America by H.E. Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union
Commission.

The Bureau of the Chairperson requests that the above-mentioned
letter be delivered to its highest destination.

The Commission of the African Union avails itself of this
opportunity to renew to the United States Mission to the African
Union in Addis Ababa the assurances of its highest consideration.

Dated 26 August 2009
END QUOTED TEXT OF DIPLOMATIC NOTE

3. (U) BEGIN QUOTED TEXT OF LETTER OF CONDOLENCE ON THE DEATH OF
SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY:

Mr. President,

We received the news of the passing away of Senator Edward Kennedy
which occurred yesterday, with great shock and sadness.

All of us in Africa are aware of the excellent contribution made to
governance in the United States by Senator Kennedy himself and the
Kennedy family as a whole. His fight for equality for all Americans
and for the poor across the world is well known and endeared him to
Africans.

Senator Edward Kennedy was also admired for his role he played
within the Kennedy family after the tragic loss of his elder
brothers President John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. We share the
grief of the Kennedy family and pray to God Almighty that they will
have the strength to bear the loss. We ask God to also allow the
soul of this distinguished leader to have a peaceful repose.

In requesting you to share our sympathy and condolences with the
American people, please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my
highest consideration and esteem.

/s/
Jean Ping
Chairperson

END OF QUOTED TEXT OF LETTER CONDOLENCE.
MEECE

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