Cablegate: Congratulatory Message From Former Portuguese

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DE RUEHLI #0545 2921245
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O 191245Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7926
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS LISBON 000545

SIPDIS

FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O AND EUR/WE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPDC PREL OVIP PO
SUBJECT: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM FORMER PORTUGUESE
PRESIDENT JORGE SAMPAIO TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

The following is a congratulatory message from the UN High
Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, and former
Portuguese President, Jorge Sampaio. The letter was faxed to
Embassy Lisbon.

BEGIN TEXT:

Lisbon, October 9, 2009

Excellency, Dear President Obama

I should like to convey to you my heartfelt congratulations
on the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to you. In my view it
reflects recognition of the profound renovation that you have
undertaken in respect of American foreign policy, diplomacy
and international relations in general, in favour of
multilateralism, co-operation and dialogue as irreplaceable
instruments in the service of peace in the world.

The award of this prize also constitutes recognition of your
right and timely vision of certain of the foreign policy
priorities you announced at the very beginning of your term
of office - especially the resolution of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, improvement of relations with
the Muslim communities, the nuclear disarmament issues, the
primacy of respect for human rights dictating the closure of
the Guantanamo prison - which are a true driving force of
renewed hope for the whole world.

In my view, the award of the Nobel peace prize to you, Mr.
President, at the start of your tenure does constitute a
focus on the future. I see in this award both unequivocal
recognition that peace will come about via the path that you
have now opened up and also a powerful incentive to it to be
followed firmly and with determination, regardless of the
difficulties, the snags and the challenges that we all know
are strewn along the path to peace.

Renewing my sincere congratulations, I seize this opportunity
to convey to you, Excellency, the assurances of my highest
consideration and personal esteem.

/s/

Jorge Sampaio

End of text

For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal,
please see our Intelink site:

http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal
BALLARD

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