Cablegate: Message of Congratulations for the President Elect From

VZCZCXYZ0005
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKH #1628 3121207
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 071207Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2259

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001628

DEPT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-OS, AF A/S FRAZER, AF/SPG,

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SU
SUBJECT: MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE PRESIDENT ELECT FROM
THE PRESIDENT OF SOUTHERN SUDAN

REF: STATE 118192

1. Post has received a letter of congratulations (text in para. 2)
for President-elect Obama from General Salva Kiir Mayardit, First
Vice-President of Sudan and the President of the Government of
Southern Sudan. A copy of the original letter is being transmitted
to the Department via pouch.

2. Begin Text:

4th November 2008

To: Senator Barack Obama
President-Elect of the United States of America
Washington DC, USA

From: General Salva Kiir Maryardit
First Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and
President of the Government of Southern Sudan,
Juba, Sudan

Re: Congratulatory Message

It is with great honor and deep admiration that I offer you
congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Southern
Sudan, on your historic election to become the 44th President of the
United States of America.

We have watched your campaign and election with awe and inspiration.
To people of Southern Sudan who are still struggling to heal the
scars and wounds of civil war and remedy the injustice of oppression
and marginalization, your message of change carries a special
resonance of hope in Sudan. With your election, the people of the
United States of America have also shown us the pride and strength
that comes in the celebration of her diversity.

The aspirations of people of Southern Sudan remain blighted by the
tragedies of war and poverty, and the legacy of a system that does
not treat all citizens as equal. We have a vision of bringing a real
change to Sudan to become a country where citizens regardless of
their religion and ethnicity will have opportunity to contribute to
making Sudan a better place for all. This vision is enshrined in
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement through a democratic
transformation: that democratic institutions are the foundations of
a just society; that free elections have the power to bring a real
change in the country; and that all citizens should have a stake in
charting the future course of Sudan.

We are invigorated by your message and further hope that through our
continued partnership, we will be able to fully implement the CPA
and to bring a lasting peace to Darfur, the region and the whole
world at large. I will avail myself to work closely with you as one
of your strategic allies.

I wish you good health and success with the guidance of Almighty
God.

FERNANDEZ

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