US embassy cable - 04PARAMARIBO476

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000476 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FOR WHA/CAR - MSEIBEL, REAGAN CONDOLENCE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPRC, PREL, NS 
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT VENETIAAN PRESENTS SYMPATHY LETTER 
MARKING FORMER PRESIDENT REAGAN'S DEATH 
 
1.  THE EMBASSY RECEIVED ON JUNE 22 A DIPLOMATIC NOTE WITH A 
SYMPATHY LETTER ADDRESSED TO PRESIDENT BUSH BY PRESIDENT 
VENETIAAN MARKING THE DEATH OF FORMER PRESIDENT RONALD 
REAGAN.  THE SIGNED ORIGINAL WILL BE FORWARDED VIA POUCH TO 
WHA/CAR FOR APPROPRIATE HANDLING.  PRESIDENT VENETIAAN ALSO 
PERSONALLY SIGNED A CONDOLENCE BOOK ON JUNE 8, 2004 AT THE 
EMBASSY.  THE TEXT OF HIS LETTER IS AS FOLLOWS: 
 
2.  BEGIN TEXT: 
 
    HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE W. BUSH 
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
 
EXCELLENCY, 
 
IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT I LEARNED OF THE DEMISE OF THE 
FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE 
HONOURABLE RONALD REAGAN, ON JUNE 5, 2004. 
 
HE WAS INDEED A GREAT MAN TO THE UNITED STATES WHICH HE HAS 
SERVED WITH SUCH GREAT DISTINCTION.  MR. REAGAN WILL ALSO BE 
REMEMBERED FOR HIS HISTORICAL ROLE IN THE PROCESS OF 
BRINGING PEACE TO THE WORLD. 
 
ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF 
SURINAME, I HEREWITH EXTEND OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE 
GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND 
ESPECIALLY TO THE BEREAVED FAMILY. 
 
MAY ETERNAL PEACE BE HIS FOREVER. 
 
//SS// 
 
RUNALDO RONALD VENETIAAN 
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME 
 
PARAMARIBO, 8 JUNE 2004 
 
END TEXT 
 
BARNES 

 
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