US embassy cable - 03ABUJA266

UNCLAS ABUJA 000266 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AFW, NSC FOR J. FRAZER 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPDC, PREL, NI 
SUBJECT:  NIGERIA:  PRESIDENT OBASANJO OFFERS 
CONDOLENCES OVER LOSS OF SHUTTLE COLUMBIA 
 
1. The Embassy has received from President Olusegun 
Obasanjo a letter of condolence to President Bush 
over the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia. 
 
 
2. The text of the letter of condolence follows: 
 
 
PRES/15    1st February 2003. 
 
 
His Excellency, 
Mr. George W. Bush, 
President of the United States of America 
White House 
Washington D.C., USA 
 
 
Dear President, 
 
 
  CONDOLENCE MESSAGE 
 
 
 The people and Government of Nigeria share 
your deep feeling of loss and sadness at the tragedy 
of the Columbia Shuttle. 
 
 
 The five men and two women astronauts represent 
not just for America, but for the entire world, the 
unrelenting efforts to serve mankind through the 
conquest of visible and invisible frontiers.  They 
gave, so that the world can continue to gain. 
 
 
 Please convey to their families the deep sorrow 
felt by Nigerians at this tragedy which I am sure will 
be unraveled, and which will not stop the progress of 
the American Space Programme. 
 
 
 Nigerians are with you at this hour and the 
Good Lord will console you and the families of the 
departed astronauts. 
 
 
    Yours sorrowfully, 
 
 
    (Signed) O Obasanjo 
    OLUSEGUN OBASANJO 
 
 
3.  Embassy will pouch President Obasanjo's letter to 
AF/W for transmission to the White House. 
 
 
JETER