R 061715Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY PRISTINA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8573

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000563 
 
 
DEPT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O, EUR/SCE 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES TO PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA 
FROM DR. FATMIR SEJDIU, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO AND MR. 
HASHIM THACI, PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO 
 
REF:  STATE 118192 
 
 
¶1. (U) On November 5, 2008, U.S. Embassy Pristina received the 
following congratulatory letters from President Fatmir Sejdiu and 
Prime Minister Hashim Thaci to President-elect Obama. 
 
¶2. (U) Letter from President Fatmir Sejdiu to President-elect Obama 
dated November 5, 2008. 
 
//BEGIN LETTER TEXT// 
 
The Honorable 
Barack Obama 
The President-elect 
Washington 
 
Dear Senator Obama: 
 
On behalf of the people and the institutions of the Republic of 
Kosovo, I congratulate you and the people of the United States of 
America on your electoral victory and selection as the 44th 
President of the United States of America.  The citizens of the 
newest country in the world, the Republic of Kosovo, join Your 
Excellency with great respect and admiration in celebrating this 
momentous victory. 
 
For the people of the Republic of Kosovo, your victory represents 
yet another sign that the United States is a leader of the free 
world and a symbol of democracy.  The United States of America has 
always led the global efforts for freedom, peace, and stability, 
including the establishment of peace in the Balkans.  Now with Your 
Excellency at its helm, we are confident that the United States of 
America will continue to stay at the forefront of the struggle for 
protection of those values. 
 
The birth of our own country was a result of the long struggle of 
the people of Kosovo for freedom and independence and the 
unprecedented support of the United States of America.  Indeed, your 
country's contribution has changed the fate of our nation by 
extracting its people from certain extermination and giving them 
hope for a bright future.  Appreciating the priceless contribution 
the United States has made for the people of the Republic of Kosovo, 
we look forward to strengthening the special bond between our two 
countries in the future.  Further, we are confident that under your 
administration, the United States of America will continue its 
strong support for the Republic of Kosovo's development and 
achievement of our goal of Euro-Atlantic integration. 
 
Please accept, Your Excellency, my heartfelt congratulations for 
your victory and the assurances of my highest esteem and 
consideration. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu 
President of the Republic of Kosovo 
 
// END LETTER TEXT // 
 
¶3. (U) Letter from Prime Minister Hashim Thaci to President-elect 
Obama dated November 5, 2008. 
 
//BEGIN LETTER TEXT// 
 
The Honorable 
Barack Obama 
The President-elect 
Washington 
 
Dear Senator Obama: 
 
On behalf of the Government of Kosovo, I am honored to offer my 
sincerest congratulations on your election as the next President of 
the United States of America. 
 
History is being made as America has elected its 44th President and 
leader of the democratic and free world.  The electoral campaign was 
a noble effort and it represented the best of American democracy and 
active citizenry.  We greatly appreciate Kosovo's mention and our 
place in the campaign, and are privileged at the willingness of 
further support for our new country. 
 
The Republic of Kosovo is a great friend and ally of the United 
States of America.  We appreciate and value the strong support that 
the United States has given the people of Kosovo on their path 
towards an independent and democratic state.  February 17, 2008 
represented change for Kosovo as it was the end of our long struggle 
for liberty and freedom. 
 
Kosovo is developing politically, economically, and socially towards 
our overarching goal, Euro-Atlantic integration.  Kosovo's place is 
in Europe, as a member of the European Union and as well, a member 
of NATO. 
 
The United States of America has done a great deal for the peace and 
democracy in Kosovo and the region.  In turn, Kosovo realizes this 
U.S. commitment and realizes its own commitment towards the 
sustainable future for a democratic state and a multi-ethnic 
society, with a modern constitution guaranteeing liberty and 
equality for all of its citizens. 
 
Mr. President-elect, as you work for the good of America and the 
world, Kosovo should always be looked at as an ally in realizing the 
goals of peace and democracy for all. 
 
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, let me once 
again express our commitment and support towards your future 
endeavors as President of the United States of America. 
 
Respectfully, 
 
Hashim Thaci 
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo 
 
// END LETTER TEXT // 
 
¶4. (U) As instructed in reftel, original copies of the letters will 
be sent to the Department via diplomatic pouch. 
 
KAIDANOW