VZCZCXRO4536
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHOR #0517 1881223
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 071223Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5873
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS GABORONE 000517 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/S, S/ES-CR, S/GAC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OPDC OTRA PREL KHIV EAID BC
SUBJECT: Letter from President Khama to President Obama 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: Embassy Gaborone received a diplomatic note July 6, 2009 
transmitting a letter from Botswana's President Ian Khama to U.S. 
President Barack Obama.  In addition to congratulating the United 
States on the anniversary of our independence, President Khama's 
letter offers thanks for U.S. assistance to Botswana, particularly 
PEPFAR and other health assistance, and invites President and Mrs. 
Obama to pay an official visit to Botswana in 2010.  A scanned copy 
of the note and letter was emailed to AF/S on July 6.  END SUMMARY. 
 
 
¶2. Text of the Diplomatic Note: 
 
NOTE NO: 52/2009 EA 6/16 (S) XXXI (14) C1 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the 
Republic of Botswana presents its compliments to the Embassy of the 
United States of America and has the honour to forward a letter 
dated 3rd July 2009 from His Excellency Lieutenant General Seretse 
Khama Ian Khama, President of the Republic of Botswana to His 
Excellency Mr. Barack H. Obama, President of the United States of 
America. 
 
The Ministry will be obliged if the letter was conveyed to the 
highest authorities. 
 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the 
Republic of Botswana avails itself of this opportunity to renew to 
the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its 
highest consideration. 
 
 
¶3. Text of the Letter from President Khama: 
 
The State President 
PPO 23/28 III (294) 
Gaborone 
3 July 2009 
 
Your Excellency, 
 
On the joyful occasion marking the 233rd anniversary of your 
country's independence I am delighted to congratulate you and the 
people of the United States of America.  The United States continues 
to be a beacon of hope for a more democratic, peaceful and 
economically prosperous future for all people around the world.  As 
you mark this important day we extend our good wishes, friendship to 
you and the people of the United States. 
 
I also congratulate the American soccer team for an outstanding 
performance during the recently concluded FIFA Confederations Cup 
soccer games held in South Africa.  There can be no doubt that their 
performance made most Americans happy and immensely proud. 
 
I wish to express my Government's gratitude to the support we 
continue to receive from the US Government and the American people 
in our efforts to save the lives of our people from the HIV/AIDS 
threat.  As a country, we are particularly grateful for the 
assistance we receive from the US President's Emergency Plan for 
AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Centres for Disease Control, the Bill and 
Melinda Gates Foundation, the Harvard Institute and the Peace Corps, 
to name but a few. 
 
The Government of Botswana and I are committed to further 
strengthening and consolidating the bonds of friendship between our 
two countries which are based on shared values of democracy, respect 
for human rights and the rule of law. 
 
Mr. President, I wish to take this opportunity, to invite you and 
the First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama to undertake an official visit 
to Botswana in 2010 on dates to be mutually agreed. It would be a 
great honour and privilege for the Government and the people of 
Botswana to welcome you to our country. 
 
Please accept, Mr. President, the renewed assurances of my highest 
consideration. 
 
Lieutenant General Seretse Khama Ian Khama 
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA 
 
His Excellency Mr. Barack H. Obama 
President of the United States of America 
The White House 
Washington, D.C. 
 
 
NOLAN