10 October 2001

Gabon's Ambassador Offers Condolences at White House Ceremony

Ambassador Jules Marius Ogouebandja of Gabon presented his credentials to President George W. Bush at the White House on October 10 offering his nation's condolences for the terrorist attacks of September 11 that killed more than 5,000 Americans.

Ogouebandja called the event an "appalling and horrendous tragedy." He went on to emphasize the maintenance of friendly relations between Gabon and the United States saying, "A new era of friendship...(and) cooperation will emerge based on solidarity and mutual understanding for the benefit of the American and Gabonese peoples."

The government of Gabon, he noted, also "hopes to create an appropriate legal framework between the two countries, which will strengthen and reinforce cooperation and promote partnership and private initiative, as soon as possible."

In addition to closer cooperation between the two nations, regular meetings should be held in both Gabon and the United States among government authorities and legislators from both countries in order to strengthen the bilateral relationship, he said.

In separate remarks, President Bush thanked the ambassador for the concern his nation expressed over the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States.

"I appreciate and thank you for the expressions of support we have received from the government of Gabon.... We value your support as we build a coalition to act against this threat that menaces not only the United States but people all over the world who value freedom and life."

Bush said the United States looks forward to working with Gabon on issues of mutual concern.

Bush then discussed the strong bilateral relationship that exists between both nations -- which he said continues to improve.

"We hope to work closely with you to strengthen the relationship between our nations. With significant U.S. business investment in Gabon, we look forward to continued development of business opportunities and growth. We want to continue the military cooperation between our two nations and to build on the exercises and other military exchanges we have conducted."

Following are the texts of Ambassador Ogouebandja and President Bush:

Mr. President,

I feel great honor and a pleasant duty in handing over to you the credentials whereby His Excellency El Hadj Omar BONGO, President of the Gabonese Republic, Head of State, accredits me to Your Distinguished Person as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.

The United States of America just went through an appalling and horrendous tragedy.

Mr. President, allow me to join my modest voice to the condolences, unfaltering solidarity, compassion and friendship, which the President of the Gabonese Republic, Head of State expressed to you. Please find here the renewed expression of the support and solidarity of Gabon and of myself as regards such evil.

Mr. President,

Delighted with being on American land of hospitality, freedom and democracy, infinitely sensitive to the welcome reserved for me ever since I arrived and deeply touched by the special tokens of attention shown to me, allow me to express from the bottom of my heart my sincere thanks and my profound gratitude.

Given these excellent dispositions, which already are an encouragement to me, I can only be confident as to the glorious future of the relationships and the strengthening of the friendly links, which exist between the United State of America and the Gabonese Republic.

Our two countries, have long-standing exemplary friendly relations, a sign of the permanency of a mutual esteem of the American and Gabonese peoples and their leaders, and the convergence of their interest to further strengthen it.

Mr. President,

I avail myself of this happy occasion to convey not only the most friendly and cordial greetings from your colleague, His Excellency El Hadj Omar BONGO but also the great esteem he personally vows to you.

President El Hadj Omar BONGO, in view of the harmony prevailing in the friendly relations between the United States of America and Gabon, asked me to reaffirm to you his concern to see the strengthening of such friendship.

He is therefore convinced that through the impetus given by you and under your directives, a new era of friendship and of multiform and multisectorial cooperation will emerge based on solidarity and mutual understanding for the benefit of the American and Gabonese peoples.

The Gabonese government reaffirms through my modest voice, its willingness to enter into negotiation with your government to create an appropriate legal framework between the two countries, which will strengthen and reinforce cooperation and promote partnership and private initiative, as soon as possible.

Mr. President,

Under the leadership of President BONGO, Gabon, a country of freedom, justice and hospitality has been committed to democracy, resolutely attached to the respect for the rule of law and pursuing progress and development, essential factors to preserve political stability and social peace.

Similarly, Gabon my country, haven of peace and its Head of State spare no effort to protect peace in the African region and singularly in Central Africa where his peers constantly entrust him with mediation missions because of his clear-sightedness and wisdom.

In this context, the President of the Gabonese Republic is delighted about the American support and wishes for more logistic support from the United States following the example of other friendly country.

Mr. President,

Considering the constant concern of Gabonese leaders to strengthen U.S.-Gabon friendly relations and cooperation of mutual interest and due to a desire to move closer to the United States of America, it is necessary for the government authorities and the legislators of both countries to regularly meet in Gabon and the United States.

Doubtless such mutual interaction can help strengthen development and bilateral cooperation to make it more dynamic, intense and lasting, through concrete action.

Therefore, the President of the Gabonese Republic desires to come to Washington, in a near future, on an official visit at your kind invitation and at a date of your convenience.

During this visit, cooperation agreements between the United States of America and the Gabonese Republic will be signed, especially in the economic, commercial and financial fields on the one hand and in cultural, scientific and technical fields on the other hand. These agreements are being negotiated between both parties as well as partnership agreements between American and Gabonese Chambers of Commerce.

Mr. President,

Throughout my mission here, I will devote myself to promoting, with determination and abnegation, the development and revitalization of friendship and cooperative relations between our two countries and the follow up aimed at implementing decisions made in mutual agreement.

Your personal support, the daily availability and understanding of your collaborators, the members of your government and the members of Congress will be immensely useful to me in carrying out the heavy but exalting tasks awaiting me.

I place my hopes on Your Excellency and hope to enjoy your extreme kindness. May the Most High protect you and protect your entire and beloved family.

Thank you

Mr. Ambassador:

I am pleased to accept your Letter of Credence from President Omar Bongo, which establishes you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Gabonese Republic to the United States of America, and I acknowledge the Letter of Recall of your distinguished predecessor. Thank you for your greetings on behalf of your government and the people of Gabon. It is my pleasure to welcome you and your family to Washington.

The relationship between our two nations is strong and continues to improve. President Omar Bongo has been a good friend over the years. During Gabon's two years on the United Nations Security Council, Gabon consistently voted with the United States on difficult issues such as Kosovo and Iraq. In recent years, we have also relied on Gabon for support in the evacuation of Americans from other countries in the region. Expeditious processing of American citizens through Libreville and the waiving of visa formalities on these occasions supported our efforts to ensure their protection and safety.

We welcome Gabon's influence in promoting regional stability. President Bongo's efforts to mediate in conflicts in the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi have been very effective and support our diplomatic initiatives to resolve these conflicts.

We hope to work closely with you to strengthen the relationship between our nations. With significant U.S. business investment in Gabon, we look forward to continued development of business opportunities and growth. We want to continue the military cooperation between our two nations and to build on the exercises and other military exchanges we have conducted. We also look forward to helping promote stability through promotion of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights.

I appreciate and thank you for the expressions of support we have received from the Government of Gabon following the terrorist attacks on our nation. We value your support as we build a coalition to act against this threat that menaces not only the United States but people all over the world who value freedom and life. We look forward to working together on these and other issues of mutual concern.

Once again, I am delighted to welcome you to Washington, and I wish you the best of success during your tour as Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic to the United States of America.