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President Václav Klaus sent a telegram of condolence to Mrs. Elizabeth Ford

English Pages, 27. 12. 2006

Dear Mrs. Ford

It was with deep sadness that I heard about Gerald Ford’s passing away. I would like to express my sympathies to you and to your family in this difficult moment.

I feel privileged that I had the opportunity to get to know your husband personally, and I especially cherish the nice memories of my meeting with you and him in your house in Beaver Creek. I met with Gerald Ford on numerous occasions, he was perhaps the American president I used to see most often and it was not a coincidence. He was my political ally, he was very friendly, attentive, patient, and he had always something interesting to say to me.

Gerald Ford was an exceptional politician. I appreciated his openness and his optimism. He assumed Presidency at difficult times and he not only achieved to „bind up the Nation’s wounds”, as he quoted Lincoln in 1974, but to heal them, no matter how painful and long this process had seemed to be. Gerald Ford had begun the work in which Ronald Reagan continued. This work has proved vital for the freedom in my country and for the fall of the Iron curtain in Europe. This work has proved vital for the fact that the Czech Republic and the United States share the same values nowadays, they are partners and allies.

Let me express my deepest sympathies to you and the whole family. I will be missing your husband but he will always be among the people I like and admire.

Sincerely,

Václav Klaus, Prague, 27 December 2006