DJIBOUTI: 9/11 CEREMONY

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001675 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR AF/PD ROBIN SMITH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: 9/11 CEREMONY ¶1. (U) Post held a simple commemorative ceremony in the residence garden on the morning of September 11. The event was widely attended by the diplomatic corps and the resident military leadership. The Charge d'Affaires delivered portions of President Bush's Patriot Day message. The Djiboutian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdi Farah, delivered a speach offering condolences to the U.S. people and reflecting favorably on the U.S. response to 9/11 and the increased U.S.-Djiboutian cooperation. The resident catholic bishop and one of Post's local guards respected for his Koranic knowledge offered prayers to close the ceremony. Media did not cover the commemorative event but the state bi-weekly did run two positive pieces on the anniversary of 9/11. SMITH