Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04DJIBOUTI1374
2004-10-27 05:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Djibouti
Cable title:  

GUELLEH INTERVIEW WITH BBC SOMALI

Tags:  PREL PGOV DJ 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

270501Z Oct 04
UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001374 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV DJ
SUBJECT: GUELLEH INTERVIEW WITH BBC SOMALI


UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001374

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV DJ
SUBJECT: GUELLEH INTERVIEW WITH BBC SOMALI



1. (U) Summary: The October 7th issue of Le Progres, the
journal of the ruling party RPP (People's Rally for
Progress),carried an overview of President Ismail Omar
Guelleh's interview with BBC Somali while in New York during
Guelleh's recent trip to the U.S and Cuba. In the interview,
Guelleh reportedly focused on his goals for the New York and
Washington visits. He also touched on relations between the
United States and Djibouti, the peace process in Somalia and
the American military base in Djibouti. End Summary.

2. (U) According to Le Progres, the journal of the ruling
RPP, President Guelleh spoke recently on BBC Somali about the
main goal of his visit to New York, which was the peace
process in Somalia. For him, the major issue was to set aside
the obstacles that have ruined the preceding peace
conferences. Discussions with Secretary General of the United
Nations, Kofi Annan, were mainly about Somalia. "I asked him
to receive the IGAD ministers to see developments of the
peace process and inform the Security Council, Guelleh
reportedly stated. Kofi Annan had responded that "It's the
first time the six IGAD countries adopted a common position
on Somalia." In the event, that the upcoming election of a
transitional Somalian president disappoints warlords who are
seeking a presidential seat, Guelleh stated "We agreed that
the Security Council should execute its threat and brings
those people to international justice

3. Regarding the purpose of his visit to Washington, Guelleh
said the visit focused on meeting Senate and congressional
officials that are responsible for international, African and
military issues. "We're exchanging points of view on how to
reinforce peace in Somalia." Guelleh added that he also
"wanted to meet the legislators that control American
policy." Responding to a question on the United States
choosing Djibouti as site for a major American military base
and what the United States thinks of Somalia, Guelleh
responded "They told me that they were outside of the inter-
Somali peace process discussions so far because they had bad
memories in operation Restore Hope. But now they intend to
support the new Somali government because it will have no
ties with international terrorism, Guelleh reportedly
stated."

RAGSDALE