DJIBOUTI'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE RAU

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000461

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ASEC PGOV PTER GR DJ
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE RAU
CANCELLATION

REF: A. (A) DJIBOUTI 446


B. (B) DJIBOUTI 441


1. (U) This is an action message. See action requested
paragraphs 4 and 5.


2. (U) Following is translated text of the official
statement of Djibouti's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
on cancellation of the visit of German President Rau.
This statement was issued March 24 and was sent by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs March 27 to all diplomatic
and to all international organizations accredited to
Djibouti.


3. (U) BEGIN TEXT: Djibouti expressed its astonishment
and its great surprise following the cancellation of
the visit of German President Johannes Rau for reasons
of a terrorist threat.
-
Djibouti, as an active member country in the
international anti-terrorism coalition, offers the
forces engaged in the "Enduring Freedom" operation,
since January 2002, basic sound logistical support and
a calm environment where possible security worries
are stemmed by the excellent work of coordination of
security services.
-
All of the security measures were in place to
guarantee and assure, in the best conditions, the
welcome of the President and his wife.
-
According to information at our disposal, we
can assert, in complete confidence that the threats
aimed at undermining the life of President Rau cannot
be taken seriously.
-
The reaction of the spokesperson of the Anti-
Terrorist coalition, present in Djibouti, broadcasted
from the antennas of RFI (Radio France International)
expressed the same astonishment and corroborate this
assertion.
-
The Djiboutian president and his German
counterpart, in the course of a telephone conversation
they had this morning, reaffirmed their will to work
towards the reinforcement of bilateral relations between
the two countries and to coordinate their efforts with
a view to establish peace and stability in this region
of the world.
Made in Djibouti, Wednesday, 24 March 2004. END TEXT.


4. (U) Action Request: Per reftels, Embassy draws
Department's attention to the content of para. 5 of
the statement and to Reftel A. Ambassador proposes
sending a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs that would ameliorate association of the U.S.
Government with allegations of this paragraph. The
proposed note would read:

BEGIN TEXT: The Embassy of the United State of America
in the Republic of Djibouti presents its compliments to
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation and has the honor to refer to the Ministry's
Declaration of its Spokesperson, dated Wednesday, March
24, 2004, which was circulated to all diplomatic and
consular missions in Djibouti. In that Declaration,
the Ministry spoke about the cancellation of the visit
of His Excellency the President of Germany and said:
"The reaction of the Spokesperson of the Anti-Terrorist
Coalition present in Djibouti, broadcasted from Radio
France International, expressed the same astonishment
and corroborates this assertion."
-
The Embassy of the United States asserts that the remarks
of the Spokesperson of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn
of Africa were taken out of context in news accounts and
were not intended to indicate either the Task Force's or
the United States Government's "astonishment" or
"surprise" at the reports of threats against the life of
President Rau. Nor do the remarks attributed to the
Spokesperson indicate an assessment of the validity of
those reports. Such determinations are the province of
the Government of Germany, which is tasked with the
security of President Rau and of all German Government
officials.
-
The Embassy of the United States reaffirms its continuing
close relations with the Government of Djibouti in the
global struggle against terrorism.
-
The Embassy of the United States of America in Djibouti
takes this occasion to renew to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation, the assurances of
its highest consideration. END TEXT.


5. (U) Request Department concurrence on proposed note.
RAGSDALE