1. (SBU) Following is text of the diplomatic note to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting the Ministry's
approval to purchase land for Embassy Djibouti's NEC. The
text was delivered in French to the Ministry April 12.
(See reftel.)



2. (SBU) Begin text:
Note Number 041
The Embassy of the United States of America presents its
compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Republic of Djibouti and has the honor to request the
Ministry's approval to purchase that piece of land located
in Salines Est, containing a total area of approximately
40,321 square meters (forty thousand three hundred and
twenty one square meters), and all rights of easements and
appurtenances belonging to the said land to be developed
as the Embassy Compound of the United States of America in
Djibouti and notionally identified in attached Exhibit A.
Exhibit A is for identification purposes only and will be
permanently defined by a formal boundary survey to be
conducted prior to settlement.

The United States of America hereby submits an offer to
purchase the property for a price of U.S. Dollars
1,800,000 (one million, eight hundred thousand dollars).
This offer is subject to our ability to satisfy normal due
diligence conditions as well as final U.S. Government and
Congressional approvals. If this price is acceptable, we
are prepared to immediately commence finalization of the
appropriate purchase agreement documents necessary for the
transaction. The purchase price includes the requirement
for filling of the land, compacting the fill and
installation and delivery of utilities to the property.

In light of the provisions of the Vienna Conventions on
Diplomatic and Consular Relations concerning the payment
of taxes by diplomatic and consular missions, the Embassy
further requests the Republic of Djibouti, also in the
spirit of reciprocity, to exempt it from the payment of
all dues, taxes and fees directly assessed against a
foreign government in connection with the purchase of
property for its diplomatic mission, such fees to include
exemption from recordation and/or transfer taxes which the
United States would otherwise be obligated to pay as well
as any and all other charges which do not constitute fees
for specific services. It is requested that an
acknowledgment and approval of this request be written and
delivered to the Embassy on or before April 25, 2004.

The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself
of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti the assurances of its
highest consideration.

US.Embassy Djibouti
Djibouti, April 11, 2004.
Enclosed document:
- Annex A.

End text of diplomatic note.

RAGSDALE