Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04DJIBOUTI581
2004-04-19 11:01:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Djibouti
Cable title:  

FOREIGN MINISTER AND MINISTER OF COOPERATION OFFER

Tags:  PREL PGOV MARR MOPS IZ DJ 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000581 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS IZ DJ
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER AND MINISTER OF COOPERATION OFFER
REASSURANCES ON ISSUE OF IRAQ


Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARGUERITA D. RAGSDALE.
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000581

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF AND AF/E

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/19/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS IZ DJ
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER AND MINISTER OF COOPERATION OFFER
REASSURANCES ON ISSUE OF IRAQ


Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARGUERITA D. RAGSDALE.
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Abdi Farah, and
Minister of Cooperation within the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA),Mohamoud Ali Youssef, both drew Ambassador
aside April 15, on the margins of an emergency meeting with
heads of diplomatic missions on the subject of the flood
disaster in Djibouti, to apologize -- and to reassure her --
in light of negative statements made the day prior by the
President of Djibouti's National Assembly, Idriss Arnaoud
Ali, on coalition Iraq policy. Both ministers stated that
the National Assembly President's remarks did not reflect the
official policy of Djibouti.


2. (C) The controversial remarks were made in a speech by
Idriss Arnaoud Ali during the opening ceremony April 14 of
the National Assembly's first ordinary parliamentary session
for the 5th Legislature. In attendance had been the Prime
Minister of Djibouti, Dileita Mohamed Dileita, cabinet
members, heads of diplomatic missions and international
organizations accredited to Djibouti and the 65 members of
Djibouti's National Assembly.


3. (U) The National Assembly President's remarks, in our
translation from French, were as follows: "The difficult
situation prevailing today in Iraq preoccupies us a great
deal. A widespread confrontation is being placed against
Iraqis by the coalition forces. The latest, far from
bringing the Iraqi people peace, prosperity and democracy, so
much promised and so much touted, is bringing on the contrary
death, misery, suffering and domination. Moreover, over the
course of the past week, this war has reached its highest
climax. We deplore the several hundred deaths, especially
civilian victims, whose only offense is having reclaimed
their national sovereignty. This situation must not endure,
because it is all about innocent persons, women, children,
who aspire only to live simply, in their own homes, in their
country, and completely free. We have the obligation to
awaken consciences and to decry this lack of respect for
human rights. The National Assembly condemns without
reservation all attacks on the sovereignty of Iraq, asks
forces of the coalition to evacuate this country, and to
leave the Iraqi people free to choose their own destiny."


4. (C) The Minister of Foreign Affairs told the Ambassador
that the statements "had not been cleared" by the President
and do not reflect official Djiboutian policy on Iraq.
Ambassador responded that she had been concerned because the
remarks were harsh and inbalanced. The Minister agreed and
repeated that the remarks do not reflect policy. A few
minutes later, MFA Minister of Cooperation Youssef repeated
the Foreign Minister's apology to Ambassador and advised her
that he had personally chided the National Assembly President
after they were made. He continued that Idriss had been
responding to the audience for which the remarks were
tailored and had not meant to imply that they were official
policy.


5. (C) Comment: There were actually two disturbing aspects of
the speeches given on the occasion in question: (1) the
remarks on Iraq by Idriss Arnaoud Ali; and (2) the remarks on
foreign country "partnerships" with Djibouti, made by Prime
Minister Dileita. Dileita failed to mention the United
States, and cited only France, China, the Arab world, Iran
and India in a discussion of "cooperation partnerships" now
and in the future for Djibouti. The oversight of the U.S.,
and especially the humanitarian projects of CJTF-HOA, were
vigorously raised by Ambassador with both Ministers. It may
indeed have been a question of the intended audience, in this
context, but the need for officials to obfuscate may be as
telling as their subsequent need to apologize. End comment.
RAGSDALE