1. (U) Djibouti's media is giving broad coverage to a joint
statement issued April 20 by France's Ministries of Defense
and Foreign Affairs on the controversial Judge Bernard Borrel
affair, involving the state of Djibouti (see reftels). The
text, unofficially translated by Embassy Djibouti, is as
follows:
-
"Within the framework of the investigation underway into the
death of Judge Borrel, some documents classified
"secret-defense" have recently been declassified. This
measure had been requested by the Djiboutian authorities
themselves. It has allowed these documents to be added to the
case file. Contrary to assertions put forward by diverse
organs of the press, nothing in these documents permit one to
conclude that the Djiboutian authorities are involved. Any
other statement does not conform to reality."



2. (C) The text of the statement is along the lines of the
language France's Ambassador Philippe Selz had proposed to
his government, and that he said he believed might help calm
matters between the countries. (See reftel A). Selz
telephoned Ambassador April 21 to state that "the storm is
over," at least for now. He told Ambassador, and French
General Gerard Pons, Commander of French Forces stationed in
Djibouti subsequently confirmed to her, that relations
between Djibouti and France are returning to normal. Both
said that earlier, French military forces had resumed their
routine interactions with Djiboutian forces.



3. (C) Comment: The concern of French officials here is that
real control over the case's publicity ultimately rests with
Borrel's widow. She is not likely to keep the matter low-key
and we cannot predict future Djiboutian government reactions
to any new revelations in this tragic case. End comment.
RAGSDALE