MINISTER OF INTERIOR SEEKS ADDITIONAL U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000681 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF, AF/E, AF/RA STATE PASS USAID E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM EAID DJ SUBJECT: MINISTER OF INTERIOR SEEKS ADDITIONAL U.S. ASSISTANCE IN REGIONAL ELECTIONS AND FOLLOW-UP REF: A. DJIBOUTI 518 ¶B. DJIBOUTI 439 Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARGUERITA D. RAGSDALE. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (SBU) This is an action message. ¶2. (SBU) Minister of Interior and Decentralization, Abdulkader Dualeh Wais, convoked Ambassador to the Ministry on May 8 to request additional USG financial assistance for Djibouti's upcoming regional elections. Reftels reported an outstanding request from Wais for USD 500,000 for printing, computer networks, informational material, vehicles, repair of voter card distribution offices and an Independent Electoral Commission in support of these elections. Embassy awaits Department's response to these earlier reftels. ¶3. (SBU) In the May 8 meeting, Wais told Ambassador that regional elections were now planned for November, 2004 vice October. He said that after elections are over, and a formal installation of officers, those elected must be given furnished offices out of which to operate and vehicles to reach constituents in their districts. The total number of regional officers, he said, would equal 13: one each from the districts of Obock, Dikhil, Tadjoura, Ali Sabieh, Arta and Djibouti. In addition, in Djibouti there will be a "Conseil" or Director, for each of the "arrondissements," or districts of Djibouti, and another individual to serve as overall advisor. ¶4. (SBU) Wais acknowledged in the meeting that overall assistance has also been requested from France and the EU for these elections. ¶5. (C) Comment: Ambassador made no promises to Wais and it is unclear what money can be obligated in this fiscal year, or in FY 2005, for these elections. Whatever the Department decides to provide, however, will require oversight and management to avoid opportunities for diversion of resources. We can work with USAID to consider possible mechanisms through which to channel this assistance. Financial support provided by the U.S. for Djibouti's legislative elections in 2003 were managed by the Embassy's first-tour consular officer. We do not believe this would be an effective or appropriate option for the mission with any funding for November's regional elections. ¶6. (C) It is also unclear what France or the EU will provide Djibouti, if any amount, in this instance, although the EU representative stated that approval of the purchase of 4 x 4 vehicles would be difficult. Embassy recommends that whatever is provided be provided in coordination with other donors. End comment. RAGSDALE