DJIBOUTI: WALK IN 06/09/2004

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000794

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/IP, DS/IP/AF, DS/ICI/PII AND S/CT
ADDIS ABABA, NAIROBI, ASMARA AND SANAA FOR RSOS
CJTF HOA FOR J2, J2X, ATFP, AND MARCENT ATFP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC DJ
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: WALK IN 06/09/2004


1. (SBU) On 06/09/2004 at about 0930 hours an individual
walked into the American Embassy in Djibouti requesting to
speak with an American official. After careful screening,
RSO and Embassy Force Protection Officer (FPO) conducted a
preliminary interview with the individual. The individual
stated that his name is Ali Shire Adan Abdulle; D/POB -
03/03/1954, Mogadishu, Somalia and provided an identification
card to corroborate his information. Abdulle claimed that he
came to the Embassy on behalf of a friend that wished to sell
the U.S. government radioactive material. RSO and FPO
convinced Abdulle to contact his friend so that he could come
to the Embassy and discuss his situation in person. His
friend agreed and arrived at the Embassy approximately 20
minutes later.


2. (SBU) RSO and FPO interviewed Mr. Mahdi Ubaidi Muhsen;
DPOB - 06/09/1957, Ethiopia. Muhsen did not have any form of
identification. Muhsen claims that he is in possession of a
container full of plutonium and that he wishes to sell it to
the U.S. government. When questioned as to how he obtained
this product, Muhsen stated that he is part of a group of
Ethiopians that acquired the container in late 2001, but
could not provide more detail. Muhsen also stated that he
had a brief-case full of vials that contained a substance
that he referred to as Red Mercury. He further states that
he had tried to notify someone at the American Embassy in
Sanaa, but that his story was not believed by the person he
spoke to. Muhsen could not remember any details of his
conversation.


3. (SBU) RSO recognized the details of a scam that had been
attempted on a number of U.S. Embassies in the region
including Djibouti and U.S. Military personnel at Camp
Lemonier several times before. Subjects were confronted and
advised that there attempts to extort money from the U.S.
Government was a serious matter and RSO would report them to
the authorities. RSO strongly encouraged Subjects to cease
and desist their attempts to sell their products. In
addition, RSO informed Subjects that he would be advising the
Host Nation Police Forces and other Diplomatic Missions of
their activities. Furthermore, RSO informed them that if it
is discovered that they are attempting to pull another scam
they could be subject arrest.


4. (SBU) RSO has photos of both individuals and can E-MAIL
them. The following information was obtained during the
interview:

Mahdi Ubaidi Muhsen
Cell - 253-83-42-82
Hm - 00 967-511-231
Wk - 00 967-380-673

Ali Shire Adan Abdulle
Cell - 253-83-25-92


5. (U) RSOs and J2 personnel, please inform RSO Djibouti if
these individuals appear in your areas. POC is RSO Marc
Ramos at 253-35-39-95 ext. 2307.
RAGSDALE