1. (C) Pol/Econ delivered demarche, per reftel, to Director
of Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Mohamed Ali Hassan, 21 June, urging the Government of
Djibouti to publicly denounce the murder of American citizen
Paul Johnson. Hassan responded that the Government of
Djibouti's position on acts of terrorism such as this one is
very well known, even if it is not regularly publicized.



2. (C) Hassan made clear that the Government of Djibouti
denounces this type of action, against any civilian American
or otherwise, as barbaric and unacceptable. He said Djibouti
has always been a good friend to and stood with the United
States against terrorism. Hassan then asked whether
Washington was the one asking for a public message.



3. (C) Pol/Econ confirmed that the demarche was by request
from Washington and the U.S. would like the government's
stance to be public in order to make known that these acts
are condemned by all nations throughout the world. Hassan
commented that the reason press statements are not released
after each attack of this nature is that the Government of
Djibouti is not well organized and does not have adequate
press service to release such statements. Hassan continued
that the Government's one press attach is currently occupied
by the Somalia issues in Nairobi. Nevertheless, Hassan said
he would bring up the issue of a press release with the
Minister to see if it could be done.



4. (C) Comment: Embassy is not optimistic the Government of
Djibouti will take a public stand on the Johnson murder. Its
officials have made clear, however, in private comments to
Embassy officers their personal condemnation of the killing
of Johnson. In most cases, this condemnation has been on
religious grounds. Ambassador, in her conversations with
officials, has nevertheless urged a public statement. End
Comment.
RAGSDALE