DJIBOUTI OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF U.S. INTENT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000903

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF, AF/E AND AF/RSA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2014
TAGS: MARR PREL MOPS DJ
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF U.S. INTENT TO
RENEW BASE ACCESS

REF: STATE 141614

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


1. (C) Ambassador hand-carried June 30 to Mohamed Ali Hassan,
Director of Bilateral Relations at Djibouti's Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, an English version and a French translation
of the diplomatic note provided paragraph 3 of reftel. The
Bilateral Relations Director acknowledged receipt of these
documents by stamping and dating Ambassador's copies, at her
request, for the Embassy's records.


2. (C) Hassan asked for clarification of the language in the
diplomatic note which specified that "this new agreement
would supersede several agreements currently in force between
our two governments, which are related to the 2002 Access
Agreement, concerning access to and use of the aforementioned
properties, facilities, and infrastructure." Ambassador
responded that it would be the preference of the United
States to unite existing accords with the Government of
Djibouti, relating to the 2002 Access Agreement, under a
single umbrella agreement. She also reminded Hassan that the
note is simply an announcement, as required to be met by June
30 under the U.S.-Djibouti Access Agreement of 2002, of U.S.
intent to renew for a longer stay and is not a delineation of
access terms.


3. (C) Ambassador also told Hassan that the U.S. would be
represented in negotiations by Deputy Secretary of Defense
Theresa Whelan, along with a negotiating team. The U.S.
requests a list of Djibouti's negotiators as well as its
preference for venue of talks. She said the U.S. is willing
to come to Djibouti, if Djibouti prefers. Hassan responded
that it was not yet clear who would take part on the
Djiboutian side. He added his belief that Djibouti would
probably prefer Washington as a venue for talks. To Hassan's
inquiry concerning when the U.S. required this information,
Ambassador responded that it was needed as soon as possible.
Hassan said he would try to get this information, but it was
unlikely he would have it until after President Guelleh
returns July 8 from the African Union conference in Addis
Ababa.


4. (C) According to Hassan, the Djiboutian side would require
a draft of proposed terms of an access agreement in advance
of the start of negotiations. "A list of what you want as
compared to what you have now will allow us to conduct
preliminary discussions in Djibouti with various elements,"
he explained. He added that "it is about knowing the impact
of decisions we take, not just signing a document."
Ambassador said she would pass this information to
Washington, and would have a reply for him shortly.
RAGSDALE