1.(U) Action requested at paragraph four.



2. (C) For the second time in three months, most recently
during a meeting 7/19 at Djiboutian military headquarters,
the Head of Djibouti's Armed Forces, General Fathi Ahmed
Houssein, raised personally with Ambassador his considerable
disquiet over the slow pace of acquisition and delivery of
U.S. military defense equipment requested under the U.S.
Foreign Military Financing Program (FMF). Since the dates of
request by General Fathi for select military items, primarily
between March and July, 2003, and subsequent Letters of
Request (LORs), only one Letter of Acceptance (LOA) has been
signed and none of the requested equipment has been delivered
or is enroute to Djibouti. Oustanding equipment for Djibouti
under FMF are:

-- Heavy Road Construction Equipment (LOR October '02; LOA 17
July '03; only spare parts have begun to arrive in country.);
-
-- Reconnaissance Helicopters (LOR 30 July '03; Awaiting OSD
decision)
-
-- Airfield Radar (LOR 30 July '03; Received ROM data;
awaiting Govt. of Djibouti decision)
-
-- Coastal Radar (LOR 30 July '03; Awaiting Technical
Assessment; Updated LOR 25 March '04);
-
-- Fast Patrol Boats (LOR 30 July '03; New LOR 14 March 04;
JVI to take place after assessment visit 30 July)
-
-- Toyota Land Cruisers (LOR 9 May '04; Awaiting LOA; with
TACOM)
-
-- Wheeled Vehicle Package (LOR 30 July '03; with TACOM)
-
-- Spare Parts for Wheeled Vehicles (LOR 30 July 03; with
USASAC)
-
-- Communications Equipment for Wheeled Vehicles (LOR 30 July
03; with CECOM);
-
-- Automation Package (LOR 30 July '03; with IA)
-
-- Small Arms (M4 Carbines, M9 pistols, shot guns, M24 Sniper
systems, MK19 Grenade Launchers, M2 .50 caliber) (LOR 30 July
'03; with TACOM).
-



3. (C) Reftels relate Djibouti's long-standing concern about
the slow pace of FMF deliveries. Djibouti has considerable
International Military Education and Training (IMET) and FMF
programs. FMF alone currently stands at USD 15.28 million and
is expected to rise.



4. (C) Action requested: We are concerned that the slow pace
of delivery of the equipment Djibouti has requested could
become a key bilateral issue in upcoming U.S.- Djiboutian
talks on renewal of access to Camp Lemonier. The issue is
already impacting relations with General Fathi at the Embassy
level. President Guelleh is also interested in this aspect
of our military relationship and has requested Department of
Foreign Affairs involvement in tracking of military
assistance. Request urgent DOD - DOS coordinated response
that Ambassador can use to share with Government of Djibouti,
and specifically General Fathi, that might allay concerns
being expressed to us on the issue of FMF delivery.
RAGSDALE