DRAFT LETTER FOR KAMAJ ON VACANT BUILDING ACROSS

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001094 SIPDIS FOR AF DAS DON YAMAMOTO FOR AF/EX VIRGINIA MILHOUS FOR OBO/AM FRANKLIN WHITE FOR L/AF FOR DS/IP/ITA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL AMGT DJ SUBJECT: DRAFT LETTER FOR KAMAJ ON VACANT BUILDING ACROSS FROM COMPOUND REF: A. DJIBOUTI 1071 ¶B. E-MAIL 11/1/05 V. MILHOUS ¶1. (U) Using information provided Ref (B),Embassy requests Department's approval of Ambassador sending following letter in response to Ref (A) letter of request for compensation for vacant building across from Embassy compound: Begin text of draft letter: - Mr. M. Houssein Mahmoud Director KAMAJ, Agence Immobiliere Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti Dear Mr. Mahmoud: Thank you for your letter of July 8, 2005, addressed to Ambassador Donald Yamamoto, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, U.S. Department of State, regarding the unoccupied privately-owned building directly across the street from the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti. As you know, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations provides that the receiving state has a "special duty to protect the premises of the mission" of a foreign state represented in the receiving state. I think both the Government of the United States and the Government of Djibouti agree that having an uncontrolled facility in such close and open proximity to the U.S. mission, and directly overlooking the premises of the U.S. mission, is inconsistent with this duty. The way in which Djibouti chooses to fulfill its protective obligations to the U.S. mission is, of course, entirely in the hands of the Government of Djibouti. We deeply appreciate the Government's continued support in this regard. At the present time, the U.S. Embassy has no need for the land on which the "Soleillet" building sits. Therefore, we are not in a position to reply favorably to either the offer of rental, sale or other forms of compensation you have presented on behalf of the building's owners. Sincerely, Marguerita D. Ragsdale Ambassador - End text of draft letter. ¶2. (U) Would appreciate Department's swift reply and comment. concerning the property . RAGSDALE