Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DJIBOUTI1120
2005-11-10 05:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Djibouti
Cable title:  

EID PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH

Tags:  PREL PGOV PINS KISL KPAL DJ 
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UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001120 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF AND AF/E;
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER;

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS KISL KPAL DJ
SUBJECT: EID PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH


UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001120

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF AND AF/E;
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER;

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS KISL KPAL DJ
SUBJECT: EID PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH



1. (U) SUMMARY: On November 3rd, Djibouti
celebrated the end of the holy month of
Ramadan. After the EID prayer, President
Ismail Omar Guelleh hosted a garden party
in the Presidential Palace. In a long
speech in Arabic, Guelleh talked about
the cost of oil and its implications in
the local market. Referring to the
latest social violence due to bus
strikes, he warned that stability
and security will not be undermined. He
also touched on coming regional
elections and decentralization. Guelleh
commented on the peace process in the
Middle East and the democratic process
in Iraq before expressing his good
wishes for EID to the Djiboutian
population. End of Summary.


2. (U) On NOvember 3rd, Djibouti celebrated
the EID El Fitr, which is the end of
the fasting month of Ramadan. President
Ismail Omar Guelleh gave his EID
speech during the annual garden party for
the official community and invited guests
that he hosts with the First Lady. After
praying that Allah accepts the sacrifices
made during the holy month, he exhorted
Djiboutian Muslims to work harder and
free one's internal energy to
develop the country and combat sins.


3. (U) Speaking on rising international
oil prices, he regretted the result was a
significant negative impact on the already
weak economy of Djibouti. He cited two
areas that are affected more than others,
Djibouti's economic growth and the poorest
members of its population with limited
revenues. To remedy this crisis, he called
on international institutions and oil
producing countries to show generosity
and solidarity towards poor countries.
"Stability and security might be
compromised otherwise," he said.


4. (U) Djibouti has recently seen a huge
strike of public transportation that
paralyzed Djibouti-city for four days.
Guelleh threatened those who attempt to
disrupt the "security of fellow Djiboutians"
would be punished severely. "Our country
will remain an oasis of peace and stability."
He emphasized that Djibouti's position
and stability are its major resource and
there will be no wealth if those two
components are targeted.


5. (U) On decentralization, Guelleh
announced that regional elections will be
held before the end of 2005. This transfer
of power to the local governing bodies
will permit citizens to manage their own
regions.


6. (U) Regarding the Middle East,
Guelleh stated "if Israel has withdrawn
from the Gaza strip, it's due to the
heroic struggle of Palestinian people, and
this will be the first step of liberating
Palestinian territories to its 1967's
border." On the other hand, he requested
from "brothers in the Authority to maintain
unity and not to succumb to confrontation."
He also expressed his desire to see the
Palestinian leader Abou Mazen be up to
the situation. On Iraq, Guelleh called for
a free, democratic and reconciled Iraq.


RAGSDALE