DJIBOUTI: 2005 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001230 SIPDIS S/CT FOR RHONDA SHORE AND ED SALAZAR ALSO FOR NCTC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER ASEC DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: 2005 COUNTRY REPORT ON TERRORISM REF: STATE 193439 ¶1. Post submits the following language for use in the 2005 Country Report on Terrorism. Embassy POC's for this report is RSO Gary Stoner (stonergm@state.gov). Overview ¶2. Djibouti continues to be a critical front-line state in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT),and has been one of the most forward-leaning Arab League members in support of U.S. and coalition efforts against terrorism. It hosts the only U.S. military base in Sub-Saharan Africa, along with forces from other coalition nations. Despite growing media attention and questions raised by some countries on Djibouti's role in the GWOT, Djibouti remains a staunch supporter of U.S. and coalition requests and operations. U.S. security personnel continue to work very closely and constantly with Djiboutian counterparts to monitor intelligence and follow through on prospective terrorism-related leads. This close relationship has developed into a network of information with immediate and positive results. While their capabilities are limited, Djiboutian counterparts continue to be extraordinarily pro-active in offering as much information as possible to the U.S., and have been highly receptive and responsive to USG requests for information. The Government of Djibouti (GoD) has also detained, for questioning, individuals suspected of having terrorist ties. There have been no acts of domestic or transnational terrorism in Djibouti so far in 2005. The Djiboutian National Security Services have taken extraordinary measures with its limited resources to try to ensure the safety and security of American citizens, the U.S. Embassy, and the U.S. Military Base at Camp Lemonier. Should there be an arrest of an international terrorist or trial of suspects for terrorist acts, the Djiboutian judiciary system would prosecute, within its capacity, aggressively and according to international law. Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism ¶3. The GoD has made no request of the USG for the extradition or assistance in the extradition of suspects in terrorist cases. Although the USG did not request from the GoD the extradition of suspected terrorists, Post firmly believes that the GoD would be highly cooperative in the extradition of a suspect. ¶4. Post knows of no significant impediment to Djibouti prosecuting and/or extraditing suspected terrorists. While there is no bilateral extradition treaty with the U.S., Djiboutian officials have been extremely cooperative in meeting U.S. requests. Djibouti has been highly responsive in assuring the U.S. that it stands firmly in opposition to terrorism and has backed up its pledge with concrete support. ¶5. The President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, as well as many of the top leaders in the GoD, have consistently and repeatedly expressed their country's full and unqualified support for the U.S. in the GWOT. Djibouti was one of the very first Arab League nations to do so, even in the face of adversity and criticism from its neighbors. The president has publicly expressed his support and has been responsive to all U.S. requests. Sanctuary Assessments ¶6. The Djiboutian government has not been requested to investigate international terrorist acts or incidents, but it has investigated, on its own, suspects who may have association with terrorist groups. The U.S. has provided some assistance, but in 2005 there were no suspects charged with being members of an international terrorist organization. The GoD does not tolerate the existence of terrorist groups within Djibouti nor does it provide financial or political support or sanctuary to foreign terrorist groups. ¶7. In accordance with reftel, the text has also been forwarded as a Word Document to S/CT on 12/15/05. RAGSDALE