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