DJIBOUTI: POSSIBLE CI INCIDENT

S E C R E T DJIBOUTI 000208

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/ICI/CI AND DS/IP/AF
ADDIS ABABA AND ASMARA FOR RSO
CJTF-HOA FOR J2, J2X AND MARCENT S-2

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2029
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: POSSIBLE CI INCIDENT

REF: 04 STATE 102336

Classified By: RSO MARC RAMOS FOR REASON 1.4 (C,D)


1. (S/NF) On Thursday February 24, 2005, Embassy Djibouti
received an envelope from the Chinese Embassy in Djibouti
containing a business proposition on behalf of the Chinese
construction company "Chine Dji-Fu Sarl (formerly CSCEC)".
In the proposition, the Chinese construction company briefly
outlines its history in Djibouti and includes a detailed
pamphlet of construction projects it has undertaken in the
past 20 years. The business proposition is aimed at
providing similar services to the U.S. Military located at
Camp Lemonier.


2. (S/NF) On Saturday February 26, 2005 at approximately 1000
hours, a man of Asian decent drove up and parked his vehicle
at the North end perimeter of the U.S. Embassy compound.
After a few minutes the man exited his vehicle and proceeded
to the Jersey barrier located in the middle of the street and
began taking measurements of the barrier. Upon noticing this
odd behavior, Embassy guards and Host Nation Police detained
the individual. The Embassy guard tried to speak to the man
in English and French, but the man only used sign language
and Chinese claiming that he did not understand the Guard.
The man presented an identification card from the seaport of
Djibouti with the organization denoted as "CSCEC" and his
name "Zhu Hanzhou". RSO responded, but was unable to
communicate with the man. RSO then contacted the director of
the company, Mr. Zhang Jian, who arrived shortly thereafter.
The Director corroborated that the man worked with his
company. The Director stated that the construction company
was doing a security upgrade project for the sea port and
that the individual was directed to take measurements of the
barriers located at the Embassy perimeter as examples. RSO
explained to the director that the Embassy is not to be used
as a "display case" of security features and that they should
seek their information elsewhere. The Director apologized
several times and assured RSO that this sort of incident
would not occur a second time and departed the area.


3. (S/NF) RSO Comments: In and of itself, neither the
business proposal nor the barrier incident appear to be of
any intelligence consequence to the Embassy or the U.S.
Military and individually are not out of the ordinary
incidents. However, the near term association of both
occurrences is a strange coincidence that merits scrutiny.
CSCEC has been in Djibouti and in business for over 20 years,
but it has not been until the arrival of the U.S. Military
that they have shown interest in the prospect of providing
construction services to the USG. It must be noted that
China maintains strong diplomatic relations with Djibouti and
is a major aid donor. The past two years has seen an
increase of Chinese ex-patriates residing in Djibouti for
various reasons (Diplomats, construction companies,
automotive and electrical technicians, etc.)


4. (U) POC is RSO Marc Ramos at 253-35-39-95 or 253-35-09-49
(secure).
RAGSDALE