DORALE RADIO PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION, CREATES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000288

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

RABAT/CASABLANCA PASS TO IBB/DAVID STRAWMAN, DARREL
DUCKWORTH IN TANGIER; STATE PASS TO AF/E, AF/EX, AF/PD;
SECSTATE PASS TO BBG TARIQ FAROOQI, JOHN BOWEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS ASEC KPAO KPAO DJ BBG
SUBJECT: DORALE RADIO PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION, CREATES
REQUEST FOR SOMALI LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING SUPPORT


1. (U) SUMMARY: This is an action request, see paragraph

8. The International Board of Broadcasting's three
year, $1.2 million renovation of Radio Television
Djibouti's Dorale transmitting station is nearing
completion. The renovations give RTD expanded
broadcasting capability, allowing its signals to reach
well into the Ethiopian and Somalia interiors and as
far as Sudan. The renovation, which has included
installation of three transmitters, is part of a
bilateral agreement between the Government of Djibouti
(RTD) and IBB for the long-term lease and licensing of
the PK-12 site used for Radio Sawa broadcasting. END
SUMMARY


2. (U) The bilateral agreement to lease land for a Radio
Sawa transmitting station included a $1.2 million
renovation project for the state-owned Radio
Television Djibouti's dilapidated transmitting station
at Dorale. Due to funding concerns, it was decided
that RTD would award a facility upgrade contract
locally. IBB would install and commission the three
transmitters and upgrade the existing short wave
antenna system using its own technical resources. An
agreement to this effect was signed in June 2004.


3. (U) In June 2004, IBB provided RTD with money and
drawings for facility cleanup and upgrade. Work
included demolition, cleanup and removal of old
equipment, painting (walls and towers),roof and
ceiling replacement, air-conditioning, plumbing and
bath room refurbishment, switchgear refurbishment,
wiring and lighting upgrade, and installation of the
building grounding system.


4. (U) In late October 2004, the RTD and IBB commissioned
the first medium wave (1539 kHz) transmitter. The
second MW transmitter was retuned to 1116 kHz. In
January 2005, a second medium wave (1116 kHz)
transmitter and a short wave transmitter were
installed. IBB support crews from Morocco and Germany
performed the transmitter installation work. The
second medium wave transmitter was placed in service
in early February.


5. (U) The short wave transmitter installation and
refurbishment of the short wave antenna system were
completed in early March and the antenna was tested
and placed in service. This transmitter gives RTD the
capability to broadcast as far as Sudan and well into
the Ethiopian and Somalia interiors.


6. (U) Some small equipment adjustments are still
pending. IBB expects the complete renovation to be
finished in May. Meanwhile, IBB remains under a 5-year
contract with RTD for maintenance and warranty of the
Dorale equipment. IBB expects continued technical
support and advice will be provided by Moroccan FSNs
on temporary duty assignments to the PK-12 site. An
inauguration ceremony for the renovated station is
planned for early April.


7. (U) RTD has expressed extreme satisfaction with the
quality of the renovations and the support provided by
IBB Washington and Morocco. Kudos are due to the
excellent teamwork of IBB engineers David Despain and
Gerhard Straub, and Moroccan Station Director David
Strawman. Special thanks for the tireless dedication
and excellent service provided to both RTD and Post by
Darrel Duckworth and FSN technical crews from Morocco.


8. (SBU) IBB has discussed pursuing Congressional
approval of a Somali-language service similar to Radio
Sawa and Voice of America, though on a much smaller
scale. RTD has already agreed, unofficially, to
promote any Somali language programming which the USG
can provide and assist IBB in getting maximum possible
signal distribution and coverage for such programming
through use of the new transmitters at Dorale. Post
believes this would be an extreme advantage in the
Global War on Terrorism by bolstering Public Diplomacy
efforts in the region. Post requests Department of
State support for IBB's efforts in Washington. IBB
contacts are Walter Borys, wborys@ibb.gov (unclass)
202-619-2035; and John Bowen, jbowen@ibb.gov
(unclass)202-619-1553.

RAGSDALE