DJIBOUTI: REQUEST FOR CI ANALYSIS

S E C R E T DJIBOUTI 000303

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2029
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: REQUEST FOR CI ANALYSIS

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


1. (S/NF) On Sunday, March 6, 2005, Ambassador to US Embassy
Djibouti received a military delegation of French officials
at her office. Prior to commencement of this meeting, one of
the French military members produced a camera and began
taking photos of the Ambassador and French General. These
photos took place inside the Ambassador's office, which is
inside the controlled access area (CAA). TDY RSO, SA Gregory
Prewitt, was immediately contacted, reviewed the photos and
escorted the French photographer outside the chancery. No
photos were taken of any classified system or documents. The
French photographer stated that he was unaware that cameras
were not allowed within the Ambassador's office.


2. (S/NF) On Wednesday, March 16, 2005, TDY RSO held a
meeting at US Embassy Djibouti with a delegation of French
security officials. The request for this meeting came via
the US Ambassador who was contacted by French Embassy
officials. The visiting French security personnel stated
that they were reviewing the security procedures at their
embassy and were interested in improving their security
posture. Therefore, they stated that they were seeking
guidance from other local embassy security officers. TDY RSO
held a brief meeting with the French officials, providing
general security information. No effort was made by the
French delegation to seek sensitive material or information.


3. (S/NF) On Saturday, March 19, 2005, TDY RSO was notified
by US Embassy Djibouti LGF personnel that two French
nationals, husband and wife, had been detained by Djiboutian
police officials for photographing a building in close
proximity to Post. The French male stated that he worked for
the French military and was based in Djibouti. The photos
were reviewed by LGF personnel and deleted. None of the
deleted photographs were of the embassy or of security
features adjacent to Post.


4. (S/NF) RSO Comments: It must be noted that the
photographer was traveling with the Commanding General of
French forces in Djibouti and as a standard reciprocal
courtesy, the French General's vehicle is allowed to enter
the Embassy compound without search. The camera would have
been discovered during routine personnel search procedures if
the person had entered the Compound Access Control Point
(CAC). This oversight in security procedures has been
corrected, and the French Military command has been notified
that the reciprocal courtesy is extended only to the General.
Future visitors accompanying the General will disembark the
vehicle and proceed through normal screening points prior to
entering the compound.

RSO believes these incidents to be coincidence and not
incidents of intelligence collection on behalf of the French.
However, the close proximity of these events warrants
inclusion in Counter Intelligence (CI) reporting and perhaps
further analysis by CI personnel.


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