1. (U) Djibouti has accepted the USG's first preference for
resolving the impasse over access roads to the New Embassy
Compound. It will accept the route closest to the
presidential compound, delineated as a composite orange line
in a map attachment to Ref D. Ambassador asked for a
diplomatic note expressing same from the Ministry, which was
provided. Embassy's translation is included at para 5.



2. (U) Ambassador presented on 7/25 to Minister of Foreign
Affairs Mahmoud Ali Yousuf both Ref A options for access
roads to the new Embassy site, citing a USG preference for
the option that passes close to the existing presidential
residence and grounds. She provided the Minister with a
letter from her to him further enunciating this preference,
as well as describing a second option closer to the
roundabout and corresponding to the green line also included
in the attachment to Ref D. Along with the letter,
Ambassador provided the Minister with a map which outlined
graphically these preferences.



3. (U) Mahmoud was unable to give instant approval for either
option and promised to get back to the Ambassador before the
end of the day. This he did several hours later with a phone
call confirming Djibouti's acceptance of our preferred option
closest to the presidential compound and a follow-up dipnote
with map.



4. (U) Mahmoud again raised the issue of payment for the
land. Post believes that with Djibouti's concurrence on the
USG request for the proposed access route, all outstanding
elements to complete a final purchase agreement are now in
place. Attorney Martinet's title search results,
pre-certification documentation, etc. are enroute via DHL to
the Embassy.



5. (U) Following is Embassy's translation of the text of the
diplomatic note from the Government of Djibouti. (Embassy
confirms that "Proposal A" mentioned coincides with our first
option.)

Begin text:
-
Republic of Djibouti
Unity-Equality-Peace
-
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
-
No. 618/05/Fax/MAECI
Djibouti 25 July 2005
-
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States
of America in Djibouti and, concerning the two proposals A
and B for access routes submitted by the Ambassador of the
United States of America to the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
has the honor to inform of the agreement of the Djiboutian
authorities to proposal A mentioned in the enclosed map.
-
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
seizes this occasion to renew to the Embassy of the United
States of America the assurances of its high consideration.
-
End text.

RAGSDALE