1. (U) Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent official notice on
August 6 to Embassy informing that Djibouti is willing to
host a technical workshop for countries in the African Rift
Valley Geothermal Development Facility project on the
proposed dates of November 6 -10, 2005. Attached to the
official note from the MFA was a letter from the Minister of
Energy: below is an unofficial translation of the text.

"To your excellence Madame Ambassdor of the United States in
Djibouti,
Following your diplomatic note number 68 of 22 June 2005, my
ministerial department favorably welcomes the hosting of the
workshop referenced in the subject.

I appreciate this iniative and thank the United States
Department of Energy for wanting to organize a regional
training workshop in Djibouti on the management and financing
of geothermal projects in the East Africa Rift Valley.

The choice of the Assal project as a study case in this
training is testament to the will of the United States
Government to aid our country in its policy for the promotion
and development of geothermal energy.

Also, I salute the regional aspect of the workshop through
the participation of representatives of the East Africa Rift
Valley countries.

As the region has decided to develop geothermal energy within
the framework of the ARGeo program, I hope that this
organization will be associated with the workshop as a
partner.

I also confirm our agreement on the proposed date of November
6 - 10, 2005 for the hosting of the workshop.

I also confirm our availability and our contribution, notably:
- a conference room and means of transportation for the
excursion to Lake Assal.

Please accept, Excellence, the assurance of my highest
consideration.

Mohamed Ali Mohamed, Minister of Energy and Natural
Resources."



2. (U) Post received email requesting change of date and will
discuss with the Ministry of Energy.
RAGSDALE