DJIBOUTI'S PROTOCOL CHIEF THREATENS SUSPENSION U.S.

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000915

SIPDIS

FOR CA/VO

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS CMGT PINR PREL DJ
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI'S PROTOCOL CHIEF THREATENS SUSPENSION U.S.
DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES



1. (SBU) Summary. On September 10, Djama Elmi Darar, Chief of Presid
Protocol, accompanied by the head of presidential security, expressed
Charge d'Affaires his displeasure in not being able to procure immedi
of the members of the security staff chosen to accompany President Gu
Darar threatened to halt all issuance of any diplomatic visas to Amer
American duty-free imports, delay American diplomatic vehicle registr
back gasoline coupons until the visa was issued. Post's coincidental
clearance around the same time permitted issuance, but the issue may
application instances. End summary.


2. (SBU) The Djiboutian Protocol Office has repeatedly delivered visa
Embassy Djibouti with the expectation of issuance in an unreasonably
The last diplomatic delegation to the U.S. in May 2005, resulted in t
being able to accompany the president because they were subject to SA
bring their passports in time to receive visas when the SAOs cleared.


3. (U) Given the history of last minute applications, Embassy Djibout
requested, beginning in June, that the government's Protocol Office s
for the UNGA delegation as early as possible. When the applications
COB on Tuesday September 6, more than several were incomplete, lacked
or had invalid passports. We managed to issue 19 out of 20 visas, bu
by the need for an SAO.


4. (U) On Saturday, September 10, a weekend, ConOff received word tha
Chief wanted an immediate meeting regarding the case of the individua
SAO. (Note: Although an SAO clearance had been accorded overnight,
could not be immediately authorized for technical reasons, as Embassy
not normally rebooted on weekends.)


5. (SBU) In the meeting, also attended by the Charge, Darar immediate
visa that was still unissued. ConOff and Charge attempted to explain
even for diplomatic visas, sometimes takes time, and every effort was
expedite this particular application. Darar responded that if the vi
within the next hour Djibouti would cease issuance of diplomatic visa
refuse any American duty-free imports, delay American diplomatic vehi
and hold back coupons for purchase of fuel. Charge said that the thr
passed along to Washington and offered Darar the chance to retract th
he repeated it with emphasis, and agreed that the threat should be co
Washington. During the course of the meeting, the parser was reboote
check and FR could clear in NIV. After Darar left, ConOff was able t
print the visa in question. The passport was picked up from the emba
later.


6. (SBU) Comment: While the meeting itself had no impact on the tim
issuance of the outstanding visa, the fact that it was issued shortly
meeting will probably confirm Darar's belief that verbal pressure can
regarding visas. We are uncertain if there is substance to Darar's t
diplomatic privileges to the Embassy as a general policy for the futu
and apprise Washington of developments accordingly. End Comment

RAGSDALE