Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DJIBOUTI918
2005-09-15 04:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Djibouti
Cable title:  

DJIBOUTI'S PROTOCOL CHIEF THREATENS SUSPENSION

Tags:  CVIS CMGT PINR PREL DJ 
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UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000918 

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

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000918

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
and Charge d'Affaires his displeasure in not being able to procure im
visa for one of the members of the security staff chosen to accompany
Guelleh to UNGA. Darar threatened to halt all issuance of any diplom
to Americans, refuse American duty-free imports, delay American diplo
vehicle registrations, and hold back gasoline coupons until the visa
Post's coincidental receipt of SAO clearance around the same time per
issuance, but the issue may reappear in future application instances.
summary.


2. (SBU) The Djiboutian Protocol Office has repeatedly delivered visa
to Embassy Djibouti with the expectation of issuance in an unreasonab
time frame. The last diplomatic delegation to the U.S. in May 2005
three individuals not being able to accompany the president because t
subject to SAOs, and did not bring their passports in time to receive
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
applications for the UNGA delegation as early as possible. When the
applications finally arrived at COB on Tuesday September 6, more than
were incomplete, lacked photographs or had invalid passports. We man
issue 19 out of 20 visas, but one was delayed by the need for an SAO.


4. (U) On Saturday, September 10, a weekend, ConOff received word tha
Protocl Chief wanted an immediate meeting regarding the case of the i
requiring an SAO. (Note: Although an SAO clearance had been accorde
overnight, the visa still could not be immediately authorized for tec
reasons, as Embassy's parser server is not normally rebooted on weeke


5. (SBU) In the meeting, also attended by the Charge, Darar immediate
up the visa that was still unissued. ConOff and Charge attempted to
processing, even for diplomatic visas, sometimes takes time, and ever
being made to expedite this particular application. Darar responded
visa were not issued within the next hour Djibouti would cease issuan
diplomatic visas for Americans, refuse any American duty-free imports
American diplomatic vehicle registrations, and hold back coupons for
of fuel. Charge said that the threat would need to be passed along t
and offered Darar the chance to retract the threat. Instead he repe
emphasis, and agreed that the threat should be communicated to Washin
During the course of the meeting, the parser was rebooted, so that na
and FR could clear in NIV. After Darar left, ConOff was able to auth
print the visa in question. The passport was picked up from the emba
minutes 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
conclusion of meeting will probably confirm Darar's belief that verba
can facilitate matters regarding visas. We are uncertain if there is
Darar's threat to withhold diplomatic privileges to the Embassy as a
policy for the future. We will monitor and apprise Washington of dev
accordingly. End Comment

RAGSDALE