SENATOR OBAMA MEETS WITH DJIBOUTI'S PRIME MINISTER

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001053

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP OTRA PREL DJ
SUBJECT: SENATOR OBAMA MEETS WITH DJIBOUTI'S PRIME MINISTER


1. (U) Following visits to South Africa and Kenya, Senator
Barack Obama and CODEL visited Djibouti on August
31-September 1. During the visit, the Senator, accompanied by
members of CODEL, Admiral Hunt of CJTF-HOA, ChargQ
d'Affaires, and Poloff, met with Djiboutian Prime Minister
Dileita Mohamed Dileita to discuss U.S.-Djiboutian relations.


2. (U) Senator Obama thanked PM Dileita for taking the time
meet together on his first visit to Djibouti. The Senator
expressed appreciation to Dileita for cooperation between the
two countries, and observed that excellent work was being
done with the assistance of Combined Joint Task Force in the
Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). The Senator asked for the PM's
thoughts on current relations between Djibouti and the United
States. Dileita indicated that he knew the Senator was
traveling in the region, and was honored to have the Senator
visit Djibouti. Dileita said that Djibouti has had close
cooperation with the U.S. since September 11, 2001. He
characterized the relationship as "increasing." Dileita said
that the American presence in Djibouti is much appreciated
and he is very proud to see Americans throughout the country
doing things like building hospitals, while fighting
terrorism at the same time. The PM described Djibouti as
strategic and very stable, but faces various problems with
the neighboring countries. Dileita said that unrest in the
region doesn't allow Djibouti to develop. "We don't have a
lot of resources here," he said, "but we have stability and
peace." He asked for continued support to keep the stability
and peace. Senator Obama affirmed that the United States will
help the Djiboutian government remain so.


3. (U) The Senator inquired about Djibouti's involvement with
Dubai, and indicated that American businesses may be
interested in investing in Djibouti as well. The PM
encouraged the U.S. to follow Dubai's model of investment. He
continued by saying Djibouti's main asset is the port and
explained that, with the assistance of Dubai, Djibouti is
continuing to develop the Doraleh Port. (NOTE: Doraleh Port
was inaugurated in February 2006 by Djiboutian President
Ismail Omar Guelleh and former U.S. Ambassador Marguerita
Ragsdale. END NOTE) The PM said that Doraleh, with a depth of
20 meters, is the deepest port in the region, and will
include a free zone to attract African and Arab businesses
for the further development of Djibouti's economy. The PM
said Djibouti has historically dealt with Middle Eastern and
European businesses, but invited companies from the United
States to take part.


4. (U) Dileita also mentioned that Djibouti will host the
upcoming COMESA Summit, which will include a business forum,
in November 2006. Senator Obama asked whether there has been
any outreach to U.S. businesses. Dileita responded that when
Djiboutian President Guelleh was in Washington DC, he met
with several businesses who were interested in the energy
sector. Dileita also mentioned that Kuwait was going to
invest USD $4 Billion in Djibouti's energy sector. He said
Djibouti was most interested in developing alternate forms of
energy due to high costs, and also because Djibouti is
surrounded by oil-rich countries who are "stingy." The
Senator replied that the United States faces similar problems
with energy, and that all nations should look carefully at
developing alternate forms of energy supply.


5. (U) Senator Obama noted that Djibouti was developing
capacity to monitor and control coastal waters and borders
with the help of CJTF-HOA. The PM acknowledged that the U.S.
presence lends stability to the whole region, and Djibouti
desires further cooperation in this matter. The Senator said
the United States wants to develop relations with Djibouti in
matters other than terrorism, and challenged Djibouti to
become a "full partner."


6. (U) Senator Obama has cleared on this cable.

BALL