DJIBOUTI'S PRESIDENT VISITS TEHRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 001057 SIPDIS SIPDIS LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR IR DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI'S PRESIDENT VISITS TEHRAN REF: DJIBOUTI 789 Classified By: Pol/Econ Christopher Patch for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh paid a two-day official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran beginning on September 2. He was received by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and talks revolved around the reinforcement of economic and political ties between the two countries. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, accompanied by the Djiboutian Foreign Minister and the Djiboutian Cabinet Director, traveled to Iran on September 2, and was officially welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki. On September 3, Guelleh met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said that Iran and Djibouti enjoy common stances on political and international issues. "In our talks, we will discuss new grounds for more cooperation between the two countries," the Iranian President said. He added that Djibouti is a "brotherly" country, and regards "the progress of Djibouti as our own progress." He expressed Iran's readiness to support Djibouti, saying Tehran and Djibouti enjoy friendly and consolidated ties. Citing his previous meeting with Guelleh during the 7th African Union Summit in Banjul, Gambia, Ahmadinejad said "Guelleh's visit to Tehran will cause a jump in economic relations and expansion of ties in different areas." (NOTE: It was during talks held at the AU Summit when Ahmadinejad first invited Guelleh to visit Iran. See Reftel. END NOTE) ¶3. (SBU) Guelleh told reporters that he carried a message of friendship between the two nations. Guelleh expressed Djibouti's determination to bolster full ties with Iran, saying Tehran and Djibouti have the potential to boost bilateral cooperation through various international organizations. After the first round of talks between Ahmadinejad and Guelleh, the Djiboutian President saluted Iranian efforts to promote peace and security in the world and indicated that Iran does not represent a threat to any nation. ¶4. (SBU) Guelleh also met with Iranian Minister of Defense Mostafa Mohamed Najjar. Guelleh inspected Iran's defensive capabilities, and was briefed on the latest achievements made by Iran in developing its defense industry. The Defense Minister also voiced the readiness of the Islamic Republic of Iran to broaden defense cooperation with Djibouti. Najjar said Iran has made a breakthrough in non-military industries such as bridge construction, dam building, generation of energy, and construction of roads and buildings. The Defense Minister offered these resources to be at Djibouti's disposal. Guelleh expressed satisfaction with Iran's defense capabilities and voiced his country's readiness to expand technical cooperation with Iran. During the two-day visit to Tehran, Guelleh also met with the Iranian Minister of Oil and Supreme Guide Ali Khameney. ¶5. (C) COMMENT. Although Djibouti and Iran have enjoyed warm political and economic relations (see Reftel),Guelleh's visit to Tehran, coming on the heels of Iran's August 31 UN compliance deadline, promises to heat things up for better or worse. Sources say that top Djiboutian government officials, including the Foreign Minister, advised Guelleh against a visit to Tehran at this time. Other sources indicate that Saudi Arabia may withdraw promised support, in the form of oil, for the upcoming COMESA Summit. Yet Guelleh pressed forward with this visit in the hopes that a show of support will translate into economic aid from Iran. Furthermore, Guelleh clearly conveys his refusal to be seen as being beholden to anyone, including the United States, France, or even the Arab League. He welcomes all sides with open arms, and deep pockets, and hopes they bring money to fill them. BALL