PRESIDENT HAILS BILATERAL SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001131 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; HANDLE ACCORDINGLY STATE PASS TO AF AND AF/E LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KADM APER PINR DJ SUBJECT: PRESIDENT HAILS BILATERAL SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS ¶1. (U) On September 18, 2006 Ambassador W. Stuart Symington presented his credentials to President Ismail Omar Guelleh of the Republic of Djibouti. Attendees included: Susan Symington; DCM David W. Ball; Rear Admiral Richard W. Hunt, Commander Combined Joint Task Force ) Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA); Janet Schulman, USAID Office Director in Djibouti; Christy Stoner, Public Affairs Officer; and Ahmed-Nour Youssouf-Nour, President of the Local Employees, Association. ¶2. (SBU) During the ceremony Guelleh underscored the importance of security as well as Djibouti,s commitment to resolve conflict through dialogue within the region. He called Djibouti,s strength its people, noting that they are an amalgam of different races and cultures. He stressed that Djibouti is a place of religious tolerance and open to the world., Guelleh claimed that Djibouti was the only African country that evenly supported Muslim and Christian schools and places of worship. ¶3. (SBU) When asked for his view regarding Djibouti,s future, he stressed the importance of fighting poverty by creating employment, especially through the Port of Djibouti and related services. He said Djibouti must take advantage of its natural resources, including marine life and its potential for renewable energy resources. He looks to Djibouti becoming a regional financial center and recognized that it was essential for Djibouti to treat investors well and provide security if it is to succeed. ¶4. (U) Ambassador and Admiral Hunt emphasized the importance of Djibouti,s security cooperation. Other U.S. attendees highlighted actions by Mission and CJTF-HOA personnel to help Djiboutians in education, health and water projects. Looking ahead, Ambassador noted that, if Djibouti succeeds, it may serve as an example to other nations in the region of democratic development in a tolerant, Muslim state. SYMINGTON