US DIPLOMATS ATTACKED BY ROCK YIELDING YOUTHS

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000301 SIPDIS DEPT. FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC SUBJECT: US DIPLOMATS ATTACKED BY ROCK YIELDING YOUTHS ¶1. On March 7, 2006 at approximately 1830 the Ambassador's OMS and the GSO were going to an exercise class at the Dolto school in Djibouti City when the vehicle they were driving in was attacked. The attackers consisted of a dozen Djiboutian youths who were loitering in the area. The occupants of the vehicle were not hurt and the vehicle itself suffered only minor damage, but the occupants were clearly shaken up and feared for their lives. The only reason that the vehicle did not suffer major damage was due to the fact that it was a Jeep with a rag top. If the hard top had been on the vehicle, the large rocks thrown would have broken windows and/or caused other damage to the vehicle and possible injuries to the occupants. ¶2. The RSO, ARSO, Force Protection Officer, FSNI, and mobile patrol responded to the incident. The ARSO was the first person on the scene and spoke with the Amb. OMS and GSO about what had taken place. The rest of the security office arrived shortly after that and tasked the mobile patrol to look around the area for any of the delinquent youths. The mobile patrol was not able to locate any of the youths, but the FSNI spoke with the director of the school and was able to determine that the youths were not from the area, but from another part of town. The RSO informed the police and an investigation was opened concerning this case. RSO will monitor the situation and report any significant findings back to the Department. ¶3. On Tuesday March 7, 2006 the RSO briefed the country team on personal protective measures in light of the attack in Karachi. RSO will also send out a new security notice to the entire Embassy community to remind them to stay away from large groups of youths in town. If you have any questions please contact the RSO at 253-35-39-95 or via email at stonergm@state.gov. RAGSDALE