DJIBOUTI ON SOMALI PIRACY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF UNCSR 1816

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000602

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E, AF/RSA, AND IO/UNP
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EWWT KCRM KCRS KJUS PHSA PREL PGOV SO DJ
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI ON SOMALI PIRACY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF UNCSR 1816

REF: STATE 74305 (NOTAL)


1. (SBU) PolOff delivered reftel points to Djibouti Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Deputy Director of Bilateral Affairs Youssouf Aden
Moussa on July 17.


2. (SBU) Moussa reemphasized Djibouti's vital national interest in
combating piracy off the Somali coast, especially to protect the
security and economic viability of the Port of Djibouti. Moussa had
no immediate response on concrete steps the GODJ might take in
implementing UNSCR 1816, but said he would transmit the points to
the Ministry of Justice and other relevant GODJ technical agencies
for comment. Post will follow up with the MFA and report any
subsequent responses.


3. (SBU) COMMENT: While the Djiboutian Navy participated in
interdiction exercises earlier this year with French and U.S.
military representatives as part of the Proliferation Security
Initiative (PSI),the relatively small size of Djibouti's military
limits its ability to participate effectively in CTF-150. Moreover,
at least one-half to three-fourths of Djibouti's military forces are
currently forward deployed in northeastern Djibouti, due to recent
border tensions with Eritrea. The Djiboutian Navy is comprised of
approximately 18 small craft, including several small boats provided
by the USG. Although the GODJ supports this concept, the
operational reach of the Djiboutian Navy is limited to its
territorial waters. It is further restricted to patrols close to
existing bases due to the limited range and endurance of its
inventory. Their current capability does not support effective
patrolling near Somali territorial waters, nor does it support
effective and persistent patrols in international waters adjacent to
Djiboutian territorial waters. The USG, using FY07 Section 1206
funds, is constructing a naval pier at Obock, in northern Djibouti;
its completion, anticipated by October 2008, will enhance the
Djiboutian Navy's ability to patrol its coastal waters. Djibouti
does host German military representatives supporting the German
frigate participating in CTF-150; earlier this year, Djibouti also
cooperated with French military forces rescuing hostages from a
hijacked French vessel. In implementing UNCSR 1816, the GODJ is
more likely to be able to offer other types of assistance, such as
judicial assistance, rather than naval support. END COMMENT.

WONG