Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DJIBOUTI814
2008-10-16 15:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Djibouti
Cable title:
DJIBOUTI ON IRAN UNSCRS: FRIENDS SHOULD BE FRANK
how-toVZCZCXRO7281 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHDJ #0814 2901500 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 161500Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9598 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000814
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E, ISN/RA, IO/T, AND NEA/IR
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2018
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL IR DJ
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI ON IRAN UNSCRS: FRIENDS SHOULD BE FRANK
REF: STATE 105173
Classified By: PolOff Rebecca K. Hunter for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000814
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E, ISN/RA, IO/T, AND NEA/IR
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2018
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL IR DJ
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI ON IRAN UNSCRS: FRIENDS SHOULD BE FRANK
REF: STATE 105173
Classified By: PolOff Rebecca K. Hunter for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) PolOff delivered reftel points on all UN Security
Council resolutions (UNSCRs) adopted on Iran to GODJ Ministry
of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director for International
Organizations Mohamed Idriss Farah on October 15.
2. (C) Farah affirmed Djibouti's strong interest in
preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability,
calling those who would develop a nuclear weapon in Iran
"mad" and the "extremists of the extremists." It would be
"terrifying" and a "problem for all of humanity" if Iran
developed a nuclear weapon. Therefore, he agreed that it was
"normal" for the international community to try to prevent
this from happening.
3. (C) Despite the lack of any diplomatic presence in each
others' countries, Farah acknowledged Djibouti's generally
good relationship with Iran. (NOTE: Iran is funding the
construction of Djibouti's new $20 million National Assembly
building, as well as an additional project to renovate
Djibouti City's marketplace. END NOTE.). However, Farah
insisted that "true friendship must be totally frank," and
said that Djibouti could still criticize Iran on nuclear
issues. "It's Djibouti's nomadic tradition," he said,
"always to tell your friend the truth, even if it's
disagreeable."
4. (C) COMMENT: Djibouti will likely follow the lead of other
Arab League members. Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf
recently travelled to Istanbul to join the foreign ministers
of Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Syria at the first-ever
ministerial meeting of the Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum,
held on October 11. FM Youssouf will next accompany
Djibouti's President Guelleh to the October 17-19
Francophonie Summit in Quebec. END COMMENT.
WONG
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E, ISN/RA, IO/T, AND NEA/IR
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2018
TAGS: KNNP MNUC PARM PREL IR DJ
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI ON IRAN UNSCRS: FRIENDS SHOULD BE FRANK
REF: STATE 105173
Classified By: PolOff Rebecca K. Hunter for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) PolOff delivered reftel points on all UN Security
Council resolutions (UNSCRs) adopted on Iran to GODJ Ministry
of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director for International
Organizations Mohamed Idriss Farah on October 15.
2. (C) Farah affirmed Djibouti's strong interest in
preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability,
calling those who would develop a nuclear weapon in Iran
"mad" and the "extremists of the extremists." It would be
"terrifying" and a "problem for all of humanity" if Iran
developed a nuclear weapon. Therefore, he agreed that it was
"normal" for the international community to try to prevent
this from happening.
3. (C) Despite the lack of any diplomatic presence in each
others' countries, Farah acknowledged Djibouti's generally
good relationship with Iran. (NOTE: Iran is funding the
construction of Djibouti's new $20 million National Assembly
building, as well as an additional project to renovate
Djibouti City's marketplace. END NOTE.). However, Farah
insisted that "true friendship must be totally frank," and
said that Djibouti could still criticize Iran on nuclear
issues. "It's Djibouti's nomadic tradition," he said,
"always to tell your friend the truth, even if it's
disagreeable."
4. (C) COMMENT: Djibouti will likely follow the lead of other
Arab League members. Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf
recently travelled to Istanbul to join the foreign ministers
of Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Syria at the first-ever
ministerial meeting of the Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum,
held on October 11. FM Youssouf will next accompany
Djibouti's President Guelleh to the October 17-19
Francophonie Summit in Quebec. END COMMENT.
WONG