DJIBOUTI ACCEPTS CAMP LEMONIER LEASE RENEWAL

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001152 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF AF/E L AND PM/SNA OSD FOR OUSD(P)/ISA/AFRICAN AFFAIRS:S.BRACERO AFRICOM AND CJTF-HOA FOR POLADS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS MARR PREL DJ SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI ACCEPTS CAMP LEMONIER LEASE RENEWAL REF: 09 DJIBOUTI 1095; 09 STATE 87986; 09 DJIBOUTI 761 ¶1. (SBU) On August 31, Embassy Djibouti informed the GODJ, via diplomatic note, of the USG's intent to exercise its option to renew the May 11, 2006, bilateral "Implementing Arrangement" subject to the availability of funds, for a period of five years, without renegotiation of terms or compensation, from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2015 (refs A-B). ¶2. (U) On September 16, Post formally received a favorable response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, via a diplomatic note dated September 14, 2009 (emailed to AF/E and OSD). Embassy's informal translation of French-language original follows. ¶3. (SBU) BEGIN EMBASSY TRANSLATION. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation No. 1659/09/MAECI Djibouti, September 14, 2009 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Djibouti and has the honor to refer to the Embassy's Note Verbale number 176 of August 31, ¶2009. The Ministry has the honor to acknowledge receipt of the notification of renewal and confirms its understanding that the United States of America is exercising its option to renew the Implementing Arrangement, subject to the availability of funds, for a period of five years, without renegotiation of terms or compensation, from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2015. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation takes this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America in Djibouti the assurances of its highest consideration. END EMBASSY TRANSLATION. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT. The MFA's formal note conforms exactly to the proposed language outlined in ref B. Djibouti's favorable response codifies informal discussions earlier this year on renewing the bilateral "Implementing Arrangement", between U.S. officials and both Djibouti's Foreign Minister and the MFA Director of Bilateral Relations (refs A and C). Djibouti's favorable and swift response underscores the strong partnership between the United States and Djibouti, and the GODJ's continued desire to host Camp Lemonier -- the only U.S. military installation in sub-Saharan Africa. END COMMENT. SWAN