US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI301

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000301 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, AF/E, AF/RSA AND PM 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2014 
TAGS: PREL, MARR, MOPS, DJ 
SUBJECT: MINISTER OF PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS ON CAMP LEMONIER 
LEASE 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARGUERITA D. RAGSDALE. 
REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). 
 
1. (C) In a February 29 call on Minister of Presidential 
Affairs, Osman Ahmed Moussa (reported septel), Ambassador 
raised the CJTF-HOA presence in Djibouti, its role and that 
of the U.S. Mission in support of the global war on 
terrorism.  She noted that the Camp Lemonier lease agreement 
was up for renewal and asked who would lead negotiations on 
behalf of the Government of Djibouti.  She also noted that 
Ambassador Roble Olhaye had been in touch with General 
Robeson on some aspects of the lease agreement. 
 
2. (C)  Moussa responded that "in the past, there was no 
coordination on the lease among various government offices in 
Djibouti.  Today, the Ministry of Presidential Affairs is the 
official coordinator on military matters."  Moussa did not 
confirm that Olhaye would be point person nor did he deny it. 
 
3. (C) In what could easily have been interpreted as a joke, 
based on manner of delivery of his remarks, Moussa quickly 
added that "France is currently paying 30 million Euros to 
the Government of Djibouti annually for base leasing rights 
in Djibouti" (an amount subsequently confirmed to Ambassador 
by France's Brigadier General Gerard Pons, Commander of 
French Forces stationed in Djibouti).  "It will help the 
economy of Djibouti," Moussa said, "if the U.S. increased its 
payment from USD 15 million to USD 30 million." (Note: 
General Pons told Ambassador and USLO chief during a meeting 
at the U.S. Embassy March 3, that his military also procures 
its durable supplies on the local Djibouti market and that 
members of the French military based here pay income taxes to 
the Government of Djibouti. End Note). 
 
4. (C) Comment:  We cannot determine at this time if the USD 
30 million figure mentioned by Moussa will be a starting 
point for Djibouti's negotiations with the Department of 
Defense on a continuing lease agreement for Camp Lemonier. 
End comment. 
RAGSDALE