US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI461

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000461 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, ASEC, PGOV, PTER, GR, DJ 
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE RAU 
CANCELLATION 
 
REF: A. (A) DJIBOUTI 446 
 
     B. (B) DJIBOUTI 441 
 
1. (U) This is an action message.  See action requested 
paragraphs 4 and 5. 
 
2. (U) Following is translated text of the official 
statement of Djibouti's Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
on cancellation of the visit of German President Rau. 
This statement was issued March 24 and was sent by the 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs March 27 to all diplomatic 
and to all international organizations accredited to 
Djibouti. 
 
3. (U) BEGIN TEXT: Djibouti expressed its astonishment 
and its great surprise following the cancellation of 
the visit of German President Johannes Rau for reasons 
of a terrorist threat. 
- 
Djibouti, as an active member country in the 
international anti-terrorism coalition, offers the 
forces engaged in the "Enduring Freedom" operation, 
since January 2002, basic sound logistical support and 
a calm environment where possible security worries 
are stemmed by the excellent work of coordination of 
security services. 
- 
All of the security measures were in place to 
guarantee and assure, in the best conditions, the 
welcome of the President and his wife. 
- 
According to information at our disposal, we 
can assert, in complete confidence that the threats 
aimed at undermining the life of President Rau cannot 
be taken seriously. 
- 
The reaction of the spokesperson of the Anti- 
Terrorist coalition, present in Djibouti, broadcasted 
from the antennas of RFI (Radio France International) 
expressed the same astonishment and corroborate this 
assertion. 
- 
The Djiboutian president and his German 
counterpart, in the course of a telephone conversation 
they had this morning, reaffirmed their will to work 
towards the reinforcement of bilateral relations between 
the two countries and to coordinate their efforts with 
a view to establish peace and stability in this region 
of the world. 
Made in Djibouti, Wednesday, 24 March 2004. END TEXT. 
 
4. (U) Action Request: Per reftels, Embassy draws 
Department's attention to the content of para. 5 of 
the statement and to Reftel A. Ambassador proposes 
sending a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs that would ameliorate association of the U.S. 
Government with allegations of this paragraph.  The 
proposed note would read: 
 
BEGIN TEXT: The Embassy of the United State of America 
in the Republic of Djibouti presents its compliments to 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International 
Cooperation and has the honor to refer to the Ministry's 
Declaration of its Spokesperson, dated Wednesday, March 
24, 2004, which was circulated to all diplomatic and 
consular missions in Djibouti.  In that Declaration, 
the Ministry spoke about the cancellation of the visit 
of His Excellency the President of Germany and said: 
"The reaction of the Spokesperson of the Anti-Terrorist 
Coalition present in Djibouti, broadcasted from Radio 
France International, expressed the same astonishment 
and corroborates this assertion." 
- 
The Embassy of the United States asserts that the remarks 
of the Spokesperson of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn 
of Africa were taken out of context in news accounts and 
were not intended to indicate either the Task Force's or 
the United States Government's "astonishment" or 
"surprise" at the reports of threats against the life of 
President Rau.  Nor do the remarks attributed to the 
Spokesperson indicate an assessment of the validity of 
those reports.  Such determinations are the province of 
the Government of Germany, which is tasked with the 
security of President Rau and of all German Government 
officials. 
- 
The Embassy of the United States reaffirms its continuing 
close relations with the Government of Djibouti in the 
global struggle against terrorism. 
- 
The Embassy of the United States of America in Djibouti 
takes this occasion to renew to the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs and International Cooperation, the assurances of 
its highest consideration. END TEXT. 
 
5. (U) Request Department concurrence on proposed note. 
RAGSDALE