US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI475

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000475 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG, SENV, ECON, EAID, DJ, JA 
SUBJECT: HEYDAY FOR GEOTHERMAL PROJECT IN DJIBOUTIAN PRESS 
 
REF: DJIBOUTI 447 
 
1. (U) Summary: Following the kick-off conference to 
the African Rift Valley Geothermal Development Facility 
(reftel), La Nation, the government run newspaper, ran 
several in-depth articles on the events of the conference 
and geothermal potential for Djibouti in its March 31, 
2004 edition. Post feels this expansive coverage of the 
conference is an indication of the importance the 
Government of Djibouti is putting on this effort.  End 
Summary. 
 
2. (U) The Djiboutian government is making a grand show 
of its newly announced commitment to pursuing geothermal 
energy with four and a half pages of articles, nearly 
half the paper,  in La Nation March 31 on the ARGeo 
conference that took place March 17-20.  PolOff and 
Econ/Comm Assistant attended the full conference and 
noted that the official photographer was present for all 
events and many sessions had Radio Television Djibouti 
(RTD) there as well.  La Nation's coverage included a 
summary of the conference and its outcomes, a history of 
the geothermal program in Djibouti, details of the ARGeo 
program, an interview on the potential of geothermal 
energy with Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy, 
Abdi Farah Chideh, and the full text of President 
Guelleh's message which was read at the opening of the 
conference.  With such fanfare given to the project, 
one gets the impression the Government of Djibouti has 
taken a "no-turning-back" attitude towards the pursuit 
of geothermal energy. 
 
3. (U) Among the most important points highlighted by these 
articles is the change in attitude of those responsible for 
energy and electricity in the government.  Secretary General 
of the Ministry of Energy, Abdi Farah Chideh, was quoted 
as saying "the workshop marking the launch of the ARGeo 
project was a perfect success.  I do not see why I would 
doubt the success of the project itself."  Chideh in earlier 
meetings with PolOff had seemed very hesitant and doubtful 
of the proposals from an American company interested in 
developing the geothermal resources in Djibouti, saying 
that there was not enough research done.  Chideh mentioned 
that the government hoped the ARGeo project would result in 
"a knowledge of the geothermal energy potential throughout 
Djibouti, ending in studying the possibilities of an 
eventual geothermal plant for the production of electricity, 
that is to say a less expensive energy for the benefit of 
the population." 
 
4. (U) The message from President Guelleh was very forward 
leaning noting that "it should not escape our minds the 
need to adapt our economies to the new world environment 
marked by a technological and scientific revolution 
...Geothermal energy constitutes for our countries and 
our populations an alternative to attain progress and a 
real national independence."  Guelleh also commented that 
the theme of the conference was one that carried hope that 
would permit the country to put its strategies for 
sustainable development and the fight against poverty on a 
durable and solid base. 
 
5. (U) Comment: We note that the Honorary Consul for Japan 
in Djibouti, Maitre Farah Mourad, queried Ambassador very 
heavily on the prospects for geothermal development in 
Djibouti.  It is not clear if there is Japanese interest 
in a project.  Japan provides around US$ 10 million in aid 
per year to Djibouti, according to the Honorary Consul. 
End Comment. 
RAGSDALE