US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI489

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000489 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: ASIG, AMGT, DJ 
SUBJECT:  AMBASSADOR'S POST MEMORANDUM - DJIBOUTI 
 
Post Memorandum 
United States Embassy Djibouti 
 
Djibouti is a close ally of the United States and a key 
partner in the global struggle against terrorism.  It hosts 
the only U.S. military base in sub-Saharan Africa, is 
headquarters for the Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of 
Africa, which directs coalition counter-terrorism operations 
in East Africa and Yemen, and is working diligently to 
stabilize the Horn of Africa, including to lessen tensions 
between Eritrea and Ethiopia and to achieve peace and 
stability in Somalia. 
 
-Embassy Goals and Objectives 
 
As reported in the Embassy's FY 2006 Mission Program Plan, 
the goals of Embassy Djibouti are to increase the 
effectiveness of Djibouti's partnership with the United 
States in the global war on terrorism, to promote regional 
stability through cooperation with Djibouti, to enhance the 
Embassy's support to U.S. citizens, to broaden public 
diplomacy strategies of the United States, and to improve 
management and organizational performance of the mission.  A 
number of performance indicators have been established to 
measure performance and to track progress in each of these 
areas. Post is above target in its strategic goals on 
counter-terrorism and regional stability, with the signing 
of a long-term agreement for the U.S. base at Camp Lemonier 
and full implementation of local training activities through 
the East Africa Counter-terrorism initiative.  More work is 
needed, however, in the areas of support to U.S. citizens, 
development of a full public diplomacy and public affairs 
program, and in the promotion of Management and 
Organizational excellence. 
 
-Operational Problems 
 
There are a number of operational and administrative support 
problems that inhibit Embassy Djibouti's achievement of its 
objectives.  As a SEP post and hardship differential post, 
with a difficult climate and location in a region of Africa 
that has previously been the target of terrorism, Embassy 
Djibouti has consistently failed to attract experienced 
officers for any of its key officer positions.  As of 
February 22, 2004, the date of arrival at post of this 
Ambassador, the Embassy's sole Consular, Public Diplomacy, 
Political/Economic, and General Services Officer positions 
were all filled by first-tour Junior Officers.   In 
addition, a first-tour Management Officer departed post the 
day of Ambassador's arrival after only a brief tenure.  That 
position is now being encumbered by an experienced WAE.  He 
departs June 30, but is not expected to be followed by a 
permanently assigned Management Officer in the interim. 
This will mean a continuation of interim staffing for the 
management section.  The steps to overcome these shortfalls 
include vigorous recruitment of more senior staff, but is 
unlikely to achieve the results post requires, given 
staffing realities in the Department in the near- term. 
 
-Performance of Operating Sections 
 
As this Ambassador only arrived at post one month ago, she 
is still in the process of conducting evaluations of the 
operating sections of the mission.  Initial impressions, 
however, are of a mission of American and Locally Engaged 
Staff who work earnestly and hard, and with tremendous 
dedication despite limited resources, to keep the mission 
afloat and to achieve U.S. objectives.  Performance by all 
sections has been admirable despite the absence of an 
Ambassador for eight of the past nine months and the absence 
of an experienced Management Officer for the same period. 
We want to protect U.S. citizens through stringent 
application of visa and refugee processing regulations, but 
are hampered, and will continue to be hampered in this area, 
by concerns about Consular staffing.  By August, 2004, the 
Consular Section will have lost -either by assignment or 
immigration - its entire staff consisting of one American 
officer, one American contract employee and on FSN 
assistant. With that loss, goes loss of experience.  We fear 
most the presence of weaknesses in the consular part of our 
operations that might inadvertently permit malafides to 
enter the United States, either as refugees or as holders of 
immigrant and non-immigrant visas. 
 
-Other Agency Support 
 
Other agency support for the mission seems superb, to the 
extent that Ambassador is able to judge in her brief tenure 
thus far.  The U.S. Agency for International Development 
(USAID) has been on the ground only since July of 2003.  It 
is in the process of managing a development assistance 
program of more than $30 million in the areas of education, 
health, and food security, while also recruiting staff and 
re-defining office space to meet its operational needs.  The 
current USAID Director arrived in February 2004.   The 
Security Assistance Officer, under Central Command (CENTCOM) 
and Department of Defense (DOD) auspices, is working closely 
with the Ambassador and has excellent ties with Djibouti's 
military.  In addition, a Naval Criminal Investigative 
Service (NCIS) officer has been thoroughly integrated into 
Embassy operations, including serving as back-up to our 
Regional Security Officer.  The NCIS officer is also the 
Embassy's vital liaison with Camp Lemonier and the Combined 
Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa stationed in Djibouti. 
RAGSDALE