US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI903

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000903 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, AF/E AND AF/RSA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2014 
TAGS: MARR, PREL, MOPS, DJ 
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF U.S. INTENT TO 
RENEW BASE ACCESS 
 
REF: STATE 141614 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARGUERITA D. RAGSDALE. 
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). 
 
1. (C) Ambassador hand-carried June 30 to Mohamed Ali Hassan, 
Director of Bilateral Relations at Djibouti's Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs, an English version and a French translation 
of the diplomatic note provided paragraph 3 of reftel.  The 
Bilateral Relations Director acknowledged receipt of these 
documents by stamping and dating Ambassador's copies, at her 
request, for the Embassy's records. 
 
2. (C) Hassan asked for clarification of the language in the 
diplomatic note which specified that "this new agreement 
would supersede several agreements currently in force between 
our two governments, which are related to the 2002 Access 
Agreement, concerning access to and use of the aforementioned 
properties, facilities, and infrastructure."  Ambassador 
responded that it would be the preference of the United 
States to unite existing accords with the Government of 
Djibouti, relating to the 2002 Access Agreement, under a 
single umbrella agreement.  She also reminded Hassan that the 
note is simply an announcement, as required to be met by June 
30 under the U.S.-Djibouti Access Agreement of 2002, of U.S. 
intent to renew for a longer stay and is not a delineation of 
access terms. 
 
3. (C) Ambassador also told Hassan that the U.S. would be 
represented in negotiations by Deputy Secretary of Defense 
Theresa Whelan, along with a negotiating team. The U.S. 
requests a list of Djibouti's negotiators as well as its 
preference for venue of talks.  She said the U.S. is willing 
to come to Djibouti, if Djibouti prefers.  Hassan responded 
that it was not yet clear who would take part on the 
Djiboutian side. He added his belief that Djibouti would 
probably prefer Washington as a venue for talks.  To Hassan's 
inquiry concerning when the U.S. required this information, 
Ambassador responded that it was needed as soon as possible. 
Hassan said he would try to get this information, but it was 
unlikely he would have it until after President Guelleh 
returns July 8 from the African Union conference in Addis 
Ababa. 
 
4. (C) According to Hassan, the Djiboutian side would require 
a draft of proposed terms of an access agreement in advance 
of the start of negotiations.  "A list of what you want as 
compared to what you have now will allow us to conduct 
preliminary discussions in Djibouti with various elements," 
he explained.  He added that "it is about knowing the impact 
of decisions we take, not just signing a document." 
Ambassador said she would pass this information to 
Washington, and would have a reply for him shortly. 
RAGSDALE