US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI908

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000908 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR S/CT AND AF/E 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2014 
TAGS: PTER, ASEC, EAIR, PREL, DJ 
SUBJECT: HOST GOVERNMENT REQUEST FOR SCANNERS AND METAL 
DETECTORS 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARGUERITA D. RAGSDALE 
FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) 
 
1. (U) Action requested paragraph 4. 
 
2. (C) Chief of National Security, Hassan Said Khaireh, has 
requested of the Ambassador, in a letter dated June 21, 2004, 
two mobile scanners and ten portable metal detectors "to 
enable immigration and border police to control baggage 
arriving at the international airport of Djibouti."  Khaireh 
stated that the request was being made in the context of the 
struggle against international terrorism and the U.S. "Safe 
Skies" program. 
 
3. (C) Although the host nation has requested these items in 
an effort to strengthen security measures at its airport, 
Post believes the host nation lacks sufficient technical 
knowledge to use and properly deploy the equipment requested. 
 The host nation has stated to RSO its great concern about 
the lack of security aboard air carriers flying out of 
Somalia and into Djibouti.  The host nation considers it 
highly plausible that an individual could carry weapons or 
explosives aboard a flight originating in Somalia and 
subsequently bring these items into Djibouti.  Since the host 
nation cannot affect appropriate security measures in Somalia 
and the airlines lack resources to take on extensive security 
measures to mitigate this threat, it is prudent of Djibouti 
to seek other solutions.  Unfortunately, the type of baggage 
screening equipment it has requested does not appear to suit 
its needs.  Specifically, the type of portable x-ray scanners 
the host nation has requested cannot properly screen baggage 
on a continual basis because of their small size. 
 
4. (C)   Action requested:  Post believes that the host 
nation would be better off utilizing a belt-fed baggage 
scanner that can be installed permanently.  Should the 
Department approve this request, consultations should be 
conducted with the Transportation Security Administration 
(TSA) to determine the proper equipment to deploy that can be 
easily operated and maintained in this environment. 
Instructors Lou Armour and Tracy Fields from the TSA 
conducted an airport security management course in Djibouti 
in December of 2002 and can provide a clear assessment of the 
requirements. 
RAGSDALE