US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI1249

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001249 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, AF/E AND AF/RSA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, MASS, MARR, SCUL, DJ 
SUBJECT: INAUGURATION OF DJIBOUTI SCHOOLS REPAIRED BY 
CJTF-HOA 
 
 
1. (U) On September 22, Ambassador joined USAID 
Representative, POL/ECON and members of the Combined Joint 
Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) to inaugurate in 
Tadjoura and in Randa, two schools refurbished and funded by 
CJTF-HOA based at Camp Lemonier.  Ambassador cut the ribbon 
with the Director of each school and delivered brief remarks 
to the audiences that included the regional Commissar, a 
representative from the Ministry of Education, Mayors, school 
directors, staff, and students.  CJTF-HOA Chief of Staff, 
Colonel Craig S. Huddleston, also delivered brief statements 
at each event. 
 
2. (U) Both the Tadjoura Secondary School project and the 
Randa Primary School project had been managed by Sergeant 
Charles E. Dishman of CJTF-HOA Engineers, in coordination 
with Major Francois Ratinaud, Djibouti Country Desk Officer 
for CJTF-HOA.  At the Tadjoura school facility, 1,300 
students, 42 teachers and 5,000 family members benefited from 
a project that built and repaired the school's perimeter 
fence, painted the interior and exterior of the fence and 
repaired and replaced the roof on the principal's office. 
The local contractor was Enterprise Abdou Ali and the project 
was completed at a cost of USD 24,850. 
 
3. (U) At the Randa school facility, 315 students and 2,000 
family members benefited from a project for the safety of 
children.  CJTF-HOA built and repaired the critical retaining 
wall on the hillside adjacent to the school, repaired 
electrical wiring to classrooms enabling ceiling fans to 
operate, painted the interior and exterior of the school, 
repaired and replaced steps, and installed a roof on the 
principal's office.  The local contractor was Golf Enterprise 
and the project was completed at a cost of USD 78,623. 
 
4. (U) In remarks at both sites, the Ambassador expressed 
pleasure in joining her military colleagues in celebrating 
refurbishment of the schools.  She said projects such as 
these assist the Government of Djibouti achieve its aims and 
objectives to provide constructive education programs for 
Djibouti's youth.  America wants, as does the Government of 
Djibouti, to see those programs come to fruition in a 
physical environment that encourages learning and facilitates 
instruction, the Ambassador said. 
 
5. (U) The Ambassador continued that these school projects, 
like others the U.S. military has undertaken on behalf of the 
citizens of Djibouti, will enhance the bright future of the 
proud Tadjoura and Randa communities.  The work of the U.S. 
military, she added, is another example of the cooperation 
that is ongoing between the United States and Djibouti in 
education and in other fields. 
 
6. (U) The Ambassador concluded by noting the great pride the 
U.S. armed forces take in the projects they complete in 
Djibouti -- pride that is seen in the smiles on children's 
faces and in the enthusiasm of the teachers in the classroom. 
 She thanked her local hosts for welcoming her and her 
military colleagues and extended to both communities her best 
wishes for a productive and rewarding school year. 
 
7. (U) Comment: We cannot reiterate enough the value of 
simple but effective projects such as those CJTF-HOA has 
undertaken.  These quick impact undertakings are visibly 
appreciated by the people closest to them, especially in the 
rural areas.  We encourage their continuation as part of the 
good work Camp Lemonier is doing to make a difference in 
individual lives here in Djibouti. End comment. 
RAGSDALE