US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI1313

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 001313 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPT FOR DS/DSS/IP, DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA 
ADDIS ABABA FOR RSO AND SEO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC 
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: 3RD QUARTERLY STATUS REPORT - JUL, AUG, 
SEP 2004 
 
REF: STATE 48834 
 
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1. Summary of Significant Events 
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A. Narrative Overview of Significant Events 
 
1. (U) RSO took R&R during the third quarter at which time 
TDY RSO Jeff Pursell filled in for the majority of time while 
ARSO James Jewett (Kampala) filled the gap for the last two 
weeks.  RSO would like to acknowledge the outstanding support 
provided by both TDY RSOs, particularly the wealth of 
experience and knowledge that RSO Pursell shared with the 
Embassy and US Military personnel. Details of RSO Pursell's 
TDY were forwarded to DS/IP/AF upon departure. 
 
2. (SBU) RSO Continues to work very closely with Host Nation 
counterparts and representatives of the Terrorist 
Interdiction Program to finalize the implementation of the 
program.  Technical setbacks have taken a toll on the 
project, but completion is at approximately 90%.  Final 
implementation is expected to be completed by 12/2004. 
 
In addition to the TIP/PISCES team, RSO supported other 
visitors to Post to include: 
 
- 07/24 to 07/26 - EDP Trainer, Kirk Baumann, for training 
and maintenance of detection equipment 
- 07/26 to 08/04 - Regional FMO, Felipe Cayabyab, for 
facilities review 
- 08/04 to 08/07 - STS John McKenna to repair technical 
security equipment. 
- 08/08 to 08/10 - CODEL Payne 
- 08/09 to 08/09 - CENTCOM CMDR - General Abizaid 
- 08/16 to 08/19 - Ship visit by the USS Denver 
- 08/23 to 08/23 - CODEL Miller 
 
3. (SBU) RSO has not received any reports of attacks on 
Americans during this quarter. As reported before, RSO and 
embassy personnel continue to monitor crime trends and RSO 
continues to work closely with host nation police to ensure 
the safety of all personnel. Reports of petty theft, fraud, 
assault, battery, sexual deviation, and unlawful trade 
continue to be reported informally.  Two violent crimes 
occurred within the city limits in the last month of the 
quarter, but neither crime was aimed at Americans.  One of 
the crimes involved two French military soldiers being 
stabbed by a Djiboutian national.  Host Nation Police have 
concluded that the incident was the result of alcohol abuse. 
 
4. (U) The First session of the International Law Enforcement 
Academy (ILEA), Law Enforcement Executive Development Program 
(LEEDP) began during the third quarter.  10 members of the 
Djiboutian government participated in session 12 of the 
LEEDP.  RSO received positive comments from senior leadership 
as to the professionalism of ILEA staff and the extensive 
curriculum of the ILEA. 
 
B. Mission Wide Emergency Action Drills: 
 
1. Chancery:  Although Post did not conduct traditional 
Embassy wide drills during this quarter, Post continues to 
develop and carry out emergency response drills with U.S. 
Military elements assigned to assist the mission in case of a 
crisis.  Several scenarios were acted out that took into 
consideration the need for U.S. Military components to assist 
the RSO in providing a defensive posture for the Chief of 
Mission as well as strengthening the physical security of the 
compound.  The USMC's Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team 
(FAST) out of Bahrain, conducted an exercise aimed at 
securing the compound and enhancing existing Mission 
security. 
 
(a) Bomb Drill - Projected for 4th Qtr 
(b) Fire Drill - Projected for 4th Qtr 
(c) Emergency Destruction Drill - projected for 4th Qtr 
(d) D&C Drill - 03/18/2004 
 
2.  Constituent posts: Not applicable. 
 
3.  MSG activities: Not applicable. 
 
-------------------------- 
2.  Threats and incidents: 
-------------------------- 
 
A.  (SBU) Post did not convene the EAC during the 3rd 
quarter.  Post continues to be rated as critical for 
trans-national terrorism. RSO and other EMBOFFs continue to 
work closely with Host nation counter parts to monitor 
activity and strengthen cooperation.  RSO is working closely 
with DS, ORA, US Military and FBI personnel to monitor and 
coordinate threat reporting. 
B.  Constituent posts: Not applicable 
-------------------------------- 
3. DS initiated investigations: 
-------------------------------- 
 
Number of cases generated by headquarters offices: 
 
                    opened   closed   pending   overdue 
1. PSS                 (3)      (3)       (0)       (0) 
2. VF                  (0)      (0)       (0)       (0) 
3. PF                  (0)      (0)       (0)       (0) 
4. CIL                 (0)      (0)       (0)       (0) 
5. PR                  (0)      (0)       (0)       (0) 
6. CI                  (0)      (0)       (0)       (0) 
7. PII                 (0)      (0)       (0)       (0) 
 
Number of cases generated by post: 
 
1. Post FSN/PSC        (12)     (10)      (2)       (0) 
2. Other Agency RFAS   (0)      (0)       (0)       (0) 
3. Host Govt RFAS      (0)      (0)       (0)       (0) 
4. RSO Criminal        (0)      (0)       (0)       (0) 
 
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4. Action cables/e-mails not answered by DS: 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
04 Djibouti 658 - Request for immediate assignment of ARSO 
04 Djibouti 908 - Host Government request for Scanners and 
Metal Detectors 
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5. Summary of separate reports: 
-------------------------------- 
 
A.   CIWG report: 01/05/04 - 04 Djibouti 00010 
 
B.  Emergency action plans: completed and distributed by DS 
on 12/19/2001 via 02 State 217606.  Next full revision of the 
EAP is due 06/05.  An update of the EAP is projected for 4th 
Qtr 2004. 
 
C.  Security surveys: 
Chancery - 02 March 2003 
Warehouse - 02 March 2003 
EMR - 02 March 2003 
 
D.  Procedural security survey: 01/12/03 
 
E.  Comprehensive SPE inventory: 03/09/04 Djibouti 332 (C) 
 
F.  RSO quarterly travel report: N/A 
 
G.  DSS overseas firearms qualification policy: RSO 
re-qualified 15 November 2003 during the MTT visit (03 
Djibouti 2140). 
RAGSDALE