US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI1424

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 001424 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF, AF/E, AF/RSA, AND EB 
 
STATE PASS DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 
 
STATE ALSO PASS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND FAA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAIR, ECON, ASEC, ETRD, DJ 
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI THRILLED ABOUT RESULTS OF JOHANNESBURG 
 
1. (U) Summary: Djibouti's delegation to the Safe Skies for 
Africa (SSFA) Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, 
October 25-28 returned with effusive praise of their 
experience. Djiboutian aviation officials that attended 
included Technical Advisor to the Minister of 
Transportation, Mohamed Mahamoud, Chief of Air Traffic 
Control, Ibrahim Moussa, and Director General of Djibouti 
International Airport, David Hawker. Embassy Economic 
Assistant also attended. Djibouti's delegation was 
especially pleased by the official announcement of Djibouti 
as a member of the Safe Skies program. Henceforth, the 
Djiboutian aviation industry is now eligible to receive 
technical assistance and equipment under the SSFA program. 
Djibouti must now begin the agreements process with the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transportation 
Security Administration (TSA) in order to benefit from the 
program.  End Summary 
 
 
2. (U) Djibouti's delegation to the October 25-28 Safe Skies 
for Africa (SSFA) Conference in Johannesburg showed 
continued interest in all subjects covered by SSFA program 
speakers during the conference. Government of Djibouti (GOD) 
officials were pleased with the opportunity to meet with 
SSFA authorities as well as participants from other 
countries in order to become familiar with the SSFA 
program. They were very impressed by the benefits obtained 
by other countries as a result of the SSFA program and hoped 
for the same in Djibouti. These advantages include secure 
airports, professionally trained staff, modern equipment, 
increased trade, and more routes for national airlines. They 
also noted the seriousness showed by countries like Kenya, 
Cape Verde and Uganda in implementing the SSFA program, and 
look forward to gaining similar experience. 
 
3. (U) SSFA officials told Djibouti's representatives at the 
Conference that during the course of the program, they would 
closely cooperate with the Ministry of Transportation, the 
Civil Aviation and the Airport. The Ministry of 
Transportation is responsible for implementing and 
coordinating government policy in road transportation, rail 
transportation, air transportation, sea transportation and 
weather forecast.  Like most ministries in Djibouti, the 
Ministry of Transportation lacks adequate financial and 
human resources. This lack of funding will probably make any 
commitment of resources from Djibouti difficult. 
 
4. (U) Djibouti's International Airport was contracted to 
Dubai Port International (DPI) for private management in 
June 2002. During that time DPI has acquired some equipment 
and trained several of its staff members. David Hawker, 
Director General of the Airport expressed the desire to 
integrate DPI training schedules with SSFA's training 
agenda.  SSFA indicated that it could provide training on 
the airport existing equipment if the equipment U.S. 
made. On the request for air navigation equipment made by 
Ibrahim Moussa, Air Traffic Control Chief, SSFA officials 
responded that funds are not sufficient to purchase them at 
this time but second hand equipment could be obtained and 
shipped at the expense of Djibouti International Airport if 
agreeable to the airport. 
 
5. (U) During bilateral talks with Djiboutian officials, DOT 
and DHS both stressed that they will offer technical 
assistance but it will be GOD responsibility to implement 
the program. In addition, strong support at ministerial or 
higher level is crucial for the success of the program. 
SSFA is committed to help Djibouti meet ICAO standards, 
promote airport security in the region to protect against 
terrorism, provide safe and secure passengers and cargo, and 
establish sound regional navigation and air traffic 
services, Djibouti's representatives were told. In addition, 
safe and secure travel is expected to lead to economic 
benefits. 
 
6. (U) Embassy briefed Almis Haid, Civil Aviation Director 
who, at the last minute could not attend. Haid said that 
SSFA program is a blessing for the Civil Aviation 
Department, which has been completely neglected for many 
years and does not play its proper supervisory role. The 
Civil Aviation Department has a very small staff and an 
insignificant operational budget. As for the National 
Airport Security Program, a draft completed by a French 
Consultant is available but has a lot of shortcomings 
according to Haid. This draft is currently being reviewed by 
the ICAO, which visited Djibouti last September to perform a 
safety audit of Djibouti's sole international airport. 
 
7. (U) The first step Djibouti needs to complete is the 
signing of a technical assistance agreement with the FAA. 
Then a SSFA team will visit Djibouti to complete a global 
initial survey, which will produce an individual roadmap of 
assistance to Djibouti under the SSFA program. SSFA 
officials stressed that all their tasks will be in 
consultation with the US Camp Lemonier in Djibouti in order 
to avoid activities that could put the security of the camp 
at risk. FAA will focus on safety and air navigation while 
TSA will deal with the security aspects. TSA will need to 
 
SIPDIS 
sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the GOD in 
order to run its activities in Djibouti. TSA handed a draft 
MOU to the Djiboutian delegation for its review. No comment 
has yet been provided by the Djiboutian government. 
 
8. (U) Comment: Since the airport is privately run 
government entity, post expects smooth follow-up and 
implementation of the SSFA program.  Hawker expressed 
confidence that SSFA and DPI could closely work together to 
enhance airport security and safety.  Post believes that 
actions from the Ministry of Transportation or the Civil 
Aviation are likely to be slow, primarily due to 
shortcomings in institutional organization and 
coordination.  However, we believe the political will and 
legislative support needed can be mustered.  Post hopes that 
strong desire and initial efforts shown by Djiboutian 
authorities at the Conference and immediately following will 
persist throughout the program. End Comment.