US embassy cable - 04DJIBOUTI1500

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001500 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR S/CT (JOHN KINCANNON AND KIERSTEN MCCUTCHAN) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, ASEC, KCRM, EFIN, KHLS, KPAO, DJ 
SUBJECT: 2004 ANNUAL TERRORISM REPORT - DJIBOUTI 
 
REF: SECSTATE 245841 
 
1. (U) Embassy point of contact for Annual Terrorism Report 
is Pol/Econ Officer Erinn Reed (reedec@state.gov). Below is 
post changes to 2003 Country Section for Djibouti. 
 
2. (U) Djibouti, a staunch supporter in the global war on 
terrorism and a member of the Arab League, has taken a strong 
stand against international terrorist organizations and 
individuals. Djibouti hosts the only U.S. military base in 
Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to U.S. forces, it hosts 
Coalition forces from several countries on a rotating basis 
including France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Britain. There 
were no confirmed acts of domestic or transnational terrorism 
in Djibouti in 2004, but the Government took extraordinary 
measures from its limited resources to try and ensure the 
safety and security of Westerners posted in Djibouti. The 
Government received several million dollars during 2004 in 
training and assistance through the East African 
Counter-Terrorism Initiative to aid in its efforts to train 
security forces, secure borders and increase its capacity for 
maritime interdiction. Djibouti also joined the ranks of 
countries participating in the Safe Skies for Africa program 
in late 2004. Through this program, Djibouti is scheduled to 
receive funding to improve its airport security and 
infrastructure. The Government has also closed down terrorist 
linked financial institutions and shared security information 
on possible terrorist activity in the region. The 
counterterrorism committee under President Guelleh moved to 
enhance coordination and action on information concerning 
terrorist organizations. 
 
3. (U) In October 2002, the United States established the 
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). Based 
in Djibouti, CJTF-HOA coordinates Coalition anti-terrorism 
operations in six East African countries and Yemen. 
 
4. (U) Djibouti is party to three of the 12 international 
conventions and protocols relating to terrorism and signed 
the Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of 
Terrorism on 15 November 2001. 
RAGSDALE