US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI303

S E C R E T DJIBOUTI 000303 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS/ICI/CI, DS/ITA AND DS/IP/AF 
NAIROBI, ADDIS ABABA AND ASMARA FOR RSO 
CJTF-HOA FOR J2, J2X AND MARCENT S-2 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2029 
TAGS: ASEC 
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI: REQUEST FOR CI ANALYSIS 
 
Classified By: RSO MARC RAMOS FOR REASON 1.4 (C,D) 
 
1. (S/NF) On Sunday, March 6, 2005, Ambassador to US Embassy 
Djibouti received a military delegation of French officials 
at her office.  Prior to commencement of this meeting, one of 
the French military members produced a camera and began 
taking photos of the Ambassador and French General.  These 
photos took place inside the Ambassador's office, which is 
inside the controlled access area (CAA).  TDY RSO, SA Gregory 
Prewitt, was immediately contacted, reviewed the photos and 
escorted the French photographer outside the chancery.  No 
photos were taken of any classified system or documents.  The 
French photographer stated that he was unaware that cameras 
were not allowed within the Ambassador's office. 
 
2. (S/NF) On Wednesday, March 16, 2005, TDY RSO held a 
meeting at US Embassy Djibouti with a delegation of French 
security officials.  The request for this meeting came via 
the US Ambassador who was contacted by French Embassy 
officials.  The visiting French security personnel stated 
that they were reviewing the security procedures at their 
embassy and were interested in improving their security 
posture.   Therefore, they stated that they were seeking 
guidance from other local embassy security officers.  TDY RSO 
held a brief meeting with the French officials, providing 
general security information.  No effort was made by the 
French delegation to seek sensitive material or information. 
 
3.  (S/NF) On Saturday, March 19, 2005, TDY RSO was notified 
by US Embassy Djibouti LGF personnel that two French 
nationals, husband and wife, had been detained by Djiboutian 
police officials for photographing a building in close 
proximity to Post.  The French male stated that he worked for 
the French military and was based in Djibouti.  The photos 
were reviewed by LGF personnel and deleted.  None of the 
deleted photographs were of the embassy or of security 
features adjacent to Post. 
 
4. (S/NF) RSO Comments:  It must be noted that the 
photographer was traveling with the Commanding General of 
French forces in Djibouti and as a standard reciprocal 
courtesy, the French General's vehicle is allowed to enter 
the Embassy compound without search. The camera would have 
been discovered during routine personnel search procedures if 
the person had entered the Compound Access Control Point 
(CAC).  This oversight in security procedures has been 
corrected, and the French Military command has been notified 
that the reciprocal courtesy is extended only to the General. 
 Future visitors accompanying the General will disembark the 
vehicle and proceed through normal screening points prior to 
entering the compound. 
 
RSO believes these incidents to be coincidence and not 
incidents of intelligence collection on behalf of the French. 
 However, the close proximity of these events warrants 
inclusion in Counter Intelligence (CI) reporting and perhaps 
further analysis by CI personnel. 
 
5. (U) POC is RSO Marc Ramos at 253-35-39-95 or 253-35-09-49 
(secure). 
RAGSDALE