US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI443

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Identifier:	05DJIBOUTI443
Wikileaks:	View 05DJIBOUTI443 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Djibouti
Created:	2005-05-09 10:18:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED
Tags:	PREL PGOV DJ
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000443 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF AND AF/E 
LONDON/PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, DJ 
SUBJECT: RETURN OF DJIBOUTI'S FOREIGN MINISTER 
 
REF: DJIBOUTI 135 
 
1. (U) Djibouti's Foreign Minister Ali Abdullah Farah 
returned to Djibouti May 1 directly from Paris, where he had 
been receiving treatment since a stroke at his office in 
Djibouti on February 9.  News photos and footage of his 
disembarkment from the plane revealed a vigorous Foreign 
Minister with no visible effects of his illness. 
 
2. (U) On May 5, the heads of diplomatic missions in 
Djibouti, led by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Eritrean 
Ambassador Mahmoud Ali Jabra, called formally on the minister 
to welcome him back and wish him well.  We found him in 
excellent form, fully able to correspond with no signs of 
paralysis or permanent damage.  He had lost considerable 
weight and told Ambassador he would not return immediately to 
his position but would recuperate a bit longer in Djibouti 
prior to resuming his duties.  We note than Farah was present 
for the presidential inauguration but that Mahmoud Ali 
Youssouf, retains his capacity as Acting Foreign Minister. 
Youssouf will accompany President Guelleh for talks in Brazil 
and in Washington. 
RAGSDALE