US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI707

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000707 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR OBO DIRECTOR WILLIAMS FROM AMBASSADOR RAGSDALE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ABLD, AMGT, ASEC, DJ 
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI - IMMEDIATE ACTION TO RESOLVE ACCESS ISSUE 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 134321 
     B. DJIBOUTI 670 
     C. DJIBOUTI 668 
     D. E-MAIL HARTUNG/MCGOWAN 7/13/05 
 
1. (U) Djibouti has accepted the USG's first preference for 
resolving the impasse over access roads to the New Embassy 
Compound.  It will accept the route closest to the 
presidential compound, delineated as a composite orange line 
in a map attachment to Ref D.  Ambassador asked for a 
diplomatic note expressing same from the Ministry, which was 
provided.  Embassy's translation is included at para 5. 
 
2. (U) Ambassador presented on 7/25 to Minister of Foreign 
Affairs Mahmoud Ali Yousuf both Ref A options for access 
roads to the new Embassy site, citing a USG preference for 
the option that passes close to the existing presidential 
residence and grounds.  She provided the Minister with a 
letter from her to him further enunciating this preference, 
as well as describing a second option closer to the 
roundabout and corresponding to the green line also included 
in the attachment to Ref D.  Along with the letter, 
Ambassador provided the Minister with a map which outlined 
graphically these preferences. 
 
3. (U) Mahmoud was unable to give instant approval for either 
option and promised to get back to the Ambassador before the 
end of the day.  This he did several hours later with a phone 
call confirming Djibouti's acceptance of our preferred option 
closest to the presidential compound and a follow-up dipnote 
with map. 
 
4. (U) Mahmoud again raised the issue of payment for the 
land.  Post believes that with Djibouti's concurrence on the 
USG request for the proposed access route, all outstanding 
elements to complete a final purchase agreement are now in 
place.  Attorney Martinet's title search results, 
pre-certification documentation, etc. are enroute via DHL to 
the Embassy. 
 
5. (U) Following is Embassy's translation of the text of the 
diplomatic note from the Government of Djibouti.  (Embassy 
confirms that "Proposal A" mentioned coincides with our first 
option.) 
 
Begin text: 
- 
Republic of Djibouti 
Unity-Equality-Peace 
- 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 
- 
No. 618/05/Fax/MAECI 
Djibouti 25 July 2005 
- 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States 
of America in Djibouti and, concerning the two proposals A 
and B for access routes submitted by the Ambassador of the 
United States of America to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
has the honor to inform of the agreement of the Djiboutian 
authorities to proposal A mentioned in the enclosed map. 
- 
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation 
seizes this occasion to renew to the Embassy of the United 
States of America the assurances of its high consideration. 
- 
End text. 
 
RAGSDALE