US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI926

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000926 
 
SIPDIS 
 
State for AF, AF/E, AF/PD; London/Paris for Africa Watcher 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, KPAO, PGOV, SCUL, DJ 
SUBJECT:  Talking about Katrina in Djibouti 
 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: The country's largest circulation 
newspaper, published on page one a letter in French from the 
Ambassador expressing thanks to the Djiboutian government 
and people for their support during Hurricane Katrina. 
Misinformation in the country regarding the disaster seems to 
revolve largely around the racial identity of those killed or 
injured. END SUMMARY 
 
 2. (U) On September 13, La Nation, the country's largest 
circulation newspaper published an open letter to the Djiboutian 
government and people expressing thanks for Djibouti's support 
during Hurricane Katrina. Text from the letter drew from guidance 
issued by the Department (see para 5). The letter was paired with a 
sympathetic story La Nation ran about September 11 
commemorations in the U.S. Post also held a small ceremony and 
moment of silence on September 11. 
 
3. (U) In addition to the letter, PD has been addressing Katrina 
misinformation by devoting 30 minutes of each of its nightly 
conversation groups to answering questions about the disaster. 
Questions in the groups seem to be of general concern, but one 
reoccurring concern is the misperception that only African- 
Americans died or were displaced. The Public Diplomacy officer 
has used Department guidelines to answer questions in these 
groups. These answers have led to interesting and insightful 
questions about poverty, welfare and self-help. 
 
4. (U) The Post-sponsored English language conversation groups 
are currently active in five English night schools throughout 
the city and six more schools are on a wait list. About 130 youth 
ages 16-25 participate in the groups each week and discuss civic 
topics with 
native speakers from the Embassy and US military. The groups 
continue to be an important aspect of PD's hearts and minds 
campaign and a venue for sharing the US message while 
simultaneously providing important insights into Djiboutian 
culture and attitudes. 
 
5. (U) An English translation of the Ambassador's letter follows. 
Begin text: 
 
I want to express the heartfelt thanks of the President, the 
United States Government and all Americans, to the leaders 
and citizens of Djibouti, for their kind and generous support in 
the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  More than 500,000 residents 
have been affected by this disaster in the southeastern United 
States that has destroyed cities, divided families and killed 
untold numbers.  We're touched and deeply grateful for 
Djibouti's offer of assistance and the profound feelings of 
friendship and sympathy that prompted it. 
 
Support from our friends around the world is more important 
than ever in the face of the long rebuilding process ahead. The 
State Department is coordinating closely with the Department 
of Homeland Security to match many generous offers of 
international support with the needs of those affected. 
Assistance will help with immediate evacuations, relocations 
and repairs and well as longer-term needs as those areas and 
citizens hit by Katrina recover and begin to rebuild their lives, 
their families and their futures. 
 
Recently, we have seen the American people respond 
generously to help others around the globe during their times of 
distress, such as during the recent tsunami.  Today, we are 
seeing a similar urgent, warm and compassionate reaction from 
the international community in response to Katrina.  Thank you 
for reaching out to us and for your ongoing support and 
friendship. 
 
Ambassador Marguerita Ragsdale 
End text. 
 
6. Minimize considered. 
RAGSDALE