US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI983

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 000983 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT. FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/ITA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC 
SUBJECT: VEHICLE BREAK-IN, CORRECTED COPY 
 
 
1. On September 29, 2005 at approximately 0945 the vehicle of 
an Embassy employee was broken into and 100,000 DF were 
stolen from the vehicle.  The EFM of an Embassy employee had 
gone to Djibouti Telecom to pay their internet bill and 
parked their vehicle in the parking lot across the street 
from Djibouti Telecom.  The EFM reported that he has been 
having problems with his automatic looks and believes that 
when pressed the button on his remote that the car doors did 
not actually lock, because when he returned to the car there 
was no sign of forced entry, but the glove box was open and 
the money was missing. 
 
2. The EMF went with our FSNI and provided enough information 
on the subjects that the police were able to start an 
investigation and assigned a police officer to investigate 
the incident.  Within 15 minutes the police had arrested all 
known thieves and drug dealers in the area of Djibouti 
Telecom and began questioning them.  The RSO was also 
informed by the police and Djibouti Telecom security guards 
that criminal activities have gone up in this area.  Just one 
week prior money was stolen from a vehicle belonging to a 
French national.  It is my opinion that this incident was 
completely avoidable, but it does highlight the rise in crime 
in Djibouti and the fact that there are elements out there 
watching Americans.  RSO apprised country team of recent 
incidents and encouraged personnel security awareness. 
 
3. If you have any questions please contact RSO Gary Stoner 
at (253) 35 39 95 or via email at stonergm@state.gov. 
RAGSDALE