US embassy cable - 05DJIBOUTI1120

UNCLAS DJIBOUTI 001120 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF AND AF/E; 
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER; 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PINS, KISL, KPAL, DJ 
SUBJECT: EID PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH 
 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY: On November 3rd, Djibouti 
celebrated the end of the holy month of 
Ramadan. After the EID prayer, President 
Ismail Omar Guelleh hosted a garden party 
in the Presidential Palace. In a long 
speech in Arabic, Guelleh talked about 
the cost of oil and its implications in 
the local market. Referring to the 
latest social violence due to bus 
strikes, he warned that stability 
and security will not be undermined. He 
also touched on coming regional 
elections and decentralization. Guelleh 
commented on the peace process in the 
Middle East and the democratic process 
in Iraq before expressing his good 
wishes for EID to the Djiboutian 
population. End of Summary. 
 
2. (U) On NOvember 3rd, Djibouti celebrated 
the EID El Fitr, which is the end of 
the fasting month of Ramadan. President 
Ismail Omar Guelleh gave his EID 
speech during the annual garden party for 
the official community and invited guests 
that he hosts with the First Lady. After 
praying that Allah accepts the sacrifices 
made during the holy month, he exhorted 
Djiboutian Muslims to work harder and 
free one's internal energy to 
develop the country and combat sins. 
 
3. (U) Speaking on rising international 
oil prices, he regretted the result was a 
significant negative impact on the already 
weak economy of Djibouti. He cited two 
areas that are affected more than others, 
Djibouti's economic growth and the poorest 
members of its population with limited 
revenues. To remedy this crisis, he called 
on international institutions and oil 
producing countries to show generosity 
and solidarity towards poor countries. 
"Stability and security might be 
compromised otherwise," he said. 
 
4. (U) Djibouti has recently seen a huge 
strike of public transportation that 
paralyzed Djibouti-city for four days. 
Guelleh threatened those who attempt to 
disrupt the "security of fellow Djiboutians" 
would be punished severely. "Our country 
will remain an oasis of peace and stability." 
He emphasized that Djibouti's position 
and stability are its major resource and 
there will be no wealth if those two 
components are targeted. 
 
5. (U) On decentralization, Guelleh 
announced that regional elections will be 
held before the end of 2005. This transfer 
of power to the local governing bodies 
will permit citizens to manage their own 
regions. 
 
6. (U) Regarding the Middle East, 
Guelleh stated "if Israel has withdrawn 
from the Gaza strip, it's due to the 
heroic struggle of Palestinian people, and 
this will be the first step of liberating 
Palestinian territories to its 1967's 
border." On the other hand, he requested 
from "brothers in the Authority to maintain 
unity and not to succumb to confrontation." 
He also expressed his desire to see the 
Palestinian leader Abou Mazen be up to 
the situation. On Iraq, Guelleh called for 
a free, democratic and reconciled Iraq. 
 
 
RAGSDALE