This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000079 
 
SIPDIS 
 
OBO FOR DIRECTOR WILLIAMS 
OBO/PD/PEA/CPB FOR PAUL THORN 
OBO/PD/PDD FOR MAHFUZUR RAHMAN 
OBO/AM FOR FRANKLIN WHITE 
AF/EX FOR STEVE NOLAN AND VIRGINIA MILHOUS 
AF/E FOR EUNICE REDDICK 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT ABLD DJ
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI RESPONSE TO PROPOSED 
REVISIONS TO SRP 
 
REF (A) E-MAIL - REVISIONS TO DJIBOUTI SRP 
 
        (01/12/06) 
    (B) E-MAIL - DJIBOUTI/TASKER #10210 
        ATTACHMENTS (01/17/2006) 
    (C) 05 Djibouti 1111 
 
¶1.  Post has reviewed the cost saving 
measures proposed in OBO's most recent Value 
Engineering (VE) study as outlined in Refs A 
and B.  While some of the proposed changes 
are acceptable, post feels that it is 
critical to oppose proposed changes that - 
coupled with the extreme climate of this 
country and the cultural isolation here - 
will result in severely negative impacts on 
post operations and morale that will further 
erode efforts to staff this growing Hard-to- 
Fill post. 
 
¶2.  Chancery  Large to Medium:  Post agrees 
that downsizing the footprint of the 
chancery is a logical cost savings measure 
provided that any future growth can be 
accommodated through expansion of the 
chancery or annexes on the existing 
compound.  However, post cautions that 
moving offices from annex buildings (as 
proposed) and adding the cafeteria into a 
smaller chancery building will create 
immediate space limitations that must be 
managed. 
 
¶3.  Removal of swimming pool and cabana: 
Post strongly objects to the removal of the 
pool and cabana from the NEC.  The existing 
Embassy compound incorporates a pool that is 
a center of Embassy community activity 
especially over the summer months.  With 
daily average high temperatures above 120 
during summer months and extremely high 
humidity, employees and family members rely 
upon the current facilities.  The embassy 
pool is a secure location for family 
activities that is not replicated anywhere 
in Djibouti.  Removal of the pool from the 
NEC will further erode our ability to 
attract employees to this growing post. 
Since MSG watch-standers are not authorized 
vehicles, the MSG Detachment will also 
benefit from having an on-site, secure 
recreational outlet.  If the pool is not 
included in the NEC, post requests OBO 
support to maintain possession of the 
existing Embassy compound with recreation 
facilities which, other than at the Sheraton 
Hotel, do not exist for the public.  Post 
will adamantly oppose any course of action 
that will result in the loss of secure 
recreation facilities that are essential to 
our efforts to attract and retain employees. 
(See Ref C for other justifications for 
keeping the existing compound) 
 
¶4.  Removal of Chancery Atrium:  Post 
requires a central gathering location where 
awards ceremonies, town-hall meetings and 
other formal (and informal) events can be 
held.  Employees are not able to escape the 
confines of their office buildings during 
the summer months.  Removal of the atrium 
will have a negative impact on morale of 
employees at post, will create a tomb-like 
atmosphere and will prevent post from 
holding events that require a central 
meeting area for a significant portion of 
the year due to the extreme summer 
conditions and normally humid and 
uncomfortable conditions except in January 
and February. 
 
¶5.  Reducing Staff Parking:  Reducing the 
number of Staff parking places may provide 
an immediate cost-savings, but the long-term 
result will be costly maintenance of 
existing green-space and loss of additional 
parking as the embassy grows.  Maintaining 
grounds in Djibouti consumes significant 
resources relative to maintaining similar 
areas at other posts because of the need for 
continuous watering and top soil 
replenishment.  Post recommends that the 
parking area remain at 71 spaces.  Asphalt 
is far less costly to maintain in Djibouti 
than grass, trees or flowers. 
 
RAGSDALE