VZCZCXRO6387
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHDJ #0394/01 1150445
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240445Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9186
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000394 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E 
LONDON, ROME, PARIS FOR AFRICA-WATCHER 
CJTF-HOA FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO PREL PBTS MOPS DJ ER
 
SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI SEEKS DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO BORDER CRISIS 
 
REF: DJIBOUTI 389 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: On April 23, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a 
statement in local state-run media informing the public of a growing 
border dispute with Eritrea near Doumeira (reftel).  President 
Ismail Omar Geullah visited the border April 22 and urged the 
Djiboutian military not to "give in to provocation."  The 
declaration stressed that the GOJD is seeking a diplomatic solution 
to the crisis.  The Ministry's declaration took up the entire front 
page of The Nation, the sole French-language newspaper in the 
country.  (NOTE: Charge's meeting today with Foreign Minister will 
be reported septel.  END NOTE.) 
 
¶2. Post's translation of the French-language communique, as printed 
in state-run media, follows: 
 
BEGIN TEXT OF POST TRANSLATION. 
 
Declaration of the Minister of Foreign Affairs 
 
"The Government of the Republic of Djibouti informs the public that 
a border dispute has arisen between the State of Eritrea and our 
country. 
 
Over the past few weeks, the Obock administrative authorities have 
noticed that civil engineering work was being conducted on the other 
side of the border until public works vehicles (loaders, excavators 
and trucks) crossed the Eritrean border and continued these works on 
Djiboutian territory, precisely on the Djiboutian side of Ras 
Doumeira already defined on the map. 
 
Our Armed Forces immediately reported to the area and confirmed the 
situation.  They have clearly identified armed individuals and 
barracks on the other side of Ras Doumeira, as well as a trench line 
along the mountain ridge, a path and other embankment works in the 
cove. 
 
Diplomatic actions have immediately been undertaken to express the 
Djiboutian Government's protest.  Series of talks by diplomatic and 
political contacts at different levels have resulted in a telephone 
conversation between the two heads of state, Mr. Ismail Omar Guelleh 
of Djibouti and Mr. Issayas Afwerki of Eritrea. 
 
A spirit of appeasement and a desire for dialogue and understanding 
prevailed during the talks. 
 
The two Presidents have stressed the need to resolve the border 
dispute with a meeting of the respective military authorities with 
the objective of reaching an agreement on the countries' already 
determined borders by using a map.  The talks are scheduled for 
Thursday morning in Ras Doumeira; in the event that the issue 
remains, international arbitration will be sought. 
 
In the meantime, the Djiboutian Armed Forces have resumed position 
on the heights of Ras Doumeira.  Discussions are taking place to try 
to bring the two armies back to their initial position, i.e a few 
kilometers from the border itself, to avoid any risk of clashes. 
 
Until now, the Government of Djibouti has made considerable efforts 
to not divulge the disagreement in order to first and foremost seek 
a concerted and peaceful solution. 
 
Reason prevailed thanks to President Ismail Omar Guelleh with the 
aim to preserve the relations of friendship and cooperation between 
the Republic of Djibouti and the State of Eritrea. 
 
Political contacts will continue to definitely put an end to this 
instability of Djibouto-Eritrean relations. " 
 
 
Unfriendly activities at the border 
 
The President in Doumeira 
 
Yesterday, in the morning of April 22nd, the President of the 
Republic and Commander in Chief of the National Army, H.E. Ismail 
Omar Guelleh, visited the region of Doumeira, located in the most 
north-eastern part of the country, where unfriendly activities were 
reported in these recent weeks.  On his arrival, President Guelleh 
was greeted by the Defense Minister and the Commander of the Army. 
Upon inspection of the area, the President ordered the Armed Forces 
not to yield to provocations and to just protect the totality of the 
territory.  The Head of State returned to the capital city around 1 
pm. 
 
END TEXT OF POST TRANSLATION 
 
 
DJIBOUTI 00000394  002 OF 002 
 
 
WONG