US to open aid office in Djibouti

2003-01-22 12:31

Washington - US President George W Bush discussed possible war against Iraq with Djibouti President Ismael Omar Guelleh on Tuesday and said the United States would soon open an aid office in the tiny African nation.

During a cordial half-hour meeting, Bush thanked his guest for his help in the war on terrorism and told him that Washington aims to open an office of the US Agency for International Development in Djibouti, a White House aide said.

"The president thanked Djibouti for its cooperation and friendship in fighting terrorism. He talked about Iraq and the threat it poses to the region and the world," said Bush national security spokesperson Sean McCormack.

Washington late last year set up a base in Djibouti where US troops are gearing up for a possible war with Iraq.

Bush also "talked about how we are going to open up a USAID office in Djibouti," said McCormack. Asked when the office would open, the spokesman replied: "Soon."

Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States has deployed 900 members of its Special Forces in Djibouti, which sits strategically at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, facing Yemen and just to the north of Somalia.

McCormack would not say whether the two leaders discussed making that US military presence official, or permanent.

Djibouti is a former French colony with a population of some 700 000. France maintains a garrison in the country under a defense agreement.

Guelleh was making his first visit to the United States since he became president in May 1999. - Sapa-AFP

- SAPA