ETHIOPIAN HELICOPTER CREW ASYLUM REQUEST IN DJIBOUTI

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000562 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF AND PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/09/2015 TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR PGOV ET DJ SUBJECT: ETHIOPIAN HELICOPTER CREW ASYLUM REQUEST IN DJIBOUTI Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARGUERITA RAGSDALE. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) During Ambassador and USLO's 6/9 regular weekly meeting with Commander of French Forces General Michel Arrault, Arrault told Ambassador that he had just received word that an Ethiopian Mi-24 military helicopter with three Ethiopian military personnel had landed earlier that morning in Djibouti. The three were reportedly seeking asylum. ¶2. (C) Post subsequently learned that the three individuals, ostensibly a pilot, co-pilot and helicopter mechanic, had landed the aircraft in Djibouti and that there was a claim for asylum based on the political situation currently underway in Ethiopia. According to Djibouti's Chief of National Security, Hassan Said, the pilot was believed to have "hijacked" the helicopter on his own accord and that the two individuals who accompanied had done so unwillingly. Post also was told by Hassan Said, that following discussions with President Guelleh, it was decided that asylum would be denied and that the three individuals and the helicopter would be returned to the Ethiopian government. ¶3. (C) Post will seek further details and clarification. RAGSDALE