Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASMARA392
2006-05-04 15:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:  

GSE MAY WISH FOR UNMEE CONFIGURATION TO STAY THE

Tags:  PREL PGOV UNSC KPKO MARR ER ET 
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PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAE #0392 1241516
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 041516Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8131
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 5869
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 2774
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0501
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1128
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1298
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000392 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC KPKO MARR ER ET
SUBJECT: GSE MAY WISH FOR UNMEE CONFIGURATION TO STAY THE
SAME


CLASSIFIED BY: AMB Scott H. DeLisi, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000392

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC KPKO MARR ER ET
SUBJECT: GSE MAY WISH FOR UNMEE CONFIGURATION TO STAY THE
SAME


CLASSIFIED BY: AMB Scott H. DeLisi, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).


1. (C) While in the past the GSE openly expressed
indifference to UNMEE's headquarters in Asmara and to its
operations and staffing, the GSE seems to be sending a
different message, via back channels, to UNMEE now.
According to UNMEE Political Officer, Bruno Mpondo-Epo, the
GSE opposes any changes to UNMEE's present configuration.
In meeting with Poloff on May 4, Mpondo-Epo shared that GSE
officials told him they would not approve any changes to
the UNMEE staffing and organization or the Cessation of
Hostilities Agreement. The GSE appears to be requesting
UNMEE's presence stay the same in order to provide a clear
signal of commitment to border demarcation. Mpondo-Epo
claimed that the GSE would see any reduction or relocation
of UNMEE as a slight to GSE and a sign that the
international community was not truly committed to
demarcation. The downsizing or relocation of UNMEE would
show the GSE that demarcation would not happen within the
next 10 years.


2. (C) Mpondo-Epo went on, saying that within the past
week, GSE officials told him that they would entertain
discussions with Ethiopians; not the GOE, but the Ethiopian
business community, about the use and operations of the
port of Asab.


3. (C) Turning to Eritrea's role in Sudan, Mpondo-Epo
expressed optimism that Eritrea's growing role there could
contribute to the resolution of the border dispute in
Ethiopia. By providing President Isaias and Eritrea with
the opportunity to play, or be perceived as playing, a
strategic role in Sudan, particularly regarding Darfur and
in the East, the President and Eritrea will receive
affirmation of their beliefs they are key and important
regional players.


4. (C) Finally, Mpondo-Epo indicated that the GSE had
voiced low expectations for the next EEBC meeting
characterizing it as a formal discussion which will have to
be endured even though no true outcomes are likely to be
achieved.


5. (C) Comment: Mpondo-Epo's comments about the GSE's
views on UNMEE's future may reflect the GSE's real
attitudes more accurately than its previously professed
indifference - an indifference that could easily be
maintained when there was nor risk of a significant change
in the UNMEE's configuration. The GSE's desire to keep
UNMEE's configuration in the status-quo is also a
suggestion that the GSE may indeed believe that demarcation
and resolution of the border dispute could be possible. We
also find his comments about Asab to be a notably new
tidbit which, if accurate, could signify a further
evolution in Eritrean thinking. In the past Mpondo-Epo
provided reliable and credible information regarding the
GSE and their thinking. Although some of his analysis may
be superficial his feel for the region and the players has
been reasonably solid and offers a different perspective
from a non-western source. End Comment.

DeLisi