Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASMARA814
2006-10-06 08:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
GSE RELEASES DETAINED UN STAFF TO UNMEE CUSTODY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0010 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAE #0814 2790848 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 060848Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8463 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 5982 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 2864 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0149 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1221 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1396 RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000814
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO PHUM PINR UNSC ER
SUBJECT: GSE RELEASES DETAINED UN STAFF TO UNMEE CUSTODY
REF: A) ASMARA 755 B)IIR 6 908 0476 06 C) IIR 6 908
0466 06
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 000814
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO PHUM PINR UNSC ER
SUBJECT: GSE RELEASES DETAINED UN STAFF TO UNMEE CUSTODY
REF: A) ASMARA 755 B)IIR 6 908 0476 06 C) IIR 6 908
0466 06
Classified By: AMB Scott H. DeLisi, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) On October 4, the GSE released the UN Volunteer(UNV),
held since August 28, to United Missions in Eritrea and
Ethiopia(UNMEE) security officers. At this time, UNMEE is
conducting its own investigation into the allegations of
human smuggling. At an UNMEE briefing for diplomatic heads
of mission on October 5, UNMEE Special Representative Azouz
Ennifar said that while the investigation is not yet
complete, the Eritrean allegations of human smuggling appear
to be true. An UNMEE official subsequently shared with
Poloff that the accused Congolese national UNV would most
likely be returned home and the case handled by local
authorities there.
2. (U) During the nearly six weeks of the UNV,s detention,
the GSE refused permission to UNMEE officials to visit him.
Over the detention period, the UNV appeared in at least two
interviews on Eritrean television, in which he admitted to
smuggling Eritreans across the border. (Ref A) During these
interviews, he named other UNMEE staff, including two
Eritrean nationals, who he claimed were also involved. Post
believes that the Eritrean nationals continue to be detained
by the GSE.
3. (C) Comment: The inability of UNMEE to visit the UNV
while he was detained highlights the GSE,s continued
disregard for international conventions and protocols.
Whatever the results of UNMEE,s investigation, post will not
be surprised if the GSE publicly trots out this incident at
some future date to illustrate UNMEE shortcomings. End
Comment.
DELISI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPKO PHUM PINR UNSC ER
SUBJECT: GSE RELEASES DETAINED UN STAFF TO UNMEE CUSTODY
REF: A) ASMARA 755 B)IIR 6 908 0476 06 C) IIR 6 908
0466 06
Classified By: AMB Scott H. DeLisi, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) On October 4, the GSE released the UN Volunteer(UNV),
held since August 28, to United Missions in Eritrea and
Ethiopia(UNMEE) security officers. At this time, UNMEE is
conducting its own investigation into the allegations of
human smuggling. At an UNMEE briefing for diplomatic heads
of mission on October 5, UNMEE Special Representative Azouz
Ennifar said that while the investigation is not yet
complete, the Eritrean allegations of human smuggling appear
to be true. An UNMEE official subsequently shared with
Poloff that the accused Congolese national UNV would most
likely be returned home and the case handled by local
authorities there.
2. (U) During the nearly six weeks of the UNV,s detention,
the GSE refused permission to UNMEE officials to visit him.
Over the detention period, the UNV appeared in at least two
interviews on Eritrean television, in which he admitted to
smuggling Eritreans across the border. (Ref A) During these
interviews, he named other UNMEE staff, including two
Eritrean nationals, who he claimed were also involved. Post
believes that the Eritrean nationals continue to be detained
by the GSE.
3. (C) Comment: The inability of UNMEE to visit the UNV
while he was detained highlights the GSE,s continued
disregard for international conventions and protocols.
Whatever the results of UNMEE,s investigation, post will not
be surprised if the GSE publicly trots out this incident at
some future date to illustrate UNMEE shortcomings. End
Comment.
DELISI