ADDIS RESPONSE: HUMAN APPEAL INTERNATIONAL

S E C R E T ADDIS ABABA 000452 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EB/ESC/TFS LEANNE CANNON, EB/ESC/TFS KATHERIN LEAHY, S/CT PATTY HILL E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017 TAGS: ECON EFIN ETTC KTFN PREL PTER SUBJECT: ADDIS RESPONSE: HUMAN APPEAL INTERNATIONAL REF: A. STATE 15260 ¶B. STATE 166846 (09/SEP/2005) Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Kevin Sullivan for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d). ¶1. (S) Regarding reftel A query on likely host government reaction to domestic designation of Human Appeal International (HAI),Addis Ababa Country Team assesses that the GOE will have either a neutral or positive response. The GOE actively monitors and investigates Islamic NGO's, particularly foreign NGO's, for ties to terrorist or Islamic extremist activity and largely shares United States goals in countering Islamic terrorism. Hence, in general terms, it is likely to regard positively USG efforts in this arena. With specific regard to HAI, as it is neither an Ethiopian organization nor visibly active within Ethiopia, its designation will likely prompt little Ethiopian concern. ¶2. (S) Post notes that, despite Reftel A's assessment that HAI does not maintain a branch office in Ethiopia, Reftel B dated September 2005, identifies a PO Box and telephone number in Jijiga, Ethiopia as a "possible" HAI office location and number. That said, Country Team has no information on any HAI activities in Ethiopia and does not believe that the Ethiopian government closely monitors the activities in which the possible Jijiga HAI office may engage. WILGUS