ETHIOPIA/ERITREA: NORWEGIAN PERSPECTIVE ON A WAY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ADDIS ABABA 000721

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

AF FOR A/S FRAZER AND DAS SWAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2017
TAGS: PREL KPKO MOPS ET ER
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA/ERITREA: NORWEGIAN PERSPECTIVE ON A WAY
FORWARD

REF: A. OSLO 161


B. ADDIS 456

Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (S) Summary: Norwegian Ambassador Jens-Peter Kjemprud and
the Norwegian Charge in Asmara, Arman Aardal, told Ambassador
that they still hold out hope for moving forward on
resolution of the Eritrea-Ethiopia border dispute, but that
relations must improve between Eritrea and the U.S. before
this can happen. The discussion between Eritrean
Presidential advisor Yemane Ghebreab with Special Envoy
Andrew Natsios in Oslo on Feb 10 was a start for this process
(ref A). Norway believes that if Eritrea reaches out to the
U.S., relations can improve and thus improve the prospects
for resolving the border conflict. While Ambassador noted
that the U.S. will not take the lead in any peace talks, the
U.S. looks to Norway and others to take the lead. Norway
believes that improved U.S.-Eritrean relations will help
other countries engage in the peace process. The issue of
the missing British Embassy diplomats being held reportedly
by Afar rebels along or inside Eritrea was discussed. The
Norwegians are recommending to the Eritreans that they allow
full access by UNMEE aircraft and other nations (like the
U.S. and British) to search the area for the missing British
diplomats. According to the Norwegians, this would be a
sure signal that the Eritreans want to engage the West in a
positive manner since the British abduction situation is
purely a humanitarian issue. Post and Embassy Asmara are not
so sure that GSE cooperation on the missing diplomats would
signal a real shirt in approach toward the West, nor do they
share the GON's optimism that such a change of heart is
likely any time soon. End Summary.

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Never Give Up Hope
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2 (S) Norwegian Ambassador to Ethiopia and former special
envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jens-Peter Kjemprud and
visiting Norwegian Charge to Eritrea called on Ambassador
March 7 to raise their hopes for resolving the
Eritrea-Ethiopia border conflict. More importantly, they
wanted to pass messages to us that they believe Eritrea may
be ready to re-engage in the process. Kjemprud said that the
key was improving U.S.-Eritrean relations. Ambassador
reiterated that the U.S. will not take the lead and would
look to Norway and others to play the leading role. Kjemprud
noted that improved engagement between the U.S. and Eritrea
would help attract international support and engagement,
because it is the U.S., as architect of the Algiers Accord,
that Eritrea points to as key to any peace in the region.


3. (S) Kjemprud and the Charge explained that during a visit
to Eritrea by the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister on
January 23, President Isaias agreed to send his advisor,
Yemane Ghebreab, to Oslo to discuss the border as well as
foreign relations issues. In Oslo, Kjemprud noted that the
Norwegian side made clear to Yemane that Norway wants to help
ease tensions in the Horn of Africa, push for resolution of
the Eritrea-Ethiopia border conflict and wanted Eritrea to
improve relations with the U.S. as key to resolving the
border and tensions in the Horn. The Norwegians noted that
Eritrea should do four things: lift restrictions on visas
for Americans and other nationalities, do not tamper with
diplomatic pouch from any country, lower the negative
propaganda against the West, and improve relations with the
U.S. and other countries.


4. (S) According to the Norwegians, Yemane met with Special
Envoy Andrew Natsios (ref A) in Oslo on Feb 10. This was the
first approach to a senior U.S. official by Eritrea in some
time. As Oslo reported, Yemane raised bilateral relations in
very general terms. The Norwegians felt the meeting was a
good first step by Eritrea to engage the U.S. on bilateral
relations. Yemane is currently in Chad meeting with rebel
groups from Darfur and will return to Eritrea on March 12,
according to the Norwegians. At that time, the Norwegians
will discuss with Yemane if Eritrea is willing to improve
relations with the U.S. and engage on the border question.

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ADDIS ABAB 00000721 002 OF 002


Eritrea Still Has a Bad Image
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5. (S) The Norwegians told the Ambassador that Eritrea
remains an obstacle in Somalia, noting arms shipment by
Eritrea to Somalia. Eritrea will need to stop its unhelpful
activities in Somalia and Darfur. The Norwegians remarked
the human rights report from the U.S. which cited Eritrea for
its poor record, underscores Eritrea,s poor image
internationally and specifically with the U.S.


6. (S) The issue of the missing British diplomats was raised
and that Eritrea could play a positive role in helping the
British with information to determine if the perpetrators are
Afar rebel groups. Djibouti and Ethiopia were being helpful,
the Ambassador noted. Further, Eritrea had not granted
flight clearance for UNMEE or the British or U.S. to fly in
the area in search of the diplomats. The Norwegians told the
Ambassador they were going to raise with the Eritreans the
need for them to fully cooperate in the search and to be
helpful to the British. This could help, Kjemprud noted, in
demonstrating that Eritrea wants to ease tensions with the
West and begin a positive dialogue with the West.

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Comment: Norwegians Overly Optimistic
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7. (S) The Norwegians strongly feel that the Eritreans,
especially Yemane, want to re-engage on the border and to
improve relations with the U.S. specifically and other
Western countries in general. Ambassador made it clear that
U.S. is looking to other countries to take the lead.
Kjemprud feels that progress can be made and that Norway will
continue to work with Eritrea. He hopes that if Eritrea
re-engages on the border and makes positive overtures to the
U.S. that the U.S. would support Norway,s efforts. Neither
post nor Embassy Asmara share the GON's optimism about
prospects for a change of heart in the GSE, however.


8. (U) Embassy Asmara cleared this message.
YAMAMOTO