Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASMARA700
2007-08-27 05:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
BRITISH COUNCIL EMPLOYEE RELEASED
how-toVZCZCXRO0447 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0700 2390541 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 270541Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9055 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1424 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1601 RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000700
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KREC ASEC ER
SUBJECT: BRITISH COUNCIL EMPLOYEE RELEASED
REF: ASMARA 617
Classified By: CDA Jennifer A. McIntyre, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000700
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KREC ASEC ER
SUBJECT: BRITISH COUNCIL EMPLOYEE RELEASED
REF: ASMARA 617
Classified By: CDA Jennifer A. McIntyre, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) On August 1, the Government of the State of Eritrea
(GSE) released a foreign national employee of the British
Council detained since July 27. The GSE arrested the
employee under the guise of national security after a
visiting British diplomat was seen on the roof of the British
Council conducting a telecommunications assessment for the
British Council (reftel). The GSE provided no explanation
for the employee's release nor offered him complete assurance
that the GSE has completed and closed the investigation. The
British Embassy and British Council are trying to minimize
public attention to the arrest and release, given the GSE's
track record for re-arresting their citizens after release.
2. (C) The British Charge d,Affaires informed Poloff on
August 13 of the employee's release. She reported that while
the employee was noticeably uncomfortable after returning to
work and still in shock from his ordeal, he was in good
health and had not been beaten or tortured during his
detention.
3. (C) Comment: The release of the employee is good news.
The British strategy to maintain a low profile is the right
one, especially given the GSE's past history. Post recalls
the case of the Swedish-Eritrean journalist in November 2005
who was re-arrested four days after his initial release
following the trumpeting of the release by the international
press. While the GSE never really closes arrest cases such
as these, post anticipates that if the employee lays low, the
GSE's interest in the case will wane over time. End Comment.
MCINTYRE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2017
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KREC ASEC ER
SUBJECT: BRITISH COUNCIL EMPLOYEE RELEASED
REF: ASMARA 617
Classified By: CDA Jennifer A. McIntyre, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) On August 1, the Government of the State of Eritrea
(GSE) released a foreign national employee of the British
Council detained since July 27. The GSE arrested the
employee under the guise of national security after a
visiting British diplomat was seen on the roof of the British
Council conducting a telecommunications assessment for the
British Council (reftel). The GSE provided no explanation
for the employee's release nor offered him complete assurance
that the GSE has completed and closed the investigation. The
British Embassy and British Council are trying to minimize
public attention to the arrest and release, given the GSE's
track record for re-arresting their citizens after release.
2. (C) The British Charge d,Affaires informed Poloff on
August 13 of the employee's release. She reported that while
the employee was noticeably uncomfortable after returning to
work and still in shock from his ordeal, he was in good
health and had not been beaten or tortured during his
detention.
3. (C) Comment: The release of the employee is good news.
The British strategy to maintain a low profile is the right
one, especially given the GSE's past history. Post recalls
the case of the Swedish-Eritrean journalist in November 2005
who was re-arrested four days after his initial release
following the trumpeting of the release by the international
press. While the GSE never really closes arrest cases such
as these, post anticipates that if the employee lays low, the
GSE's interest in the case will wane over time. End Comment.
MCINTYRE