Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASMARA801
2007-10-11 13:05:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
INFORMATION FROM MILITARY DESERTER ON GSE MILITARY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0010 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAE #0801 2841305 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 111305Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9159 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 6129 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 2981 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1467 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1644 RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
S E C R E T ASMARA 000801
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, AF/E, AF/EX, INR
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2027
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR MOPS ASEC ER
SUBJECT: INFORMATION FROM MILITARY DESERTER ON GSE MILITARY
BRIEFINGS TO TROOPS
Classified By: RSO SEAN MCCLANAHAN FOR REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D)
S E C R E T ASMARA 000801
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, AF/E, AF/EX, INR
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2027
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR MOPS ASEC ER
SUBJECT: INFORMATION FROM MILITARY DESERTER ON GSE MILITARY
BRIEFINGS TO TROOPS
Classified By: RSO SEAN MCCLANAHAN FOR REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (S/NF) An Embassy employee provided RSO with information
from a friend who had just deserted from the Eritrean
military. Employee stated his friend had been assigned to an
armored or mechanized unit near the town of Senafe, located
approximately 100 km SE of Asmara. The soldier told employee
his unit had been assembled and briefed by an officer on
10/01/2007. The officer said war was imminent and that he
felt the unit was mentally and physically prepared for
conflict with Ethiopia. The officer acknowledged that the
soldiers had been underpaid and underfed for a long time. He
also stated he understood their national service had been
extended longer than the GSE had promised, but due to the
security situation, they could not be demobilized. Many
soldiers in the audience told the officer "they knew how they
would react," implying if conflict erupted, they would either
desert, surrender or not fight against the Ethiopians. The
officer responded that if they did not fight against the
Ethiopians, the Ethiopians would invade Asmara and rape all
of their female relatives.
2. (S/NF) Employee stated his friend deserted on 10/03/07
and arrived in Asmara on 10/07/07 where he is currently
living with his family. The soldier told employee that there
have been mass defections within the Eritrean military, and
soldiers are fleeing to Ethiopia on a daily basis. Employee
stated he has seen many "deserted" soldiers in Asmara over
the last few weeks. He also relayed a rumor the GSE plans to
conduct house-to-house searches looking for deserters.
MCINTYRE
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, AF/E, AF/EX, INR
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2027
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR MOPS ASEC ER
SUBJECT: INFORMATION FROM MILITARY DESERTER ON GSE MILITARY
BRIEFINGS TO TROOPS
Classified By: RSO SEAN MCCLANAHAN FOR REASON 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (S/NF) An Embassy employee provided RSO with information
from a friend who had just deserted from the Eritrean
military. Employee stated his friend had been assigned to an
armored or mechanized unit near the town of Senafe, located
approximately 100 km SE of Asmara. The soldier told employee
his unit had been assembled and briefed by an officer on
10/01/2007. The officer said war was imminent and that he
felt the unit was mentally and physically prepared for
conflict with Ethiopia. The officer acknowledged that the
soldiers had been underpaid and underfed for a long time. He
also stated he understood their national service had been
extended longer than the GSE had promised, but due to the
security situation, they could not be demobilized. Many
soldiers in the audience told the officer "they knew how they
would react," implying if conflict erupted, they would either
desert, surrender or not fight against the Ethiopians. The
officer responded that if they did not fight against the
Ethiopians, the Ethiopians would invade Asmara and rape all
of their female relatives.
2. (S/NF) Employee stated his friend deserted on 10/03/07
and arrived in Asmara on 10/07/07 where he is currently
living with his family. The soldier told employee that there
have been mass defections within the Eritrean military, and
soldiers are fleeing to Ethiopia on a daily basis. Employee
stated he has seen many "deserted" soldiers in Asmara over
the last few weeks. He also relayed a rumor the GSE plans to
conduct house-to-house searches looking for deserters.
MCINTYRE