Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASMARA896
2007-11-26 05:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
CDA HITS WALL WITH GSE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR
how-toVZCZCXRO4984 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0896 3300525 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 260525Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9280 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1522 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1701 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL 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 000896
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SUR ER
SUBJECT: CDA HITS WALL WITH GSE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR
REF: ASMARA 874
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 000896
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SUR ER
SUBJECT: CDA HITS WALL WITH GSE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR
REF: ASMARA 874
Classified By: CDA Jennifer A. McIntyre, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) On November 19, CDA met at her request with Yemane
Ghebremeskel, Director of the Presidency for the Government
of the State of Eritrea (GSE). CDA expressed her hope that
with the November 28 arrival of the new Ambassador, the
Embassy could reopen dialogue with the GSE across a range of
bilateral and regional issues. She noted her concerns about
the large defensive military build-ups on the
Eritrean-Ethiopia border and asked Ghebremeskel's view of UN
efforts to re-energize a political process to achieve both
physical demarcation of the border and normalization of
relations with Ethiopia.
2. (C) Ghebremeskel abruptly dismissed CDA's openings for
discussion, flatly stating he would not share any information
on the border with the Embassy. He added that he had just
read John Bolton's book, commenting "Now we know the truth.
The GSE knows U.S. policy and the U.S. will not do anything
that is unpopular with Ethiopia. The problem is with
Washington, they won't change their mind. We have done
whatever we can ) but policy is skewed. There is no point
in our repeating ourselves." Ghebremeskel stated that senior
State department officials and others in Washington have
confirmed to the Eritreans that the border is not a priority
issue for the U.S. Twice during the conversation,
Ghebremeskel made references to U.S. assassination plots.
When asked to explain what he meant, Ghebremeskel only
replied that Eritrea had good information from Washington
sources and if CDA was not aware of these USG discussions,
she was "out of the loop." He described U.S. policy as
hostile and unconstructive, saying that the GSE does not
expect anything to change, "not in the next six months, the
next year or even in three years."
3. (C) Changing the subject, CDA noted that as the GSE and
U.S. hold the same professed objective in helping Somalia
establish a strong, inclusive and viable government, we
should be able to discuss an integration of GSE efforts with
those of the international community - similar to our
engagement on the Darfur peace process. Ghebremeskel evaded
the subject of Somalia completely. He also refused to
discuss the presence of Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys in Eritrea,
commenting that he had "no idea if he is in Eritrea. If he
is, it is of no concern." He explained that the Asmara
conference had been a Somali meeting and they could invite
who they wished. CDA noted Eritrea's obligations under
Resolution UN 1267 to refuse transit or safehaven to
UN-listed terrorist groups or individuals. Again refusing
to address the issue directly, Ghebremeskel curtly responded,
"as far as our international obligations, we try to stick to
them."
4. (C) Comment: This meeting was the Embassy's first formal
conversation with Ghebremeskel since last February when the
former Ambassador met with him concerning GSE interference
with the Embassy's diplomatic pouches. Although he had
agreed to this meeting, Ghebremeskel was clearly agitated
even before CDA and notetaker arrived, as he was pacing the
room, and he spent most of the meeting fussing with his hands
and tapping his foot. Although always a difficult
interlocutor, Ghebremeskel's deliberately insulting tone was
more extreme than in any conversation over the past eighteen
months, and the meeting stands in marked contrast to Post's
recent and relatively open conversation with PFDJ Political
Chief Yemane Ghebreab (reftel). Whether this exchange
presages future difficulties for the new Ambassador in
dealing with the President's office - or merely reflects
Ghebremeskel's irritation at feeling compelled to meet with
CDA during a clearly tense time for the GSE - is unknown at
this point. However, given his position as President Isaias'
Chief of Staff and the official nature of the meeting, we can
surmise that Ghebremeskel's remarks generally reflect the
views of the president himself. End Comment.
MCINTYRE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KPKO SUR ER
SUBJECT: CDA HITS WALL WITH GSE PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR
REF: ASMARA 874
Classified By: CDA Jennifer A. McIntyre, for reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d).
1. (C) On November 19, CDA met at her request with Yemane
Ghebremeskel, Director of the Presidency for the Government
of the State of Eritrea (GSE). CDA expressed her hope that
with the November 28 arrival of the new Ambassador, the
Embassy could reopen dialogue with the GSE across a range of
bilateral and regional issues. She noted her concerns about
the large defensive military build-ups on the
Eritrean-Ethiopia border and asked Ghebremeskel's view of UN
efforts to re-energize a political process to achieve both
physical demarcation of the border and normalization of
relations with Ethiopia.
2. (C) Ghebremeskel abruptly dismissed CDA's openings for
discussion, flatly stating he would not share any information
on the border with the Embassy. He added that he had just
read John Bolton's book, commenting "Now we know the truth.
The GSE knows U.S. policy and the U.S. will not do anything
that is unpopular with Ethiopia. The problem is with
Washington, they won't change their mind. We have done
whatever we can ) but policy is skewed. There is no point
in our repeating ourselves." Ghebremeskel stated that senior
State department officials and others in Washington have
confirmed to the Eritreans that the border is not a priority
issue for the U.S. Twice during the conversation,
Ghebremeskel made references to U.S. assassination plots.
When asked to explain what he meant, Ghebremeskel only
replied that Eritrea had good information from Washington
sources and if CDA was not aware of these USG discussions,
she was "out of the loop." He described U.S. policy as
hostile and unconstructive, saying that the GSE does not
expect anything to change, "not in the next six months, the
next year or even in three years."
3. (C) Changing the subject, CDA noted that as the GSE and
U.S. hold the same professed objective in helping Somalia
establish a strong, inclusive and viable government, we
should be able to discuss an integration of GSE efforts with
those of the international community - similar to our
engagement on the Darfur peace process. Ghebremeskel evaded
the subject of Somalia completely. He also refused to
discuss the presence of Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys in Eritrea,
commenting that he had "no idea if he is in Eritrea. If he
is, it is of no concern." He explained that the Asmara
conference had been a Somali meeting and they could invite
who they wished. CDA noted Eritrea's obligations under
Resolution UN 1267 to refuse transit or safehaven to
UN-listed terrorist groups or individuals. Again refusing
to address the issue directly, Ghebremeskel curtly responded,
"as far as our international obligations, we try to stick to
them."
4. (C) Comment: This meeting was the Embassy's first formal
conversation with Ghebremeskel since last February when the
former Ambassador met with him concerning GSE interference
with the Embassy's diplomatic pouches. Although he had
agreed to this meeting, Ghebremeskel was clearly agitated
even before CDA and notetaker arrived, as he was pacing the
room, and he spent most of the meeting fussing with his hands
and tapping his foot. Although always a difficult
interlocutor, Ghebremeskel's deliberately insulting tone was
more extreme than in any conversation over the past eighteen
months, and the meeting stands in marked contrast to Post's
recent and relatively open conversation with PFDJ Political
Chief Yemane Ghebreab (reftel). Whether this exchange
presages future difficulties for the new Ambassador in
dealing with the President's office - or merely reflects
Ghebremeskel's irritation at feeling compelled to meet with
CDA during a clearly tense time for the GSE - is unknown at
this point. However, given his position as President Isaias'
Chief of Staff and the official nature of the meeting, we can
surmise that Ghebremeskel's remarks generally reflect the
views of the president himself. End Comment.
MCINTYRE