Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA2
2008-01-02 06:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:  

LIBYANS IN ERITREA

Tags:  PREL LY ER 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2871
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHAE #0002 0020607
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 020607Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9363
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0428
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1559
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1737
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0684
RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000002 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2017
TAGS: PREL LY ER
SUBJECT: LIBYANS IN ERITREA

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000002

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2017
TAGS: PREL LY ER
SUBJECT: LIBYANS IN ERITREA

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).


1. (C) We're Number One
--------------

Libya has recently increased by 400% its diplomatic presence
in Eritrea (up from 7 to 28 diplomats),making the Libyan
Arab Brotherhood Bureau the largest diplomatic mission in
Asmara, surpassing in size even the embassy of the former
colonial power, Italy. The newly arrived charge d'affaires,
Dr. Alhassan Ali Albarouni, told the ambassador during a
December 31 courtesy call in the castle-like Libyan chancery
that Libya soon hoped to pen mining and fisheries agreements
with Eritrea. While Albarouni, a two-time ambassador, was
the epitome of suavity, many of the young adults in the
Libyan chancery appeared to lack even the semblance of
diplomatic patina.


2. (C) Somalia and Terrorism
--------------

Albarouni said Libya looked forward to the arrival in Tripoli
of the new American ambassador and said that he was glad
Libyan - U.S. relations were on the mend. Albarouni
commented that he had not yet met any of Asmara's resident
Somalis and had declined the invitation to attend the
December 28 ceremony marking the first anniversary of
Ethiopia's "invasion" of Somalia hosted by Somali
oppositionists at a local hotel. The ambassador said he also
declined the invitation and underscored U.S. concern
regarding reports of destabilizing Eritrean behavior in
Somalia, adding that Libya knew better than most the
consequences of being named to the State Sponsor of Terrorism
list.


3. (SBU) Bio Note
--------------

Dr. Alhassan Ali Albarouni serves as permanent charge
d'affaires of the Libyan embassy in Asmara. Previous
assignments include postings as ambassador to Brazil and
Djibouti, where he said he knew Ambassadors Yamamoto,
Ragsdale, and, briefly, Symington. He is married and has one
school-aged daughter. He has a doctorate in ancient Libyan
history and has served as director of the Libyan diplomatic
training institute. He seemed outgoing and friendly and
speaks passable English.

Minimize Considered.
MCMULLEN