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