Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA223
2008-04-23 05:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
MFA ASSERTS GSE WILLINGNESS FOR REGIONAL
how-toVZCZCXRO5223 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0223 1140551 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 230551Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9620 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0707 RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS ASMARA 000223
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
NSC FOR HUDSON AND PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KREC ER ET
SUBJECT: MFA ASSERTS GSE WILLINGNESS FOR REGIONAL
COOPERATION
UNCLAS ASMARA 000223
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
NSC FOR HUDSON AND PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KREC ER ET
SUBJECT: MFA ASSERTS GSE WILLINGNESS FOR REGIONAL
COOPERATION
1. (SBU) Ambassador and Director of East African Affairs
James Knight met on April 17 with Eritrea's Acting Foreign
Minister, Fessehazion Petros, to discuss bilateral relations
and regional dynamics. Knight emphasized the need for
Eritrea to lift restrictions on Embassy Asmara and stressed
the importance of Eritrea increasing its cooperation in the
region. He urged Eritrea to facilitate UNMEE's smooth
departure, as well as to open dialogue with Ethiopia
regarding the border.
2. (SBU) Fessehazion responded that the Government of the
State of Eritrea (GSE) can only work to solve the Embassy's
issues if the overall bilateral atmosphere improves, citing
in particular a resolution of the border dispute. He
expressed deep frustration at the continued USG emphasis on
dialogue with Ethiopia, pointedly asking, "dialogue on what?"
Knight reminded the Acting Foreign Minister that the Algiers
Agreement specifically calls for consultation between the two
parties and U.S. policy supports such dialogue.
3. (SBU) Fessehazion's overall demeanor lightened when the
discussion moved to regional dynamics. He stressed Eritrea's
willingness to work with the United States on bringing
stability to the region. Following Fessehazion's recounting
of Eritrea's role in encouraging dialogue among the Somalis,
Knight urged the Acting Foreign Minister to assist the United
States in isolating Somali extremists. Fessehazion replied
that Eritrea is "ready to help," adding, "we have a common
agenda to combat terrorists." Towards the end of the
meeting, the Acting Foreign Minister expressed his
"admiration" for the United States, emphasizing a desire for
increased cooperation between the two governments.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Though the meeting had a rocky start, the
discussions concluded cordially (as cordially as we have seen
in the last year). Fessehazion voiced deep frustration at
the U.S. position on the border issue, indicating the GSE
views the current impasse as the key obstacle to better
bilateral relations. Nonetheless, he remained optimistic
regarding future cooperation with the United States on
matters of regional stability. End comment.
5. (U) This cable has been coordinated with AF/E Office
Director James Knight.
MCMULLEN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
NSC FOR HUDSON AND PITTMAN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KREC ER ET
SUBJECT: MFA ASSERTS GSE WILLINGNESS FOR REGIONAL
COOPERATION
1. (SBU) Ambassador and Director of East African Affairs
James Knight met on April 17 with Eritrea's Acting Foreign
Minister, Fessehazion Petros, to discuss bilateral relations
and regional dynamics. Knight emphasized the need for
Eritrea to lift restrictions on Embassy Asmara and stressed
the importance of Eritrea increasing its cooperation in the
region. He urged Eritrea to facilitate UNMEE's smooth
departure, as well as to open dialogue with Ethiopia
regarding the border.
2. (SBU) Fessehazion responded that the Government of the
State of Eritrea (GSE) can only work to solve the Embassy's
issues if the overall bilateral atmosphere improves, citing
in particular a resolution of the border dispute. He
expressed deep frustration at the continued USG emphasis on
dialogue with Ethiopia, pointedly asking, "dialogue on what?"
Knight reminded the Acting Foreign Minister that the Algiers
Agreement specifically calls for consultation between the two
parties and U.S. policy supports such dialogue.
3. (SBU) Fessehazion's overall demeanor lightened when the
discussion moved to regional dynamics. He stressed Eritrea's
willingness to work with the United States on bringing
stability to the region. Following Fessehazion's recounting
of Eritrea's role in encouraging dialogue among the Somalis,
Knight urged the Acting Foreign Minister to assist the United
States in isolating Somali extremists. Fessehazion replied
that Eritrea is "ready to help," adding, "we have a common
agenda to combat terrorists." Towards the end of the
meeting, the Acting Foreign Minister expressed his
"admiration" for the United States, emphasizing a desire for
increased cooperation between the two governments.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Though the meeting had a rocky start, the
discussions concluded cordially (as cordially as we have seen
in the last year). Fessehazion voiced deep frustration at
the U.S. position on the border issue, indicating the GSE
views the current impasse as the key obstacle to better
bilateral relations. Nonetheless, he remained optimistic
regarding future cooperation with the United States on
matters of regional stability. End comment.
5. (U) This cable has been coordinated with AF/E Office
Director James Knight.
MCMULLEN