Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA228
2008-04-23 14:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
PFDJ VOICES OPINIONS ON BORDER AND SOMALIA
how-toVZCZCXRO5774 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0228/01 1141403 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 231403Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9625 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0708 RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASMARA 000228
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
NSC FOR HUDSON AND PITTMAN
DS/IP/AF
DS/IP/ITA
DS/IP/SPC/SO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KREC ER ET SO
SUBJECT: PFDJ VOICES OPINIONS ON BORDER AND SOMALIA
REF: ASMARA 223
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASMARA 000228
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
NSC FOR HUDSON AND PITTMAN
DS/IP/AF
DS/IP/ITA
DS/IP/SPC/SO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KREC ER ET SO
SUBJECT: PFDJ VOICES OPINIONS ON BORDER AND SOMALIA
REF: ASMARA 223
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador and Director of East African
Affairs James Knight met on April 18 with Yemane Ghebreab,
head of Political Affairs for the People's Front for
Democracy and Justice (PFDJ),Eritrea's ruling (and sole)
political party. Yemane reiterated the two main points made
in Knight's prior day meeting with Acting Foreign Minister
Fessehazion Petros: an overall willingness to work with the
USG on issues of regional stability and resistance to
improved bilateral relations until the border issue is
resolved. He also expressed opposition towards U.S. policies
in Somalia and downplayed the recent border incident between
Eritrea and Djibouti. End Summary.
BORDER ISSUE FIRST; BILATERAL IMPROVEMENTS AFTER
-------------- ---
2. (C) Knight opened the meeting by raising the Embassy's
operational problems due to the continuing host government
restrictions. Yemane echoed many of the statements made by
A/FM Fessehazion (reftel),stressing that improvements in
bilateral relations can only be made "by bringing everything
to the table," implying a link between lifting restrictions
on Embassy Asmara and broader strategic issues, including
border demarcation. During a discussion about the recent
letter to President Bush from President Isaias Yemane
commented that "if border demarcation was agreed upon today,
we would be ready to resume normal relations with Ethiopia
tomorrow."
REGIONAL SECURITY COOPERATION POSSIBLE
--------------
3. (SBU) In contrast to his pessimistic view towards quick
progress on bilateral issues, Yemane projected eagerness
towards working with the United States on issues of regional
security. He noted, however, his disagreement with the USG
labeling Al-Shabaab a terrorist organization, which he
referred to as a "movement" and "children fighting for their
homeland." Nonetheless, he did emphasize the GSE's
willingness to discuss isolating the individuals in
Al-Shabaab who are linked to global extremist networks.
ERITREA, THE ARS, AND TENSIONS ON THE DJIBOUTIAN BORDER
-------------- --------------
4. (C) Yemane characterized U.S. policy on Somalia as a
"blunder." Yemane warned that Somalia will not achieve peace
until Ethiopian troops withdraw completely from Somali
territory, noting that the majority of the ARS membership
will not accept dialogue with the Somali Prime Minister until
there is a full withdrawal.
5. (C) When asked about the recent border entanglement
between Djiboutian and Eritrean soldiers, Yemane insisted
that the situation was of little concern. He added that any
misunderstanding that might have arisen would easily be
resolved.
6. (C) COMMENT: Yemane, like the A/FM, stayed on message that
the GSE will review its restrictions on the Embassy in the
context of the broader bilateral relationship, although both
indicated Eritrea's willingness to engage the USG on regional
issues. Based on Post's outside conversations with ARS
members and other Somali watchers in Asmara, the GSE seems
deeply concerned about losing its grip on the ARS. Many
Asmara observers believe the recent Eritrean activities on
Djibouti's border likely arose from GSE anger at Djibouti's
encouragement of ARS leaders to engage in multilateral
discussions. This border incident comes at a time when ARS
leaders have noticeably shifted towards a more flexible
stance regarding future discussion with Somalia's
Transitional Federal Government -- a conciliatory point of
ASMARA 00000228 002 OF 002
view clearly not shared by the Eritreans, who continue to
insist that the ARS will never accept negotiations prior to
Ethiopian withdrawal from Somalia. End Comment.
7. (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
DS/IP/AF
DS/IP/ITA
DS/IP/SPC/SO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KREC ER ET SO
SUBJECT: PFDJ VOICES OPINIONS ON BORDER AND SOMALIA
REF: ASMARA 223
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador and Director of East African
Affairs James Knight met on April 18 with Yemane Ghebreab,
head of Political Affairs for the People's Front for
Democracy and Justice (PFDJ),Eritrea's ruling (and sole)
political party. Yemane reiterated the two main points made
in Knight's prior day meeting with Acting Foreign Minister
Fessehazion Petros: an overall willingness to work with the
USG on issues of regional stability and resistance to
improved bilateral relations until the border issue is
resolved. He also expressed opposition towards U.S. policies
in Somalia and downplayed the recent border incident between
Eritrea and Djibouti. End Summary.
BORDER ISSUE FIRST; BILATERAL IMPROVEMENTS AFTER
-------------- ---
2. (C) Knight opened the meeting by raising the Embassy's
operational problems due to the continuing host government
restrictions. Yemane echoed many of the statements made by
A/FM Fessehazion (reftel),stressing that improvements in
bilateral relations can only be made "by bringing everything
to the table," implying a link between lifting restrictions
on Embassy Asmara and broader strategic issues, including
border demarcation. During a discussion about the recent
letter to President Bush from President Isaias Yemane
commented that "if border demarcation was agreed upon today,
we would be ready to resume normal relations with Ethiopia
tomorrow."
REGIONAL SECURITY COOPERATION POSSIBLE
--------------
3. (SBU) In contrast to his pessimistic view towards quick
progress on bilateral issues, Yemane projected eagerness
towards working with the United States on issues of regional
security. He noted, however, his disagreement with the USG
labeling Al-Shabaab a terrorist organization, which he
referred to as a "movement" and "children fighting for their
homeland." Nonetheless, he did emphasize the GSE's
willingness to discuss isolating the individuals in
Al-Shabaab who are linked to global extremist networks.
ERITREA, THE ARS, AND TENSIONS ON THE DJIBOUTIAN BORDER
-------------- --------------
4. (C) Yemane characterized U.S. policy on Somalia as a
"blunder." Yemane warned that Somalia will not achieve peace
until Ethiopian troops withdraw completely from Somali
territory, noting that the majority of the ARS membership
will not accept dialogue with the Somali Prime Minister until
there is a full withdrawal.
5. (C) When asked about the recent border entanglement
between Djiboutian and Eritrean soldiers, Yemane insisted
that the situation was of little concern. He added that any
misunderstanding that might have arisen would easily be
resolved.
6. (C) COMMENT: Yemane, like the A/FM, stayed on message that
the GSE will review its restrictions on the Embassy in the
context of the broader bilateral relationship, although both
indicated Eritrea's willingness to engage the USG on regional
issues. Based on Post's outside conversations with ARS
members and other Somali watchers in Asmara, the GSE seems
deeply concerned about losing its grip on the ARS. Many
Asmara observers believe the recent Eritrean activities on
Djibouti's border likely arose from GSE anger at Djibouti's
encouragement of ARS leaders to engage in multilateral
discussions. This border incident comes at a time when ARS
leaders have noticeably shifted towards a more flexible
stance regarding future discussion with Somalia's
Transitional Federal Government -- a conciliatory point of
ASMARA 00000228 002 OF 002
view clearly not shared by the Eritreans, who continue to
insist that the ARS will never accept negotiations prior to
Ethiopian withdrawal from Somalia. End Comment.
7. (U) This cable has been coordinated with AF/E Office
Director James Knight.
MCMULLEN