Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA277
2008-05-23 06:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
DETAINED EGYPTIAN SAILORS RETURN HOME
how-toVZCZCXRO1543 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0277 1440655 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 230655Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9681 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0444 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000277
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM CASC EG ER
SUBJECT: DETAINED EGYPTIAN SAILORS RETURN HOME
Classified By: CDA Jennifer A. McIntyre for reason 1.4(d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000277
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM CASC EG ER
SUBJECT: DETAINED EGYPTIAN SAILORS RETURN HOME
Classified By: CDA Jennifer A. McIntyre for reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) On May 21, Egyptian DCM Hassam Abdallah Nooreldin told
Poloff that the 40 Egyptian sailors, who were arrested in
spring 2007 and detained for a year in the port city of
Massawa by the Eritrean government, have finally been
released and returned to Egypt. The sailors were never
charged with a crime, although the GSE alleged to the Embassy
that they had been illegally fishing in Eritrean waters.
Hassam stated that the sailors were severely undernourished,
as they had been given only "a very small amount of lentils"
each day of their detention. While imprisoned on their ship,
five of the sailors were forced to wear the uniforms of the
Eritrean military and stand guard over the remaining 35
sailors under threat of physical torture. Hassam also
mentioned that one of the sailors was suffering extreme leg
injuries caused by the method in which he was tied, and would
require medical treatment.
2. (C) Hassam said the sailors were told daily by their
Eritrean jailers that the Egyptian Embassy had made no effort
to contact them, and they would be released as soon as their
Embassy and government showed concern for their well-being.
(Note: The Egyptian Embassy and government made repeated
requests for over a year for consular access to the sailors,
requests that were never granted. An Egyptian delegation
visited Eritrea in early May 2008, for the primary purpose of
discussing this issue with President Isaias. Only by the
verbal order of President Isaias himself were the Egyptians
finally able to secure the release of their citizens. The
Egyptian Embassy never did gain consular access; the sailors
were released and transported to Asmara -- at which point,
the Embassy was able to debrief them and arrange their
returns to Egypt. End Note.)
MCINTYRE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PHUM CASC EG ER
SUBJECT: DETAINED EGYPTIAN SAILORS RETURN HOME
Classified By: CDA Jennifer A. McIntyre for reason 1.4(d).
1. (C) On May 21, Egyptian DCM Hassam Abdallah Nooreldin told
Poloff that the 40 Egyptian sailors, who were arrested in
spring 2007 and detained for a year in the port city of
Massawa by the Eritrean government, have finally been
released and returned to Egypt. The sailors were never
charged with a crime, although the GSE alleged to the Embassy
that they had been illegally fishing in Eritrean waters.
Hassam stated that the sailors were severely undernourished,
as they had been given only "a very small amount of lentils"
each day of their detention. While imprisoned on their ship,
five of the sailors were forced to wear the uniforms of the
Eritrean military and stand guard over the remaining 35
sailors under threat of physical torture. Hassam also
mentioned that one of the sailors was suffering extreme leg
injuries caused by the method in which he was tied, and would
require medical treatment.
2. (C) Hassam said the sailors were told daily by their
Eritrean jailers that the Egyptian Embassy had made no effort
to contact them, and they would be released as soon as their
Embassy and government showed concern for their well-being.
(Note: The Egyptian Embassy and government made repeated
requests for over a year for consular access to the sailors,
requests that were never granted. An Egyptian delegation
visited Eritrea in early May 2008, for the primary purpose of
discussing this issue with President Isaias. Only by the
verbal order of President Isaias himself were the Egyptians
finally able to secure the release of their citizens. The
Egyptian Embassy never did gain consular access; the sailors
were released and transported to Asmara -- at which point,
the Embassy was able to debrief them and arrange their
returns to Egypt. End Note.)
MCINTYRE