Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA305
2008-06-10 13:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:  

REPORTED EXECUTION OF ERITREAN SOLDIERS AS "AN

Tags:  MOPS PGOV PINS ASEC PINR ER 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5446
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHAE #0305 1621307
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 101307Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9724
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000305 

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
INR LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PINS ASEC PINR ER
SUBJECT: REPORTED EXECUTION OF ERITREAN SOLDIERS AS "AN
EXAMPLE"

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000305

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
INR LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PINS ASEC PINR ER
SUBJECT: REPORTED EXECUTION OF ERITREAN SOLDIERS AS "AN
EXAMPLE"

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


1. (C/NF) A local employee (LES) told RSO that ten Eritrean
soldiers were summarily executed after a group of soldiers
complained about the lack of food. According to the LES, the
Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) were conducting field exercises
last week in the village of Tukul, located approximately 25
miles southeast of Asmara. During the training, a group of
soldiers purportedly complained to their officers about
conducting field operations while they were hungry, as the
EDF had not provided them adequate food. The Eritrean
officers reportedly chastised the soldiers for being
"unpatriotic" and, later that day, randomly grabbed ten
soldiers from this particular unit. The ten soldiers were
then summarily shot as "an example" to maintain discipline
and as an example to others who might question orders.


2. (C/NF) The LES stated that he had heard this information
directly from a soldier who had witnessed this incident and
had defected from his unit later that same day, escaping to
Asmara. This soldier had been employed as a Local Guard
Force member at the U.S. Embassy until 2000, when he was
picked up in a military roundup and forced into national
service. Since that time, the former employee has been
serving in the EDF. Post has been unable to corroborate this
information, however, we continue to receive reports of mass
defections from Eritrean military units and reports of low
morale due inadequate food, water, or shelter.
MCMULLEN