Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA341
2008-07-03 07:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:  

DIASPORA YOUTH WARY OF MILITARY TRAINING CAMPS

Tags:  PGOV SOCI PHUM ER 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8934
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHAE #0341 1850752
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 030752Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9766
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA 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 000341 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PHUM ER
SUBJECT: DIASPORA YOUTH WARY OF MILITARY TRAINING CAMPS

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000341

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV SOCI PHUM ER
SUBJECT: DIASPORA YOUTH WARY OF MILITARY TRAINING CAMPS

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: The number of Eritrean diaspora youth
volunteering to spend part of their summer in the Sawa
military training camp has significantly declined in recent
years. Conditions in the military camps remain poor while
reports of abuse and death of those conscripted continue to
surface. End Summary.


2. (C) PolOff met with Reverend Zecharias (strictly protect)
of the Mehrete Yesus Evangelical Presbyterian Church on July
1 to discuss updates on political and religious freedom
abuses. According to Zecharias, the National Union of
Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS) has traditionally
organized a three-week summer excursion to the Sawa military
training camp for diaspora youth. The excursion apparently
holds particular appeal for diaspora youth who have grown up
in Europe or North America and have never completed national
service requirements. However, Zecharias continued, NUEYS
has seen a dramatic decrease in recent years in the number of
youth signing up for the Sawa excursion. In its 2002
inception, the excursion initially drew approximately 600
youth from across the diaspora. As of 2007, the numbers have
dropped to less than an estimated 100 attendees. Zecharias
expects the 2008 numbers to be even lower. An Eritrean youth
currently in national service previously explained to PolOff
that diaspora youth are treated particularly harshly at Sawa
and are often beaten more severely than normal conscripts.


4. (C) Zecharias also reported the death of a 31-year old
military conscript in the Wi'a military training camp,
Asmerom Habtemariam. Habtemariam reportedly died from a
combination of physical torture and pneumonia.


5. (C) COMMENT: Despite the overt patriotism of many Eritrean
diaspora youth, Post is unsurprised that the enthusiasm for
Sawa and other military camps has declined with years of
reports of abuse, torture, and death at the camps.
Nonetheless, the summer has only begun and flights to Eritrea
are reportedly packed with diaspora members readily returning
to their homeland, to include would-be military "summer
campers." End Comment.
MCMULLEN