GSE ARRESTS EMBASSY LOCAL GUARD AT HIS RESIDENCE

S E C R E T ASMARA 000412

NOFORN

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/ICI/CI,
DS/IP/SPC/SO, DS/TIA/PII, AF/E, AF/EX

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/19/2028
TAGS: ASEC PHUM PGOV APER AMGT KSOCI KIRF ER
SUBJECT: GSE ARRESTS EMBASSY LOCAL GUARD AT HIS RESIDENCE

REFS: A. ASMARA 000371

B. 07 ASMARA 000894

Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for Reason 1.4 (d)


1. (C) Embassy Local Guard Force (LGF) Commander Mehari
Zemhret was arrested at his residence on 08/18/08 at
approximately 1300 hrs while on his lunch break by members of
the Eritrean National Security Agency (ENSA). An
unidentified Eritrean male asked if "Mehari" was in the
residence. Since more than one person named Mehari lives in
the compound, Zemhret's wife asked "which one?" The
unidentified male said "the one that works at the American
Embassy." Zemhret walked to the compound gate and two
unidentified ENSA males exited from a red Toyota and took him
into custody. Zemhret's neighbors told FSNI that the car had
been circling Zemhret's street for approximately 3 hrs
earlier that day. FSNI went to several police stations and
found out Zemhret was being held at the 5th police station in
southern Asmara, approximately 300 meters from the RSO
residence, but was unable to speak with him. Neither the
ENSA personnel at Zemhret's house, nor the officials at the
police station stated why Zemhret was arrested.


2. (C) Zemhret had not conducted his compulsory military
service, but had completed military service in Ethiopia where
he was born. However, Zemhret is an ethnic Eritrean whose
family returned to Eritrea after Eritrea gained independence
in 1991. NOTE: In the last year, several LGF have been
arrested in roundups for national service, but they have
always been arrested when caught in roundups in downtown
Asmara or while attending unsanctioned Protestant church
services. They were not singled out, but were arrested with
other non-Embassy Eritreans in public venues. None of the
LGF thus far have been specifically targeted and arrested at
their residence. END NOTE.


3. (C) In September, 2006, the former LGF Commander Sirak
Asmelash was arrested in a similar manner. While leaving his
house at approximately 0740 hrs three men from the ENSA were
waiting outside his house, arrested him, put him in a red
Toyota, and transported him to the 5th police station.
Asmelash was held at the police station for two weeks and was
repeatedly interrogated about his work at the embassy. He
served 10 months of military service before being released.


4. (C) Reftel A previously reported on former locally
engaged staff member Daniel Haile who was forced to resign
his position as the radio/telephone technician after members
of the Eritrean ruling party, the People's Front for
Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) told him he could no longer work
at the U.S. Embassy. Post reported this incident might have
been revenge by a former LGF Commander Isaac Abraham who was
fired in February, 2008 for malfeasance and blamed Haile for
his termination. Along with Abraham, six other LGF have been
fired over the last six months for dereliction of duty. One
of the LGF that was fired is now a receptionist at one of the
PFDJ offices in Asmara.


5. (S/NF) Post has previously reported it assumes the vast
majority of its LES staff are co-opted or coerced into
reporting on Embassy activities to the Government of the
State of Eritrea, (GSE). The GSE is extremely paranoid of
diplomats and closely monitors foreigners in addition to
their own populace. In November, 2007, Post RIF'd 12 persons
as a downsizing measure since Post's DH American population
has decreased. At that time, RSO Source reported the
Eritrean MFA met about these firings and wanted to know if
these 12 persons were targeted because Post believed they
were providing information about Embassy activities to the
GSE, (Reftel B).


6. (S/NF) POST COMMENTS: Post is not sure if the fired LES
members are using their influence with the PFDJ to target
Embassy LES they believe responsible for their firing and
exacting revenge against Post by having key personnel
terminated. It is very possible some of the LES staff that
have been fired over the last year were the "embassy
kingpins" who provided information to the GSE on Post
activities and the GSE is targeting individuals who have not
reported to the GSE or trying to hurt Embassy operations to
avenge the firing of their contacts within the Embassy. Both
Zemhret and Asmelash were 39 years old when they were
arrested. The mandatory, national service is a minimum of
two years. The cutoff age for males to start their national
service is 40 years. Post continues to monitor the situation
with LGF Commander Zemhret and will report any additional
information. Point of contact is RSO Sean McClanahan, IVG:
596-2778.
TABLER-STONE