Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA43
2008-01-31 07:04:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN ASSAB REGION
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAE #0043 0310704 ZNY SSSSS ZZH R 310704Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9412 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 6180 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 3028 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1589 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1767 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
S E C R E T ASMARA 000043
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2028
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL PINR ER
SUBJECT: MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN ASSAB REGION
Classified By: Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
S E C R E T ASMARA 000043
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2028
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL PINR ER
SUBJECT: MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN ASSAB REGION
Classified By: Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (S/NF) RSO Source stated he met with a friend who is a
soldier stationed in the port city of Assab and in Asmara on
leave. He stated the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) recently
received 110 new tanks that are deployed along the border
regions near Assab (NFI).
2. (S/NF) The soldier stated Major General Samuel Haile aka
"China" (force commander in the Assab region),recently held
a briefing with a large number of Eritrean soldiers and
stated Eritrea would commence combat operations against
Ethiopia to reclaim the land it was awarded by the EEBC.
China stated the UN and the West are refusing to pressure
Ethiopia to give this land to Eritrea, and Eritrea's only
other option was to take it back by force. He told the
soldiers they were ready and war would start soon.
3. (S/NF) Many soldiers complained to China that they had
been mobilized for ten years with poor pay and lack of food
and shelter. They stated their families are starving and
they should be demobilized since the land had been awarded to
Eritrea and the border crisis has been resolved. They also
stated they would not fight if war broke out with Ethiopia.
4. (S/NF) China reportedly became furious after hearing this.
In a meeting later that evening, he told his officers to
closely monitor their soldiers, continue shooting any
soldiers who desert, and if conflict erupts, to shoot any
soldiers who refuse to fight. (Note: Source was not sure if
this briefing was an attempt to keep the troops motivated
because of their long deployment along the border, or if
China truly believed war to be imminent. End Note.)
MCMULLEN
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2028
TAGS: MOPS PGOV PREL PINR ER
SUBJECT: MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN ASSAB REGION
Classified By: Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (S/NF) RSO Source stated he met with a friend who is a
soldier stationed in the port city of Assab and in Asmara on
leave. He stated the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) recently
received 110 new tanks that are deployed along the border
regions near Assab (NFI).
2. (S/NF) The soldier stated Major General Samuel Haile aka
"China" (force commander in the Assab region),recently held
a briefing with a large number of Eritrean soldiers and
stated Eritrea would commence combat operations against
Ethiopia to reclaim the land it was awarded by the EEBC.
China stated the UN and the West are refusing to pressure
Ethiopia to give this land to Eritrea, and Eritrea's only
other option was to take it back by force. He told the
soldiers they were ready and war would start soon.
3. (S/NF) Many soldiers complained to China that they had
been mobilized for ten years with poor pay and lack of food
and shelter. They stated their families are starving and
they should be demobilized since the land had been awarded to
Eritrea and the border crisis has been resolved. They also
stated they would not fight if war broke out with Ethiopia.
4. (S/NF) China reportedly became furious after hearing this.
In a meeting later that evening, he told his officers to
closely monitor their soldiers, continue shooting any
soldiers who desert, and if conflict erupts, to shoot any
soldiers who refuse to fight. (Note: Source was not sure if
this briefing was an attempt to keep the troops motivated
because of their long deployment along the border, or if
China truly believed war to be imminent. End Note.)
MCMULLEN