Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA453
2008-09-16 08:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
how-toVZCZCXRO3631 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0453 2600840 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 160840Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9896 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIE/EIA WASHDC RQEQDIA/DIA WASHDC RUMICEA/JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000453
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV ER
SUBJECT: PFDJ "MONEY-MAN" IN HOT WATER
REF: ASMARA 211
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000453
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV ER
SUBJECT: PFDJ "MONEY-MAN" IN HOT WATER
REF: ASMARA 211
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (C) Hagos Ghebrehiwot, the Eritrean regime's "money-man,"
has reportedly been at least partially relieved of his
responsibilities. Hagos is responsible for overseeing the
regimes's economic interests, including its financial
accounts in Malta (reftel). Hagos is suspected for pocketing
money from a large order of sorghum and flour from Sudan
several months ago. The order, paid for by the Border
Control (an unofficial conglomerate of Eritrean military
officials, led by General "Manjos"),was supposed to be sold
to designated Hidri stores, owned and operated by People's
Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ),Eritrea's sole
political party. The order apparently never arrived at the
stores. PFDJ officials suspect Hagos sold the order instead
to private businessmen and pocketed the money. Embassy staff
report that although sorghum and flour are in limited supply
in the Hidri stores, they can be found from other merchants
at twice the Hidri store price.
2. (C) It is unclear why, given the allegations, President
Isaias Afwerki has only sidelined Hagos rather than impose a
harsher punishment. Post has heard reports that Hagos may
own as many as five businesses within the United States.
MCMULLEN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV ER
SUBJECT: PFDJ "MONEY-MAN" IN HOT WATER
REF: ASMARA 211
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4 (d).
1. (C) Hagos Ghebrehiwot, the Eritrean regime's "money-man,"
has reportedly been at least partially relieved of his
responsibilities. Hagos is responsible for overseeing the
regimes's economic interests, including its financial
accounts in Malta (reftel). Hagos is suspected for pocketing
money from a large order of sorghum and flour from Sudan
several months ago. The order, paid for by the Border
Control (an unofficial conglomerate of Eritrean military
officials, led by General "Manjos"),was supposed to be sold
to designated Hidri stores, owned and operated by People's
Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ),Eritrea's sole
political party. The order apparently never arrived at the
stores. PFDJ officials suspect Hagos sold the order instead
to private businessmen and pocketed the money. Embassy staff
report that although sorghum and flour are in limited supply
in the Hidri stores, they can be found from other merchants
at twice the Hidri store price.
2. (C) It is unclear why, given the allegations, President
Isaias Afwerki has only sidelined Hagos rather than impose a
harsher punishment. Post has heard reports that Hagos may
own as many as five businesses within the United States.
MCMULLEN