ERITREA EXPROPRIATES $1.3 MILLION PROPERTY FROM

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000459

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR CA/ACS/OCS/AF,
FRANKFURT FOR RCO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018
TAGS: CASC ER KIDE PGOV
SUBJECT: ERITREA EXPROPRIATES $1.3 MILLION PROPERTY FROM
AMCIT

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


1. (C) An American citizen of Eritrean origin informed
Emboff that in September 2007 the Government of the State of
Eritrea (GSE) expropriated 15 acres of land containing lumber
trees and 2,000 coffee plants worth approximately $1.3
million. The land is in the Filfil area, approximately 30
miles north of Asmara. The GSE did not take official or
legal action against the Amcit; Eritrean soldiers appeared at
the property and evicted his family and their employees. The
Amcit said the soldiers claimed the land was to be used for
tourism, although one year later soldiers remain encamped on
the land and are not maintaining its productivity. The Amcit
submitted his property title to both the Minister of
Agriculture and the Office of the President, but did not
receive resolution (Note: Lodging an informal complaint to
high-ranking GSE officials is the only method for making a
claim of government malpractice. If the official agrees with
the claimant, the official will work through informal
channels to attempt to reverse the GSE's action. There are
no known official procedures for filing a claim against the
government. End Note.)


2. (SBU) The claimant did not seek Embassy assistance with
the matter. Post believes Embassy involvement may have a
negative impact on the claimant's resolution attempts.
MCMULLEN