Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA465
2008-09-18 11:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
UPDATE ON ERITREANS DEPORTED FROM EGYPT
how-toVZCZCXRO5759 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0465 2621112 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 181112Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9909 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0455 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDCH HUMICEA/JICCENC CACDILL AFB FL RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000465
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2018
TAGS: PREF PHUM PGOV SOCI ER EG
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON ERITREANS DEPORTED FROM EGYPT
REF: A. ASMARA 324
¶B. ASMARA 353
Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for Reason 1.4 (d)
(C) Post received a reliable report on the fate of the
approximately 900 Eritreans deported from Egypt in June.
About 80% (720) of the prisoners were military deserters, who
were returned to their units after a couple of weeks of
processing. Another 30 to 50 deportees were considered
"crimimals" and remain either in the Wia disciplinary camp
(where all of the deportees were initially taken) or in one
of Eritrea's other prisons. Post's source, whose close
relative works as an administrator at Wia, corroborated
Eritrean media reports that the GSE threw a party for the
remaining 130 to 150 returnees, provided a 500 Nakfa ($33)
cash payment to each person, and allowed them to return home
almost immediately. The contact added that each Egypt Air
flight containing deportees had between 30 and 40 Egyptian
soldiers on board.
MCMULLEN